Chapter 22
MICHAEL
We’re at one of the restaurants overlooking the beach, but the only view I want to look at is the one sitting across from me.
While she stares out into the ocean to her left, I’m staring at her, unable to peel my eyes from how beautiful she looks in that strappy bright green dress.
We haven’t talked about what happened earlier, her over my knee, bare and wet. But it’s all I’ve been able to think about.
When I first saw her talking to them, all I saw was red. It was easy to get out of the sand. Nothing could’ve stopped me. Not even a goddamn brick wall. I followed her where she couldn’t see me, away from the water, up where the restaurants are.
She thought she could get away from me before I was ready to give her freedom? She doesn’t know who I am just yet, does she? I have people watching the property at all times, some pretending to be guests, and every tree on the beach is strapped with a bug. One can never be too careful.
After I left her in the hotel room alone, I went to listen to the entire conversation she had with those men. I knew she wasn’t flirting with them. But I didn’t know exactly what reason she had for telling them I was her brother. Not until I heard the recording.
She can try to run, but she can never hide. I will always find her, and I’ll bring her right back until her debt to me is paid.
But I’m fooling myself if I think that’s all this is, that all I want is for her to right the wrong she committed.
She peeks uncomfortably at her plate of salmon, picking at the food with a fork, barely eating a bite. Her cheeks flush as she coyly catches my eye, reminding me of how pink they can really get when she’s begging me to come.
I try to fight the smirk making itself at home on my face, try to tuck away all thoughts of her bent over my knee. Not the right time to get hard for my wife. Not when I can’t do shit about it.
“Can we go back to the beach after?” Sophia breaks through the tension.
I know even Mabel can sense it, her hazel eyes jumping to me questioningly. She knows me well enough to sense something’s amiss. She’s been with me since I brought Sophia home at only a month old. I knew nothing about babies, and she was there to show me all the things I couldn’t figure out myself.
The only reason I even knew Sophia was a month old was because someone we know in the government was able to track down her birth certificate.
I decided not to change the name she was born with.
She was Sophia—my little fighter, screaming her lungs out while the flames roared around her, untouched, as though they were afraid of her. They should be.
I never thought I’d be a single father, but I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. Being Sophia’s dad has given me purpose, shown me that I’m not just an enforcer in the Messina family, but a man who has something to live for.
“So, Elsie…” Mabel picks up a glass of water, eyeing Elsie while taking a slow sip. “Will your family be attending the wedding?”
Elsie’s brows flinch as her gaze darts to me. She forces a smile, gazing at Mabel.
“They don’t live close. It’d be difficult for them to come. But they would love to see their only daughter get married.” At those final words, she fits me with a glare, picking up a piece of asparagus and sticking it into her mouth.
“That’s a shame,” Mabel says. “I’m sure they’re sad about it.”
“Yes.” She nods, clearing her throat. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen them. Time…it just gets away from you, you know?”
“Oh, yes, tell that to the old lady at the table,” Mabel laughs.
“You’re not that old.” Sophia giggles. “Okay, maybe like a little teeny amount old. But not as old as Doctor Singer. He has gray hair all over his head. You only have some.”
“Well, then…” Mabel straightens her spine and lifts up her chin. “I’ll take it.”
Elsie lets out a laugh, the weight lifting off her shoulders like someone has removed the bricks she’s been wearing. They return, though, as soon as she looks at me. When she remembers where she is and why. Because she’s with me and she’d rather not be.
Eventually you’ll be free. And I won’t stop you.
“You’re so pretty, Elsie.” Sophia’s eyes shimmer as she stares over at her.
Elsie’s eyes glisten with affection. And my heart, if you can call it that…it beats faster. It always does when I see them together.
“Not as pretty as you.” Elsie places her hand over my daughter’s, who looks at her as though this woman is her best friend.
“Daddy.” Sophia turns to me. “Could you braid my hair like Elsie’s?”
My stomach tightens. That’s one thing I’m still learning how to do. Hair. I can only do the basics. How the hell do women do this? I try, but I fail her every time. It’s never perfect, not like Elsie does it.
If I didn’t have my mother and Mabel, I’d have to hire someone just for that. But I want to learn. I want to be enough for my girl. To be the one to give her anything she needs.
My chest swells on an inhale as I drink the rest of my whiskey before moving my chair back. “I can try.”
“Aww,” Mabel gushes. “You’re such a good dad.”
Elsie, though? Her smile is gone, her brows furrowed as she watches Sophia hop off her chair and into my lap.
I remove the bow on the top of her head and start on parting her hair into three sections, looking at Elsie’s side braid, hoping to replicate it.
It’s too damn complicated, but I can’t fail my daughter.
She’s counting on me to do this right. But as I start, I realize there’s no way it will ever look like my wife’s. Hopefully, Sophia doesn’t realize that.
My jaw clenches when I find myself messing up, trying to steady my breathing as I undo what I did and try again.
Elsie shifts her chair back and rises slowly. “Would you like me to show you how? My mother taught me a long time ago.”
Her mother. Of course she did. Another reminder of what I’m keeping her from. What I’m keeping my daughter from having.
With my gaze unwavering, I nod, and Elsie pulls an empty chair beside me. And fuck, my heart does that thing every time the three of us are together. I crave it, yet I hate it. A constant reminder of a family I won’t have.
And as she teaches me, her eyes twinkling, all I manage to think about is how good it’d be if she’d stay with us a little longer and teach me all the other things I may never get to learn without her.
“Time for bed, princess.”
We stroll out of the restaurant, Sophia holding both of our hands.
“But, Daddy…” She pouts. “I’m not that tired.”
But her huge yawn betrays her.
“Sure, you’re not.” I lift her up in the air and over my shoulder as she giggles.
“Good night, Sophia.” Elsie grabs her head and kisses the top of it. “I’ll be at the beach,” she quietly tells me.
“Why can’t I come?” Sophia grumbles.
“Because you’re six and you need rest.” I tickle her belly, eliciting another laugh. “I’ll meet you there as soon as I’m done,” I say to Elsie, a hand on her hip, tugging her close to me to whisper into her ear. “And this time, try not to run away from me.”
“I promise to be good this time,” she breathes into my neck. “Wouldn’t want that form of punishment again.”
“Are you still throbbing, baby?” I groan under my breath at the thought of finishing what I started.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She moves back a step, and I set her free. “I’ll see you later.”
Her mouth flirts with a smile as she struts away, shaking her hips in a way that already has me internally cursing my dick for getting hard. I watch her disappear out of sight.
“Why don’t you go join her?” Mabel says. “I can put little miss to bed. Isn’t that right, Sophia?”
“Yeah.” She yawns again as I place her back on her feet. “I know you want to kiss her, Daddy.” She flings her shoulders up, her head slanting to the side, those long lashes batting.
I want to kiss her. Goddamn, I want to kiss her. But I can’t. I swore I never would, not unless…
Kneeling down to my daughter’s height, I slant my palms against her face. “I love you, princess. Sleep well. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
She flings her arms around my neck and holds on. “I really love her, Daddy. I’m so happy she’s going to be my mommy.”
Those words are a punch to my gut. She’s going to be wrecked when Elsie leaves.
Fuck!
“I’m glad you do, princess. She adores you too.”
It’s not a lie. I can see it. Everyone can.
Rising to my feet, I kiss her cheek before they head for the elevators. Once they go up, I march down the same way Elsie went.
Darkness flitters across the sky, but the beach has light poles illuminating the way down. I stride across the sand, immediately seeing her close to the water and approaching her from behind. She splashes her feet in the ocean, looking so at peace.
“You’re beautiful.” My voice falters.
I almost didn’t realize I had said that out loud. It was as though my heart was talking instead.
She turns sharply. “Oh my God. I didn’t hear you.”
“I’m sorry if I scared you.” I take a step to her.
“You don’t scare me, Michael.”
My mouth slightly tips up. “But you scare me.”
She scoffs. Like it’s the silliest thing in the world. But she has no idea…
Her gaze holds mine and we stay silently that way, too much distance between us. My heart beats loud enough for the world to hear its echo. She does that to me. This woman. But all I’ve done is ruin her life.
“I’ll leave you alone,” I tell her, starting to turn away when all I want is to hold her.
“Stay,” she whispers.
And my breath’s caught in my lungs, heaviness slamming to my chest.
Does she really want me here? With her?
“I was just enjoying the water.” She takes a step closer. “It’s been so long. I’ve missed it. All I want is to be near it.”
I take a step closer too. “What else do you miss?”
Because I want to give her everything.
Her face alights with a smile. “I’ve missed music. I used to sing all the time.”
I’d give anything to hear her sing for me. With me. It’s been so long since I’ve picked up my guitar and sung. But that stopped when my world was ripped from under my feet. When everything I thought I knew vanished.