Page 50 of The Enemy's Daughter

Chapter Eleven

“You’re not getting in my house,” Jackson Reed said, standing tall and glaring down at him. Alaric felt like shit, and knew he deserved everything that was coming to him.

“I need to talk to her. Please.”

“No. You have broken my child’s heart, and for that, I can never forgive you.”

Alaric stared at the man who he once thought of as his enemy. “Has she told you everything?”

“Yes, imagine my surprise that I had an enemy out there that I wasn’t aware of.”

“Mr. Reed—”

Jackson held his hand up. “I know I don’t have the best reputation as a businessman. I’ve been sneered and laughed at, from my decisions in work, and the love of my life. I run a tight ship, Mr. Patterson. My employees love working for me, and that for me has always been enough. I acquire what I like, and what I think I can help with. My wife, she wasn’t fit for the world that I walk, but I loved her. Actually, love isn’t a strong enough word for what I felt for that woman. Every day I miss her, and I’d do anything to have one more day with her. Another moment where I got to hold her, and tell her how much I loved her.”

Alaric saw the love the man had for Bella’s mother.

“Bella, she deserves what I had with her mother.”

“I do love her. I fucked up, I don’t deny that, but no one else will ever love her like I do. I’ve made her happy. We connected in ways I never have with a woman.”

“I’ve heard about your exploits. You’re a playboy.”

“I’ve changed. I’m in love with your daughter, and I’m not backing down. I need to speak to her.”

Something out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. Glancing up into the far window he saw Bella, pulling the curtain back.

His heart twisted. “I love you, Bella. I’m not going to give up. I fucked up. I know this. I was so fucking blind, but, baby, I’m only human. Please.”

“Just go,” Jackson said.

“No. I never thought I’d fall in love. I’m the only man for your daughter, and I can promise you, I will win her heart again.” He pressed his hand to his lips, and blew her a kiss. Alaric was going to be back.

There was no way he could live without her.

****

Bella wiped her nose on some tissue before reaching for another decoration.

“He loves you, you know,” her father said.

“He lied to her,” Rebecca said.

Her father and her best friend were there at her parents’ home trying to comfort her. She’d phoned in sick at work, a first for her, and she hadn’t gone back to her apartment either. It had only been a couple of days since Alaric’s lies caught up to him. Her heart was breaking, and what made it worse, she missed him.

How could she miss a man who had lied to her? Who manipulated her?

“Those roses, they’re not cheap, Bella,” her father said.

“Dad, I don’t need to be bought by roses or gifts.” An hour after Alaric left, roses and jewelry had been delivered to her father’s home. She didn’t need any of the gifts. Thinking back to his words of love, she had to wonder what he was hoping to achieve.

“I know of Alaric Patterson. He’s not a man who gives much away.”

“He didn’t give anything away. He made me believe his name was Blue.”

“Technically it is,” Rebecca said.

“Are you taking his side now?” Bella asked. She was tired, and fed up, and feeling like a damn fool.

---