Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
EVE
“ A re you sure you want to do this? You don’t owe him anything, Eve.” Ryder looks at me with concern etched across his face, and I squeeze his hand on the couch to reassure him again.
“I’m sure, Ryder. I need to do this.” Agent Davis called me this week and asked if I was willing to take a FaceTime call with my father. I almost told him no, but he said I should know the truth about what’s been going on, and I need to listen to what he has to say.
“I swear if he says anything to upset you, I’m ending the call. You are so close to your due date, and I’m not going to let him put stress on your body.”
“I promise you, I’m okay. I heard my mother’s side, and I want to hear what he has to say.”
The MacBook rings on the table in front of us, and I give Ryder an encouraging smile before I answer it. My father’s face fills the screen as my heart thumps loudly against my chest. He looks like he’s aged a lot since I last saw him. His brown eyes have dark circles under them, and a greying beard covers the bottom half of his face now. The orange jumpsuit looks out of place on him—a far cry from the tailored suits he’s fond of.
“Hello, Eve.” My throat goes dry at his emotionless voice. I start to rethink my decision when I feel Ryder’s hand on my thigh. Knowing he’s here with me gives me the strength to talk.
“Hi, Father.” I clear my throat and meet his eyes. “How are you?” I cringe the moment I ask the question. He’s in prison, so I don’t expect the answer to be positive.
“I’ve been better. The food is awful here, and the beds are a far cry from a five-star hotel status.” He silently watches me before breaking the silence. “Your mother has filed for divorce.”
I should be surprised, but I knew it was coming. He’s no use to her now, and she’s made it very clear she was never in the marriage for love.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for the divorce or sorry for giving the feds the thumb drive?”
My eyes widen in shock. I’m unsure of what to say as I stare at him, speechless.
“Eve…” I hear the warning in Ryder’s voice. He’s not about to let my father get away with anything anymore, and I know he would love nothing more than to tear into him. I break away from my father’s piercing eyes to look at him.
“Who’s with you?” My father leans forward a bit. His brows are scrunched together in confusion.
“Ryder. You remember him, don’t you father? The guy you made me leave…Ryland’s dad.” My voice becomes stronger as I remember the hurt he caused. I feel Ryder tense beside me as he clenches his fist.
“So that’s where you went when you left. Straight back to him. Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me.” He lets out a dry chuckle and shakes his head. Scratching his beard, he sighs. “Look, you deserve to know some things. Things I couldn’t talk to you about before with your mother there.”
“You mean the fact that you’re not my real father? That you both lied to me all these years and punished me for something I had no control over?”
“She told you,” he breathes out.
“Yeah, she did. After she broke into our house and took Ryland from her bed while she was sleeping. We had to track her down at some sleazy motel.”
“Jesus. That woman is more crazier by the day.”
“She definitely has her moments,” I mutter.
“I’m actually glad Ryder is here with you. I owe you both an apology.”
I sit back, surprised. That’s the last thing I expected him to say. I glance at Ryder, and he looks just as shocked as I do.
“When your dad died, they needed someone they could trust to take his place in the business. Our families knew each other, and your grandfather offered me a lot of money to marry your pregnant mom. He thought it would look less suspicious in my line of work if I had a nice little family at home.”
“And what exactly is your line of work?”
“They put me in place in big corporations, and I skim off the books. I’ve made millions through the years, and no one was the wiser.” He shrugs his shoulders like it was the easiest job in the world.
“About five years ago, though, I felt something was off. Your mother was getting greedier and greedier. She wanted me to take on more, and it became riskier. I tried to tell your grandfather that it was a mistake, but she had gotten into his head. His mind isn’t what it used to be, and with her being his only child, he will listen to whatever she tells him.”
“Wait. They have a good relationship?” I ask, confused.
“Well, as good as one can have with your grandfather. I don’t think anyone could get love out of that man, but when your dad died, your mom flipped a switch. She was all about learning the business and proving to your grandfather that she could handle it when he couldn’t do it anymore. She became as ruthless as him, maybe even more so.” His lip lifts at the corner when he sees my confusion. “Let me guess. She made your grandfather out to be the more evil one.”
“She told me he had my father killed,” I whisper.
“Is that right,” he chuckles. “When she got pregnant, she wanted to know if Ian really loved her for her or for her money, so she had your grandfather ask him. Unfortunately, he did choose the money, so your grandfather gave him what he offered and told him to leave. Your mother snapped and was furious with what he did. She ended up hiring someone to take care of him, and she kept the money herself.”
“She had him killed?” I can’t believe I’ve been fooled by her again.
“Your mother has been the one in charge for a very long time. When she got me transferred to Seattle, I had no choice but to go. She’s threatened me more times than I can count through the years that all it would take is one phone call, and I would end up like Ian.”
He looks at me, and for once, I see regret shining in his eyes. “I told her to just let you live your life but she insisted you come with us. She was determined to pull you into the business, and she knew if you were with Ryder, you would choose him over her. She fabricated this whole scenario to threaten his family because it was the only way to get you to leave. By this time, I was ready to walk, but I was already in too deep, and my hands were tied.”
Ryder’s face fills the screen next to me as he stares into my father’s eyes. His jaw ticks from the tension. “You were the only dad she’s ever known,” his voice is low but there is no mistaking the underlying anger. “It’s your job to protect and love her, even at the expense of your own life. You chose the coward’s way out, and your daughter suffered for it. We suffered for it.” I reach for his hand, and he grips it tightly.
My father is silent as he holds his gaze. I hold my breath, not sure where this will go. He blinks, and I briefly see sadness in his eyes before he composes himself. “You’re right. I’ve failed in every aspect as a father. I was a greedy, selfish bastard, and it was easier to keep Eve at a distance than it was for me to let her in. I saw the way she slowly died every day she was apart from you. Ryland was the only thing that could make her smile, and even then, it didn’t reach her eyes. I knew her mother was never going to let me walk away, and I didn’t want that for Eve or Ryland. That’s why I left the thumb drive out for Eve to find.” He says the last part, so quietly I almost didn’t catch it.
“What? You knew I was working with the FBI?” I ask, shocked.
“You started acting really suspicious. I could tell you were lying when your mother would ask you where you were, so I followed you one day. I saw, who I now know as Agent Davis, get in your car to talk to you. I was curious, so I put a recording device under your seat and listened in on the next meeting. I learned they really weren’t after me but wanted who I was working for. I knew it was my way out for the both of us.”
“But you’re in prison now for years. I don’t understand.”
“I had to keep up my little charade with your mother and make it look like I was still on her side, but I’ve been working with them since the moment they arrested me. Agent Davis couldn’t tell you all of this because the investigation was still ongoing. It was better if everyone thought I was going to rot in prison for the rest of my life. I’ve helped them put away a lot of men on your mother’s payroll. I’m not the only puppet your mother had the strings, too. I’m just the unlucky one that had to be married to her.” His lips quirk up briefly in an attempt at a smile.
“So mother…”
“Won’t ever be a problem for you again. She’s going to hate the outfits. They are so unflattering, and she’s always hated the color orange.” His voice has a hint of amusement before getting serious again. “I know it doesn’t make up for what I’ve done to you both, but I really hope it can provide you with some peace, knowing you don’t have to worry about her. If I could go back, I would have done things differently, but Ryder was right. I was a coward. I let the power and greed get to me.” He looks at Ryder and nods to him. “I’m glad she has you. After everything she’s gone through, she deserves to be with someone who loves her and makes her happy. Take care of her and Ryland.”
“Always,” he says without hesitation.
My father turns to look at me. “I’m sorry I wasn’t the dad you deserved. I’ve got a lot of things to work on once I get out of here in a couple of years. Maybe one day, I can work on being the dad and grandpa I should have been.”
“Maybe,” I whisper, blinking back the tears. It’s as close as I’ve felt to love coming from him. It’s going to take some time for me to let him in fully, but it’s a small start for us both.
Ryland’s giggles fill the air as I push her higher on the baby swing. I laugh as the wind catches her auburn curls and sends them flying.
It’s been two weeks since I’ve talked to my father. Agent Davis confirmed everything he said. They were able to take down my mother’s little operation she had going, and when she arrived in New York for business, they were waiting for her at the gates. She’ll be put away for a very long time, thanks to all the information my father gave them.
Part of me is sad for the young woman who got her heart broken. I’ll always wonder how different my life would have been if she had been strong enough to let go of the pain and focus on the love she had right in front of her…me. I’m mostly relieved, though. We no longer have to worry about her showing up and causing us any more problems. Everything is finally in the past, and I’m right where I should have been all along.
I feel Ryder’s arms come around me from behind, and I smile.
“Hi, beautiful.” He nuzzles my neck and kisses my ear. “How are my girls doing today?” He rubs his hand over my round belly before giving Ryland another push.
We decided to keep the baby's sex a surprise. Ryder insists that we are having another girl, but I have a feeling this one is a boy. “Your girls and son are doing amazing. Ryland and I spent the day in the pool, and your son has been kicking up a storm today. I swear there’s not an ounce of room left in there for him. I feel every single little movement. Montgomery men are huge, so I’m mentally preparing myself for this birth,” I laugh.
“Don’t worry. Travis was the biggest baby, and he was only eight pounds. We come out small, then double in size,” he grins. “Or our daughter will grow up to be a dancer with those strong legs. Either way, I can’t wait to meet our baby.”
“Me either,” I smile.
“Swide!” Ryder laughs when she points to the slide. He picks her up from the swing and places her on top of the slide. I watch his strong hands catch her on the bottom before they do it all again. Leaning against the swing set, I take in this moment where it’s still just the three of us.
I look in the mirror one last time. Thank God for stretchy material. The black dress hugs my curves and molds to my belly. The deep vee in the front shows off my full breasts. I swear they’ve grown a whole cup size. Even though Ryder tells me every day how beautiful and sexy I am wearing my flowy sundresses or yoga pants, in this dress, I almost feel it.
When he told me he was working late tonight on a car, I immediately called Miles to see if he could watch Ryland for a couple of hours. I want to surprise him and show up like I used to do to watch him work. With the baby due in a couple of weeks, I want to enjoy this alone time while we still can.
I step out into the hallway and make my way downstairs. My black heels click on the hardwood floor as I enter the kitchen. I hear Miles whistle as he looks up from the table where Ryland is having dinner.
“Damn, girl. You even make pregnancy sexy.” My cheeks heat at his grin.
“I feel more like Free Willy , but thanks,” I laugh.
“Trust me, Ryder is going to love what he sees.”
“Thanks for doing this on such short notice.” I walk over and kiss the top of Ryland’s head.
“No problem. I love spending time with my niece. Jake and I are taking turns being on call until this baby is born. You have two babysitters ready at any moment.”
“How did I get so lucky?” I lean over and kiss his cheek.
“The girls that leave after a night with me say the same thing.” I roll my eyes as he laughs.
“I’ll be back in a couple of hours, Romeo. Call me if you need anything.” I grab my purse, laughing as I walk out the door.
When I pull up to Ryder’s Restores a few minutes later, I can’t help the grin on my face as I use my keys to get in. Most of the lights are out in the waiting room as I make my way to the garage. Standing in the doorway, I watch Ryder work on the back exhaust. His black t-shirt stretches across his broad back as I admire the view from behind. He’s wearing faded jeans today, and I know without looking that they hang low on his hips, exposing those delicious abs.
He turns his head when he hears my heels walk across the tile floor. His look of surprise immediately turns heated when he sees what I’m wearing. I watch his eyes skim slowly over my body before coming back up. Setting down his tool, he comes to stand in front of me. He’s so close that I can feel his breath on my face.
“This dress…” His finger trails down my neck before skimming down my breasts that are on display for him. “It’s doing something to me,” he murmurs.
“I thought I would come watch you work like I used to.”
“You really expect me to be able to concentrate on work right now when you look good enough to eat?” His hand cups my neck, and my lips part on their own accord, waiting on bated breath for that first touch. “Eve,” his voice is deep and smooth, warming my insides.
“Yes?” I ask breathlessly.
“I’m going to finish working on this car, and then I’m going to bend you over it and fuck you against it.” He leaves me standing there as he walks back over to the car and picks up his tool.
I swallow hard, my breaths coming out shallow as I try to compose myself. I sit down on the nearby chair before my legs give out. He knows just what to say and do to get me to ache in places that only he has ever touched. I try to get comfortable even though my body is screaming at me with what it wants as I settle in to watch him work.