“She’s not involved, she will never be involved, and she’s a grown woman.” I don’t have to be alone because of the life I’ve chosen. Being alone never mattered before I met Eden.
He blinks twice and rubs his bald head with his hands.
“Why?” he asks.
“I don’t use women. I don’t hurt women.”
“Are you saying you have feelings for my daughter?”
“Why can’t I?” I ask.
“Because you’re a heartless criminal who—”
“How I feel about your daughter is the only reason why I didn’t lay you out for putting your hands on me.”
“Fuck you,” he says.
“And Shadow Cove is thriving because of me. The schools have supplies because of me, and your marriage is intact because I saved your ass.”
“You set me up.”
“I didn’t make you gamble your house away, Rose. I didn’t force you to walk into that room and play a game you’re terrible at. That was all you. And you and me? We’re the same, except you hide behind a badge, and I don’t.”
“Well, I’ve more than made up for it by looking away at some of the shit you’ve done.”
I shrug, uncaring about what he had to do.
“I must say, I’m disappointed that you went to Atlantic City, of all places.”
We lock eyes, and I know he’s thinking about the time he cried and begged me not to make good on my threat to tell his wife she’s about to be homeless unless he can pay back the two hundred thousand dollars he owed. We struck a deal that day, and Shadow Cove was ours for the taking. I even sent him to Gamblers Anonymous.
“I didn’t gamble. My wife wanted to go.” He takes a deep breath and exhales before he says, “I need you to leave my daughter alone.”
“It’s too late for that. I couldn’t leave her alone now if I wanted to, and that’s all I’m going to say to you about it. But here is what you’re going to do.”
“Don’t tell me what the fuck I’m gonna do,” he thunders.
“You’re going to surprise the fuck out of everyone and support our relationship.”
He tilts his head in disbelief. “Relationship? Get the fuck out of here.”
“I suggest you figure out a way to invite me for Sunday dinner because, Sheriff Rose, I ain’t going nowhere.”
He blanches in front of me. He visibly swallows and shakes his head in disbelief. There is nothing he can do, and he knows it. He’s impotent when it comes to what I choose to do in this town. He knows better than to investigate me or my business, and in return, he gets to keep his job and his marriage.
“I care about her,” I add to give him some peace. I only do that for Eden’s sake, not her father’s.
“You care about her?” He gestures at me and laughs like a deranged man. “You? Care? Fuck outta here. You need a heart to care, and you don’t have one. You’ve gone too far this time. Not her. Not my daughter.”
“I do care about her, and this isn’t some evil plan to get to you,” I say as calmly as possible, since I’m not the type of man who explains himself. “This isn’t about you at all.”
His nostrils flare as if he can’t believe someone like me is capable of caring for a woman, but it’s true. I do. I didn’t plan on it, and it blindsided me, but I’ve always been one to accept my fate. She’s part of the package, and I’m not going to let her go.
“All I ask is that when this blows over, you don’t break her heart. And for the record, I don’t accept this, and I never will. My wife will never believe that I do.”
“Then I suggest you brush up on your acting skills, Sheriff. Now, get the fuck out of here before I lose my patience.” I open the door and gesture for him to go. He eyes me, and there is nothing but hatred. I hold his stare, unwilling and unable to back down.
“I know my daughter, and I know she will never love trash like you. Maybe being with you will be appealing for a time, but she’ll get tired of you and move on. You don’t deserve her. She’s too good for you, and I hope when she walks away from you, she breaks you.”
