She hesitates, then nods. “Okay… thank you, Effa.”
Mercs walks back into the room mid-yawn, arms stretched overhead. “Man, I’m beat. Effa, wanna tuck me in?”
Kiera snorts. “You’re the weirdest guy I know.”
“In my defense…” he shrugs, “… you don’t know many guys.”
She laughs as she stands. “You’ll be an asshole of a father one day.”
I burst out laughing as she heads off.
Mercs grins while she sticks her tongue out at him in passing.
When she’s gone, I step into him and wrap my arms around his waist. “You need to let her live her life, Kaden.”
He sighs, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. “I know, it’s hard. I just want her to get better.”
This is it.
Right here.
“Kaden… I want what’s best for Kiera, too.”
He looks down at me. “I know.”
“Then tell me what you’re waiting for. What has to be ‘right’ before her treatment starts?”
He goes still.
His body hardens, then slowly deflates in my arms. “Money,” he whispers. “It’s money, Effa.”
I lift my hand to his cheek. “Look at me…”
His eyes are shining when he meets mine, and my heart aches for him.
“We’re family. You and me, right?”
He nods.
“Then Kiera is my family too. Let me help.”
His breathing grows uneven, and I can tell he is going to say no.Men and their pride.
“It doesn’t mean you failed her. Accepting help is still providing, don’t you see that?”
He licks his lip. “Do you even know how much you’re offering?”
“I don’t care,” I say firmly. “If it takes every cent I have, then so be it. Kiera deserves to live. And if I end up penniless but still have you all, then I’m the luckiest woman alive.”
He pulls me into him, holding me tight. “You think you’re lucky? No, it’s us. I should have come to you sooner. I just…”
“Your pride’s hurt,” I finish gently. “Jett got in your head, but you’re not using me. I want to do this. I need to.”
I cup his face more firmly. “The only way this doesn’t happen is if you refuse to give Kiera your stem cells, and we both know that’s not happening. So suck it up and get on board, Kaden. Because thisishappening.”
“Fuck, this is hard to say, but okay. I’m on board.” A slow smile spreads across his face. “But I’m paying you back. Every damn cent.” He tilts his head, humor flickering in his eyes. “Though I do like it when you boss me around. Makes me want to do bad, bad things.”
I roll my eyes. “Later. We need to tell Gran.”
