Devour Me, Baby(46)

I gestured down the entry hallway to where my den was located, indicating he should go first. He glared as he stomped past me and I trailed after him. I was willing to admit it, I felt somewhat nervous, but I would be unbending in my resolve to keep Lilah.

We’d barely crossed the threshold before Samuel spun around and started shouting. “You bastard! Of all people, I would never have suspected this from you.” His chest was heaving and his face had become splotchy and red, but his voice lowered slightly. “She’s my little girl and what she’s gone through . . . You took advantage of a grieving child, Ethan,” he said sadly.

I had intended to let him say his piece, to hear him out before reasoning with him. I felt I owed him that. But, I couldn’t keep quiet when he spewed an accusation like that.

“She’s a grown woman, Samuel. And, I’ve never looked at her and seen anything but that. You need to get that through your head and stop seeing her as a kid. I know you lost out on her childhood, but it’s gone and the best thing for all of us is to look to the future.”

“A future with you?” he spat. “You’re seventeen fucking years older than her! She isn’t ready for the life you want.”

“I think that should be my decision, don’t you?” Lilah stood calmly in the doorway, thankfully dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.

“Sweetheart, you’re too young to be getting married and settling down,” he pleaded. Then he threw me a disgusted scowl. “You should be going to college, dating, at least being with someone your own age.”

A growl rumbled in my chest when he talked about her dating. “Over my dead body.”

“Dad, you need to listen to me,” Lilah said gently, walking over to Samuel and taking his hand. “We haven’t had much time to really get to know each other, but I need you to trust that I am old enough to know what I want. College was never something I aspired to. I want a home and a family, and while there are other things I’ll pursue, they will always be my top priority.”

“Lilah,” he sighed. “At least come home with me and take some time to think things over.”

“My fiancée and baby,” I stressed, as I walked up behind her, “aren’t going anywhere.”

Lilah whirled in my direction. “I wasn’t ready to tell him that, Ethan!” she snapped. I just shrugged. I was tired of hiding things, and I’d only spoke the truth.

“You’re pregnant?” Samuel breathed in shock.

She turned back and shuffled her feet awkwardly. “Um, a little bit, yeah,” she said tentatively. I snorted and rolled my eyes. “Right, like being a little bit dead.” For my comment, I received a sharp elbow jab in my ribs.

Samuel’s gaze was bouncing back and forth between Lilah and I. Finally, his shoulders slumped and he took both of Lilah’s hands in his. “I want you to be happy, sweetheart. I don’t agree with your choice, but I’m here for you no matter what.” Eyes dropping to her stomach, his face softened. “And, my grand-baby.”

He let go of her and pointed a finger directly at me. “You and I are done. But if you put one toe out of line, if I feel for even one second that you aren’t treating her right, there is nowhere you can hide that I won’t find you and put your ass in the ground. Got it?”

I nodded, slipped an arm around Lilah’s waist, and pulled her into my side. I knew there was nothing I could say at the moment that would make a difference. This hadn’t gone as I’d wanted, but there was a spark of hope that he would come around and we could salvage our friendship.

“Dad—” Lilah started as tears spilled from her eyes, but he held up a hand to stop her.

He leaned in and kissed her cheek, before stepping back and away from us. “Come and see me soon, sweetheart. I love you.” Looking at me once more, he lifted his chin, indicating he wanted a private moment in the hall.

I kissed Lilah on the top of her head and whispered, “Give us just a minute, baby girl.” Samuel’s face reddened at the use of my nickname for her and he streamed out into the hall. Yeah, that might not have been the best time to use it. Again, though, I was done tiptoeing around my relationship with Lilah.

“Why?” Lilah asked suspiciously. “I don’t want you two to fight anymore.”

“We won’t, Lilah. It’s business related.” I kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose. “Why don’t you go and get a snack?”

“Promise you won’t fight,” she demanded.

I laughed and her brows furrowed, clearly miffed at my amusement. “You’re so fucking adorable when you try to order me around, baby girl.” She grumbled something under her breath, making me smile even wider. “I promise.” My agreement cooled her ire, and she nodded before traipsing off to the kitchen.