Page 41 of Daddy's Addiction

ChapterNineteen

Four months later...

Tommy

Iglance up at my father’s mansion. When I left rehab last week, I headed home first and put things in place for when I returned. When we return. I’ve spent the last fourteen weeks dreaming of this day, of her.

Things need to be different this time around. I will do things right. I will be the man she deserves if she’ll allow me, of course.

Fuck that, I’m taking her whether she’s ready or not. After all, I have an agreement with my father. She’s mine.

When I screamed, “I’ll do whatever it takes. I’m keeping her,” darting my arm out to grip his tie, turning his face a dark shade of red, he saw the look of fierce determination behind my eyes. The sincerity in my tone left no room for argument.

In that moment, I didn’t care they’d taken Justine away from me. All I cared about was Jade.

My father tilted his head toward my chair for me to take a seat, and with a push of encouragement that set my teeth on edge from Rafael, I finally picked up my chair and slumped my reluctant ass back down.

“So, let’s get this straight”—he pointed at me—“you don’t want to know where Justine is?”

I worked my jaw from side to side. Was he this stupid? “No. She’s not important here,” I spat out.

His thick eyebrows furrowed, and he reared back. “Why not?”

“Because she doesn’t matter anymore.” I shook my head. “The only person that matters to me is Jade. I love her.”

My father watched me closely as my heart hammered dangerously against my chest, threatening to burst at any second.

He sighed heavily as he rested back in his chair. “I offered Justine an out.” He admitted, making my ears prick up and my hands ball into fists. I knew it. “I offered her three hundred thousand dollars and a new identity to leave your ass, and the girl didn’t bat an eye. She left.” He flicked his finger as though emphasizing how easy it was to get rid of her.

I swallowed back the lump in my throat. All those wasted years pining after a girl that fucked me over. Years wasted. I felt a deep ache in my chest when I considered the time I missed out with family, at gatherings and holidays, all due to her betrayal when I so easily blamed them for scaring her away.

Would I have listened if they tried to explain before now? Probably not. I was too deep in my loathing to listen. Needing someone to blame, they became the easy target. I did, after all, know they had something to do with it.

“I set up Jenna and sent Rafael over here to check on Jade. When he reported back confirming my suspicions of your relationship, I knew I had to step in.” My pulse raced as he spoke. “And when I heard that you knocked Jenna back, I knew there was more to your relationship with Jade. Hoped there was more to it. You never turned down easy pussy before now.”

My eyes darted toward his in shock. Hoped?

“She’ll make the perfect wife for you, Tommy.”

Had he really set this up? Had he brought my stepdaughter into my lair with the expectations of it becoming more?

“Of course, I’d hoped you’d fall in love with her over time, not while she’s at such a tender age.” He clucked his tongue in disapproval. “Still, eighteen is the Mafia way of life.” He shrugged. Leaning over my desk, his menacing eyes met with mine. “Now, if you’re serious about this. You have some work to do, son.” The glint in his eyes was full of promise and, if I’m not mistaken, pride too.

I nodded in agreement, prepared to do whatever it took to keep my girl and, in the process, get my life back on track.

* * *

Taking a deep breath, I open the mansion door with a new sense of purpose in mind. My future.

Our future.

I stride through the foyer and head straight toward the kitchen. Having heard from my father about how much time she’s enjoyed spending there, I intend on building her a bakery of her own if she wishes.

Swinging open the kitchen door, I’m stunned to silence when her emerald gaze meets mine. She’s beauty personified. My blood pumps thicker as the air around us seems to still, holding us in a trance. My whole body freezes, captivated by her stare, with only the heavy thud of my heart filling the space between us.

Jade licks her bottom lip, and I watch in rapture as her tongue flicks out to gather the dusting of frosting from the corner of her mouth. The action makes my fingers itch to touch her.

“Hello, little girl.” Using her nickname makes my cock twitch against my slacks. How I’ve fucking longed to use it.

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