Page 16 of Among the Sins of my Father

“Everything okay?” he asks.

“I just showed Hope the camera.”

Barrett’s gaze ducks past me as though he can see her through the door. “How’d she take it?”

“Not sure yet.”

“Would you mind if I hung around, just to make sure she’s okay? I’ll stay out of her way. I won’t go in. I just want her to know someone’s here if she needs it.”

I clap Barrett on the shoulder. He’s a good man.

“Oh, and sir?”

“What did we agree on using that word?

“We didn’t agree on anything. But you asked me not to call you that.” Barrett grins, then straightens his stance, his usually serious demeanor taking over once again. “I just wanted to let you know we’ve found him.”

“The kid?”

“Yeah. Dominic. You want me to collect him?”

I nod, not wanting to voice it out loud. I feel like somehow Berkley could hear me and I know she’s fond of him, despite everything she now knows. “I’ll come too. We’ll leave the day after tomorrow.”

My eyes skip back to the closed office doors. I don’t want to leave Hope alone. I don’t want to crowd her. Truth is, I feel like I’m constantly on edge around her. I’m unsure what to do.

Barrett clears his throat. “I’ve got this, sir. Go do what you need to.”

Without me having to say a word, he understands. I nod in recognition and head off in search of Berkley. I find her in the bathroom. She’s soaking in the bath, headphones on, legs crossed and draped over the edge, her body submerged in milky liquid. Her hair floats in the water, swaying as she moves in time to whatever music she’s listening to. The swells of her breasts break the surface of the water, two perfect circles, nipples peaked and pink.

I lean in the doorway, arms and ankles crossed and watch her. A smile teases the corners of her mouth. Her eyes are closed and the movements of her body create ripples in the water.She’s so innocent and pure yet she slides between submission and aggression. Between sinner and savior. Damnation and deliverance. She’s a riddle I’m desperate to solve.

She doesn’t notice me until I step fully into the room and then she pulls the headphones out, looking up at me with apprehension.

“How’d it go?”

I shrug as I start undoing the buttons of my shirt and pushing off my shoes. “About as well as can be expected, I guess.”

“She hates me, doesn’t she?”

I push my jeans over my hips and let them fall to the ground. “She doesn’t. Make room.”

Berkley sits up and I lower myself into the water. The scent of jasmine floats up. As soon as I’m sitting in the water, Berkley lowers herself between my legs, her head resting on my chest. The curve of her lower back brushes over my already hard cock.

“I told her about your father.”

“She knows he’s here?”

I nod, resting my chin on the top of her head so she can feel the movement.

“What are you going to do with him?” Her voice is quiet.

I bring my hands to rest on her thighs. Her skin is smooth and soft. Right now I don’t want to talk about her father or Hope. I want to get lost in her. She’s my only respite. But I know that would be unfair to ask of her. She’s owed the truth as much as anyone.

“What do you want me to do with him?”

“I don’t care.” The tone of her voice belies her words.

“I told Hope she could make the decision. Considering.”

---