“And he never found her?” I whisper, my eyes pricking with tears I pray Dad doesn’t notice.
I’m the woman he’d know, at first sight, the luckiest woman alive. I never dreamed this older, more experienced, handsome, funny, smirking man would even look at me.
But I’ve changed his world. He’s changed mine.
I love him so much.
Does that make me crazy?
“No,” Dad says. “I think he stopped looking.”
I’m about to say something else when Dad swiftly stands, putting his hands behind his back and trying to look as professional as possible. He reminds me of the way he’d stand at parent-teacher meetings, trying to present an upstanding façade, even as his cheeks were hollow and his eyes haggard from days-long gambling binges.
I turn to see a tall woman standing there, her red hair tied in a tight bun. Her shirt is bright red and she wears sleek heels. “Mr. Davis? Henry?”
Dad clears his throat. “Yes, that’s me.”
“We’re ready for you in the interview room now. Thank you so much for waiting. You really didn’t have to.”
Dad chuckles ironically, even as nerves glint in his eyes. It’s like the pre-Mom and post-Mom Dad are waging a battle across his face, “I guess you could say I’m too punctual.”
She giggles and I laugh in delight.
“Actually,” she says, lowering her voice, “I shouldn’t say this, but it’s good news, Henry. Very good news.”
“I got it?” Dad whispers.
The woman nods, glancing behind her. “Just try to act surprised in there, okay? I don’t think assistants are supposed to give away the big reveal.”
“Yes, yes, of course,” Dad says, a smile spreading across his cheeks. He looks at me, brimming with joy. “I’m going to be a writer again, Mols. Can you believe it?”
“Of course I can,” I say, reaching over and squeezing his shoulder. “I’m so proud of you Dad.”
Tell him, something yells inside of me. Tell him right now.
But I don’t.
Instead, I tell him I’m proud of him again and give him a hug.
Chapter Sixteen
Murphy
I emerge from the basement of the club, popping my neck from side to side as I walk across the street to Cillian’s sedan. He strides at my side, and dozens of suited men line the street, leaning against cars, smoking cigarettes, and letting the Cartel know who this city belongs to.
I climb into the passenger side, dropping down with a heavy sigh. The sun has started to set and it’s only now I get to return to my woman.
After springing Juan’s trap we had to deal with the bastards we took, arranging an exchange with the Feds to run them up on international charges. And then we had to get back here and consolidate all our businesses, arranging more protection. We’re using a buddy system now. No man goes anywhere alone. We’ve hired mercenary companies we trust – ex-SEALs mostly – for extra manpower.
Through it all, I thought of my woman, wondering what she’s thinking if she’s as hungry as I am to see her again.
“Ready, boss?” Cillian asks, gesturing at the road.
“Yeah,” I say. “And don’t get stuck in traffic. I’ve got important business to take care of at home.”
I had my men escort Molly to my penthouse apartment under the pretext I needed her to drive for me. She must’ve got the hint because she’s there now.
My home security system announced her presence, and when I pull out my phone I see her on the couch, her feet tucked beneath her beautiful round ass, her eyes fixed on a book.
Cillian knows better than to ask about my business, especially after a day like today. It’s been a long time since he’s seen me like that, bursting with white-hot rage and ready to do serious damage. I’m supposed to be the civilized leader, but my woman has brought something out in me.
Primal and hungry, it has to feed, on passion or on protective anger.
Juan will regret challenging this new life we’re building together. If I have to turn into a fucking werewolf, my muscles tearing out of my skin as my beastly need to protect her takes over, then I will…
Whatever it takes, for my woman, for our family.
“Fucking Juan,” I snarl.
Cillian nods. “Fucking Juan.”
He guides us toward my apartment building.
I return to my phone, angling it so Cillian can’t see. Even if he’s one of my oldest friends and an incredible second-in-command, if he glanced at my woman with her ass wrapped tightly in her black trousers like that, I’d lose control.
Nobody gets to look at her like that.
Except for me.
“At least his family will be taken care of.”
I scowl, thinking of the poor bastard they killed, one of my men. “Yeah, some fucking trade.”
He nods with a dark sigh. “It’s like the old days, the days you turned this family around.”
I study his firm-set face, his freckles that make him look younger. “We took this city, Cillian.”