Page 173 of Captivated By Danger

“How long do I have?” I asked once she pulled into the parking lot of my dad’s job.

“Girl, I ain’t got shit to do. Take your time, but still remember you got somebody down here waiting on you.”

“Alright.”

My dad was the supervisor of a warehouse and he’d been working there for a long ass time. He’d started as a forklift driver and worked himself up to having his own office. When I approached his office, I could see through the glass that he was on the phone. When he noticed me, his eyes grew wide and rushed to his feet. He yanked the door open and pulled me into a tight hug.

“Grey, what are you doing here?”

He tightened the hug and kissed me on my forehead. That’s when I realized how much I missed his comforting hugs and forehead kisses, and I broke down.

“I am so happy that you’re home, Greysen. I missed you so much.”

I continued to sob until he grabbed my shoulders, gently moving me back.

“Greysen’s what’s wrong? The last time you came to my office like this, you were… oh, no.”

He pulled me into his chest again.

“Oh, Grey,” he sighed.

Moments later he asked, “Do he know?”

I shook my head.

“Are you going to tell him?”

I nodded my head.

“Do you love him?”

I nodded my head.

“Did he treat you right?”

I nodded my head.

He pulled back and looked me in my face. “Was there really a photography job?”

I smiled. “Yes, sorta.”

He raised his eyebrow.

“Dad, I took plenty of pictures, I promise.”

“Well, I can’t wait to see them.”

I chuckled because my dad could never see those pictures.

“When did you get in town?”

I sighed. “Honestly, I’ve been here for about a month. I got a villa over in the Keys and I’ve been there to just clear my head before I had to face Mom and Grams.”

“Your mother misses you.”

“She just misses jumping on me about something. I wished you would have stood up for me more, Dad. Mom really hurt me with her words sometimes.”

“I know, Grey. I apologize. Sometimes, butting in only made it worse for both me and you but going forward, let me know how I can protect you the way that you want me to.”

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