Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
My dad looks between me and Alfie with suspicion. “When did you meet Molly?” he finally asks.
“A few days ago,” Alfie answers.
“You two met a few days ago and you flew her here on a private jet?”
“Your daughter makes quite the first impression, sir.” Alfie smiles at me as he says this.
“She does,” Dad agrees.
“He was already coming this way. It’s not a big deal,” I lie. “What have the doctors been saying?” I quickly change the subject to the reason I’m here.
At that moment, Alfie pulls his phone out. “Sorry, I need to take this.” He waves the device in the air, but when I look at the screen, it’s not lit up.
“It’s okay,” I say as he stands and exits the room.
He left so I can speak to my dad about Mom without the presence of a stranger. He might claim to be a heartless monster, but the more time I spend with him, the more of a heart I see. And I hate that I like it so damn much.
Liking him won’t stop me, though. I’m still coming for his throne. I will get those buildings on the Las Vegas Strip, no matter what it takes.
“They say she has two months, at best,” Dad tells me.
“Daddy, I’m sorry.” My heart is breaking for him. “I can’t fix it.”
“Baby girl, it’s not your job to fix anything. You have done so much for your mother and me already. And we’ve had time with her that we probably wouldn’t have had if it weren’t for you.”
“What can I do? How can I help you?” I ask, because I don’t know what else to do.
“You being here helps,” he says.
“I can’t stay, Daddy. I’m in the middle of a huge acquisition in Las Vegas.”
“That’s why you’re there? For business?”
“Yes. Why else would I be there?”
“I thought you and that young man might have been more than business associates. Well, I was hoping you weren’t alone anymore and had someone who could take care of you for a change,” Dad tells me.
“I don’t need anyone to take care of me, Daddy. I’m more than capable of doing that myself,” I scoff, offended he’d even think I’d need a man.
“I know that, but it’s nice to be able to lean on someone else too, Mol. To have a partner in life,” he says. “To know love. It’s something everyone should experience.”
Except loving someone leads to hurt, pain, and anguish. I’ve seen the nights my father hasn’t slept. I’ve watched him break down in tears at the thought of losing my mother.
“Craig?” My mother’s voice comes over a monitor next to my dad.
“She’s awake.” Dad smiles at me and stands.
I inhale and follow him, straightening my shoulders and putting my poker face on so I can confront a mother who doesn’t know who I am and pretend it doesn’t hurt. Pretend that it doesn’t rip open the grief of losing her all over again.
Alfie is waiting in the hall when I walk out. “I’ll catch up with you, Daddy,” I say as my father heads up the stairs.
Alfie looks at me, really looks at me, and then without a single care, reaches out and pulls me into a really tight hug. It feels good, being wrapped in this man’s arms. Too good.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers.
“I have to go and see my mom,” I tell him.
“Want me to come with you?”
I don’t know why he’s being so nice to me, but I also am not going to question it.
Because I’m starting to think my dad might be right.
It does feel good to have someone else’s strength to lean on, and right now, that someone is Alfie.
I also don’t want to need him, so I’m torn between using him as a comfort and refusing to allow myself that one concession.
“Molly.” Alfie grips my chin and tilts it upwards when I don’t look at him. “Be a good girl and introduce me to your mom,” he says in that husky voice of his.
“Okay.” I nod and take his hand as I lead him up the stairs.
I know what he just did, made it seem like an order, something I couldn’t refuse.
Alfie is a man used to getting his way, and there’s a part of me that likes following his orders.
Usually they end up with me experiencing out-of-this-world pleasure, though.
There’s also something about being his good girl that melts me.
It’s absolutely stupid and I’m going to hate myself for being so weak when this is all over. Right now, however, I’m riding this wave for as long as I can.
I let go of Alfie’s hand just before we reach the door to my mother’s bedroom. He gives me a disapproving look but doesn’t argue when we walk through.
My mom is sitting up in bed.
“Hi,” I say weakly.
She turns and looks at me with a blank stare. “Oh, dear, have you seen my daughter? Molly. She’ll be home from school soon. Can you tell her I want to see her?”
I take a deep breath while keeping the smile plastered on my face. My father gives me an apologetic look, but I don’t focus on any of that. Instead, I focus on the feel of Alfie’s palm pressing into my lower back, that small touch to let me know he’s right here.
“I haven’t seen her yet, Mrs. Olive. I brought a friend with me today. This is Alfie,” I say, walking farther into the room.
“Well, aren’t you a handsome young man?” Mom smiles at Alfie, and he chuckles. “What happened to your face?”
“I, ah, cut myself shaving,” Alfie replies.
“Oh, dear, you should be more careful,” Mom tells him.
“I will be more careful from now on,” Alfie says. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Olive.”
“Have you seen my daughter?” she asks him. “She should be home from school soon. Molly. She’s beautiful.”
I turn around because I can’t help but feel the wetness in my eyes. Alfie looks down at me before turning to face my mother again. I walk over to the window and open the curtains wider, busying myself so I can gain some kind of control over my emotions.
“I just met her a little while ago. You’re right. She is beautiful… and smart. I have a feeling your daughter is going to take over the world one day,” Alfie says casually. “She mentioned something about going to study with a friend.”
“Oh, that’s good. She works too hard. She gets that from her father.” Mom chuckles. “Are you a doctor? Or a nurse?”
“Ah, neither,” Alfie says. “I own some casinos. Well, my parents do. I just manage them.”
“Oh, that’s impressive. How did you meet Maggie?” At the mention of the made-up name I gave my mother a few years ago, after I gave up trying to convince her that I was Molly, I turn around.
“Oh, I met Alfie while on vacation in Vegas. I had a friend who had her bachelorette party there,” I lie.
“I saw Maggie at a bar and, well, I’ve been following her around ever since.” Alfie smiles.
“Oh, that’s sweet,” Mom says, then turns to my dad. “Isn’t that sweet, Craig?”
“It is, dear,” Dad agrees.
“Tell me what I’ve missed, Mrs. Olive. What’s been happening since I’ve been away?” I try to pick up the mood of the room a little.
“You know I don’t get out much these days. I’d rather hear about your travels, Maggie. Your life is much more exciting. Are you back for a while now? I didn’t notice any lights on next door,” Mom says, staring out the window.
“Oh, I’m renovating. I’m staying in a hotel for a little bit. But I’ve been so busy with work.”
“You’re renovating. Oh, will it be noisy?” Mom asks.
“Not at all. It’s just painting, some furniture replacement. You won’t hear a thing. Promise.”
“You really are a great neighbor,” Mom tells me. “Are you going to move here, Alfie? Maggie’s house next door is very big for just one woman.”
“I’ll see how long she lets me follow her around.” Alfie smirks at me. “Maybe I can convince her to come back to Vegas for a bit too.”
“Oh, not only am I going back but I’m going to be sitting on that throne of yours,” I tell Alfie.
His lips tilt up as he returns my glare. “I look forward to seeing you try.”
“Dear, Maggie here is closing in on a big business deal. She’s buying some properties in Las Vegas, and she’s going to rebuild some green energy buildings there. She’s saving the world one building at a time,” my dad explains to my mother.
“That’s nice. You know my Molly is a bit of a greenie. She’s always talking about ways to save the environment,” Mom says.
“I know. She’s shared many great ideas with me,” I reply.