Roman-1(Lane Brothers, Book 5)(118)

He laughs and shifts his arms under me, pulling me up and into his embrace. The comfort takes me back to every memory I have of being hurt or scared or sad, and every time, he’d been there to hug me and make it all better.

The feeling of being so cherished after what had happened is so sweet I hug him back as hard as I can and cling to him.

“I’m sorry, Daddy.”

“Sshh, little girl, ain’t nothing to be sorry for. I hurt ya and—”

“No. You brought me a miracle, and I was too damned stubborn to look past your bullshit to see it,” I cut in, pulling back to look into his eyes.

His expression lightens a little, though it doesn’t clear completely. He’s feeling guilty, something my soft heart wants to absolve him of completely just to see him smile, but I stop myself because it’s something he’s gotta face.

He’d manipulated me and used his business connection to buy me a suitable husband, and he needs to earn back my trust.

“I’m so goddamned thankful that animal didn’t hurt you,” he breathes raggedly, laying me down gently. “Bee told us how you kept him occupied long enough for her to get out of there, darlin’…”

I snort and roll my eyes despite the dull ache at my temples.

“That girl’s really got a helluva big set of balls. She came back for me even though he could have easily killed her and the baby. You better hope that kid gets some of your and Mama’s genes, ‘cause her and Justin seem to be senseless,” I mutter jokingly, and he laughs roughly with a shake of his head.

“She’ll make a decent addition to the Bennet clan, that’s for sure. Now dry your eyes, ya big crybaby. I don’t want your mama in a tizzy when she comes in here,” he scolds, wiping his eyes.

“Hah! I’m not a lightweight, old man. You’re the crybaby.”

“Me? Jesus, girlie, you think I’m a crier? You shoulda seen Blake! That man’s got it bad for you.”

“And on that note, your wife is calling for you. Bianca is awake.”

We both look up to see Vincent reclining in the doorway, looking all bad boy chic with his sleeves rolled up and his tie handing loose over his shoulders.

“So, you’re a crier, huh?” I tease when Daddy gives me a quick peck and walks out, leaving us alone in the silent room but for the beeping of a distant machine.

“I wouldn’t say that, but I was definitely worried when I got a frantic phone call from Justin and was told to rush to the hospital,” he muses, coming over to kiss my cheek gently as he lowers himself to the bed. “Your face looks like hell.”

It feels it, I think, probing delicately at my bruised face.

“Better than last time, though. So, I was actually on my way out the door when that pig cornered me. I was coming to see you,” I say, picking awkwardly at the blanket over my knees. “I owe you an apology for the way I reacted when you came to the apartment. You were concerned and trying to help, and I…I was mad at you.”

“Dove—”

“No.” I rush ahead, cutting him off with a finger to his lips. “Please.”

He nods once and I pull my hand away, feeling so uncertain of myself it’s hard to meet his eyes. I also look a fright and need to brush my teeth like yesterday, which is doing nothing to boost the confidence I’m struggling so desperately for.

Vanity.

“I was mad at you for the wedding.”

“I should never have—”

I cut him off before he can crush me and tell me what a mistake that had been. The Vincent I’m seeing here isn’t the same frantic, unleashed lover that had rescued me from the rooftop, the same man who’d spent hours at my bedside urging me to wake up.

This man is being kind and gentle and so friend-like that it’s breaking my heart. I’d almost prefer cold, yelling Vincent to this guy, because at least then I’d know he feels more for me than friendly concern.

“Because you said you ‘missed this’. You missed the sex, which I have to admit was awesome, but…I wanted you to say that you missed me. That maybe the divorce had been a mistake and that…but I was stupid. I mean, even as I’m saying all this it’s dawned on me that you brought a date… Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for being here, for continuing to be my friend even when I don’t really deserve it,” I finish, feeling prouder than hell that I’ve managed to keep my eyeballs dry through the whole thing.

“Dove—”

“God, Sis, can’t you manage to keep out of trouble for a few measly days?”

Parker and Jules sweep in, putting paid to whatever he was about to say, and we pull apart, me sighing deeply in chagrin and relief because I’m not sure I’m rock steady enough to hear Vincent tell me kindly how over me he is, and him, well, he looks more freaking relieved than I do.