After I danced with her, Dad, Maddox, and Bentley all took her for a spin. I laughed watching her with Dad—he was extra careful, moving in small circles, unlike the wild way he liked to move. I danced with Mom and my aunts, enjoying a few moments with each of them. They all thought Paige was wonderful, and I had to agree. A text told me I was the winner of all the items I had bid on, and I told my mom about my plans with the bed. Her eyes lit up. “She’ll love it!”
“I know.”
“How long does it take?”
“The form said a couple of weeks.”
“We can paint the room. Liv is better with colors than I am.”
“I’ll call her.”
I danced with Paige again, noticing she was looking tired. “You almost ready to go home?” I asked.
“I don’t want to cut your evening short,” she replied.
“I would far rather go home, get comfortable, and eat pizza with you and my family than stay here. Trust me. Dad will agree. He goes to hundreds of these things, and they get boring fast.”
“I’d like that.”
I traced a finger down her cheek. “You were beautiful for me tonight, Sweet Pea. Thank you.”
Her hands tightened on me. “Thank you for what you did.”
“No thanks are needed.”
I led her to the table. “We’re going to head out.”
Dad grinned. “We were just discussing that. I’m going to stop at Dom’s for pizza. We’ll be at the Hub if you want to join us.”
“Great. I have to go grab my auction items.”
“I’m going to slip to the ladies’ room,” Paige murmured. “I’ll meet you at the car?”
“I’ll wait by the door.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re not insisting on coming in with me? He’s obviously gone, just like any bad smell does. I’ll meet you at the car.”
I shrugged. I’d wait by the door anyway.
It took me a few minutes to get the certificates for the wine tasting and pick up the fishing rod. I got the information I needed to contact the maker of the bed and hurried to the door. Paige wasn’t there, but I noticed lots of women heading down the hall and assumed the ladies’ room was a busy place. I waited longer, then decided to go stick the fishing rod in the trunk and come back.
Except as I went around the corner of the building, I spotted a man arguing with a woman. The overhead light reflected on her dress, the vivid blue telling me exactly who she was. Rage overtook me as I realized Alan was holding Paige’s arm and shaking her while he cursed and yelled. Without a thought, I broke into a run, skidding to halt as I watched Paige suddenly step back and land a punch to his face, then plant a perfectly aimed knee into his crotch. He went over like a sack of potatoes, landing on the asphalt with a loud groan. I covered the last few feet, reaching for Paige.
“Are you all right?”
She shook her head, smoothing her hair. “I am now.” She glared at Alan’s sprawled figure. “I’ll be better once I speak my mind.”
Alan grunted from the pavement, struggling to get to his feet. Blood spurted from his nose, and he clutched his balls in agony. I lifted my foot, pressing down on his shoulder. “I’d stay down where you belong, you little maggot. I think the lady has something to say, and I have a feeling she has no problem taking another swing at you.” I hunched over him. “And this time, I’d help.”
I kept my foot on his shoulder as I straightened up. “Sweet Pea, the floor is yours.”
She crossed her arms. Her voice was direct and clear. “All these years, I’ve hated you. For how you treated me, what you said about my daughter—the total disregard you had for her, for her life. But after tonight, I realized I don’t hate you at all.”
I was surprised by her words.
“You mean nothing. I can’t hate nothing. You are worthless. You’re a nasty, lonely, sad little man trying to prove to the world you’re something else.” She crouched down. “My daughter? She is the most amazing little person. And the best part is she has nothing of you in her. Not a thing. She is sunshine and light. Filled with love and goodness. She is all me.”
I clapped slowly. “I’ll second that.”
Alan glared at her, not speaking. He pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, trying to stanch the blood. He still grimaced every time he shifted, and I felt a flash of pride at how hard she must have kicked him.
“She is going to go forward in this world and make it better. She is going to do great things. Without any help from you. You know, she’s never even asked me about you. Her little life is so full, she has no need.” She looked at me and smiled. “Especially since this wonderful man came into our world. He is everything you aren’t. Warm, loving, generous. He doesn’t see what’s wrong with her or me. He only sees what’s right. We both love him so much.”
Our eyes locked, and my heart rate picked up. Every time I didn’t think I could fall more in love with this woman, she proved me wrong.
“So, thanks, Alan, for being such an ass. Because of you, I found a real man to love. Lucy found someone who accepts her for just being Lucy—which is pretty damn perfect. We’re both so happy.” She laughed. “Once again, the exact opposite of you. But that’s how it’s always been. I’m glad to be out of it.”
She held out her hand. “Can we go home now, Liam?”
I couldn’t help the little kick my foot made as I lifted it off Alan’s shoulder. I took her hand, and we began to walk away as he struggled to sit. “Bitch,” he sneered, the sound muffled, but I heard it.
I turned and walked back. He hadn’t realized I could hear him. He shook his head, panic flaring in his eyes. I crouched down close, smelling his fear. “Remember something. Landscaping. I own the company. I think you figured that out from my dad, right? It requires a lot of dirt and big machines. I have it all. You so much as breathe her name, appear accidentally any place she is at? I ever see you around her or Lucy? I will find you and bury you so deep, you will never be discovered.” I met his terrified eyes. “They are mine. I protect what is mine. That’s what gardeners do. We bury shit.” I stood. “Are we clear?”
I smelled the urine before I saw the puddle under him. As I expected, a bully was never as brave when his opponent was bigger than him.
I took Paige’s hand. “I think we’re done.”
She didn’t look back. “I think so too.”
I got her in the car and out of the parking lot fast. In my rearview mirror, I saw Alan hobbling across the lot toward his car. I had no idea where his wife was and, frankly, didn’t care. I was done thinking about him.
I saw Paige flex her hand with a grimace.
“Sore, tiger?”
She giggle-hiccupped, followed by a sob, and I pulled into the parking lot of a convenience store. I hurried in, grabbed a bag of frozen peas, and tossed some money on the counter, not worrying about the change. I opened her door and crouched beside her, examining her hand. The knuckles were a little swollen, and I could see she was going to bruise. I wrapped the peas around her hand and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“Are you okay, Sweet Pea?”