Page 149 of Arran's Obsession

“I don’t know what he’ll do with Convict, but I’ll explain everything that happened,” I said. “In both your cases, I’ll make sure he understands the intent was good. I’d like us to be friends.”

I didn’t know what the future could be for me and Arran, but I knew I couldn’t lose him.

Alisha watched me. A small smile broached her perfect lips. “I’d like that, too. You know, while you were in the basement, I had a long think about Arran and I realised how wrong I was. I’ve lived in fear most of my life, but he has, too. Except we’re scared of different things. When I thought it through, it all makes sense to how he’s been behaving.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Arran’s greatest fear is losing a woman he loves. He never had a mother, but he fiercely loved Audrey from the second he knew until the second her heartbeat gave out. I thought his ability to fall in love was broken, now I see I was wrong.”

I jerked my gaze away, suddenly hot. She thought he loved me. If only I knew that for sure.

Sounds in the hall reached us, then Arran appeared in the office doorway, Shade behind him and a man carried between them. Their prisoner’s head was down and his limbs dragging, but a snore said that he was asleep and not dead.

It took me a horribly long moment to register what I was looking at.

Then I leapt to my feet and clasped my hands to my mouth. “Dad?”

Arran deposited my heavy father on a chair and gifted me a smile. “Alive and well.”

I whirled around and hugged the man I loved, fresh tears welling. Arran banded his arms around me and held me close.

“You found my dad,” I squeaked, shocked and my voice breaking over a sob.

“Leesh, come with me.” Shade said.

Alisha clucked her tongue. “Fine, but I’m not gambling with you again. I don’t want to lose my tips.”

“This isnae a night for poker.” His voice grew quieter.

I wondered if he was upset with her too, until her comment came.

“Cribbage?”

It was followed by his laugh.

Their footsteps disappeared down the hall. Cards. That’s why he’d been undressed while she was in his apartment. They were a proper family here. I loved so much about this place.

Pulling back from Arran, I peered up at his face, checking him over for any new injury. Then I dropped my gaze to Dad. Slumped in the seat, he snored on, his hair and beard the same scruffy salt and pepper as always. His pot belly just as round. In the time he’d been gone, it didn’t appear he’d suffered much. I was glad. Even if I wanted to strangle him for the mess he’d got me into, I couldn’t regret any of it.

“I want to know everything,” I ordered.

He brushed his thumb over my cheek. “Anything.”

And that was that. He filled me in on the night’s events. I exchanged my own story, asking him to temper his anger at both Alisha and Convict for my sake. Then he carried my dad upstairs to Shade’s lockable spare bedroom so he could sleep off the drug the enforcer had doped him with.

Tomorrow, my father and I would have a chat. But tonight, I just wanted my man to hold me.

In Arran’s apartment, we showered, our lips meeting in a kiss with no end. In his bed, we rolled together, him fitting inside me like he was meant to be there. Then we slept, so close, and I knew without doubt I never wanted to let go.

The following day, late afternoon, Dad woke with complaints and an appetite. Arran gave me the time alone I needed with my old man.

Dad paused Arran at the door. “Wait up there a second, young un. Did I get him?”

Arran smiled. “Peters? Right between the eyes.”

Dad sat back on the sofa with an exhausted but happy smile. It reduced when he came back to me. “I expect you wondered where I went.”

“Both me and Riordan searched the city. We panicked.”

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