Page 54 of Her Wicked Hero

“No, Sweetheart, you’re not making me feel bad. I’m the one in the wrong. I was the adult, and I took advantage of your sweet nature. After college, you should have never moved back in with us, you should have moved on and lived your own life.”

What was he saying? “Mr. B., I’d just broken up with Rick, and the girls’ mother had just died. We all needed one another. You didn’t swoop in and force me to take care of things, it worked out perfectly the way it was supposed to.” She couldn’t stand it a second longer. She threw her arms around her surrogate father. “I love you. If you’ve taken advantage, then so have I,” she sniffed.

Long moments later he eased her out of his arms. “Thank you, Marcia. You are a wonder. Now I’m kicking you out.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You’re going with Zed to San Diego. It’s safe there. Raymond has his sights on you. He knows where you live. Zed is going to watch you twenty-four/seven.”

She sat there stunned. It made no sense. “Mr. B., you and the girls need me. Lesley’s coming home, I have to be here for her.”

“Vi is going to be here tonight. She’s going to be staying for a couple of months.”

“Months? How long do you think I’m going to be gone?” she whispered.

He held onto her shoulders. “You’re always welcome here.” He didn’t continue.

Now she felt like she was going to cry. “You don’t want me?”

“Marcia, you’re one of my daughters. Know that. Believe that. And as one of my daughters, I’m telling you that you have done more than your fair share, and I want you to be happy and live your own life. I love you.”

He held her while she cried. Finally, she stepped back and narrowed her eyes. “I’ll get an apartment close to my office.”

“No, you’re going to San Diego,” he said firmly.

“Whose bright idea was this?”

“Zed’s.”

She hadn’t believed him. It wasn’t until Zed had followed her up to her room to watch her pack, she’d realized it was really happening. And now here she was. Naked. In his apartment. In a cloud of purple fizz.

She heard his footsteps outside the door.

“Do I have to knock? Or do you hear me out here?”

“I hear you. What do want?” Darn it, did she still have to sound petulant?

She heard Zed’s soft laughter. “Still kicking and screaming I see.”

“You better not be able to see me,” she growled.

He laughed louder. “How do you want your steak cooked?”

“I’m a vegan,” she lied.

“You are so full of shit.”

“Medium.”

“Rosé? Merlot? Cabernet or Syrah?”

She sat up so fast in the bath, the towel behind her head fell into the tub. “What did you just ask me?”

“I asked you what your wine choice was. Or did you want something else?”

Dang, no man had that kind of selection of wine hanging around just to impress some woman, he must like wine. Dante ‘Zed’ Zaragoza liked wine, her inner child sang. Wait a second, let’s test this.

“Do you have a wine cooler?” He didn’t reply. “I can’t hear you Zed.”