Page 64 of Daddy's Little Farmer

Rafael’s teeth snapped together. He wanted to rail against the old man and tell him he didn’t know what he was talking about, but he couldn’t because he was right.

“I love her,” Rafael said. “I’ll do whatever I need to get her back.”

Tony sighed. “It might be too late. You’ve neglected her and hurt her in the worst ways possible. By being with another woman, pushing her away to stay with the other woman. Telling her she’s not good enough. I know for a fact she was feeling that way before. Now, I don’t think she’ll ever believe you if you tell her differently.”

Rafael sat down in his chair and put his face in his hand with an elbow on the desk. “Tony, I’ve never fucked up this bad in my life. Please help me.”

He was shocked to hear his voice crack or that he asked for help.

“I’ll have to see some change, son. I feel responsible for her feeling pain now. I’d never forgive myself if I did it again,” Tony said.

“I’ll do whatever I have to.”

“We need to find her first. I’ll have my eyes on her farm here. Call the moment you find her.”

“I will. Thank you, Tony.”

“Don’t thank me yet.”

Rafael set his phone down and pressed his face into both of his hands. Jesus, how did he become such a fuck-up loser? He could hear everyone’s disappointment, but it wasn’t near what he felt for himself.

There was a knock on his office door.

“Come in.”

Darian walked in and sat in a chair on the other side of his desk.

“I’d ask how you’re holding up, but I can see it in your eyes.”

“I’m at a loss.”

“This can work out, but you’ll have to change a lot of shit,” Darian said.

“I know that. I’m going to need help,” Rafael said.

Darian looked surprised. “You’ve never asked for help before in your life.”

“No, I haven’t, but I’ve never had anything this important to me before, either.”

Darian nodded. “I’ll do what I can to help.”

Rafael leaned back and sighed.

Darian sighed. “Why don’t you go home? We’ve got every cop and security team out trying to find her. You won’t want them to bring her here when they find her. Jorge is waiting for you downstairs.”

Rafael stood and walked out his door, followed by Darian. They stepped into the elevator and pushed the “down” button.

“Darian.”

“What?”

“What if they don’t find her?”

“They will.”

“Before she gets hurt?”

Darian sighed. “I don’t know that. I’m just praying very hard.”

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