Page 97 of Restrained

“I can tell him to leave.”

She shakes her head defiantly and starts toward the door. I follow, still ready to kick his ass to the curb.

Her eyes narrow when she reaches the front door, where he’s still perched obediently. “Why are you here?”

He takes in her appearance and then his gaze moves to me. “This is cute.”

“What do you want, Dad?” She folds her arms over her chest.

“I want you to come back to work. This has been fun and all, you trying to be rebellious, but now it’s just sad.” His eyes flick over me, taking in my bare torso. “You playing whore and ignoring your last name.”

A growl bubbles up in my throat, but her fingers lace with mine. “I’m happy here.”

He rolls his eyes as his disapproving gaze lands on her pretty face. “I’m sure you are, sweetheart. I’m sure all the lies he told you sound quite nice at the moment.”

I want to strangle the motherfucker, but I let Lola handle him. He’s her father, and she doesn’t need me to fight her battles. “Like the lies you told Mom? No. Hayden is different. He doesn’t need to destroy a woman to feel like a big man.”

His scowl is penetrating as he looks over at me. “You have her fooled, huh?”

“Despite what her upbringing taught her, not all men are dickheads.”

He snarls, turning back to Lola. “My sons are worthless. You’re my only hope of having a worthy heir. Come back.”

“No.”

“Lola,” he snaps, and my body tenses at his harsh tone directed at her.

“I don’t need or want you in my life. I hate you.” She lets go of my hand and walks closer to him. “You tried to destroy our family, but we’re strong now. I want nothing to do with you, and you’d better stay away from everyone else in my family.”

He scoffs, “So you’re the head of my family now? Is that it?”

“We don’t need a head of the family. We’re stronger as equals, and that’s what we are. I spent so many years trying to please you and being miserable, only to find out it was because you are a miserable bastard who can never be pleased.”

“Lola Sterling . . .”

She holds up one hand to silence him, strong and confident. “Leave, and don’t ever come back.”

“I’m your father.”

“You’re nothing.”

She slams the door in his face, and I stand in awe of her. If my father were to show up, I'd probably beat him to a bloody pulp. There’s no way I would have that much control over myself, but Lola is different.

Stronger.

“So that’s your dad?”

She laughs and tugs my hand to follow her to the kitchen. “That’s the bastard that contributed in getting my mother pregnant, yes.”

“You okay?”

She smiles, looking blissfully happy. “I’m more than okay, Hayden. I have everything I want.”

Me too.

“You know I'm going to marry you someday, right?” I take a seat on the stool as she grabs the turkey from the fridge.

“I’ll let you someday.”

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