Chapter 30
Mia
WHEN A PERSON FINALLY opens the door to their room of secrets, they aren’t alone anymore. They shared their true self, the one they hide from everyone else, and you have to choose to accept who they are or not.
I chose Jameson that night.
I chose his fury, his rage, and his possessiveness along with his passion, thoughtfulness, and protectiveness. All of that created the enigma of a man that he was. He didn’t leave my side the rest of the night, showering with me, fucking me in my bed again, sleeping beside me.
I chose him because I knew he chose me too. He stood up for me, asked me when I was ready, waited on me through the night, and held me tight enough that the nightmares I normally had ceased.
And the next morning, Franny coming home early solidified that decision.
He called me from the porch after he’d woken me up by being between my legs for breakfast and told me he had a surprise. No need to get dressed.
Standing there in my orchid pajamas felt less than formal when his mother and Franny pulled up in an SUV.
Yet, Franny jumped from the car and raced toward me with pigtails swinging, her binoculars around her neck, and a big smile on her face.
That sweet baby girl hugged me first rather than Jameson.
She whispered in my ear, “Daddy said he wanted me home now so we get to play all day.” She squealed and ran out of my arms and into Jameson’s, pulling him along saying that she wanted to play tag with Malek.
Jameson didn’t disappoint. He ran after them both while I smiled at the scene before I realized it left me alone with Jameson’s mother, who was standing by the car, eyeing me with newfound curiosity. “How was your night with the syndicate?”
“Different,” I answered, not sure what else to say.
She nodded. “My son fancies you, it seems.”
“Mostly, he knows I care about Franny.” I tried to keep it professional and casual.
“Is that all, you think?” She stared at me with an older version of the blue eyes that could see into my soul.
“Anything more will have to wait and see.” I met her gaze head-on and tried to hold my ground.
She hummed lightly and nodded before straightening her dress. “Well, Franny told me it was your idea to have tennis lessons every other day of the week?”
“Yes, I think it’s good for her to get out of the house, and I played tennis back in the day. So, it’s easy,” I answered, wondering if it would be rude to run after Franny and Jameson and ask them if I could play too just to get out of this awkward moment.
“Do you think it’s good for her to spend less time with her grandmother also?” she asked as a follow-up, and her tone held a bite to it.
I scrambled for an answer but frowned and bought myself time with a question. “I’m not sure what you mean?”
“Jameson said Franny will be spending more time at home on the weekends after having conversations with you and others. I’m assuming that’s mostly your doing, considering Valerie would never.”
Of course she knew she had Valerie in the palm of her hand, and that alone had me standing a little taller.
Franny’s well-being was priority even at the detriment of every relationship I had here in Paradise Grove.
That’s how it should have been with Valerie too, but I wouldn’t judge her.
I got the allure of Jameson Knight. I just wouldn’t succumb to it like others had.
“Franny enjoys having a close relationship with her father, and I think they should nurture it when Jameson has free time. A daughter needs her daddy, after all.”
She let the silence build, and I heard Franny and Jameson chattering back and forth out near the forest trees.
Then a laugh burst out of Franny so loud and genuine, I smiled and glanced their way.
Mrs. Knight did too before she sighed and nodded.
“I don’t tend to defer to my son’s employees, Mia.
But I’m starting to see that’s not all you are to Jameson or Franny. I hope you intend to stick around.”
Her statement was respectful but much too inquisitive when I didn’t even know the answer myself. I bit my bottom lip before I answered quietly, “For the summer. I’m not sure about after.”
Thinking of how far in I was getting with this family, knowing there would be an end to it had my heart stuttering and my mind working overtime on how I could stop the inevitable heartbreak.
“Well, I am sure.” She patted my shoulder. “I’m happy he’s listening to you,” she said. “And I’m pleased you put my granddaughter first. Don’t stop.”
That was all.
She folded into the SUV and waved goodbye as Franny ran through the grass to find a toy of Malek’s. She threw it as Jameson walked back up to me. “My mother likes you.”
“Does she now?” I peered up at his dazzling blues and immediately felt the butterflies in my stomach. I was so screwed.
“Of course. She doesn’t stop and talk to anyone else.”
“She seems to talk with most of your staff just fine.” I didn’t mention Valerie specifically.
“She talks at them. With you, she listened.”
“She listens to you though. She said you told her Franny would be spending more time here. Your day clear up a little?”
“No,” he answered, not offering more of an explanation.
Before I could pry further, though, Franny ran up with Malek, who stopped by my side for a pat on the head. “You’re going to watch a movie with us tonight too, Ms. Darling? Rosy and Hades will too, right? And Archer maybe? It’ll be movie night!”
“Movie night?” I raised an eyebrow at Jameson, wondering what this whole night might consist of.
But also realizing I shouldn’t be a part of it.
This was father-daughter time. Not father-daughter-teacher time.
I had to remind myself of my place even if Jameson and I had fun the night before.
“Oh, Franny, I think I might have some plans, but—”
“What plans?” Jameson frowned.
“Is it a date?” Franny asked, like she knew all about boys and dating.
“How do you know what a date is?” Jameson looked doubly concerned now.
“Because, Dad. I’m not four. Of course I know what dating is, and Ms. Darling is pretty, isn’t she? She probably has lots of guys wanting to go on dates with her.”
I wish.
“I don’t know, Fran Bran. Let’s ask Mia.” His gaze shifted to me, and he asked slowly, deliberately, “Do you have guys lining up to take you on a date tonight, Mia?”
My heart beat faster, and I licked my lips before answering him. “Not really your business, Mr. Knight.”
He hummed and rocked on his heels before saying, “I think you should come to movie night, Mia. We’d love for you to be there. Nowhere else.”
Crap. I’d need a break from that hungry, protective gaze if I stood a chance at not getting my heart broken when the time came for him to let me go.
He hadn’t said we were exclusively dating or anything of the sort.
Instead, I had started contemplating if he’d make me leave, if I would be ready to by the end of the summer, and if he would care.
I didn’t get promises other than his kiss in front of other Diamonds, and I wasn’t sure what that was …
Didn’t want to ask either. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. ”
Franny tsked. “Of course it is. Maybe we can dress up too. We’ll watch a princess movie. We can dress up as princesses. Daddy, you’ll be a prince?”
“Or a knight,” he said, his gaze not leaving mine, reminding me of the night before and how I’d told him I needed even a knight, not a prince to dance with.
“Perfect!” Franny bounced up and down. “Maybe Daddy will let us put make up on. Oh, and we can bejewel things too! It will be a bedazzled party.”
“Well, I …” Glancing at Jameson, I realized he would be of no help. That smirk on his face was practically diabolical. “I really do have plans.”
I didn’t.
“Cancel them then,” Jameson pushed, no remorse in his eyes. Instead, those blue eyes shined bright as the sun with mirth, making me wish we could spend every moment out in the daylight.
“Sometimes canceling plans is rude.” I glared at him.
“Saying no to a seven-year-old is ruder,” he shot back.
“I can watch a little of the movie … I guess.”
“Thatta girl,” he murmured, and then he patted my ass as Franny ran past us to go invite everyone else.
He may have ordered hits on men and led the syndicate with a ruthless power that wasn’t always met with forgiveness or understanding, but when it came to movie night with his daughter, he turned into a teddy bear that had me melting like the butter on popcorn.
It had only been a couple hours when Franny came to my room to ask, “Do you have any princess dresses?”
Compared to the one she was wearing, absolutely not.
She’d forgone her normal attire for a dark-purple tulle that puffed out every which way.
And the sparkles of the straps were intense.
“Rosy and I made this months ago. She glued all the jewels on.” Then she whipped her hands out from behind her. “And I just made these.”
She was holding black shoes and a black belt. “I bedazzled them.”
Yes, they were black … but with red and purple jewels lining the wingtips and the belt buckle.
“Franny,” I gasped.
Her face fell almost immediately. “What? They don’t look good?” She eyed me with scrutiny, and I knew right then I wasn’t going to be the one to make her unhappy over a few male accessories.
Granted, I wasn’t sure how much his belt or shoes cost.
“They look fantastic, was all I was going to say.”
Her eyes widened in delight. “Oh good. I was nervous to show you this, but I think he’ll like it too.” Then she pulled a watch from the little side pocket of her dress.
“Oh. Oh my.” That was for sure a Rolex.
I glanced at Archer, who’d escorted Franny to my room, and he was silently cracking up. “Archer, why don’t you give these shoes and belt to Jameson. We can give him the watch together, right, Franny?”
“Good idea! Then, he’ll be all dressed and ready right at seven.”