Chapter Nineteen #2
“Father, we both know you set it up. Brian is an asshole who slept with someone else. Can we cut the shit and admit things instead of pretending?”
“Do not speak to me that way. I am your father. I raised you alone. Who supported you? At the very least, be grateful and give Brian a chance. A man has needs. I don’t know who he was with and I don’t care.
As long as he is taking care of you, let him do what makes him happy.
” I lurch up as I hear something and stare at Remy.
He walks slowly into the room, his head tilted.
“You can’t do better than him. You’ve been floating through life, working these ridiculous jobs, no future, no prospects, and no husband.
Brian is in the business. He was looking forward to moving up in the company, and you ruined it.
” I get on my knees at the edge of the bed.
“If you apologize, he’ll take you back.” Remy holds out his hand, and I frown.
“Women need a man to protect them. You could have had it all. You could have quit that meaningless job.” Remy curls his fingers, wordlessly demanding the phone.
I shake my head, and he narrows his eyes. “Are you listening?”
“Yes, and I don’t want to do this anymore,” I whisper, staring at my angry mate. “I don’t want to speak to you again.”
“What you need to do is get your ass back here, apologize to Brian, and fall in line,” Father hisses.
I can’t reply because Remy takes my phone and puts it on speaker.
“I’m going to tell you what you need to do,” he growls, and I gasp.
“You will never speak to Haven like that again. If she wants to talk to you, she’ll call.
I despise men who think they are powerful, speaking down to those they believe are beneath them.
I can guarantee Haven is the best thing you have done in your miserable life, and I won’t allow anyone to disrespect her.
Ever. It’s laughable that you speak of her protection when she has needed protection from you.
The one man who should have cherished her and killed anyone who did anything less.
Brian is a memory. He wasn’t worthy of her, and neither are you.
” I press the back of my fingers to my mouth.
“She has a man now. I will kill anyone who hurts her.”
“How dare you? Where is my daughter? Who the hell are you?” Father blusters.
“Remy King.” I widen my eyes. “Do not doubt my words. She is under my protection now, and I have plenty of ways to hide a body.” I blink, and I lower my hand.
“Are you threatening me?”
“Yes. Would you like me to spell my name?” Remy asks, and I blink.
“Do you know who I am?” Father thunders.
“The question you should be asking is, do you know who I am? I won’t hesitate to eliminate any threat to Haven. I would enjoy having the blood of a man who abuses his daughter on my hands.” I lick my lips. My civilized mate has officially lost his shit.
“You’re an animal,” Father spits.
“You have no idea,” Remy laughs. “Try me. I’ll show you the beast I can become.” He hangs up the phone and throws it on the bed.
“You told him your name,” I whisper.
“Let him come,” he snarls, and I stare at him.
I wished my brother had been my protector, but he wanted to be like Father. He looked the other way when I got hit. I couldn’t count on anyone to keep me safe.
Remy did it with one phone conversation.
I push to my feet, bounce off the bed, and wrap my body around his.
He catches me easily, tipping his head back, and I kiss him.
This time I’m the aggressor. I swirl my tongue with his and thread my fingers through his hair.
His hands palm my ass and pull me closer.
I’m not surprised by the way Father talked to me, and most of the time, I shove my emotions away.
Seeing the shock and anger Remy felt made it worse.
I realized how not normal it is. I’ve tried to become immune, and most of the time it worked.
My mate defending me caused my heart to fall.
Remy moves to the bed, wrapping one of his arms low on my back, and drops us onto the mattress.
He presses between my thighs, and I slide my foot around his calf.
He grabs my hand from his hair, threads his fingers with mine, and slams our joined hands above my head.
The roles change quickly. He demands it without saying a word.
He leans to the side slightly and glides his palm under my loose shirt.
My pajamas are a blue silky tank top and shorts set, and leave little covered.
I shiver as he caresses my skin, moving toward my breast. He eases back, biting my bottom lip, and I groan.
“Please.” I rub against him.
“Please what?” he hums.
“You know what,” I breathe.
“I’m not sure I do,” he says, looking at his hand. He circles my nipple, and I tremble. “I think you need to ask.” He meets my eyes, grinning. “Ask me nicely.”
Fuck. He’s so hot.
“Remy—” We both turn to look at my phone when it rings. “Rylee.” I look at him. “I’ll call her back.” I lift my hips, and he looks down.
“I know what your body wants,” he hums, meeting my gaze. “But I want the words.” I open my mouth, and his phone rings. “Shit.”
“Ignore it,” I plead. He lowers his head, his lips an inch away from mine.
“Ask me,” he demands again. He closes his eyes as my phone rings again.
“Damn,” I growl, and he moves away. “I love her, but I’m going to kill her.” I pick up my phone, glaring at her name.
“She's worried,” he grumbles, backing off the bed. “Talk to her. I have to take this.” He leans down and kisses me. “I’ll be outside,” he mumbles as he adjusts himself.
I watch him longingly as he disappears out the door. So close, yet so far. Looking back at my phone, I double-check the name I click on.
“You have horrible timing,” I groan.
“Why? I thought I was rescuing you from your father,” she says.
“It was horrible and wonderful at the same time.” I pinch the front of my shirt and move the fabric rapidly. “My father was a dick, as usual, but Remy was protective, growly, and told him off. Now I’m sitting here all hot and smushy.”
She laughs. “Smushy?”
I continue to fan myself as I repeat the fun phone conversation. The whole time glancing at the door, hoping Remy comes back and finishes what we started.