Page 20 of The Rogue and His Flower

“I should’ve stopped you yesterday, but I won’t make the same mistake twice,” I declare, my heart pounding in my chest as I put much needed space between us. “I deserve better than this, and Tomasz didn’t deserve to be fired. Make this right, Dalton.”

His nostrils flare, and for a moment I think he’s going to ignore my request, but eventually he nods and says, “I will provide him with a substantial severance pay, but I will not offer him his job back. That’s the best I can do.”

“Thank you.” I move to stand but he rests his hand on my arm.

“Will you stay? Eat with me at least?”

“I’m suddenly not very hungry.”

“Daisy…” His voice trails off as I shake my head.

“I’m going home. I’ll see you Saturday, when it’s time to move in.”

“Daisy, wait!”

But I’m already heading towards the exit, and this time Dalton doesn’t follow.

CHAPTER SIX

DALTON

Drix and I stand in awkward silence on his driveway as Daisy says her goodbyes to Lia and Toby. I watch as he climbs up into Daisy’s arms, and plants an affectionate kiss on her cheek. She hauls him tighter against her, smiling through her tears as she presses kisses against his face. Fuck, the love and affection they share is so alien to me, leaving me feeling confused and uneasy.

Growing up, hugs were never a part of my life. Fuck,anyform of affection. My father has always been emotionally distant, whilst my mother simply upped and left without looking back as soon as their divorce was finalised when I was eleven years old. I haven't seen her in over twenty years. She's essentially a stranger to me except for the occasional stilted phone call here and there.

"They're going to miss her being around," Drix murmurs, watching the three of them. "I'llmiss her."

"She's only a ten minute drive away. Nothing's changed," I reply, swiping a hand through my hair, the air fraught between us.

"Everything'schanged. You are now responsible for my sister's happiness, are you certain you're up for the challenge?" Drix presses, glancing at me.

Am I? The truthful answer is a definitive,fuck no, but I’m not about to admit that if I want to remain conscious, so instead I answer with, "Honestly, I’m not sure." It’s about as close to the truth as I can get.

He lets out a bitter laugh. "That's probably the most honest thing you've ever said to me."

"Look, Drix," I begin, eying him cautiously, "I know this isn't what you want for Daisy. It isn't what I want either, but there's nothing I can do to prevent the inevitable. We're getting married in a few weeks with or without your blessing."

"I will be there for Daisy, but I can't give you my blessing."

"I understand," I reply with a nod of my head. “Will you be coming to the engagement party next weekend?”

“I will.”

“I appreciate that.”

“I’m not doing it for you,” he bites back.

In all the years I’ve been friends with Drix, I don’t think we’ve ever had our friendship tested like this. Sure, we’ve had disagreements before, but I’ve never felt like our friendship was ever in question. Until now.

“I want you to know, despite what you think of me, that Iwilldo everything in my power to take care of her," I say, knowing that too is a stretching the truth, because whilst I can shower Daisy with expensive gifts, wine and dine her at exclusive restaurants, and whisk her away on holiday to exotic locations, I can’t give her what she truly needs and that’s emotional support, affection,love. I’m just not fucking capable.

Drix shoots me a curious look. There’s doubt in his gaze, lingering anger, but there’s also a dash of hope, and seeing that makes me feel like a prick. Aside from Sterling and Ben, and the people I race with at the track, he’s one of the only people I truly count as a friend, and I hate deceiving him.

"Are you ready to go?" I ask as Daisy steps up to us both, ending our tense conversation.

"I guess," she replies with a small smile, her gaze drifting to Drix.

"Come here," he says roughly, pulling her into his arms and crushing her against his chest.

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