Page 588 of Dark Love

“I’ll be in charge of your security. And if you ever need any money, you come to me, not a bank or another family member.”

“But you’ll just give me the money. I want to do it on my own.”

“Fine, I’ll loan you the money. With no interest for the first five years and after that half a percent until it’s paid off.”

“Dad,” Hope whines.

“Those are my terms. Take them or leave them. I’m not letting you risk your life for a business or get into debt.”

“Fine.”

It’s too cute that she’s pouting even though she won. Max has got his hands full with her.

“Who is your friend? Do you think she’ll let me start immediately?” Hope has a one-track mind.

“Fiona runs Sweet Dreams Bakery on Willow Street.”

“It had to be Fea. Of course, it had to be Fea,” Max mutters. His hand goes into his hair, and he tugs on one of his curls. “Hope, how about you do an internship at my company? We have coffee shops in every one of the offices. You can take your pick.”

“Why? Fea is really nice.” Hope stares at her dad with assessing eyes.

“Wait, you both know Fiona.”

“Long story. Let’s go Hope. We don’t want to make Prue late for work.”

“But Dad—”

With one look from him, her mouth shuts and they’re out the door as fast as they came in.

She’s brave.

Hope is just a child, and she’s ready to take on the world.

Here I am afraid to tell my mother about my boyfriend.

I’m a coward.

My mother loves me. She’ll love Vex too once she gets to know him…

But I don’t know him. I know his heart, but fear has kept me from asking anything more about him.

He’s a good man.

Then why are you afraid to ask about his childhood?

Or what he does now?

You know the world sees him as a criminal.

Why keep hiding from the reality of who he is?

Because I’m a coward, who’s afraid of everything.

***

“Dahl, I’m home.”

You are brave.

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