Page 68 of Clean Slade
Because he, his kiss, his body pressed to mine, everything, even the air inhaled between was like an entire religion.
A loud bark of a laugh boomed through the walls and crept to the bottom of my gut. I pulled away. I guess praying was over.
It washislaugh. My father’s.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, placing a hand on his chest and pushing him away. It felt like the biggest crime I’d ever committed, but I had to.
That was a mistake. I shouldn’t have done that. I couldn’t let go. Not now. Not while that man was in my house, eating my food, talking to my daughter.
I couldn’t let go now, and when all this was over, Slade would probably not want to let himself go either, not after what I was planning to do.
There was no future between us. No future where we shared the white picket fence life and a happily ever after with kids and laughter.
No one wanted to be with a man like me, who’d done the things I’d done.
Who would do the things I was about to.
I ran out of my room and found whatever balls I had to storm into the dining room and stand over my father.
“It’s getting late. You’re leaving,” I told them.
“Yeah, you’re right. It’s almost bedtime for Mac,” Tiago said, but I put my hand up to stop him.
“You’re good.They’vegot to go.”
I glared at my father and brother and didn’t leave it up for discussion.
They probably relented because Mac was there, but I didn’t care. I’d take my wins where I could get them. Tony made an attempt to hug Mac, but I cut it short, reminding them of the long journey home they had.
I took them all the way outside, ignoring the dog desperate for attention, and shut the door behind me.
“Never do that again, you hear me?” I told them. Mainly my father.
His expression didn’t break. He didn’t smile or sulk. He glared back at me, blank-faced.
“You can’t keep me from my granddaughter.”
“I can and I will if you dare do that again. I didn’t even have time to warn her. To prepare her. Her whole life, she’s believed I’m her only family. Can you imagine how confused she must be right now?” The anger kept rising inside me.
“And whose fault is that?” Father asked. “Why didn’t you tell them who we really are, huh?”
“Why do you think?”
“You’re ashamed of us.”
I laughed.
“That doesn’t even begin to cover it. I’ve seen the way people looked at me when they knew who I was. I’ve lived it. I know how people change when they know they’re dealing with what we are. I’m not about to ruin all my relationships just because you’re back.”
“You’ll have to admit it sooner or later,” he said.
“No, I won’t.”
My father huffed. “You may not have a choice.”
“Go. Get out of here. Now!”
I was done humoring this man who had no respect for anything or anyone but himself.
