A man who wanted complete control over everyone and everything in his domain.
Clay straightened again, aware he was fighting for both Samantha and the life she wanted to live. “It’s not about what you want. You can’t force a vibrant, independent woman like Samantha to be someone or something she isn’t and expect her to be happy.” Though he wondered if Samantha’s happiness mattered in the scheme of Conrad’s needs and plans.
Rocking back in his chair, the older man eyed Clay speculatively. “And where do you think you fit into my daughter’s life?”
“Same answer, sir. It isn’t about what I want, either. But I do know I will do everything in my power to make her happy.”
“Happiness in the way you mean it is way overrated.” Conrad raised a brow. “You do realize you’re all wrong for her.”
Clay felt as though the old man was testing him again, otherwise he’d have thrown him out by now. Although he didn’t appreciate the hoops he had to jump through, this man, whether he liked him or not, was Samantha’s father.
And Clay loved Samantha. “I may not be an investment banker or someone from your social circle, but I’ve never felt anything as right as being with Samantha.”
“And you’re certain she feels the same way?” Conrad asked.
Clay thought of their last night together and knew it with absolute certainty. “Yes, I am.”
“Let me tell you something, son,” Conrad said, his tone surprisingly calm as he met Clay’s gaze. “I didn’t like what I read in your background report, and your past leaves a lot to be desired. But the man you’ve become despite how you grew up is what impresses me.” He steepled his fingers and studied Clay through a narrow but, dare he say, approving gaze? “I admire the fact that you overcame such adversity, that you raised your brothers, and that you help people less fortunate.”
Clay swallowed hard, shocked as hell that the other man was giving him even that much validation. And despite telling himself that what other people thought didn’t matter, he was surprised to find that what Samantha’s father thought of him did. At least a little.
Sensing Conrad wasn’t finished, Clay remained silent.
“Ultimately, you took care of Samantha when a lesser man would have taken advantage of her, especially after finding out who she is and what she’s worth.”
Clay shook his head in annoyance. “None of that matters to me.” He tapped the envelope on the desk, reinforcing his point.
“I believe you. And that’s exactly what I was hoping you’d do.”
Clay shook his head, not surprised he’d been right. The money had been a test. He held on to his anger, reminding himself Conrad Jamieson lived in a world Clay couldn’t even begin to fathom.
“If I had my choice, Samantha would marry Harrison,” Conrad said flat out, not sugarcoating his feelings. “I told myself what she had with you was just a little fling, and she’d get bored and tired of doing without. That she’d come back home, settle down, and appreciate the fact that marrying Harrison would provide her with the lifestyle she was accustomed to, and the firm would remain in the family.”
Clay clenched his jaw, disgusted by the man’s lack of faith in his daughter’s self-worth and independence.
“Needless to say, when she called me and told me that she needed the money, I saw my chance to make sure she returned home where she belongs and left you behind.” Conrad exhaled, the sound rife with resignation. “But here you are, returning the money, which tells me much about your character and even more about what my daughter means to you.”
Clay remained in place, but this conversation was taking too long, when all he wanted to do was get to Samantha. Still, he would give the man the respect he didn’t deserve. For a few more minutes max, then he was going after his woman.
“For what it’s worth, about an hour ago, Samantha informed me and her mother that despite the fact that we’d helped you out, she was going back to you tonight. My daughter is determined to be with you even if she has to work every day of her life to pay us back.” He shook his head. “Like I need the Goddamned money.”
Clay couldn’t stop the grin that tugged at his lips. Yeah, that was his sassy cupcake.
Conrad managed a reluctant laugh, too. “She’s defiant and stubborn, and I really tried to give her the best. But what I’m coming to realize is that I could never force Samantha to fit into the mold that her mother and I so painstakingly groomed her for. Not without her coming to resent us more than she already does.”
“She’s independent and proud. Like you,” Clay said.
Conrad let out a heavy sigh. “Letting her go is one of the most difficult things we’ve ever done, but I don’t want to lose my only child, and that’s what would happen if I did anything more to keep her away from you.”
Clay could only imagine how difficult this was for a dignified man like Conrad to admit. But it was clear that he truly loved his daughter, and when push came to shove, he wasn’t going to coerce her to stay and marry a man she didn’t love. Clay gave him props for that.
So he did what he could to assure him that Samantha would always be in good hands. “I know I’m not who you would have hand-picked for her, but I can promise you that I will do everything in my power to give her a good life. To protect her and respect her and be the kind of man who deserves a woman as special as she is.”
“Since I have no choice in the matter, that’s what I’m counting on,” Conrad said gruffly.
“I love your daughter,” Clay said, just in case his feelings mattered. They were words he’d never spoken to another woman before, and he realized he’d been waiting all his life for the right woman. For Samantha.
Clay heard a soft gasp from behind him, and he turned around to find Samantha standing in the doorway, her eyes wide and shimmering with moisture as she stared at him in surprise. His heart thumped painfully hard in his chest. She was so damn beautiful, and nothing else in the world mattered except making her his.