Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Liam was watching me with interest.
“Fuck,” Blaise muttered. “I was expecting this. I want you here. I’ll do whatever the hell you want from me. But he’s got to swear that he contacts you through me.”
“No. He’s my father, and I don’t want you to control that. You can’t control everything in my life, Blaise,” I said angrily. “I am not a child. He isn’t going to hurt me. If he had planned on it, wouldn’t he have done so by now?”
Liam covered his mouth with one hand but I could see the smile in his eyes.
“Fine. Fuck, fine. But if this puts you in harm’s way, I will kill every motherfucker remotely connected to that damn club,” Blaise replied with a deadly calm.
“You won’t have to kill anyone. Liam wants me safe too,” I told him gently.
“Just let me come get you,” Blaise said.
I looked at Liam. “Can he come here to get me, or would you rather take me to him?”
Liam held out his hand for the phone. I handed it over.
“Hughes,” he said. “If I let you come here, I am placing my entire club in danger. So, understand this is me telling you that I intend to make sure Madeline is safe. I want my daughter and grandchild to be free to come see me. If that means the Devil has to come with them, then so fucking be it. As long as you would die for the both of them. That’s all I ask.”
He listened, and then I saw a smile tug at his lips.
“I will text you the address from my personal phone.”
He held the phone back out to me.
“We might be one big, happy family before it’s all over,” Liam said.
I cradled the phone to my ear. “Hey.”
“Have him send the damn address now. I’m coming to get you.”
“But what did you say to his offer?” I asked.
He sighed. “Madeline, what do you think I said? If having that man in your life makes you happy, then I’m gonna fucking do it. I don’t have to like it, but I will do it.”
I smiled as tears stung my eyes. “Thank you.”
“Just get that fucker to send me the address. I need you.”
Thirty
Madeline
Three black SUVs pulled up outside as I stood beside Liam, waiting on Blaise.
“How many people did he bring?” Liam muttered.
The middle SUV’s passenger door swung open, and when I saw his black boots hit the pavement, I went running to him. Blaise took three long strides and grabbed me as I threw myself into his arms. I let out a sob as his smell and warmth filled me. He buried his head in the crook of my neck and inhaled deeply.
“I missed you,” I told him.
He took a deep breath and held me tighter. “I don’t think I have words for the hell I’ve just lived through,” he finally said before pulling back and holding my face in his hands. He searched me, as if he was sure he’d see a mark or a scratch.
“I’m fine. I promise,” I assured him.
He pressed a kiss to my lips before finally lifting his gaze and looking back over my shoulder at Liam. He nodded his head once, then pulled me to his side before walking toward my father. I saw Micah standing outside now beside Liam, and I prayed silently to a god I wasn’t sure existed that he didn’t say anything stupid to upset Blaise.
“Can’t say I ever thought the day would come when I willingly let you walk into my sanctuary,” Liam said as we approached. Then, his eyes went to me. “But seems we never expected to love the same woman. Differently, of course.”
“You could have come to me. Asked. Instead of taking her.” Blaise’s tone wasn’t friendly, and I realized I was going to need to step in.
“And I’m sure you would have shared a beer with me and we’d have chatted like old friends,” Liam drawled.
I put my hand on Blaise’s chest. “Be nice. He’s apologized for the way it was handled.”
Blaise looked down at me, and the steely look in his eyes softened.
“I don’t know what the right way would have been, but there had to have been a better one than what I chose. I wanted to know my daughter, and until I spent time with her, I wasn’t sure she was safe. With you. I had only heard that Blaise Hughes had a woman. I didn’t know how important she was to you until I spoke to her and, of course, you.”
Blaise’s hand tightened on my side. “She wants to know you, then she can know you. That doesn’t mean I let my guard down.”
Liam nodded. “I understand.” He motioned to Micah. “This is Micah Abe. My VP.”
Blaise cut his eyes to Micah, and I held my breath.