Chapter 17 #2
"To keep her safe, to help her heal, and to give her everything she needs." I kept my voice level, honest. "And if she'll let me, to be part of her life for as long as she wants me in it."
"That's not really an answer."
"No," I acknowledged. "But it's the only one I can give you right now. Marie and I are still figuring out what this is, what we are to each other, but I can promise you, I will never hurt her. Never take advantage of her vulnerability. Never push her into something she's not ready for."
"You're older than her."
"Fifteen years older," I confirmed. "I'm forty-seven. Old enough to know better, experienced enough to know what I'm doing. And I'm choosing to take care of your daughter, Mr. Rivers. Because I want to."
Marie's hand found mine. "Papa, you have to see where he lives. The estate is magical.” Her eyes lit up despite the tension, that playful excitement reappearing. "Remember those houses we used to see from the boats? The ones up on the northern coast that we'd point at and wonder who lived there?"
Nigel nodded slowly. "The estates that cost millions."
"Wade lives in one of those." Marie's voice was awed. "Maybe the one. The biggest one I’ve ever seen. We used to make up stories, remember? About what kind of people lived in places like that, what their lives were like."
"I remember." Nigel's expression softened slightly. "You used to say they probably had private beaches, chefs, and more rooms than they could count."
"Wade has all of that." She looked at me, her smile bright and genuine. "And a view of the ocean that's even better than here. And Honey—Papa, Honey will love the beach. You both can come visit every day. Have lunch, go swimming, spend time with me. It's perfect."
Nigel's expression shifted as he processed what his daughter was saying. That she wasn't leaving him, just sleeping elsewhere. That he'd still see her, still be part of her life. That this wasn't abandonment, just adjustment.
"What did you say your name was again?" Nigel asked me.
"Wade Easton."
He frowned slightly. "Easton. That sounds familiar. Should I know that name?"
"Possibly." I kept my voice casual. "I run a global investment and acquisitions empire. My business dealings occasionally make the news. You're welcome to Google me if you'd like, though I should warn you, the results are extensive."
"Global empire,” Nigel repeated slowly. "So you're...”
"Very wealthy, yes." I met his eyes steadily. "And very private. I don't conduct business in the Caribbean, which is why you may not be familiar with me locally. But if you search my name, you'll find plenty."
Nigel looked at his daughter, then at me, and finally back at Marie. "Baby girl, do you know who this man is?"
"I know he saved me." Marie's voice was firm. "I know he helped the girls and gave me a safe place to stay. The rest,” She shrugged slightly. "The money, the business, whatever he does, doesn't change that."
Those words were everything. She didn't know who I was in the world, didn't care about the empire I'd built or the power I wielded. She just knew I'd helped her, and that was enough for her.
"Mr. Rivers." I leaned forward slightly. "I have four children of my own. Three sons and a daughter. All adults now, all with families. I know what you're feeling right now because I've felt it with them."
Understanding settled in his expression. "You're a father."
“A grandfather, actually.” I nodded. "And if any of my children came to me after what Marie's been through, told me they needed to stay with someone who made them feel safe, I’d be terrified.
I'd want to protect them, to make sure this person wasn't taking advantage, wasn't going to hurt them when they were vulnerable. "
"Yes." The word came out rough. "Exactly that."
"So let me tell you what I'd want to hear if I were in your position.
" I held his gaze steadily. "Your daughter is safe in my home.
She has her own room if she wants it, though she's been sleeping in mine lately.
She has her own nurse who checks on her daily, and my chef makes whatever she requests.
But most importantly, she's healing. She's laughing again, and she's starting to believe she deserves good things. "
"And when she's healed?" Nigel asked. "What happens then?"
"Then she makes her own choices." It was simple.
"If she wants to stay with me, my home is hers.
If she wants her own place, I'll help her find it.
If she wants to come back here, I'll support that too.
" I let him see the truth in my eyes. "I hope she chooses to stay, because having Marie in my life has been a dream.”
Nigel was quiet, then he turned to his daughter. "You're sure about this? About him?"
"I'm sure. I feel safer with Wade than I've felt in forever,” Marie answered firmly.
"I'm sure I want to wake up in his estate tomorrow and see Honey playing on his beach. I’m sure I want you to visit and see how amazing it is.
And I'm sure—" She glanced at me, affection in her expression. "I'm sure I'm not ready to leave yet."
"Then I'm not going to make you." Nigel pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. "But I'm visiting tomorrow, and Honey's coming with me. If anything feels wrong, you call me immediately. Okay, Marie?”
“Okay, Papa." She hugged him back tight. "But it won't. Wade is good. I promise."