Page 252 of Red Marked

“Well?” he says.

“Well, what?”

“Don’t do that. Did you speak to her? You’d better have good news for me,” he says.

“I did.”

“And?”

“And she’s gone home to her family, like she planned.”

“Is she coming back to be with you, you asshole? Why does this feel like I’m pulling teeth?” His voice is gruff. I’m not sure whether he’s in boss mode or dad mode. I don’t like either right now.

“She’ll come back to fly for Atlas, but only after I’m gone. We decided that would be for the best.”

“Flint.” He sighs. “What did you say to her?”

I give him the short version. “She told me she wasn’t interested.” I end off with, “She essentially wants more than I can give her.”

There’s a pause on the line.

“So you pretty much told her you wanted a booty call with potential for more.”

“That’s not what I told her.” I rub my jaw.

“That’s what it sounds like to me. You liked her company. You wanted more of the same, no commitment, no future prospects. That’s a booty call, Flint. No female will accept that. You’re past that stage.”

“Bottom line is that Star wants more than I can give her. She wants what she had growing up. Parents who are head over heels in love. A home. A family. She was clear about it from the start.”

“And you don’t want that?”

“I don’t want what I had growing up.”

“It doesn’t have to be like that, Flint. Why do you automatically think that’s what it will be?”

“It could happen. You can’t see into the future.”

“Neither can you, and yet, here you are, planning for the worst. You need to take a chance.” He sounds frustrated.

“I refuse to hurt her.” I shake my head. “I can’t do it.”

“You won’t. You idiot!” He’s yelling. “You make me so damned mad.”

I let him breathe for a second. “I’m coming home on my next break.”

“Good. Bring Star along.”

For fuck’s sake. Doesn’t he listen?

I groan. “She’s gone back to Mistveil City. We’ve gone our separate ways. I would really appreciate it if you would leave it alone.”

He’s quiet. When he speaks again, all the shouting has gone out of him.

“You make me really sad for you.”

“You can stop because I’m fine.”

“As long as you’re sure.” His voice has gone all soft. I prefer dad mode.