“Mommy!”
With a laugh, I tucked my shirt back in, thinking of anything but how sexy she was.
“I’ll deal with it. You get changed. And…” I kissed a spot of strawberry from her cheek. “…wash up.”
Walking to the door was difficult because my body’s reaction to Tori was still uncomfortable. I let the staff in and sat with Reid while the two cleaned up. Tori joined us not long after, and we listened to Reid’s explanation of the game he was playing. After tipping the staff and thanking them, I saw them out just as room service came up to the door.
“Your shakes, Mr. Icinda.” I exchanged the drinks for a tip and turned to find Tori’s stunned eyes.
With a shrug, I passed the shakes out, saying, “I may have made a quick call while you were changing.”
“Strawberry! My favorite,” Reid exclaimed, slurping on his.
Tori shook her head, but her grin told me everything.
“Like I said, I plan to spoil you in every possible way.”
Her blush was my reward, and as I sat back to watch the movie, it dawned on me that with everything I’d strived for—revenge, wealth, power—only now did I have everything I needed.
Chapter 30
Tori
Iheld the phone away from my ear as Cash berated me once more. My father had already left my ear bleeding from his lecture. Neither gave me a chance to explain, but then again, it wasn’t up to me to explain. Gabe would need to do that. Opening the door, I gestured for Gabe to come in. Reid was in his room deciding which cars he wanted to bring with us. Our suitcases were packed and in the living area waiting for Reid’s decision.
“I’m not going through this again, Cash.” I gave Gabe an apologetic look as he shut the door.
Brows scrunched, he contemplated me, his hazel irises dimming.
“I’m not spending the weekend with that man, and I don’t know how you could even suggest it after all he put you through,” Cash argued.
“You will, and you’ll listen to what he has to say.”
“Damn it, Tori, how could you let him back into your life? I knew going to work for him was a mistake.”
I sighed, squeezing my temple. “Just hear him out, please.”
He was quiet. I hated arguing with him, but I knew he was just trying to protect me, like he always had.
“Fine, but that’s all I’ll do, and only for you. Not to ease his conscience. If I don’t like what he has to say, he can sleep at the lodge. I won’t allow him in the house.”
“It’s not your house,” I argued.
“I’m sure Dad will be glad to throw him out.”
“I’ll see you soon,” I said, hearing the disappointment in my voice. What had I thought? They had been there for the wreckage, seeing me at my lowest, and now I was asking them to invite the man who had destroyed me back in. To any sane person, it sounded like madness. Even to me it sounded insane, but looking at Gabe and seeing the guilt that marred his handsome face, I knew it wasn’t.
Cash didn’t bother saying goodbye, and I knew this would be a fight.
“I take it that went over well?” Gabe asked as I tucked my phone into my back pocket.
“As well as I thought it would. No, worse actually.” At least Cindy had been supportive when I’d texted her about Gabe’s quick acceptance of my offer.
“They hate me.” It was a statement spoken with the confidence of a man who understood the damage he had sown.
My mouth twisted as I tried to soften the blow. When I couldn’t find a way, I said, “Hate is an understatement. Loathe? Detest? I’m not sure if there are worse ones, but if there are, they would fit.”
Hands plunging into his pockets, he gave me a guilt-ridden look. It would have been adorable if it hadn’t been so painful. “I deserve it, Tori. To them, I’m the man who broke your heart and left you to clean up the mess. To raise Reid on your own. I deserve nothing more than their hate.”
