Page 62 of Guarding Zuri
Lola seemed less of a gold digger than a few of the others. She even sent Daemon a birthday card this year with a personal note and a check for money from her own personal account. Daemon had scoffed at the gesture, but now he thought differently about it. Maybe she got a card with money in it growing up like a lot of kids did. She didn’t have any children of her own—and wouldn’t, a fact made very clear by Arthur in the prenup—and Daemon had to admit that at least she was trying to have a relationship with him.
“I told her a few weeks ago. She actually cried.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah. I didn’t think she cared all that much.”
“You mean she didn’t love you? The Great Arthur Knight? No!”
“You tease, son, but the others didn’t.”
“Wasn’t that the point?” Daemon asked dryly. “I never believed you married any of them for love. Even Lola.”
“I suppose not.”
“Then what does it matter now?”
Arthur stared at his son like he was clueless and shook his head. “Again, when you’re faced with your mortality, you want people around that care. I believe Lola cares. It’ll be nice not to be alone.”
“You’ll have me, Dad. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”
“And what about Zuri? If you tell me she’ll be the mother of my future grandchildren, that I won’t have the pleasure of seeing, I will establish trusts for them and be on my best behavior from here on out.”
Daemon smiled. The thought of children with Zuri stirred a longing in his soul—one he could never fulfill.
Arthur pursed his lips, his expression thoughtful. “Maybe you can’t appreciate this now, but don’t let work drive you from what you truly want. Make time for love because time is the one thing you’ll never have enough of.”
“Arthur Knight—the philosopher.”
“You’re my son, Daemon. You haven’t let me down yet, and I know you never will.”
So much weight in those words. The back of Daemon’s eyes stung. His father approved of him, and not just to run the company. Arthur Knight was proud of his son as a man. Daemon’s heart swelled with pride and love for his father. “I won’t,” he agreed.
“I know, son, I know. I’ll set up a few trusts anyway, just in case.” He winked. “Lola’s divorce attorney will deliver the signed papers to me by the end of the day.”
“You’re divorcing her? I thought you wanted her to be around.”
“If I want to leave everything to you, then I have to.”
“Dad…” Daemon said disapprovingly.
“It was all outlined in the prenup. Don’t worry. I’m doubling her settlement since she was kind to both of us.”
“Arthur the Benevolent.”
Arthur laughed. “Get out of here. Go protect your woman. And if all else fails, kiss her senseless. It’s the Rhett Butler way, and he optimized gentlemanly behavior.”
Daemon covered his eyes with his hand. “You did not just pull that relic out of your—”
“Language!”
“Yes, sir.”
Daemon left his father laughing at his own brilliance. He took his time getting back, his mind lost in what was ahead of him for the next two months. These days were the last ones his father would have—and who knew how many there were? Daemon would be grateful if his father beat the odds and lived longer than what doctors had predicted. But if he didn’t?I need to spend all of my time with him. Observe, learn. Ask everything I can.Part of Daemon wished he was a kid again with the time to worship his hero.I’ll make the most of the time we have left.Zuri was right; and nothing mattered more than being there for family.
When he got a chance, he’d send a thank you note to Lola. She had a good heart, even if she was misguided in marrying Arthur Knight. He hoped she would find some happiness after the divorce. She would be set up for life, but it would come with a little heartbreak. If she felt pushed aside now that Arthur was dying, then Daemon felt sorry for her.
Zuri.
