Page 16 of Conveniently Yours

"Don't I fucking know, it's okay, I'll sort it," I tell him, not wanting to go into detail just yet, but I have hope I’ll have everything I want in just a few short weeks. I'd have happily walked away from the business five years ago, but now, I've worked my fucking ass off, and I'll be damned if I let it rot. No, I'm going to ensure my father ends up with nothing.

"You good?" he asks.

"Yeah, I'm good, Noah. I have something to tell you."

Silence spreads between us.

"I hired a new secretary, she starts Monday," I tell him. "It's Scarlett."

Again, nothing but silence.

"Noah?"

"Scar?" he breathes. "Our Scar?"

I smile. Damn fucking straight, she's mine. "Yeah, look man, there's a lot you need to know, but first, I want you to know she’s good. Man, she's fucking good. She finished her degree and is still sweet as fuck. She's beautiful, she's bright, and she's happy."

I hear his ragged breathing, and I know he’s trying not to cry. He's broken down a few times over the way he treated her that day. He hated himself for the way he spoke to her and the things he said.

"She's got a boy," I tell him, my voice filled with pride, my chest burning with love. "My boy, man. I have a son. He's fucking amazing."

"Christ," he whispers. "I got a nephew?"

"Yeah, you're going to love him. He's amazing."

"No doubt," he says thickly. "He's Scar's boy, Ax, he's always going to be amazing."

I smile. He's not wrong there. "She said she'll meet you," I tell him softly.

"She did?" he asks, shocked, but I hear the hopefulness in his voice.

"Yeah, man, I'll text you a time and a place, okay?"

"Fuck, Ax," he breathes, and I know he’s not been able to keep the tears at bay. "Thank you, brother. Thank you."

"I'll speak to you soon," I promise him. "Don't hurt her again, Noah, you do, and it won't be just Scar that walks away, I will too. She's mine, and that's my son. They come first." She should have always come first.

"Understood, brother, and I assure you, I'll never hurt her again. I just want to see her, apologize and hold her."

"Soon," I promise him as I end the call.

I take a deep breath and glance down at my cell. Christ. That was painful. I knew he'd be relieved to know she was okay, but I didn't expect the emotions that welled up while talking with him.

I hear a low cough and spin on my heels. I see an older woman, a small smile on her face, brown soft eyes, and dark brown hair that's got gray streaks. "You must be, Axel Beckett. I'm Evelyn," she tells me as she holds out her hand for me to shake.

I ignore the hand and pull her into my arms. "Thank you," I say roughly. "For taking care of her, of them for me. I owe you, my life."

She shakes her head as I release her. "Scarlett came into my life at a time when we needed each other. I'd lost my husband and had no other family. Scarlett was lost, heartbroken and scared. We clung to one another in the darkest times of our lives, and together we forged a bond that brought us to the light."

I nod. "I'm sorry for your loss, Evelyn, I have no doubt he was a good man."

Her eyes burn bright, and I have a feeling she’s remembering her husband. "He was the very best." She takes a deep breath. "I've spoken to Scarlett, and she's told me everything, including your proposition."

I grin at her. "Ma'am, I have loved Scarlett for years, marrying her is all I have ever wanted."

She nods. "That's what I like to hear. But Mr. Beckett, do not hurt her again."

"You have my word," I promise her. "I won't."

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