Page 106 of Hired Help

“They can’t go to a bank. When they made an offer on this place, they were laughed away. They can’t compete on an equal field to the usual housing market. If they want to expand, they have to make us a cash offer. They have to accept our terms.”

“Or just go elsewhere.”

And I hold my gaze long enough that he connects the dots. “Okay. You either sell at a marked increase or the gang moves and your house price soars.” He presses his lips together. “Not what I’d do.”

“It’s not your money any longer so I don’t care what you’d do. This is a sound investment and I’ll get a higher return in a shorter period than anything else in this price range.”

“Unless you piss off next door and get targeted.”

“That’s what the insurance is for. If you’re here to cast judgement on my relationship, have at it, but don’t disparage my investment ability. It’s not like I blew half a million on coke and fast cars.”

A tremor takes hold and I fight against it, keeping my chin raised and my gaze steady. This man has never given me love but the least I want is his respect.

And he inclines his head, his eyes sliding away first. “Fair enough. Walk me to the car.”

He takes my elbow, making it awkward to decline his request. The moment we’re outside, he stops on the porch, letting me go to shove his hands in his pockets, swaying onto the balls of his feet before slamming back onto his heels.

“Your mother and I haven’t given you the best demonstration of marriage over the years. I hope you understand what you’re getting into.”

“They’re both pretty and they’re both far poorer than me. Isn’t that the lesson in domestic bliss you were trying to teach me?” He snorts out a laugh and I think I’m about to faint. The sound is so alien, it takes me a second to convince myself that’s what it is. “I’m probably going to drop out of school.”

“Because you’re doing badly?”

“Because I don’t like it and I’d rather spend my time working out what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

“That’s fair. I dropped out of school at sixteen. Never really saw the point to it.” He falls silent and I wait beside him, the awkwardness draining away, happy to just stand there. After a few minutes, he shakes himself. “Better get back to it. Make sure I get an invitation if you’re serious about marrying one or both of them.” He sends me a shy grin. “The first wedding is special.”

He’s back in his car, the driver pulling away from the kerb before I decide he was cracking a joke. As the vehicle turns the corner, out of sight, I allow myself to relax into a smile.

Then I turn, the door already opening. Daegan and Harrison spill from the entrance, ready to bundle me back inside, ready to support me, to become the family I’ve searched for so long.

“Are you okay?” Harrison asks, enveloping me in a hug as the door closes us inside. “Or do I need to chase after him and kick his arse?”

The idea makes me snigger. “Good luck when his bodyguard turns on you.” Adding, because the worry lines aren’t going away, “I’m fine. It’s odd but I think he gave me his blessing.”

“Oh, yeah?” He shoots me a loopy grin, then slides his hands onto my shoulders, positioning me so I face him. “Found a little something while I was out on my swim this morning.”

“Something good?”

“Maybe.” He glances over to Daegan, who nods. “I’m not sure how this will go but I’m sure we’ll make it work.”

While I’m still staring on, baffled, he huffs in a deep breath and gets down on one knee. “Brooke, I love you. You’ve been the best part of my life for the last few years, and you’ll continue to hold a special place long into the future. I know you’re marrying my dad—”

Daegan breaks out in a cough that sounds suspiciously like a laugh, something that abruptly ceases when Harrison sends him a cautionary glare.

“—but I would like you to wear my ring as a gesture of our commitment.”

He takes my hand, reaching into his pocket for a box, and flicking the top open with his thumb. Even though his gaze is steady, his hands shake as he takes out the ring, holding it between his finger and thumb.

“There’s a lot of my family history tied up in this bauble, but the thing I’ll always be proudest of is forming a new family with you.” His eyes skate to the side, to include Daegan. “And you, I guess.”

A bubble of laughter floats from his dad. “Way to stick the landing.”

It feels wrong to bring Harrison to his feet, so I drop to my knees in front of him, cradling his head between my hands and leaning forward to kiss him. I whisper in his ear, “Thank you. I’m proud to be part of your family, too.”

“I know it’s not enough, but—”

And I kiss him again to stop him. “It doesn’t need to be enough. Not right now. We’re all a work in progress, aren’t we?”

---