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“You should’ve come into her life sooner.”
We glared and waited for the other person to cave first. It sure as hell wasn’t going to be me.
Mr. Barclay sighed. “That was the plan. Then this happened.” He waved at the bed and his body. “I thought I’d have time to make everything up, but I’m grateful my daughter is as forgiving as she is.”
Frowning, I sat in the seat Chan had vacated. “I know, I put her through shit, and she still agreed to be with me. It’s why I’m so protective of her now.”
“I looked into you, Hartford. There are some questionable things, but I get your purpose. It shows me a lot that you made it to pledge to the society. It makes me happier knowing she has you to rely on. But promise me, if it doesn’t work out for you two, you’ll still watch over her.”
What made him think we wouldn’t work out? I frowned at the mere thought of it.
Mr. Barclay smirked and shook his head. “I get it, but you’re both young. I still have my reservations. However, the way you two looked at each other when you came in, I see it. It’s rare, so I need you to make sure you take care of her out in the real world and within the society. People there are too greedy and selfish for their own good. Nothing better come for my daughter.”
The man voiced every concern I held about the society, so I vowed always to protect her.
“Sir, Chan’s it for me. I’m telling you right now. I won’t ever leave her, ever.”
Chan’s father stared closely, studying my face, and he nodded. “Very well. I’m trusting you with my most precious gift. Don’t make me come and haunt you.”
Snickering, I nodded. “Fair enough. I need you to do something, though.”
Richard lifted his brow. “Oh?”
“Get Blake to back off. If I do it, you might be attending his funeral.”
Richard sighed and laid his head against the pillow. Chan chose that moment to enter with the butler behind her, carrying another chair and standing food tray as she held a tray with several pieces of different varieties of cheesecake, which so happened to be Chan’s favorite dessert.
“Dad, I can’t believe you had them make me all these different styles of cheesecake. It’s too much.”
Mr. Barclay and I eyed each other before he nodded in agreement, and he put on a large smile for his daughter. “Sweetheart, I have many birthdays to make up for, so I figured each flavor helped to make a dent.”
Chan giggled, and I stood to help her sit as she placed the tray on the portable table. “Okay, who wants what?”
We stayed at her dad’s for another hour, but it got more challenging for him to keep his eyes open. Chan kissed his head and told him she’d visit the next day. I said goodbye, shook his hand, and guided my girl out of there. As soon as we got in the car, Chan deflated. “He’s getting weaker and weaker each day.”
The console punched into my stomach, but I didn’t let it stop me from grabbing my girl and hugging her as a couple of sniffles escaped her. “You’re doing what you can. You’re making him happy right now. That’s all that can be done.”
Chan nodded, and I took her to campus, but we spent the night in her dorm room this time. Checking out the still-damaged room, I made a mental note to get somebody here ASAP to fix it. It had taken too long already.
After all the angry sex we’d had, I didn’t have the heart for it tonight. I watched her be happy with her father and then crumple as we left, and she appeared so fragile. I hated seeing her like that, so I made love to her slowly. Making sure she knew how much I cherished her and I’d always be here for her.
At seven in the morning, my phone buzzed, and I cursed as I reached for it, but as soon as I read the name appearing on the screen, I answered. “Hold on.”
Chan slept soundly, and I snuck out of bed and put on my boxers before sneaking out of the room. Ella’s door remained shut, so I went toward the window as far away from Chan’s door as possible.
“Okay, talk to me.”
The PI I hired to look into all the so-called accidents started. “I got a lead, and it’s not good. I’m sure of it. Someone’s out there trying to kill your girl.”
I gripped the phone tightly in my hand so hard I couldn’t believe I didn’t break the damn thing.
“You sure about this?”
“Positive. The so-called mishaps were planned. I don’t have much now, but I’m digging, and the fucker appears to be escalating, so I’m on it twenty-four-seven now. I’ll let you know when I get some corroboration on some things I’m checking into.”
“Should I get her a bodyguard?”
“Hey, it couldn’t hurt. Definitely don’t let her stay alone. Better yet, you might want to get her off campus for a while. The central theme of the attacks is there.”
