Page 97 of Ruin Me

I brushed Ife’s hair over her ear. “Tell me something. Did you at least promise Madison you would support her, even from a distance?”

She sobbed. “D-do you hate me for separating you?”

“No, sweetheart. However, I am deeply disappointed.”

My daughter wiped the tears from her face. With a last sniffle, she said, “I don’t understand how you could think only of her at a time like this. Doesn’t our relationship mean anything to you?”

“Ife, you’re my daughter. My love for you will never change, and I’ll never accept you cutting yourself out of my life. That’s not the kind of man I am.”

“And that applies to Madison, too?”

I firmed my lips. “I will find her. When I do, I’m spending my life with her as her husband. Until then, there’s nothing important enough to move me from this spot.”

“Okay, I give. I can’t keep watching you waste away like this.” Ife sat on her feet, her shoulders sloped downward. “Although I don’t see a future where I’ll ever approve of my father and best friend being together, I love you. And I once loved Madison. I’ll stop punishing you and step aside. Despite my actions, I want you to be happy, and if Madison is the solution, so be it.”

For a moment, my heart skipped with joy, until I remembered Madison was in hiding somewhere I couldn’t find her.

“Thanks, Ife. It might take a while. She’s done a great job of covering her tracks. I’m almost certain she left the country, although no airport has flagged her passport.”

“Maybe this will help.” She stood and retrieved her purse from the foyer. While she rifled through the contents, she said, “Madison promised she’d come running if I needed her. Here.” Ife fiddled with her phone.

My cell dinged with an alert.

“If you email that address, she’ll come to you.”

My hands shook as I reached for my phone. I stared at the address, skeptical my happiness was an email away.

“Once you retrieve her, will you come back to the office? I wasn’t lying when I said I was struggling.”

I blinked my eyes free of the sheen covering them. “I can’t promise anything, but I’ll give you some advice. Mal is a good man. Rely on him to guide you as you learn the ropes. And Omaris very knowledgeable. Trust your instincts. I’m certain you’ll succeed.”

“I wish I were as confident as you.”

I nodded absentmindedly, my mind still on Ife’s email. “I have some planning to do.” I stood and headed toward my bedroom, but hesitated as a thought sprang in my head. “Ife, I understand your stance, but I’ll still give you the option to refuse. Whenever I return with Madison, she’ll be coming as Madison Luxe. You’re more than welcome to attend the wedd?—”

She sadly shook her head. “I won’t stand as witness to that, I’m sorry, Dad. I just…can’t.”

“I understand. And thank you.” I left her to show herself out, while multiple schemes ran through my head.

My first call was to the Montgomerys.

CHAPTER 40

Madison

I need you.

The message and an address came sooner than I expected. I thought it would take Ife a year at least before her feelings turned neutral. Another year before she reached out.

Without thinking twice, I booked the next flight to Saint Ginelle, an archipelagic island nation in the Pacific Ocean. There were no direct flights. The first leg of the first flight left two days later, and I made sure my butt was the first one on the plane.

After a full day in transit and passing the international dateline, I disembarked two days after leaving Colombia and walked toward the exit. A professional driver held a sign with my name written in large, bold letters.

I hefted my travel duffel over my shoulder. “I’m Madison Montgomery.”

The man smiled. “What a relief. I showed up for the past three days to wait for you.” He took my bag from my shoulder. “By the way, I’m Pierre. I’ll be your driver while you’re on the island.”

“Three days? Don’t you have other things you need to do?” I followed him because he had my bag. Boy, did I hope he was legit.

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