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Twice as Sexy (The Sexy 2)

Page 49

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“Did you make a decision about ECT treatment?” Scarlett asked her father.

The other man nodded. “Although she doesn’t talk much, your mother is adamant that she doesn’t want it. She shakes her head no whenever the subject comes up.” He paused. “I’m going to respect her wishes. Especially since the side effects aren’t good. Memory loss, confusion, high blood pressure, which she already has. In addition, it takes a series of treatments, and in my heart, I don’t think it’s right for her.”

Tanner glanced at Scarlett, who appeared sad but resigned.

“I respect your decision, Dad. I’d probably make the same one myself.” She stepped forward and hugged her father. “I wouldn’t blame you if you started living your own life, either. You’ve done everything you can for her. Visit when you want to but … don’t give up living because she has.”

Tears formed in her father’s eyes and Tanner felt like an intruder on a very intimate family conversation. He’d take a step away but that would be too obvious, so he remained silent, watching the moment between father and daughter, his heart going out to them both.

“That’s the most generous thing you’ve ever said to me,” Mack said.

She blinked and a tear fell from her eyes too. “I guess I’ve started to see what living really means lately.” She glanced over her shoulder at Tanner and gave him a small smile. One that made his stomach twist in a really positive way. “And I’d hate for you to waste the rest of your life not enjoying it.”

A regretful look crossed Mack’s face. “I wish I could say I raised you right, but I didn’t have much to do with it, did I? I worked a lot and your mother wasn’t really around. Then Hank died and you were always alone…”

She shook her head. “I was fine. As fine as I could be anyway. Can we just move forward from here?”

God, his girl was strong, Tanner thought. He wanted nothing more than to gather her into his arms and prevent anything bad from hurting her. But for now, all he could do was stand by her side for as long as she let him.

Her father nodded in gratitude.

“I’m going to see Mom.” Scarlett drew a deep breath and walked into the room, leaving Tanner with Mack Davis.

“Let’s walk,” the older man said.

With a nod, Tanner strode down the carpeted hall, Scarlett’s father by his side. The low murmur of televisions sounded from rooms as they passed, but he couldn’t deny the depressive feeling of the place.

“So … you and my daughter.”

Tanner drew his shoulders straighter. “Yes, sir.”

“Is it serious? I mean, I assume any man accompanying a woman to her mother’s bedside after a suicide scare and to see her in a mental hospital has good intentions.”

Tanner grinned, actually appreciating the fact that her father was looking out for her. Although it might come late, it wasn’t too late to fix what was broken between them. So he didn’t take offense to the question. Hell, if he had a daughter, he’d be all over any man who came near her, making sure he treated his baby right. And he suddenly realized how badly he wanted that. With Scarlett.

“Yes, I do. The best of intentions. Although I’m not certain your daughter wants the same things I do.”

Mack stopped at the window at the far end of the hall. “My daughter didn’t have a solid example of a good marriage. She raised herself and she’s scared of opening her heart. Are you the type to give up when the going gets tough?”

Tanner met Mack Davis’s gaze. “No.” He definitely wasn’t a quitter. And in the last couple of weeks, he’d come to recognize his own self-worth, in large part thanks to how Scarlett viewed him. Yeah, his partners had always tried to tell him the same things she did. But it took Vic’s return to show him he was a man in control of his actions and his destiny.

“Well, that’s good to know. Take care of my girl, Mr. Grayson.”

“Tanner,” he said. “And I intend to do just that.” As long as she let him.

* * *

The week began with hope, Tanner and the guys hoping the cops acted on their information. Tommy promised to stay on top of them and keep everyone informed of how the police intended to handle Sutherland and Vic.

As far as the club was concerned, Jason not only lined up Grey Kingston, but he’d secured a reunion of Tangled Royal. The publicist in charge of the club took off running with the information … holding out on the date of the event. Only those in the know understood they were waiting for Vic’s arrest to announce when. It was everyone’s priority to keep the customers and the band safe.


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