Page 93 of Dirty Player

“I should have. I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not. I wasn’t going to lose Kaylee a second time,” Levi says with strong conviction.

Mom lays her hand on Dad's leg.

He nods repeatedly.

“I would’ve done the same thing. So I respect you for that. Keep fighting for my daughter—that’s the man I want for her.” Dad glances at me this time. “Do you love him?”

“Yes.” I nod. “With all my heart.”

“Then love each other well. Fight. Make up. Forgive. And stick together.”

I place my hand on Levi’s chest and let tears fall down my cheek. “We will.”

“Well, maybe more of the making up and less of the fighting.” Levi grins down at me.

“You wish, son, you wish.” Dad coughs out his laugh and we all glance around nervously as the machines beep a little.

I tense, not knowing what to do.

“Give your Dad and me a minute, sweetheart.” Mom says, smiling at me sadly.

I turn but walk straight into Levi’s chest. I lift my face to his. “Go say goodbye to him, kitten.”

Something isn’t right.

I lean down, planting a gentle kiss on my father's face. “Sleep well Daddy. I love you.”

“I love you too, pumpkin.” Our eyes remain locked for a long moment, his glossy and so faded that I barely recognize them.

Then I feel Levi take my hand and let him lead me out of the room.

“Take her home,” Mom says to Levi.

He does.

We climb into a waiting vehicle down below and the luxury vehicle I barely pay attention to drives us back to Levi’s penthouse apartment.

He undresses me, showers me, and drapes one of his white shirts over my head, then carries me into bed.

We leave the drapes open, and the moonlight fills the room as we lay in each other’s arms.

“Is he going to die?” I finally ask.

“Yes,” Levi answers eventually, holding me tighter.

I drift in and out of sleep all night, plagued with confusing dreams or nightmares.

I’m not sure what they are. Just garbled thoughts and images.

Finally, I’m startled out of sleep by the sound of a phone ringing.

Levi answers it, then he hands it to me.

“Mom,” I say, already knowing.

“Your dad is at peace, darling,” she says, crying. “He has given you both his blessing.”

I press my face into Levi’s chest and let the tears fall.

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