Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 128980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
“You’re my home now,” I tell him. “Wherever you are, that’s my home.” I don’t care where that may be.
Nodding his understanding, he returns his attention to the road. I let my head fall to the side and I study him for the entire journey. He looks like he’s been to hell and back, his hair askew, his stubbled face covered in a sheen of sweat, his eyes tired.
“I love you,” I say to him, thinking he looks like he needs to hear it. “Whatever you need to do to make things right, I’ll be here for you.”
He looks across to me, but he doesn’t say anything. He just smiles a little.
* * *
I don’t realize where I am until Jake pulls over and cuts the engine, and I break my stare at his profile.
“Dad’s office?” I ask, bewildered. “You said you were taking me home.” I know I said my home was with Jake, but not here…
“Just a small detour. I’m not overly happy about bringing you here, but I’m not prepared to let you out of my sight.” He gets out and rounds his car, coming to collect me. The shakes set in. I didn’t anticipate this. I haven’t the strength to face my father. Not now.
Jake opens the door and helps me down. “Jake, why do we have to do this now?” I ask, looking up at the building. “I can’t—”
“Hey.” He places a finger over my mouth and hushes me. “There will be no arguing or attempts to pry you from my arms.”
How does he know that? This is my father we’re talking about. Hasn’t he learned a thing? “I don’t—”
His palm rests over my mouth. “Trust me, angel.”
Trust him. I could search far and wide for a lifetime and I’d never find a reason not to trust him. He’s been protecting me the whole time. From my father, from my ex…from his secrets.
I nod and look past him to the glass doors, bracing myself to face the last man in the world I want to see right now. Everything that has happened is because of him. His selfishness. His obsession with power and victory, in every capacity.
He’s lost this time, the biggest loss he’ll ever suffer. He’s lost me.
“Come on.” Jake tucks me into his side, taking slow steps, letting me take my time. I don’t need it. I decide I want to get this over with as soon as possible.
Strangely, the security guard doesn’t bat an eyelid when Jake skips the machines and walks me straight through to the elevators. Barbara, dad’s long-suffering PA, doesn’t question my unexpected visit or the man who’s with me when we pass her desk. And Jake doesn’t knock on my dad’s office door when we arrive, instead pushing his way in. I frown at the sight of splintered wood on the frame as Jake walks me in, his hold of me increasing as my dad’s office comes into view.
My father’s not sitting at his desk holding court. He’s pacing, looking the most disheveled I’ve ever seen him. When he looks across the room and spots me, I fall into shock when he breaks down, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face.
“Thank God!” He hurries over but pulls to a sharp stop before claiming me in his arms. I’m astounded when he looks to Jake for permission. What the fuck? I silently curse Jake for releasing me and exposing me to the corrupt clutches of my father.
Dad flings his arms around me and hugs me like he’s never hugged me before. I don’t return it. How can I when I’m less than pleased to see him? He’s lied to me. He’s tried everything to convince me Jake was bad for me, and when those efforts failed he manipulated the truth, told me Jake had a wife. He neglected to mention that Jake’s wife was dead. On top of all that, he paid Sebastian to press charges against Jake to get him away from me. I always knew my dad was ruthless, but this? This I’ll never understand. I never want to see him again.
“Camille, I’m so sorry.”
I look at Jake and sense his inner battle to reclaim me. I want him to. I’m his. “I want to go home,” I say, uncomfortable with Dad’s guilt and his over-the-top attention.
Dad pulls away and swallows, scanning me up and down. I remain still and let him absorb my state. The state that he’s responsible for.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” he says.
“No thanks to you,” I retort mechanically, shutting down completely. I need to leave. Not give him the opportunity to offload his reasoning on me. It won’t wash. None of it.
Dad flinches, wounded, but I have no sympathy for him. I’ve turned into a cold-hearted cow. “My little star, please just—”
“Don’t!” I yell, stunning myself with the decibel level of my voice, moving back. Jake seizes and hushes me, tucking my face into his chest and stroking my hair. “Take me home,” I beg, feeling his chest expand. “Please.”