Unexpected Fate(75)

I glare at my father and continue to attempt to brush the tangles out of my wet hair. Since I didn’t use conditioner, the long locks have become almost unmanageable. My father, having noticed that we were both wet when we opened the door, hasn’t taken his eyes off Cohen.

Cohen, who I’ll press, hasn’t let me away from his side. When our parents filed in his doorway, I gave each of them a hug, and then he had his arm around my shoulders and my body pressed against his. I offered to get everyone something to drink and he just said no and pulled me onto his lap when he dropped down on the oversized chair in this living room.

Where I’m currently sitting, glaring at my father.

“Dani has agreed that it’s best if she took some time off work,” Cohen says to the room, and I snap my head to his.

“I did?”

“Sure you did,” he says, looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“I don’t remember that.”

“That’s because you’ve been busy,” he says with a wink.

I snap my eyes over to the corner where my father is standing with his arms crossed over his chest when I hear him growl. “Did you really just do that?” I snap at him.

“Axel,” Mom warns him.

Cohen brings his arm around my waist and rests his palm on my stomach, and I can’t even enjoy that, because once again, my father is acting like a dog, growling and all but frothing at the mouth.

“Seriously, Daddy!” I exclaim. “That’s a bit much.”

“Axel,” Mom tries again, walking over, placing her hands on either side of his face, and attempting to bring his gaze to hers.

He doesn’t budge though; his eyes stay locked on Cohen.

“Seriously?” she huffs. “You’re acting like a caveman, Axel Reid. Time to stop.”

Cohen seems to have a death wish, because his other hand moves from where it was lying against the armrest and his long fingers curl around one of my jean-clad thighs.

Daddy moves like he’s about to push off the wall only to stop when my mom pushes against his chest. I look over at Cohen’s parents, and my eyes widen when I see his mom wink at me and giggle softly, which earns her a squeeze by Greg.

“As I was saying,” Cohen continues. “Dani is going to be taking some time off work. I’ve already talked to Sway, and in light of the other day’s events, he agrees that is the best move. I’ve already talked to Chance and let him know that, as soon as Dani finds a house she feels works for the baby and us, we’ll be moving out. I say we because I don’t plan on her going anywhere until said house is found. He also sees the wisdom in this plan.”

“The fuck you say,” Daddy says, finally having enough and snapping. He pushes past my mother so swiftly that she almost tumbles. His arm shoots out and he helps her steady her footing, never once removing his heated gaze off Cohen. “The fuck. You say!”

He prowls forward, and when he gets about halfway to us, Cohen pats my thigh and indicates that he wants me to shift so he can stand. I do so, mutely, and wait to see how this plays out, knowing that it has to play out for us to be able to move forward.

“You knock up my girl. Demand that she move in. And not even plan on making an honest woman out of her?” he fumes.

Cohen stands toe-to-toe with him, their eyes almost level, but even with Daddy having a few inches on Cohen, he doesn’t back down. His chest heaves, but for the most part, he remains calm.

“I didn’t say that, Axel. I plan on marrying your daughter the first chance I get, but that is something that is between the two of us. I respect you enough that I had planned on coming to you privately to ask for your blessing, but I have to be honest with you—I will be marrying my girl whether you give that to me or not. With all due respect, I love your daughter and I couldn’t really give two shits if you want to bless that or not.”

“What did you just say?” Daddy turns and looks over at my mom. “What did he just say to me?”

“You heard him, honey,” she says with a smile. “I think it’s time you took that alpha male down a few notches, big boy.”

My gaze shoots from my mom to my dad to see his reaction, and then it lands on Melissa when she throws her head back and laughs loudly.

“Hush, beauty,” Greg tells his wife. “Son, I think you need to tread carefully here. I like your head right where it is.”

Melissa snickers even louder at that.

“You don’t care for my blessing?” Daddy tosses back at Cohen, and there’s no mistaking his body language—he’s ready to kill. His hands are flexing and his face is beet red.