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“It’s about me. I’m doing this for myself and no one else. I don’t need your money. I never did.”
Bailey grabbed my hand, and it caught his glare. “Is this why?” He nodded to her. “Is she the reason you’re turning your back on your family?”
“I’d watch your tone if I were you.”
“Or what?” he snapped. “She’s nothing but the daughter of a drug addict. Is that what you two have in common?”
My fists tightened.
“You don’t eve—” I stepped toward him, but Bailey stepped between us instead.
“My father is more of a man than you’ll ever be,” she argued, standing tall. “You have no idea how lucky you are to have a son like Aires. All he’s ever done is try to prove himself to you, only to be met by your ignorance on how to be a loving father. I feel bad for you. You’ll never get to meet the amazing, generous, loving, and successful man you’ve raised despite your incompetence.”
Before I could give any thought to her defending me, my gaze shifted to my mother, who was suddenly in the room, overhearing everything we said to him. My old man didn’t move. He simply stood there while my mother and I locked eyes. For the first time, I saw something in them that I’d never seen.
Respect.
For Bailey or me?
chaptertwenty-six
Aires
Softly,I laid her on my pillow, watching her for a minute.
Fuck, she’s gorgeous.
We left right after, and to my surprise, my father didn’t stop me. I didn’t know if it was from all the guests being there and not wanting to break the facade of one big happy family or if it was from what Bailey said to him. Either way, I was grateful we were able to get the hell out of there.
“Are you okay?” she asked again.
She was concerned, and I couldn’t get upset about it. “I’m fine.”
“Aires—”
“I said I’m fine.”
The last thing I wanted was to talk about it. We were silent on the drive to the hotel, and this was exactly why I wanted our own car. I knew better.
There was no resisting the urge to feel her beneath my body. I lay on top of her and caged her in with my arms around her face. She fit seamlessly against my chest.
“Bay,” I whispered, faintly rubbing my lips on her mouth.
“Mmm…” she groaned.
I kissed my way down her neck. Once I reached the top of her breasts, I lightly bit her hard nipple through her dress. Her breathing hitched.
When we were alone together, the world seemed to stop spinning, and time stood still for us. It was always like that. As if it knew we didn’t have much time to begin with.
With the way I felt that night, I needed her in a way I’d never needed anyone in all my life.
Her warmth.
Her comfort.
Her love.
Home.
