Jack was a wildcard in a lot of ways. He loved his daughter something fierce, and watching her fall apart after she’d been kidnapped had nearly destroyed him. I understood why Mark was pissed off. And why Aaron had been willing to keep our secret after we’d “met” over coffee. But I had no idea what Jack’s reaction would be.
There was another pause, and I waited for whatever hellfire he wanted to rain down over me. He was her father, so I’d take it without objection. It wouldn’t change a thing though.
“Oh, thank God,” he rushed out. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. “I’ve been worried sick about this move to Miami, the idea of leaving her behind all alone. Even though Mark and Aaron assured me ten times over that they’d take care of her, there’s only so much they can do. I worry about her, Bowen. She’s been through so damn much, and you were always the best at being strong for her. Solid as a rock even when you should have crumbled. I pushed for this, and I have plenty of regrets, but knowing you’re back in her life—there for her for whatever she needs… Well, it’ll make closing my eyes at night a hell of a lot easier.”
Fuck, hearing it felt good. There were so many ways I’d failed her, but Remi and I belonged together, and her father’s trust in me was huge.
I hated all the secrets and lies. The minute she’d walked back into my life, I’d wanted to scream confessions for every last one of them from the rooftops. But I hadn’t found the courage to tell my own family, much less hers. And for him to have this reaction, one of happiness and relief, it healed my tattered soul in unimaginable ways.
“She’s the one, Jack. It doesn’t matter what comes our way. I’ll always protect her.”
“I know, son. Trust me. It’s the one thing I’ve never doubted with you. You’ve sacrificed a lot for my girl. I’ll never be able to repay you for it.”
I swallowed the lump rising in my neck, planting a hand on my hip as I stared blankly at the floor. “That is not a debt you owe me. Though, if you’re in a giving mood, maybe have a chat with Mark. I get it. He’s worried about her too, but I won’t let this go south. I’m marching into this with my eyes wide open and ready for the challenge.”
“That’s enough for me,” he said. More pride flooded my veins. “I’ll see what I can do about the boys.”
“I’d appreciate it.”
He cleared his throat. “Not to change the subject, but aside from Remi, how have you been?”
I smiled. “Better than your taxes. That’s for sure.”
“Aha! So you’re the accountant who’s trying to give the IRS all my money?”
“Yep, and after looking at your finances, I’m pretty pissed you didn’t reach out to me sooner.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. You had enough on your plate. Uncle Sam could wait.”
I chuckled. “I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works.”
“All right, good chat. If you don’t mind, I’m gonna get back to work and skip the lecture. Can’t wait to meet you again, Bowen.”
Grinning, I shook my head. “You too, Jack.”
I got busy with dinner, knowing she’d be there soon.
Not so shockingly, she was late, but I was grateful for the extra time to prepare.
“Hey,” I said, pulling the front door open.
Remi jerked when she got a good look at me. “Oh my God, what happened to your face?”
As soon as I’d seen myself in the mirror, I’d come up with the lie. I’d even practiced it a few times before she’d arrived. That didn’t make the burn of telling it to her any less acrid. “It’s nothing. I was playing ball with the dogs and one rolled under the swing. When I tried to grab it, the corner of the swing clocked me on the cheek.”
Framing my face with her hands, she pushed up onto her toes and traced her thumb beneath the cut Mark had left. “Jeez, I had no idea my clumsiness was contagious. You should lay down and let me get a better look at it.”
Chuckling, I hooked my arm around her hips, pulling her flush against my front. Her breath hitched and her eyes flashed dark. I would never, not for as long as I lived, tire of the way she responded to my touch.
Dipping low, I ghosted my mouth across her lips. “It’s fine. Though, if Nurse Grey wants to examine it later during a sponge bath, I wouldn’t complain.”
A mischievous grin split her lips. “I have a feeling it wouldn’t be your cheek I’d end up examining.”
I peppered kisses down her neck. “How very unprofessional of you—but no complaints about that, either.”
Her giggle breathed a new life into my chest.
