Page 60 of His Daggered Heart

I turn to look at the front door and sure enough, my father stands there, watching. “Fucking creep,” I say quietly.

He clears his throat. “Are you ready to go, son?”

“Why are you just standing there, Dad? Yes, I’m ready.” I pick up my bags and pass right by him, shoulder-checking him as I do. “Oh, and by the way, Alex is coming with.” I walk away before he can say anything else. “Come on, angel,” I shout back to her.

I finish loading the SUV with our stuff and climb in the backseat next to Alex. I don’t want her to sit alone back here overthinking. She sighs with relief when she realizes she won’t be alone.

“Am I a taxi service now, Kohen Lee?”

“No, Dad, you aren’t a taxi service but I’m going to sit back here with Alex.”

He clicks his tongue in response, pulling out of the driveway. “And are you not going to make any introductions?” he presses.

I give in and decide to rein in all the anger I have because I expected much more pushback in bringing her with us. I was expecting him to be more of an asshole than he is. I imagined him calling her a distraction, treating her as if she wasn’t here, or worse. Especially because he has made it known that he doesn’t want me with her. I mean he bribed me to break up with her by offering me a car.

“Sure, Dad.”

“Alex, this is my father Raymond. Dad, this is Alex.” I take a breath. “There, happy?”

He makes eye contact with me in the rearview mirror and nods. “Yes, Kohen, thank you. That will suffice. It’s nice to finally meet you, Alex. I have heard a lot about you.”

My hackles rise. I haven’t said anything about her, so what the fuck is he talking about?

I look at Alex and she’s already staring at me, her eyebrow raised, confusion etched into every feature of her face. I don’t know how much my dad is watching so I’m careful with how I react.

Reading the situation, Alex responds, “It’s nice to meet you as well, Mr. Ventura. I have heard so much about you, too.” She makes direct eye contact with him in the mirror, showing him who’s boss. Fuck, is it sexy.

“I hope my son hasn’t made me out to be too much of a monster,” he states. “Oh, and feel free to call me Raymond.”

She grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles before responding. “Oh no, sir. Kohen would never do that because his mom raised him to be the perfect man.”

I cough, spitting out the water I just took a sip of. I can’t believe she said that but fuck me, if I don’t love her more for it.

His eyes dart to mine. I wink and he adjusts his posture. The firm look he gives me does nothing, his power over me weakening. He clears his throat, puts on some music, and we drive the rest of the way to the airport in silence.

Chapter 39

Alex

Idon’tknowwhoKohen’s dad thinks he is but I have zero respect for him. The only reason I didn’t say what was actually on my mind is because of the respect for my man, and I don’t want to prove to Kohen’s dad that I’m the trash he thinks I am. The bigger reason was that Kohen doesn’t need the extra pressure or stress. So from here on out, I plan on being a good girl for him.

The plus side of all this is this jet. It’s my first time and the stewardess has been waiting on me hand and foot. Apparently, I am the first woman to be allowed on this jet. I don’t know how true it is but I pretend to believe the timid old lady when she says so. As long as Erica hasn’t been here, I’m good.

The inside is luxurious and I can’t help but notice that the coloring here is the same as Kohen’s house, or I mean our house, and the Knight’s mansion. Curiouser and curiouser. The seats are black leather and all the trim is wood grain with gold accents. I feel like royalty here.

Kohen and I sit in the middle section of seats. There is a table across from the bar that’s filled with top-shelf liquor and a bartender to boot. His father is close to the front where we can all see each other but his dad has kept his distance from us, thank god. I don’t want to have to speak to him more than I have to.

Just as the thought finishes in my head, he stands and walks over to us, clearing his throat. His eyes bore into mine, making me uneasy, so I look away, pretending Kohen got my attention.

“I’m going to my bedroom to take a nap. I suggest you two do the same. We have a long day tomorrow and an even longer weekend ahead.”

“Sure thing, Dad, we will rest up. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, son.” He turns to walk away and then the sounds of his footsteps stop. “Goodnight, Miss Alex.”

I cringe. “Goodnight, Mr. Ventura,” I say sweetly. I hear the door slide shut and cuddle up to Kohen. “Your dad is an asshole.”

He laughs, his arm wrapping around my waist and pulling me closer. “I know he is but honestly he is actually tolerable tonight. I expected him to be way worse.”

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