Page 50 of Mastered By Bliss

The coffee shop is mostly empty at three in the afternoon.It’s been almost a week since the ordeal.Billings asked me to meet him for coffee.I’m here, although I’m not sure why.

He leans forward across the table.He looks tired and old.He’s far too weak to be the villain from my adolescent nightmares.“I’m sorry, Gage.I’m sorry for the scene, all those years ago.And I’m sorry for enabling Vanessa’s revenge.”

“This doesn’t fix anything.The damage has been done.”

“I realize that, but I still have to tell you how sorry I am.I wish you didn’t have to take her to court?—”

I scoff.“It isn’t up to me.It’s up to the district attorney’s office.What she did—it’s beyond what she did to Leah.You know that.”

“I know.I’m sorry.I didn’t know what she was up to.”His eyes dart around the coffee shop like he’s afraid of being spotted by the press.He needn’t fear—their interest in the story died down fairly quickly, buried by a billionaire’s girlfriend’s mental health episode.

Anger simmers in my chest.I keep my voice even so I don’t shout my accusation.“You had to have guessed what she was doing.”

“I should have.”He runs a hand through his goatee.“But I didn’t want to think about it, or guess.I wanted to believe everything was okay with her.I didn’t want to believe my daughter was capable of such things.”

“Several people were hurt because youdidn’t want to believeit was possible.Two of those people died.”

“I’ll do everything I can to make it right, even though nothing I do will be enough.”

He’s right about that.

In a faint, regretful voice, he adds, “Vanessa’s been asking to see you.She wants to apologize, too?—”

“No.”I stand up and carefully push in my chair.“I’m not bitter, but I don’t have to forgive her.And I don’t have to see her.If the time comes for me to testify in court, I’ll see her then.Otherwise, she doesn’t get any more space in my life or in my thoughts.Honestly, neither do you.”

Billings gives me a miserable smile.“I understand.Thank you for meeting me today.”

I leave the coffee shop, relieved that our conversation is over.Seeing Billings, hearing his apologies—it’s something I did for my teenaged self.The person I am presently doesn’t need any of that, but my past self finally has closure.

Hours later, I enter the bedroom to find Leah and Dmitri getting ready for bed.Seeing Leah eases any residual stress I’ve been holding since my meeting with Billings.Instantly, I feel better.

Leah looks tired, but happy.Her pain is managed, and yesterday she even went back to work—although she tutored from home over video calls.

Arms folded over my chest, I watch as she puts on a silky little tank top and shorts.She makes a show of rubbing lotion onto her legs and arms.She tousles her hair, sneaking glances at Dmitri and me.

While Dmitri shrugs out of his shirt to get in bed, I stride forward and nuzzle Leah’s neck.“You smell good, little girl.”

“Thanks, Daddy.”She bats her eyelashes and reaches for the waistband of my sweatpants.“Maybe we could…”

I shake my head and gently grab her hand.“Not yet.We talked about this.”

Her pout of irritation and narrowed eyes are cute rather than intimidating.“Youtalked.I never agreed.”

Dmitri bites back a smile.

I sigh and explain it again.“We won’t fuck you while you’re under the influence of pain meds, Leah.Besides, they make you drowsy.”

“I’m—ugh!”She throws her hands in the air.“It was my last pill, and I feelfine.”

“Okay.”Dmitri’s voice is placating.“How about we just cuddle at first, okay?”

She grumbles about seducing him during cuddle time.He grins over her head at me.

Three minutes later, she’s sound asleep.

16

Dmitri

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