Because with the love of my life wrapped up in my arms where she belongs, our baby growing in her belly, I’ve got everything I’ll ever need right here in front of me.
48
After carrying my father inside the hospital, Myles and the guys didn’t bother to stick around, not that I blame them. They owe my father nothing. But according to Myles, they owemesomething, so should I need them, they’ll be there. Deep down I know they regret going along with Killian’s plan to use me against my father and I suppose helping my father was a stepping stone in atoning for that. If I can forgive Killian, I guess I can forgive them too, but I’ll make sure they work damn hard to get it.
My father was rushed straight into surgery, so the jury is still out on whether he’ll make it. The entire ride to thehospital he slipped in and out of consciousness, mumbling gibberish while the wound to his abdomen continued to bleed.
As much as I hope he pulls through, it doesn’t mean my feelings towards him have changed. I still hate him. I hate him for the all the lies, the gaslighting and the controlling behaviour I’ve had to put up with growing up. I hate him for what he allowed Killian to go through in prison and I hate him for lying about who my real father was and for choosing to let that monster back out onto the streets, all to protect his reputation.
His selfishness is the reason any of this has happened.
Killian’s hand closes around mine, as if sensing me deep in thought. “How you doing, butterfly?”
I blow out a breath. “Aside from getting kidnapped, sexually assaulted by a sick psychopath and finding out my father isn’tactuallymy father, I’m great.” Sarcasm drips from my voice.
He frowns. “What?”
“Oh, yeah. It turns out my mom had an affair twenty years ago, got pregnant and nine months later, I showed up.”
His mouth hangs open. “Holy shit.”
“Naylor took great pleasure in telling methatlittle secret. Apparently, he used it to blackmail my father to help him get released.”
“How did he find out Watson’s not your real father?”
“Because my sperm donor used to be his cellmate, Tobias Grimes.”
Killian just stares at me, turning over the words in his mind like he can’t quite believe what he just heard. “The fuck? Are you serious?”
“Yep.”
“Fuck... That means…”
“Drew and Allie are my cousins, and Amelia’s my aunt.”
It’s a strange feeling having a family I never knew existed up until now, but I’m looking forward to getting to know them better.
“Grimes was blackmailing my father,” I continue. “Apparently, he went after my mother and got her pregnant on purpose so he’d have something to use against my father. I assume sometime during their friendship, Grimes told Naylor about me. That’s why he got away with what he did to you, why my father did nothing when you went to him for help, because he knew Naylor knew the truth.”
He doesn’t seem surprised. “So that’s why your father was paying Grimes…”
“You knew?”
“We found out a while back your father was bankrolling Grimes and his crew for twenty years, we just couldn’t figure out why.”
“Kaia!” My head snaps in the direction of my mother, hurrying down the corridor towards us in the waiting room. “Where’s you father?”
“He’s in surgery right now.”
She takes in my blood-soaked hands and clothes. “When you called, I didn’t know what to think. Areyoualright?”
“I’m fine.”
She heaves a sigh, dropping into the chair beside me.
My leg bounces. My heart thundering in my chest. With everything I’ve found out today, there’s no way I can sit here beside my mother and not say something.
Without me even having to say anything, Killian gives my thigh a comforting squeeze, to show me he’s there.
