Page 19 of A Secret Promise

"Mom's still inside."

Rule only nodded, knowing that it was his daughter's way of saying she wasn't yet comfortable at seeing Beatriz again.

"Want to go for a drive?"

RULE FOCUSED ON THEroad ahead and keeping a rein on his temper as his daughter recounted everything that happened since his ex welcomed Vixen to his home in a bathrobe.

Classic Beatriz, he thought grimly. She had always been the type to make a scene, either to get what she wanted...or in this case, because it was the opposite. He had refused to give her a loan, andthiswas his payback.

"I really thought it would be the end of you two, Dad."

That wasn't possible,Rule thought. There was nothing to end since he and Vixen hadn't begun anything, and maybe they never would.

"But then I heard her tell Mom thateveryonehas a past. And that she also had a past—-"

"Your mom?"

Riley shook her head. "No,Vixen.She was telling Mom that she had a past, too, and...and that everyone makes mistakes, and that's why she'd never hold anyone's past against them."

If it had been anyone else, Rule would've been tempted to think that person was simply mouthing off platitudes. But because this was Vixen, Rule knew she had meant every word, and that was why...

I don't deserve her, God.

His old self, which had been full of pride, wanted to push her away.

Can't you see she only pities you?

But Rule was done living in the past and making the same mistakes over and over.

I know I don't deserve her, God.

But I can pray about that.

Because You chose us for each other.

And Your plans are always good and perfect.

"I'm sorry, Dad."

Riley's tremulous tone pulled him out of his thoughts.

"I didn't mean for this to happen. I should've asked you first. I just wanted to surprise you..."

Rule pulled up to the curb before shifting his seat to look at his daughter. "You have nothing to apologize about. I'm the one who's at fault here. I should've told you in advance that your mom had come to visit. But I failed to do that, and I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"

Riley's eyes teared. "Of course." But even so, the sadness in his daughter's gaze remained.

"What is it, Riley? Talk to me."

"I just...I just want to know," Riley whispered. "Will everything still be okay between you and Vixen? Between us?"

I don't know.

Rule used to forbid himself from thinking such words. He used to think only weak people admitted to not knowing anything, and so he had always tried to do everything on his own.

But not anymore.

He was done pretending he was strong. He was done pretending in any way. Even with the past threatening his present, Rule knew he still had a choice to make.

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