Page 75 of Vegas Baby!

“It wasn’t exactly on purpose.”

“I’m sure his being a multimillionaire on track to take over a Wall Street firm had nothing to do with it.”

Ava’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know any of that when we bonded.”

“Dad,stop. This is a baby shower, not an interrogation.”

He sighed and pulled out his checkbook, scribbling on it before handing a check to Ava. “Let me give you a gift then. Allow my son to go back to his life and you can cash that.”

The color drained from Ava’s face and she flipped the lever on the recliner so she could stand up. “Fuck you.” She ripped up the check and threw it back at him. “And fuck your money. You don’t have to like that Bryce is my alpha but it’s not going to change that he is.”

“He doesn’thave tobe,” my dad insisted.

Ava’s omega growl had all the little hairs on the back of my neck standing up.

“You need to leave,” I told my dad, stepping between him and Ava.

“Come to New York,” he said instead of listening. “If you won’t release your claim on him, at least don’t force him to give up his entire future. If you love him, move to the city and let him resume his career.”

“No,” I snapped. “Ava’s not comfortable in New York and there’s no way in hell I’m going to pressure her to live somewhere she doesn’t feel safe. You either need to let this go or we’re done.”

“You can’t throw away everything for her.”

Before Ava could go feral on him, I locked my hand around his arm and dragged him to the door.

“What the hell are you doing? Let me go.”

I tossed him straight out the front door and followed, closing it behind me. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You flew all the way here just to be an asshole to the woman I’m falling in love with? To the woman I’m bonded to and have formed a pack with?”

“I cannot let you give up your life.”

“I’mnot,” I ground out. “This is my life now. Before Ava, your approval was the only thing I wanted, even though I didn’t feel like I would ever get it. I don’t need it anymore, though. Ava just wants me around; she doesn’t care how much money I have or what my job title is. Dad,fuck. I tried to show her the city, tried to see if we could make a life there, and she hated it. I can’t force her to stay there if she won’t be happy.”

“But areyouhappy?” he insisted.

“Yes. I don’t need you to understand, but you have to accept it.”

“I didn’t get where I am in life by accepting things I don’t like.”

“My family isn’t a fucking business deal or something you can browbeat. This is the way things are, and if you’re going to treat my mate or my pack poorly, you won’t be welcome around them.”

“You can’t be serious. You’re my son. I have to take care of you if you won’t take care of yourself.”

“Oh, sonowyou want to take care of me? When I’m a fucking adult and don’t need you to do it? I’m not budging on this. Get your shit together or get out.”

The door opened behind us and I turned to see Ava. She stepped out calmly, standing by my side and lacing her fingers with mine.

“Mr. Carlton, you’re making a mistake.”

“Excuse me?”

“I know that you must love your son to fight for him, but you’re doing it in the wrong way. I’m not here to hurt him. I would still want a life with him without a penny to his name. He’s a kind person and you should be proud of the man your son has grown into. Don’t do this.”

“You can’t order me.”

“I can’t,” she agreed. “What Icando is promise that youwillregret your behavior. Maybe not immediately, but one day. Don’t make him choose between you and us.”

“He never should’ve chosen any of you.”

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