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He’s warm, big, strong, and perfect. As he thrusts out his final bits of pleasure, I come hard, thrashing against his thick cock with a moan I hope to hell my father can’t hear, though judging by the slamming against the front door, I gather he’s heard something.

“We need to move. He’s not gonna knock again.” I lean into Sawyer’s lips and kiss him gently as he pulls from inside of me, leaving behind a cool displeasing sensation that only proves how desperately I need him.

He kisses my forehead and tugs up his jeans before handing me my panties. “Go into the bathroom and don’t leave until I tell you to. Understand?”

I always thought I wanted a knight in shining armor. A man willing to stand up for me at all costs. Truth be told, Sawyer has been that man. But as he tugs up his jeans and tucks his gun back into the waistband, I, for once in my life, take control of things myself. “Why don’tyougo in the bathroom? I’ve got some things I need to settle.”

Chapter Seven

Sawyer

People always say to expect the unexpected, but I’m not sure anyone could’ve expected this. Maybe that’s the point, though. I should’ve expected it. I should’ve expected her father to show up tonight wielding a gun, ready to fight. I should’ve expected my princess to pull my gun from my jeans and refuse to give it back. I should’ve expected a family stand-off in my living room less than a minute after I finally claimed Evie as my own.

“Dad, put your gun down.” Her tone is harsh, and my gun is currently aimed at her father, a man who’s wearing a suit and tie after midnight. He’s a lean man whose age shows. I could wrestle him if all hell breaks loose, but I’m pretty sure I’d break him in the process.

“Evie, I’ve given you everything this world has to offer, and this is how you repay me? You go sleeping around with trash? Leon called and told me this man took you away. He’s worried about you.”

Evie rolls her eyes in perfect beat with my own. “Oh yeah? Did he tell you he went home with another woman or that he was hanging off her all night?” She keeps the gun aimed at her father. I’m not sure she has much experience with guns, so I’m on high alert watching her and her father’s movements. “I love Sawyer, Dad. I’ve loved him for years. Leon is an asshole and I’m not marrying him.”

Her voice shakes when she speaks. I can’t imagine how hard this is for her. My parents passed when I was young, and they were never rich enough to think they were going to leave anything to anyone. They were just people. Hardworking, blue-collar people. They wished for a lot in life, but at the end of the day, they had each other, and that was always enough. I consider it a blessing that I got to watch that kind of love grow. It’s sad that Evie missed out on it.

Her father hangs his head and tucks his gun back into the holster he wears under his jacket. “Sit down and put that thing away.”

Evie glances toward me, her brows narrowed, her hands shaking as though she doesn’t trust him.

“Or don’t,” her father adds, leaning against the back wall of the cabin. “Call me soft, but I don’t have it in me to have a shootout with my daughter. I guess you win.”

“Bullshit!” Evie spits. “It’s a trick. I watched you do this same shit to Harper. She tried running away with some guy and you sent people after him. You had him shot, Dad!”

“No, Evie,Harper never pulled a gun on me.You girls are exhausting. Do you know that? I don’t get it. Harper running off with some poor boy, you falling for some ruffian, and Grace… I think she might be pregnant. Has she been acting funny or is it just me?” He blows out a breath. “Your mother and I were arranged, and we were happy for thirty-five years.”

“Grace is not pregnant, and Mom was not happy, Dad! Why are you pretending?” Evie’s voice cracks as she speaks. “She was miserable. She tried over and over again to love you but loving someone is hard when they fuck their assistants every chance they get.”

Oh shit!Evie and her mother were close, and I know her Mom’s passing was difficult on her. I step toward Evie, my hand on the small of her back in support.

Her father rolls his eyes and lowers his frail body down on the dining room chair. I never thought of my cabin as cheap, but watching this rich man check the wood before he sits makes me feel some kind of way. “Your mother and I did what we had to do, but we had a partnership.”

“A partnership based on wealth and business. That’s not what I want for my marriage, Dad, and I’m not apologizing for it.”

“So what?” he grunts. “You’re going to stay here in this?” He looks around the cabin with pursed lips and narrowed brows. “He’s just a guy. Nothing special. Why do you think I let you stay out here for so long all those years ago? The point was to get it out of your system, girl. You don’t marry the poor ones. You just have your fun and then move on.”

“That’s disgusting, Dad. You should be ashamed. My feelings for this man are worth more than anything money can buy.” She shoots me back a smile as she realizes what she just said. “I’m done living my life how you say, Dad. I’m going to be with Sawyer and I’m going to make pies.So many fucking pies.”

A wave of pride washes over me, but her father grunts as though he’s not as pleased. I squeeze Evie’s hip and hold her tighter as she lowers the gun and hands it back toward me.

“Dad,” she says walking toward the table, “I want emotional fulfillment. I want tofeel love. Real love. I want a family where we sit around the table for dinner and talk about our day. I want a small wedding next to a stream with a handful of wildflowers, and I want this cabin and this man, forever.”

Her father sits back and crosses his arms over his chest, wrinkling his crisp suit. “You’re spoiled rotten, just like your sisters. I give you a month out here in the real world and you’ll come crawling back. Hopefully Leon is still willing to marry you after all this.”

“You’re not hearing me. I’m not coming back. And if you send anyone after Sawyer, I’ll come after you in the middle of the fucking night, and I won’t feel a damn thing about it.”

I’ve always thought of Evie as someone I would care for, but that girl can hold her own.Why the hell is it turning me on?

Scoffing, her father stands. “I don’t think sending anyone after either of you will be as punishing as living with no money. I learned that lesson with your sister. I sent those men after her and the only thing that bought me was a daughter who never speaks. I should’ve taken away her gold card.” He turns toward the door without acknowledging me. “I’ll be selling that flower shop by the end of the month. If you aren’t a part of the family, you’re not reaping the benefits.”

“You can sell it tomorrow.” Evie stands taller. “I don’t need your money. Good luck, Dad.”

The man slams the cabin door as he walks out, seemingly unaffected by what he’s just told his daughter.

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