Faith
I’m certain mycheeks still burn with the embarrassment I felt returning to the club after having the most explosive sex of my life in Jason’s office. I feel certain everyone looking at meknows. Worse, I’m afraid his mother knows and I can’t meet Savannah’s gaze.
Acting as if nothing is wrong, his mother chats with us the entire way home. Jason sent the bodyguard on his way. Savannah goes on about how much she loves the club, how Tanner told her all the new ideas they’re planning, and how she knows it will be a success. Slowly, I begin to relax, and as we enter the lobby, I feel boneless and as content as I can feel given the state of my life.
As we enter the beautiful glass and marble lobby, with a doorman in the center, Jason stops short. Savannah gasps. And I look at the tall man who is the cause of their reaction.
“Robert!” Savannah stands in shock, staring at the man who looks as if he’s been waiting for hours. His suit is rumpled, his tie undone, his shirt unbuttoned, and he appears exhausted.
“What do you want, Dad?” Jason steps up to the other man and asks.
Robert looks at his wife. “I want to talk.”
“But Mom doesn’t want to see you.” Jason puts himself between his parents, taking his mother’s side.
Staring at the man, I can see where Jason gets his good looks. He is a true combination of both parents, who are now at a standoff as they look at each other. A glance at Savannah, and the longing in her face is obvious. She still loves her husband.
“This is really between me and your mother, son.” Robert sends a pleading stare to his wife.
“But Mom ran here, so that makes it my business. Now if she wanted to see you, I wouldn’t get involved. But seeing as how she made it clear she wants to be left alone…” Jason lets his voice trail off, his meaning obvious.
I really feel bad for him, a son stuck between both parents, although Jason doesn’t seem torn.
“Can we do this upstairs, please?” He glances at the doorman, who, caught watching, looks down immediately. Then his stare comes to me, a stranger to him.
Jason pulls me close. “She’s with me and she stays. You don’t warrant an introduction,” he mutters. “As for talking, it’s up to Mom.”
Savannah looks shaken but she steps forward. “Five minutes,” she says softly.
We take the elevator up in awkward silence. Jason lets us into the apartment, unsets the alarm, and glances at his mother. “Should I stay or go?” he asks.
“Stay,” his father says, surprising me. “You need to hear this, too.”
“Fine.” Jason’s curt tone tells me all I need to know about his mood.
I squeeze his arm in understanding and comfort. “I’ll go wait in the bedroom.” I start to walk away only to find myself pulled back against his chest, his arms wrapping around my middle. “I want you here.”
Then I’m not leaving.
CHAPTER NINE
Jason
Once upon atime, I had a good relationship with my father. When I thought Robert Dare was justourfather, mine, Alex’s, and Sienna’s. After our world blew apart and Robert shattered his image as a dad to look up to? Well, not so much. I can’t imagine why my father wants me in the room now. Maybe he thinks he’ll get support from his son. If so, I hope the man isn’t holding his breath.
We settle into the family room, my mother and father on opposite sides, Robert taking the chair, my mom on the far end of the sofa away from him, with me pulling Faith close to me on the other side.
Why do I want to subject Faith to my father’s drama? Because I need her support, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Dealing with my father is draining, keeping track of his truth and lies difficult. But here we are.
I have no intention of making it easy on my father, so I wait in silence for the other man to speak.
Finally, Robert clears his throat. “I want you back, Savannah. I made a mistake and I’m sorry.”
I frown.Mistakeis putting it mildly. I might make a lot ofmistakesover the course of my life, but cheating on a woman will never be one of them.
“We went through this,” my mother says. “I’m not interested in taking you back. It’s not like you cheated once and corrected your ways.” Savannah leans forward in her seat. “You burned Emma in ways I can’t comprehend, and I hate myself for staying with you anyway. So you’re not going to convince me you’rea different man now.” Her cheeks are flushed, and her voice steady.
