Page 54 of The Enemy's Daughter

He kissed her cheek. “Let’s go and get your man.”

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Alaric didn’t know whether to drown his sorrows in a glass of whiskey, or to take Buster out for a walk. His little pup was sitting at his feet, loving a stroke behind his ears.

“I miss her.”

He wondered if she had opened his gift.

It had taken him so long trying to figure out the gift, and with the loss of her mother, he’d put her picture inside. She probably hated it, and wouldn’t even give him a chance again.

Glancing across his apartment, he stared at the pathetic Christmas tree that was still up. It was three foot, with too many lights, and not enough class. Getting to his feet, he was about to go for the whiskey when his door was knocked on.

“We have guests.”

Going to the door, he opened it up, and was in shock when he saw Bella on the other side.

“Bella.”

“I wanted to come and see you.” Her eyes were red rimmed, and she looked a little worried.

“You can come here anytime.”

He opened the door, and the moment she stepped through, Buster charged for her. She knelt down, and picked him up. “Hello, Buster, how are you?” she said, stroking him. Alaric really wished she had given him a hug instead. “You’re such a good boy. Look at how much you’ve grown.” She turned her head toward him. “You kept him.”

“Of course. He’s mine now, and Buster’s not going anywhere. He’s my friend, and I need all of those I can get. I screwed up, and I wasn’t going to give back what I’d come to love. I love Buster, and I love you more.”

She nodded. “My dad wanted me to come here.”

Buster moved away, going toward his mat, and Bella stood.

“Do you want a drink?”

“That would be good. Tea, if you’ve got it.”

He walked toward the kitchen, and started making them both a tea. “You’re looking good.”

“No, I’m not. I look like shit, just like you.”

“I deserve to look like this. You don’t.”

She didn’t say anything. “I miss you,” she said.

He spilled some hot water over the sides of the cup. “Shit.”

Bella grabbed a towel, and started to clean up the mess.

“I guess I surprised you,” she said.

“Just a bit. I missed you, Bella. I never want to hurt you. I’m really sorry.”

“You keep apologizing. My dad, he was telling me a little about your world, about the people in it, and I know that it’s hard. I must have been a bit of a shock to you, huh?”

“Shock, delight, at times it drove me crazy, but I dealt with it.”

She chuckled. “I miss you, Alaric. I do, and even though I want to hit you, or shout at you, I can’t. My dad hugs me to try and make me feel better, but it’s not enough. I want you. I miss you.”

He took her hands. “That’s all I want, Bella. Please, give me a chance. Let me make everything up to you. You won’t regret it, okay? I’ll love you harder, better, and more than any man could ever love you. I’ll give you everything your heart desires. Please, forgive me.”

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