Page 74 of The Artist
“I don’t want to piss on your bonfire, but someone has to protect you from yourself. If you knocked her up, you’re in deep shit… we all are, and you know it.”
I did know it because for every hour that passed, it felt like I was getting more attached to Belle, and the thought that she might be carrying our child was turning into hope.
Thinking my dad wouldn’t understand, I kept my back to him, and muttered an angry, “Just leave me the fuck alone.”
Instead of leaving me alone with my confused thoughts, my father turned me around, his gaze boring into mine. “Son, answer me honestly; do you love her?”
His question prompted an intuitive answer within me that he read it my eyes.
“It’s like that, is it?” My father’s hand tightened on my shoulder as he sighed. “I was hoping it was just a matter of lust.”
I looked away. “Belle is special to me.”
“Special enough that you want to spend the rest of your life with her?”
“If she’ll have me.”
A pained groan sounded from my father.
“What?” I asked, with my brows drawn together.
“It’s ironic, really.” My father’s hand fell to his side. “I’ve trained you to be the best fighter in the world. You can block an attack from any brute and kill a man with your bare hands in seconds. But when it comes to this petite French woman, you are completely defenseless. It worries me.”
It worried me too, but I didn’t want to admit that, so instead, I said, “I don’t need you to worry about me.”
“The worst pain I’ve experienced in my life was from your mother’s rejection. I know what it feels like to be left behind while the woman you love lives in another country. It will tear your fucking heart out.”
“I’ll be fine.” As I said the words, I knew I was lying, and it terrified me.
Magni snorted. “Take it from someone who’s been tortured and lost both his legs and an arm. I’d rather go through all of that again than to lose your mom. If you’re anything like me, you’ll do anything to get Belle back.”
“Yeah, well, it’s different. You were married when mom left. I always knew having sex with Belle wouldn’t lead to marriage.”
My father tilted his head. “And you thought you could have sex with her and let her go? Tell me that you’re not that naïve, Mason.”
My shoulders and head dropped as I stared at the floor.
Moving closer, my father clasped his hand behind my neck. “You got to make me a promise, Son. If Belle isn’t pregnant and she wants to go home, then you have to respect her wishes.”
“I will.”
“Good. In return, I promise you that if Belle is pregnant with your child and she wants to stay here, I’ll walk through hell and back if it means you can keep your woman and child. I don’t care what demons I have to fight; I’ll fucking kill them if they get in your way. Do you hear me?”
Lifting my gaze, I met his head-on. “What if it escalates to a war?”
“Then we’ll fight, Mason. That’s what we Nmen do isn’t it? We fight for our women and children.”
I nodded and felt adrenaline pump through me. “I’m not scared of fighting.”
“I know.” My dad released me and walked to the doorway where he turned. “But you might learn that the biggest battle of your life will be to convince Belle to stay if she’s pregnant.”
“What if she says no?”
“Then you fucking change her mind. It’s either that or you go crazy,” Magni warned before he exited and closed the door.
CHAPTER 20
Waiting Time
