Page 323 of Secret Shifters Next Door

“What?” My voice was only a step away from a scream.

“Sorry.” He dragged the word out. “Uh, Gio’s on the way home. Should be here in thirty minutes or so.”

“Good. Tell him I'll be in his office.” I brushed past my uncle and stomped up the stairs.

Once I was in his office, I flopped into his large leather chair. I’d hoped being up there in the quiet would help calm me down. It didn’t. I looked around the room and saw pictures of me and Mom standing next to Dad. It reminded me of what I’d lost and how much I still had to lose.

I was not naïve. One day my father would die. Everyone would. But goddamn it, if there was a way for him to stay for a few more decades, I wanted him to.

Half an hour later, my father walked through the office door. He blinked in surprise when he saw me sitting in his chair. “Ava? Hey, sweetheart.”

“Don’they sweetheartme. Sit down.”

He walked toward me and gave a lopsided grin. “Are we going to have a talk?”

“Sit the fuck down,” I snapped.

Dad’s knees almost buckled and he fell into the chair in front of me. His face went pale. He’d never seen me this angry because I’d never directed my anger at him. “You’re mad.”

“You’re damn right I’m mad. You knew you had a treatment today. Knew that I would come over to take you. So you got out of the house before I even woke up. How selfish are you? I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation. What do you have to say?”

Dad leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Listen, Ava, there were some things that needed my attention. Things that were more important than?—”

I bolted to my feet. “More important?More important? Are you fucking kidding me right now? Don’t you dare sit there and tell me anything is more important than your life. Nothing—nothing—in this world means more to me thanyourlife.” Tears sprang to my eyes, and that just pissed me off more. I hated crying in front of my father. “You can’t throw your life away for some stupid job.”

He held his hands up. “Honey, I’m sorry.”

He got up and came around the desk. He tried to hug me, but I slapped his hands away. I was still pissed off, but he didn’t back away. Instead he wrestled me into a hug, his large arms encompassing me. I gave in and sobbed against his chest.

The stress must have been getting to me. I never broke down like this. Ever.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. You’re right. I was an insensitive asshole.”

He was probably only trying to appease me, but I didn’t care. It was good to hear those words, and I hugged him tighter.

“I love you, Daddy. You have to take care of yourself. I can’t lose you.”

“I love you, sweetheart. I promise, I’ll go to the treatment. I’ll call and reschedule.”

“Already done.”

“Okay then.” He laughed. “I’ll see you on my doorstep whatever morning that is, I guess.”

“Bet your ass.”

“As much fun as this has been, are you okay if I go take a nap? I’m worn out.”

“You mean waking up before dawn to go on some secret mission while dodging your daughter was tiring? I’d have never thought.”

He shook his head and grinned ruefully. “I’m going for a nap. See you later, little one.”

I watched him until he closed his bedroom door behind him. I stayed in the office until my tears dried and my face wasn’t red anymore. I didn’t want the whole house knowing I had been sobbing my eyes out like a baby.

Downstairs, the activity level was increasing. Everything was chaos. There were people everywhere, and so much going on that it was hard to think. I thought about going back to the guesthouse, but the only thing worse than all these people being around was the thought of being alone. It was a very strange feeling.

Blayne was busy, and Dad was tired. There was one person I could call and hopefully get to hang out a bit. I found a quiet spot in the living room and dialed April.

“Hey, Ava. What’s up?”

---