AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Then, I stop and stare directly into Lex’s eyes.
“I love Addison,” I exclaim, straightening my shoulders to muster any confidence to continue. “I’m telling you because I don’t want you to issue me an ultimatum. I will work hard to uphold the position you’ve granted me as CEO, but not at the expense of being forced to give up the one woman I love.”
“Masen, I—”
“I know, Lex, your daughters are your world,” I continue, running on adrenaline for finally admitting the truth. “I would never intentionally hurt Addison. But I love her, and I know you haven’t been easy on the men who have walked into your girls' lives.”
Lex’s still expression doesn’t waver, then he raises his brows. “Are you finished now?”
I let out a breath. “Yes.”
“I will admit my actions with Will were uncalled for. I was scared of losing my firstborn to a man I felt used me at the time for his own pleasure,” he admits, catching me by surprise. “However, Addison is not Amelia. Nor is she Ava. She will do the right thing, as will you.”
“So that means …”
“It means I will stay out of your relationship. I trust you both to make decisions right for both of you. In regards to your new role, you were, and always will be, the right man to lead the company.”
It’s the greatest of compliments from the king.
“Thank you,” I manage, lost for words.
“Now, don’t you have somewhere you need to be? My daughter is patient, but fate isn’t, my son.”
* * *
The black Mercedes pulls into the parking garage, stopping beside me. I exit the car at the same time as Mom and Dad. They’re both still dressed in work clothes, despite having to leave for a flight to San Francisco in an hour.
“Masen,” Mom murmurs, reaching to caress my cheek with the back of my hand. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shrug, unable to explain how my emotions were all over the place, and falling in love hurt more than it should have.
“Because, Presley, he’s an arrogant jerk,” Dad concedes.
A smirk plays on my lips. “Like father, like son, huh?”
Dad simpers then reaches out to pull me in for a fatherly embrace. Mom bows her head, trying to control her tears. What’s with women crying all the time?
“And look how blessed I’ve been to have two talented sons and one very beautiful wife who puts up with all my shit.”
I place my hand on his shoulder. “And to think, all because you couldn’t keep your pierced dick in your pants. You just had to infuriate your co-worker.”
Dad chuckles as Mom shakes her head in shame, then says, “Masen, one spontaneous night led to your existence.”
“Should have pulled out big fella, save you the stress,” I tease.
“I did,” Dad sneers, only for Mom’s mouth to fall open from his admission. “But one of those slippery little suckers got in early.”
“Okay,” Mom interrupts with a huff, handing me the silver key. “What you called us for.”
I take the key from her hand, staring at it with thought.
“You can do this, Masen,” she coerces in a soft voice. “Some things were always in the stars.”
My arms reach to give her a hug, allowing her a moment to hug me overbearingly as mothers do. When we pull away, my parents get back in the car.
“Good luck,” they say in unison.
“No luck needed,” I respond with a grin. “Fate, right?”
