Dad hugs me tightly, swaying me as if cradling a baby in his arms. “Please tell me how I can help you.”
“I doubt anyone can help.”
“If this center isn’t right, call me, and we’ll find another.”
I snort. “Your sons kicked me out of their penthouse.”
“Then you’ll come live with me.”
“And your current girlfriend? What is she, twenty-one?”
He sighs. “I’m not with anyone.”
“That’s refreshing.”
“While I was off the grid, I might’ve learned a thing or two. I’m not saying the next woman I date won’t be young, but I’ll stop searching for a quick fix.”
“You make it sound as if it’s an addiction.”
He grimaces. “Just don’t tell anyone, okay?”
“Will this get better, Dad?”
“I don’t have the answer, but I’ll be here for you.”
“Are you going to call me?”
“Of course I will.”
“Thank you for coming.”
“If your brothers hadn’t been guarding you, I would’ve been here the moment you were discharged.”
I love my brothers, and how protective they are of me. I’m also glad they allowed him to come over so we could have this talk.
Kingston and I are in the kitchen. He’s cooking my last home-cooked meal for the foreseeable future. We’ll leave for Oregon early tomorrow, and I will be there for three to six months.
As I try to help him wash the spinach for the salad, I say, “Dad came.”
“We know.”
“Why wasn’t he allowed to see me before? You let Mom visit after the first few days.”
“Because he’s an asshole.”
I almost chuckle because his answer reminds me of Dad. He’s just as arrogant as Donovan St. James. We just don’t hold it against him—that much.
“He’s our father.”
“Sure, but I didn’t want to have to kick him out of the hospital because he can’t have an ounce of compassion toward his only daughter.”
“That’s sweet in a weird way.”
“I’m the sweetest, never forget that.” His growly tone finally drags a laugh out of me.
He’s not wrong. Dad is indifferent, and at times, he can be extremely cruel. But would my brothers understand if I told them Dad’s hurting? I know they love him, mainly because he was a good father while we were growing up. Did he change after what happened to Mom?
“You’re disappearing again,” Myles says as he enters the kitchen. “You’re cooking?”
“I don’t cook and I’m still here.”
He scoffs. “I know. I was asking King.”
“Oh yeah, he is. It’s unsettling to know my brothers cook and I…” I shrug.
Myles laughs and shakes his head. “He didn’t learn how to cook for a long time.”
“How did you learn?” I challenge him. He probably got some girl to teach him.
“During my travels. I’ve been taught by many people. One time in Mexico, a marchanta taught me how to make mole from scratch.”
“What’s a marchanta?”
“A merchant. She was lovely. So many kind people took pity on me and gave me a class or two.” He tilts his head toward King. “I’m the one who challenged this asshole to learn how to survive.”
“You should teach me how to cook.”
Myles smiles. “Once you’re back from the center, we will cook and travel together, okay?”
“Thank you.”
“Hey, I’m just doing it so in the future, I can drop by your place and score a free meal.”
“No, for pushing me to do something for myself.”
Myles side hugs me. “We’re here to support you, just like you do with us.”
“This is done,” King announces. “Take a seat. I’ll toss the salad. This is our last dinner together before our flight to Oregon.”
“We’re flying?”
Myles winks. “We do everything in style.”
They do. Also, they add lots of TLC to what they do for the family. They might be grouchy and bossy, but my big brothers always look after everyone. Myles is always finding special presents for our niece, Matilda.
King is no different. I wish they’d stop their bachelor lives and find someone to love and who’ll love them. When I’m back, I’ll start a new campaign. There’s nothing wrong with being single, but they are family men. They deserve the whole package.
Chapter Ten
Seth
“You’re pushing your luck,” Finnegan warns me as I descend the jet’s stairs.
Some days he pisses me off more than others. “As I explained, my wife needed me to drop her off at a treatment facility.”
This isn’t a lie, but a stretched truth.
The one who needed to know she landed safely was me, not her.
As a matter of fact, I didn’t even see Teddy. However, I made sure she and her brothers arrived in Eugene without drawing any attention from the Z’s. We don’t think they’re watching her family, but I’m all about preventing a catastrophe.
Nathan, who happens to have a side gig with Finnegan, helped us create a fake ID for Teddy. It’s safer if no one knows where she is. Her brothers might’ve thought it was okay to kick her out of the penthouse, but it was a stupid idea.
Did I want to see Teddy and take her into my arms?
Definitely, but it would’ve been stupid. The moment I see her again, I won’t let her go, and neither one of us is ready for forever. First of all, I have to get out of this alive before I can offer her more. Then, I’ll have to go to the therapist.
I want to be the man she deserves. A man who can walk by her side. I’ve made many mistakes throughout the past ten years, but it’s time to stop. Today isn’t guaranteed, and I’ve wasted so many days without her.
Finnegan arches a brow, studying me. “This better not fuck your state of mind for tonight. We can’t make any mistakes. Everything has to be planned perfectly.”
My father sheds his emotions easily. Grace and I always joke that the moment he steps into the HQ of HIB he becomes a frigid asshole. I only do it as I’m about to start a mission. This guy is devoid of every single feeling known to humanity. Well, except for anger. Every morning he replaces his energy drinks with rage drinks.
Gathering all the patience I can, I say, “So far, everything has worked perfectly. Just a friendly reminder that I’m here to help, I’m not your minion.”
His jaw clenches. This man hates when others defy him. I made a deal with him. It included selling part of my soul. Well, at least that’s what I thought when he offered me the deal. He made no promises that we wouldn’t be killing children or women. So far, all the missions have included rescuing prisoners and helping them get back on their feet.
He rubs his chin. “Just a reminder that you need to be careful. We agreed you wouldn’t speak to your family—or The Organization.”
“I haven’t.”
“You spoke with your in-laws.”