Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
“The only way you walk away from this unharmed is in my good graces,” I tell him as I squeeze Parker’s hand again. “And because I love your daughter, I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”
“I’ll be ruined, and so will she.”
My laugh is bitter as I shake my head. “Old man, you are missing the fucking point. I don’t give a shit what you or anyone else in your clubs thinks. I’ve got enough money to buy them over a hundred times. The debt that’s suffocating you is a drop in the bucket for me, and the only reason I haven’t kicked you out on your ass before now is because you're Parker’s father. You’re a rounding error, and unless she wants to have a relationship with you, which I doubt, I’ll be happy to see the back of you.”
“Wait, there’s got to be a way to talk this out.”
“Here’s what’s going to happen. Because of what your daughter means to me and the future I want to build with her, I’m going to make this right.” I look at her and then slide my arm around her waist to pull her to my side. “I took care of your debts last night. They’ve been wiped clean.”
“What?” Parker whispers from beside me.
“Your house is being packed up as we speak and is being sold. All the funds are going into a trust that will give you a monthly allowance. You and Parker’s mother will be moved into one of my homes in the city. From there, you’ll volunteer with the community food bank and attend meetings for your addiction, along with therapy.”
“No,” he says flatly, flexing his jaw.
“Okay.” I call his bluff as I stand there smiling. “Then go, and don’t ever come looking for a dime from me.”
“You can’t make us move. Parker is still in school, I have commitments.”
“Parker is no longer your concern. She will be well cared for and looked after for the rest of her life. And if she chooses to have a relationship with you, I won’t stand in her way. But I will show her every single day what it means to care for someone. I’ll be a reminder that what she had before me was worthless.”
“How dare you—”
“I dare,” I cut in, feeling heat and anger rise up my neck. “She is the best thing in this world and you treated her like cattle. She might not know what she deserves because you gave her scraps her whole life, but I will make sure she feasts from now on.” I feel Parker’s hand on my chest and it calms me. “You have a chance at this moment to fix what you’ve broken. To choose your daughter and to choose to be a man worth holding the title of father. It’s up to you.”
There’s a long moment where Louis looks at me and then quickly glances at Parker before turning away and walking out of my office without another word. I want to tell him he’s making a mistake and that he’ll regret it for the rest of his life, but I can’t make that choice for him.
“I can’t believe he left.” She sniffs, and I pull her against me and kiss the top of her head.
“Don’t give up hope yet, sweet girl.” I have no idea what will happen with Louis and her mom, but I know that I’ll be here to protect her.
“Thank you, Sammy.” She leans her head back to look up at me, and it’s then I notice she’s smiling. “I love you.”
Hearing her say the words is like a shot of something warm and pure to my heart.
“I should have said it sooner, but I didn’t know how.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I shake my head. “I love you, and that’s all we need.”
Epilogue
Parker
A few months later
“Who knew buying a dildo online would end with a happily ever after?” Lexi teases as she comes waltzing into the bathroom. I’ve been trying to give my groom the slip since we said our vows, but he isn’t making it easy. The man isn’t letting me out of his sight.
“Did you get it?” I ask.
Lexi nods as she holds up the pregnancy test. It’s not often I see her in a dress, and I haven’t missed the number of men checking her out tonight. She has no idea the attention she draws, but my best friend is so beautiful.
The wedding wasn’t giant, but it wasn’t small either. I think there were around seventy-five guests in all, but Sammy went all out. The man gave me a wedding that fairy tales are made of.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t come through?”
“I knew you would.” She’s right; Lexi always follows through if she says she’s going to do something. I take the test from her and start to read over the instructions.