Page 48 of Hidden Heir

“Greedy,” Tiff mutters, placing the plastic food items in front of Leon. Then she points at them. “Eat fast, closing soon.”

Watching Leon play the part of a greedy guest is unexpectedly heartwarming. Suddenly, he’s no longer the scary criminal or even the sex god that makes my legs shake. He’s Leon, gentle and happy, and he plays tea parties with his daughter.

It’s another glimpse into my what if worlds but this one is much softer and sweeter than the others.

Maybe now, things will be okay. I finally feel like I have space to breathe, where I can process Hannah’s death and plan for Tiffany’s future, as well as my own.

“No!” Tiffany squeals and giggles as Leon scoops her into his arms and begins tickling her. “No more tea!”

“I demand tea!” He roars softly, laughing as she squirms. Her giggles are infectious, and soon, we’re all laughing as she attempts to serve dessert and then sits down like someone getting home from a twelve-hour shift.

“I’m exhausted!” she claims dramatically. “You can go home now.” She yawns.

“I think it’s nap time for you, sweetheart,” I say, climbing to my feet.

Leon does the same and Tiffany reaches for him. He gathers her in his arms with a smile and then wiggles his eyebrows at me. This might be the first time I’ve seen him genuinely enjoying something, and my heart squeezes like it’s trapped in a fist.

Suddenly, my dreams of the future include the three of us, and as we walk back toward the house, a warm realization grows in my gut.

I’m falling for him.

Or maybe I fell for him that night four years ago, and it’s only now that I feel safe to acknowledge how abruptly those feelings are rushing back. I no longer want to just fuck him. I want to spend time with him, I want to cook together as a family, I want him to make Tiffany laugh as he plays games with her. I want to grow and share with him.

I hold the door open as we reach the house. Tiffany is now fast asleep in his arms which is the strongest proof that she feels safe with him.

Maybe I should take my promise seriously. No more lying.

Leon deserves the truth.

21

LEON

“You can’t be serious!”

Upon hearing the argument raging downstairs, I headed to my office and pulled the room they’re in up on CCTV. Ant stands near the window, shifting his weight back and forth as he picks at his sweater sleeve. Brooke paces near the door, dragging one hand through her thick hair.

“Me?” Ant turns toward her. “You’re the one that’s selling yourself to that man.”

“I’m not selling myself,” Brooke snaps. “I’m choosing this for myself and Tiff so we can be safe and have a chance at a good future. I’m also choosing it for you, you fucking idiot. Not sure why you have an issue with it seeing as you were so happy and encouraging for me to do whatever the Irish demanded. In fact, you were thanking me through tears in your eyes because me being sold as a sex slave and going through hell would’ve saved your worthless skin!”

I shake my head as my blood boils. Brooke may hold her brother in high regard but it’s clear that most of it comes from familial obligation and not love. He doesn’t appear to care about her beyond how he can use her, while she remainsdesperate to find her brother under all that drug-addicted mess. Unfortunately, I’m not sure there’s a brother left to find.

“This is different,” Ant hisses.

“How is it different?” Brooke throws her hands in the air. “Is it becauseI’mmaking the choice this time?”

“You talk like you’re fucking in love with him or something.”

Brooke stamps her foot in anger. “Will you stop being so pig-headed for five seconds!”

She doesn’t deny it and my pulse quickens slightly. Caring for her didn’t have any requirements on my end but I can’t deny I like the idea of her loving me. Beyond the deal, of course. She’s a beautiful woman and I’m utterly addicted to her. Is it possible she feels the same? I recline in my chair, entertaining the thought as the argument continues.

“I’mpig-headed?” Ant snaps. “You’re the one always trying to fix things! Getting involved in my life like it’s yours to lead when I didn’t ask you to.”

“What the fuck? Yes, you fucking did. You begged me to take you in when you lost your apartment, which, by the way, I’m now thinking was a ruse, that you really needed a hideout from the Irish. Every time you get clean you ask for my help. You brought all this shit down on me and don’t think for a second that I’ve forgotten that when I was going through hell for you, you were shooting up instead of watching over my daughter. The only way I’ll ever forgive you is if you get clean, stay clean, and spend the rest of your pathetic life apologizing.”

“I’m not apologizing!” Ant yells. “You don’t understand and you don’t even try. You have no idea what it’s like to be an addict. How much it consumes me. How it’s so much stronger than me. You have no idea and you don’t even care!”

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