Page 143 of False God

“She … asked me to.”

Crew doesn’t appear surprised by the revelation. “Lili has always been independent. Creative. A little unpredictable. In twenty-five years, I’ve never been sure what she’ll say or do next. Her asking for you … that tells me you’re important to my daughter. Very important. And my daughter is very important to me, Charles.”

I swallow at the subtle threat in that last sentence. The tone of a billionaire accustomed to deference. “She’s very important to me too.”

His stern expression softens a fraction. “Then, as someone who fell in love with the woman who raised Lili, I’ll offer you a little free advice: It’s not going to be easy. That’s not a reason to give up. That’s a reason to fight harder. She’s stubborn. You want a chance? Be stubborner.”

“So … I should stay?”

Crew shakes his head. “Listen to her, Charles, but stand up to her too. I doubt you came all this way to hear my brother give a bad speech.”

“I didn’t.”

This time, he cracks a small smile. “You showing up here said a lot. Give her some time to realize it. Sometimes, we have to let things go to realize they’re what we really want. If your father was anything like mine, he told you love was the least important thing in life. Don’t believe him. Decide your own priorities.”

I nod.

“She told you I own part of AC Milan, huh?”

“She did,” I confirm.

“My boys barely give a shit.” Crew sighs, like that’s been a long-term source of disappointment for him. “If you ever want to go to a game, let me know. I don’t make it to as many as I’d like, and it would be nice to witness one with a real fan who’s not more interested in the snack bar.”

I haven’t been to a football match since my dad died. We used to go to a lot of games together. He was an avid Aston Villa fan. His life priorities went something like the dukedom, his kids, gambling, and football. The order changed.

And Crew is right; I don’t think love was anywhere on the list. Certainly not the romantic kind. He never remarried or even introduced me and Blythe to a woman.

“I will,” I say, my throat suspiciously thick.

“Crew, where …” Scarlett Kensington’s voice trails off when she sees I’m the one talking to her husband.

She continues approaching us, tucking a piece of her long, dark hair behind one ear. Lili does the same thing.

“Hello, Charles.”

“Hello, Mrs. Kensington.”

“Scarlett, please,” she corrects, holding out a hand that I shake. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“You too,” I reply, hiding my surprise. I wasn’t expecting her to remember our brief interaction weeks ago.

Scarlett smiles, then glances at her husband. “The doctor wants to talk to us.” She catches Crew’s concerned expression. And mine. “Just to discuss discharge procedure.”

I relax. Discharge is good. Means she’s headed home shortly.

“I’ll be right there,” Crew tells his wife.

She nods, smiles at me again, then heads back down the hallway.

Lili’s father sticks a palm out. I grasp it, giving him my firmest shake.

Crew doesn’t let go right away. “If you treat my little girl with anything less than the utmost respect, I want to make it clear, we’re going to have a massive fucking issue, Marlborough. I don’t give a shit about your title. I have a fuck ton of money and very few hobbies. If you hurt Lili, I’ll bury you. Got it?”

He’s dead serious, but I want to smile. Not because I don’t believe him—I do—but because I’m glad he’s Lili’s father. Happy she has a family who would go to war for her.

“Got it, sir.”

His eyes narrow, like he’s trying to decide if I’m being glib.

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