He bows his head. For a moment, I have the sinking feeling he’s going to walk away from her. It would crush her. I know my girl is strong, and I’ll help her get through it.
The pastor lifts his head, and tears fill his eyes. “Daisy, you’re all I have.”
“Then you shouldn’t have lied to me.”
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“Why did you? Why did you make me believe that my mother chose this life and wanted it for me too?”
“Your mother never told me anything different. She had strong Christian beliefs. I always thought she was happy working by my side. Honestly, I thought she’d be happy you were too. Just because your mother wrote all her thoughts and dreams in a diary doesn’t mean she spoke up about them. I’m sorry I called them nonsense.”
Her face softens, though she pulls her shoulders back, like she’s not ready to completely forgive and says, “You have to accept Kade and everyone here. Because they are family to me.”
“It’s clear how much you love Kade and your friends, and I see the feeling is mutual. If this is what you want. I won’t stand in your way. I love you. I never want to lose you.”
“I love you too, Dad.” Daisy’s voice cracks with emotion. “And you won’t lose me.”
He opens his arms, and she steps into his embrace. When they break apart, they’re both wiping tears from their cheeks. My chest fills with happiness. There’s hope they can get back to the loving family they were… without the lies and expectations.
Holding out his hand to me, he says, “Thank you for saving Daisy. She’s lucky to have a man like you by her side.”
I feel like my head has spun around with the compliment. I take his hand and shake it. Never did I expect him to change hisopinion of me so drastically. I guess seeing your daughter with a knife held to her throat can make you think differently.
“I’m the one who’s lucky.” She’s changed my life. Not only the way I look at things, but also the way I want to live.
“What do you think will happen to Bruce?” Daisy asks.
“Hopefully, they’ll lock him up for good. That asshole doesn’t deserve to see the light of day. And with the cameras at the apartment and dashcam footage on my car, they have all the evidence they’re going to need.”
She breathes a sigh of relief.
“Let’s not think about him.” I link my fingers with Daisy’s, bring her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “I’m taking you home.”
“Home… to my apartment?” There’s a slight look of disappointment on her face.
“No, Daisy Chain. To my apartment. Where you’re going to live from now on.”
Her face beams with a smile. “You want me to move in with you?”
I trace my finger along her jaw. “Yes. I don’t want to spend another day or night without you. Unless you don’t want to?” Fuck, I’ve never felt so vulnerable in my life.
Her smile wobbles and her eyes mist. “Of course I want to. I love you.”
“I love you too. I don’t have experience with relationships, but I know that every day I’m going to do whatever it takes to make you happy. If I fuck up, you need to tell me.”
She giggles. “Oh, don’t worry, I will.”
Running my finger just under her breast, I say, “Like my name, tattooed on your body, you’re stuck with me.”
She places a soft kiss on my lips. “I can live with that.”
thirty-seven
Epilogue
DAISY
ONE MONTH LATER
