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Before, I would have been annoyed that she was mocking me.
But that night, I smiled, because she was free.
CHAPTER THIRTY
“We’re all blind to ourselves, to others, the only solution is admitting it.” —King Campisi
King
“I’m a bad father. I’m my father. I can’t win in this scenario.” Nixon paced in the dorm waiting for Ivan, only to turn on me and shove his finger into the air like he was getting ready to use it as a weapon. “He touched her!”
“You’re yelling.”
“I’m FULLY AWARE! of what I’m doing.” His black suit looked ruffled, which was never the case with Nixon, he was always put together. He’d pulled off his jacket, tugged at his tie, and now he was in nothing but a white shirt, sleeves shoved up to his elbows, his pants and shoes that kept slamming against the wood floor like they hoped to turn it into kindling.
I jerked my head toward the black leather chair in the corner. “Maybe take a seat while we wait for him?”
He kicked at the same chair twice, then sat. “I don’t want to sit!”
“And the alternative is hitting someone or something?” I asked. “I mean, he saved her life, she would have died without—”
“I know.”
“He killed Junior, who was like a son to you, I understand your anger, and she’s your youngest daughter.”
“Stop being the voice of reason, King. It really pisses me off more, it reminds me of myself being the voice of reason with others when they lose their shit.” He fell back into his chair and pinched his nose. “I think he loves her.”
My eyebrows rose. “I’m sorry, what?”
“He’s playing me. He’s wanted her from the beginning, he’s playing a role, he knows things, Junior knew things. I’m not stupid, but it’s my—” He took another deep breath. “She’s my everything, my Family is everything, he’s going to get her hurt.”
“That,” came Ivan’s voice, “isn’t your choice now, is it?”
Nixon jumped to his feet. “I said no touching!”
Ivan slapped his hands away. “Yeah okay, Dad, I’ll be sure not to touch her after a near death experience with some monster and his cheek tattoo, good advice.”
“Don’t call me Dad.”
“Don’t make yourself look stupid.” Ivan spat.
I whistled and looked away just as Ash came in and started to back out, only to have Phoenix shove him in the rest of the way. Maksim was chatting with everyone else in a separate room about our intel. I wanted everyone in here discussing the safest way to protect Bella and Ivan.
Nixon… was not helping.
“So…” Phoenix looked around the room. “This looks like a party.”
Everyone turned to him.
He held up his hands. “Sorry?”
“She was scared, so I hugged her, I was petrified so I kissed her.” Ivan spat. “Deal with it, Dad!”
“Stop calling me Dad!” Nixon roared.
“Dad, Dad, Dad, hey Dad, what’s going on, Dad? What’s your damage, Dad? You’re doing too much, Dad, relax…” Ivan grinned. “Dad.”
Nixon charged toward him, Phoenix blocked him and nearly got clocked in the face.
