The Bad Boy's Biggest Mistake(39)

He wasn’t insane, but he was crazy in love with one woman. Law Castle had plenty of ménage relationships going on. Vicki wasn’t having another man between her thighs apart from him. He’d never be able to survive another man touching her.

The doorbell rang and interrupted his thoughts.

“Can you get that, Tristan?” Vicki called from upstairs. He heard her padding around their room. They’d be sharing a home soon. Everything he owned Vicki owned as well.

Grabbing the robe from the floor Tristan tied the sash as he opened the door. “I thought I told you we didn’t want to be disturbed,” he said.

There was a man not much older than himself and a woman stood on the doorsteps.

“Who the hell are you?” the older man asked.

“Calm down, Richard,” the older woman said, patting his chest.

Tristan stared at them frowning.

“Who am I? Who are you? I think you’ve got the wrong house,” Tristan said ready to close the door.

“Mom? Dad?” Vicki walked down the stairs dressed in another robe. Her hair was wet from her recent shower.

“Who is this man, Vicki? Why have you been ignoring my calls?”

Vicki stood in front of him. “Dad, stop with the questions and the angry glare.” She held her hands up placating her father.

He stared at the older man and woman and saw parts of Vicki staring back at him. Shit, he’d just opened the door on his future-in-laws in a robe. He’d not been expecting them to turn up at the door.

“Who is this man?” Richard asked.

“Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Tristan Carmichael, my … erm, boyfriend.” Vicki made the hesitant introductions.

“I think this should be brought inside,” Tristan said, noticing all the attention they were gaining from the locals.

They didn’t get the chance to change clothes. They sat on the sofa as her parents took the individual chairs on either side of the coffee table. Vicki left him alone with her folks to make coffee. Tristan didn’t mind being left alone with her parents. He wasn’t leaving Vicki no matter what happened.

“Are you the reason Vicki lost her baby?” Richard asked.

“Richard!” The woman spoke harshly.

“He’s naked in our daughter’s house, Ellen. What more do you want me to say?”

He sat forward gaining both of their attention. “I’m not the one responsible for her losing her baby, but I’m the one who put the baby there.”

Richard stood and raised his fist.

Tristan stayed in his seat.

“Richard!”

“I’m in love with Vicki.” The words made the other man hesitate. “I’ve been in love with your daughter for a long time.”

“You’re too old for her,” Richard said, sitting down. The anger inside her father was still there. Tristan knew it wasn’t the end of it. This man loved his daughter, and he clearly didn’t like the thought of someone taking advantage of her.

“I know. I can’t help the way I feel.”

“Tristan, you don’t need to explain yourself,” Vicki said, carrying in a tray.

“I do.” He waited until his woman was sat by his side before continuing. “I’ve not done right by Vicki.” Tristan explained the situation about his ex-wife as briefly as he could. Her father looked ready to murder him. Tristan tensed waiting for the blow to come. Vicki curled up against him taking his hand. Her support meant the world to him. After everything he’d put her through Vicki was showing her trust in him. He would earn her trust for the rest of his life. “The moment my divorce came through I drove nonstop to get to her.” He gave Vicki’s father his full attention. “I’m in love with your daughter. She will want for nothing. I will make it my life’s mission to make sure she’s cared for, and I will never step foot outside of Law Castle without her.”

“What about marrying my daughter?” Richard asked. “Or is she just good enough to fuck?”

“Dad, stop.”

Tristan chuckled.

“Actually, Sir, I was going to propose to your daughter in front of the whole town. I intend to claim Vicki for myself. I love her, and not a day goes by when I’m not sorry for the pain I caused her.”

“You spoiled his surprise, Richard,” Ellen said, her disapproval clear in her voice.

“How was I supposed to know? He’s here in nothing but a robe.”

Vicki groaned. “You’re not even supposed to be here,” she said.

“How am I to stay away when your texts have been cryptic? I was worried. You were avoiding talking to me, and talking with Stefan made everything clear.”