Page 107 of Bad For A Weekend

I finish the call and tuck my phone away, relieved Baylor is fine but can’t believe she told her dad everything. Corey’s a decent guy, but he’s a dad whose daughter got hurt by a much older man. He’s going to try and kick my ass, right? The question is, do I have to let him?

Probably. I can’t deny I deserve it.

Three hours later, I’m being let in through the iron gate surrounding the Giles’ home. I park and drag my sorry ass to the front door. I don’t know how this will go, and I’m not looking forward to it.

The door opens before I can knock. Corey stands stern-faced, looking every bit the movie star he is. I’ve never been star-struck living in this area; it’s not uncommon to spot someone famous, and it was more of a nuisance than anything. People would swarm, and pretty soon, it’s taking me forty-five minutes to get a cup of coffee.

Because I was hired to protect Corey’s daughter, I never saw him as anything but a concerned father. Seeing him now with his perfect complexion, styled hair, and expensive clothing does nothing to change my image of him.

“Owen,” he says and angles to the side. “Come in. I thought we could chat in the living room.”

“Okay.”

I might not have been impressed by Corey’s status in life, but this house always wows me. It’s a unique combination of masculinity and warmth. Metal vases with hard lines are in the wall insets but are filled with romantic flower arrangements, and the floors are dark and worn wood, but the area rugs are floral and warm. It’s beautiful.

Knowing my way, I walk down the long corridor that opens to the large living room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking their manicured landscaping. This is the closest I’ll ever get to luxury, and I’m grateful to have experienced it.

“Take a seat.” Corey opts to sit in one of the wingback chairs while I sit a comfortable distance away on the sofa.

Unease crawls up my neck. Even in high school, I never had a girlfriend whose parents wanted to have a sit-down talk with me, so this was my first. Baylor and I aren’t together now, but he knows we were, and that makes me uncomfortable.

“As you know, Baylor told me what happened in Tulum.” He leans forward, resting his arms on his thighs and steepling his fingers. “I wanted to first say thank you. I never once questioned her safety when she was with you, and I believe you always did everything in your power to protect her.”

“I did.”

“But somewhere along the way, you crossed a line. Professionally and morally.”

I hang my head. “I know.”

“The father in me is furious. I trusted you with the one person who means the absolute world to me, and you not only betrayed that trust, you broke her heart.”

“I’m very sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

He sits upright. “Yeah, well, it did happen. And I want to know what you’re going to do about it.”

My eyes meet his in confusion. “I did everything I could. I broke it off, and I quit. I put space between us.”

“Are you in love with my daughter?”

Heat warms my chest. I can’t decide if a lie or the truth is a better answer. But even thinking about denying my feelings for Baylor makes me sick to my stomach.

“Yes.”

“I thought so. If you were using her, you would’ve strung her along, getting all you could out of her.”

“I wouldn’t do that. I didn’t want to break her heart, but I knew I wasn’t the person for her. She deserves the best, and I’m not him.”

“I respect that. It’s the only reason I’m not putting my money and influence into ruining your life.” The threat is real. Corey has the power to make anything he wants a reality.

“I appreciate that.”

“Baylor told me something else.” He relaxes back into the chair, putting me at ease. “She said you were the cop who ended that school shooting some years ago.”

I bite into my inner cheek. The metallic tang of blood hits my tongue and delivers a sharp sting of pain. “I am.”

“I looked into it, and after reading the police reports and news articles, I think I got a pretty good idea of the kind of guy you are. You say you aren’t the best person for Baylor, and at first, I agreed. I envisioned her being with someone much different. But I stayed awake all night thinking about the type of man who would save hundreds of kids from dying. The type of man who would protect my daughter with his life, and I can’t imagine anyone better than you.”

“Sir, I’m fourteen years older than her. Nearly double her age.” I can’t help but point out the obvious. She hasn’t had enough life experience to make the commitment being with me would force her into. Even if we took things slow, our connection is too intense.

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