Page 31 of Challenging Her Protector

“Don’t leave.” Vee looked up at his father. “We were going to have pizza delivered. Stay.” She wrapped her arm around his mother’s shoulders.

Fuck, this woman.Iron took a cleansing breath, closing his eyes before exhaling. She was so open and welcoming despite everything she’d been through. She brought a sense of calm to his life, but also a lightheartedness that was lost years ago.

Maybe he was setting himself up for heartbreak, but he could see her fitting in with his family. He could imagine her laughing with Milo and Ezra. Sitting out on the porch having a glass of wine with his mom. His family would embrace Vee and give her what she’d always wanted. A family who would love and cherish her. He’d only known her five days, but where he pushed other women away, he wanted Vee close. When he thought about how his house felt before she arrived, it struck him that he’d never made it a home. He knew it was bare as hell, but Vee somehow warmed the space. She’d only been here for one night, but her joy and sunny personality had permeated his walls and had already brought so much healing to him and to his family.

If he decided to pursue a relationship with Vee, he needed to take it slow. The only type of love she’d ever known was conditional, centered on what she could do or bring to others. If something started between them, he wanted her to know bone-deep that she was cared for. That he would never ask anything of her except for her love, if she was willing to give it. Their gaze connected again, and he smiled.

“Been a long time since I’ve seen that expression,” his father said, clapping his back. “I missed it. We’d love to stay for pizza, but we’re buying.”

He looked up at the man who taught him so much. How had he ever stayed away from his parents? “You’d never let me or Milo pay for a damn thing.”

“That’s right, because if I did, I’d never hear the end of it from your mom.” His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “Do you want to go with me to pick it up or have it delivered?” His father wouldn’t have asked unless something was on his mind that he wanted to discuss.

“We’ll go pick it up,” he said, then turned to Vee. “If you’re alright with that?”

“Of course. Your mom and I can talk.” He searched her face, looking for any sign that she was just agreeing because that’s what she thought he wanted.

He asked what everyone wanted on their pizza and placed the order, tugging his keys off the counter. He liked the control of driving, but when his dad walked directly to a four-door sedan and got behind the wheel, he figured he’d have to be flexible.

“How well do you know Vivienne?” his father asked as he started the engine.

“I know enough of the important things. She ran barefoot through the forest to try to save her sister. Tore her feet all to hell and didn’t complain even hours afterward.” He paused and then added, “She brings me a sense of peace.”

His father backed out of the driveway and started in the direction of the main road. “You’re falling for her.”

He stared out the window, looking at the long stretch of beach and the bright water. From the car, the waves appeared almost turquoise. He wouldn’t forget the way Vee looked when she asked if she could kiss him, or the first taste of her lips, so uniquely sweet. His father was right. His feelings for Vee were strong. He couldn’t deny that, but at the same time, there were a lot of obstacles. “She’s young, and she’s lived a very sheltered and controlling life. I don’t want to be the next person she feels like she owes something to.”

“I don’t think you’re giving her enough credit.” His father turned on his directional and took a right onto the main roadway. There was more white threaded through his hair than Iron remembered. A few more wrinkles around his eyes and mouth. He was grateful that Vee had asked him some difficult questions about his parents the night before, because if she hadn’t, he wouldn’t have ended up texting them, and this opportunity to reconnect might’ve been lost until it was too late. “Maybe she already understands the type of man you are and the freedom she has with you.”

“She grew up a multimillionaire.” Even as he said the words, he knew he was playing the devil’s advocate. Maybe he was even waiting for his father to tell him to let her go. That a woman like Vee would have a difficult time living a simpler life, even though he knew that wasn’t true.

His dad scoffed. “That woman in there doesn’t give a damn about money. She’s not the same person they portrayed on television. You must know the way she looks at you. I was surprised when she told me you’ve only known each other for five days. That’s how it was for me and your mom. Move-in day at college. I saw her carrying a box she could barely see over. She’d gotten lucky and was assigned a single dorm room, but she wasn’t without a roommate for long. It wasn’t a full two weeks before I hauled my stuff across the hall to her room and never left. What I’m saying is, when you know, Son, don’t fight it. Don’t assume that woman wants anything more than you can give her.” They drove in silence for a few minutes, and traffic got thicker as they neared the more populated area of town where the public beach was always packed.

“There are reasons why I kept you and Mom away.”

“I know that.” His father’s eyes left the road briefly to look at him. “But we don’t need to talk about them right now unless you need to get it off your chest. What’s important is that we’re mending things. You look healthier and happier than you have in years.”

“I think the happy has only come about in the past five days. I’ve been working on my health for a while now. Hasn’t been easy.”

“No.” He sent him a look brimming with understanding. “I can’t imagine it was, but here you are. Still a warrior.”

Iron was too choked up to respond, and part of him wondered if his parents already knew about the time he spent in detox and recovery.

His dad pulled into the pizza place and turned off the engine. “Her parents and fiancé seem real nasty. If you run into trouble, it might be safer if you got out of town. They’ll expect her to follow her sister. You can always lay low at our house.”

“Thanks for that offer. Trust me, if I think for a second she’s in any danger, then I’ll get her somewhere safer.” His father nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder.

They grabbed the pizza from the store and headed home. When they walked in the door, the scene in front of him made his stomach tumble. Vee had her head tilted back, laughing at something his mother had said. The two of them had unearthed a pack of UNO cards from God knows where and were playing at the kitchen table. The relief on his mom’s face when she looked up and smiled, gave him a jolt. There was a pang in his heart, a feeling of rightness as they crowded around the kitchen table. Vee slid onto the bench beside him, so they were nearly hip to hip. If he had his way, they would’ve eaten in the living room with her on his lap. The sunset was a brilliant display of gold and red, making the sky look as though it had caught fire.

Vee was just as enthusiastic about the pizza as she had been about their other meals. She only had one slice but stared longingly at the remaining pieces in the box. He sucked in a breath, anger at her parents swarming in his chest. They had no right to control her and while she was in his house, she’d do as she pleased. He slid the box closer and lifted the slice she’d been eyeing onto her plate. He noticed her watching him with wide eyes, then felt her hand squeeze his own under the table.

When his parents left after dinner, Vee cashed in on his earlier promise of teaching her how to play a video game. He couldn’t recall the last time he had so much fun or felt more at ease. Some of that had to do with seeing his parents again and having the opportunity to apologize for his actions. A lot of it though, was Vee. She concentrated on the direction of Mario Kart like she was about to enter a high-stakes test. If he didn’t know she’d never held a controller in her hand, he would’ve thought she was a regular player. By their fourth race she’d moved her previous tenth-place score to third, now she was lapping him. When they rounded the last corner of Luigi’s Mansion and she launched a blue shell at his kart, taking him out of the race, she flew by him and let out a victory whoop.

Iron grinned and lowered his controller. He glanced over, wanting to see her smile. It didn’t disappoint. Prettier than the sunset. Her thick blonde hair fell in beachy waves over her tanned shoulders, a reminder of the afternoon they’d spent on the beach soaking in the sunshine before his parents had surprised them. Without a swipe of makeup, she was the most beautiful creature that ever graced the Earth. Some people might think it was odd that the former model, pageant queen, and prized daughter of one of wealthiest families in Texas had holed up with a man like him, but he didn’t give the first fuck. His father was right, every decision Vee made from this point forward was hers and hers alone.

No one truly understood how sheltered Vee had been or the emotional abuse she’d endured. So, what if he was becoming obsessed with giving her new experiences and watching her delight in things she’d never tried, like eating a greasy cheeseburger and fries from a drive-through, going grocery shopping, or indulging her request to tour his collision center. He loved watching the world through her eyes. Loved the excitement that every little experience brought. Hell, maybe his dad was right. Maybe he just plain loved her.

“One more game? Please?” Her big blue eyes knocked the wind right out of him, just like they always did.

---