Page 104 of Claimed By the Ruthless King

“Actually, no.” I glance over my shoulder, my heart clenching as soon as I realize my father is nowhere to be found.

I rush out of the ER, back into the parking lot, searching for the car.

“Phee?” Sapphire rushes out after me, grabbing my shoulder. “You need to be checked over.”

“I told you I’m fine.”

“You were almost killed.”

“But I wasn’t.”

“Ophelia,” says a third voice, gentle and masculine.

I turn around, my heart tensing as I see my father. What the fuck am I meant to say? Aunt Viv made him disappear, but he never came back.

“Who is this?” asks Sapphire.

Good question. I’m not entirely sure myself. This person is a stranger. Generally speaking, daughters tend to know their fathers.

But life is too short to hold grudges. My mother’s death taught me that. Tomorrow is a mystery, and I know I’ll hate myself forever if I push away the wrong people.

“This,” I say, turning to face Sapphire, “is my father.”

Her entire face drops. “You’re joking.”

“I’m not. I have a lot to fill you in on.”

“And we have a lot of catching up to do,” says my father. “Like, for example, what you’re doing with Salvatore Moretti.”

“He’s my boss.”

“He’s a bit more than that.” Sapphire winks.

“Well, he saved your life, so I have a lot to thank him for.” My father steps closer, his familiar features glowing in the daylight. We have the same eye color. The same slanted nose. “You should pay your aunt a visit.”

“She stole my mom’s heart. And she died before she learned the truth.”

“Your aunt has a lot of groveling to do.”

“She can start by putting the crystals away. Those won’t make her feel better.”

“Everyone has insecurities, things they hate about themselves. I understand your aunt’s frustration, why she did what you did. Her parents never believed in her, and that does something to a child.” My father takes a beat, watching me. “Everyone has a hidden dark side, and a manipulator feeds off insecurities, using them as weapons. David and Renato both knew how to taunt, how to sell poison and make it taste sweet. Your aunt has made some mistakes, she should have told you sooner, but she is not the real enemy in all of this, I promise you.”

“She feels like it right now.”

“I understand,” says my father. “Forgiveness takes time. Take as long as you need. When you’re ready, give me a call,” he says. “I’ve spent too long hiding. I’m ready to meet my daughter and spend the rest of my life getting to know her, if she’ll let me.”

I feel a smile crawl onto my face. This man is a total stranger, and yet I feel like I know him. I look into his eyes and notice something familiar, like the puzzle pieces have joined. The missing pieces of myself were with him all along.

Salvatore steps out of reception, joining us in the parking lot. “Robert is stable.”

“Thank fuck.” At least we have one less problem to worry about. “What do we do about the Crows?”

“We’ll take care of it,” says Salvatore to Ben. “They have a voice, and we need to teach them how to use it. When David’s death hits the media, we need to be ready. And we can burn every last thing that bastard has built if we play this smart.”

“Then we better make tracks.”

“Yes,” says Salvatore, heading back to his vehicle. “But first I must make a pit stop at mine and change out of these clothes.” He lifts his suit jacket, exposing his bloody shirt. “These boys have seen enough blood for one day.”