Page 47 of Sinful Seduction

“We’re going to stop by the director’s office...”

Jayla’s brows pinched together, and she shook her head at Beau.“No, I don’t have anything to say to that man.”

Diego turned to her at a stop sign.“Do it for us.Just listen to the man.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed.“Fine.”

Diego nodded and drove them toward the offices.

They rode up the elevator in silence.Once they stepped out, Diego took her hand, and Beau placed his on her lower back.They stopped in front of the secretary’s desk.

“We’re here to see Joseph,” Beau said.

The woman nodded.“He’s expecting you.Follow me,” she said, and led them to the door and opened it.

The three entered and heard the door close behind them.

Joseph stood and stared at Jayla.The guys tightened their grip on Jayla when they felt her tremble.

Joseph waved at them.“Come in and sit.”

Beau put Jayla in a chair, and then he and Diego pushed their chairs as close as they could and took her hands.

Joseph’s mouth twitched as he sat back down.

Jayla cleared her throat.“Why do you want to talk to me?”

Joseph ran his hand down his face, showing his anxiety and nervousness.“There are some things I need to tell you because the last thing I want is for you to think I don’t love you.”

Jayla gritted her teeth but kept quiet.

“I loved your mother and father very much.They were the center of my world for many years.When you came along, our family felt complete.”

Jayla frowned in confusion.

Joseph held up a hand.“Your parents and I were in a relationship much like you three.Your father was her husband on paper, but in our lives, she was both of our wives.”He stood suddenly, turned his back to them, and looked out the window.“When they died, it felt like I died with them.I started drinking heavily, and I stayed drunk for months.That’s why I sent you away.I couldn’t take care of you, and you were the only thing in my life that I cherished.I had to protect you, even if it was from myself.You were the only thing that kept me going.”He turned back to them.

Jayla swallowed her tears at the unbearable, stricken look on Joseph’s face.She remembered the four of them living in the same house.She just hadn’t realized the three adults were in a relationship.She’d been too young to understand.

“When I finally got my head out of my ass enough to stop trying to kill myself in a bottle, they sent me out of the country.I was gone more than I was in the States, but it kept me from going crazy.”

“Why did you never come to visit?”

Joseph looked shocked.“I did.Every time I came back, I went to your school first.”

Jayla frowned.“I never saw you.”

Joseph sighed.“You seemed content every time I saw you.”

“Content?”she burst out and then laughed.“I was miserable.”

Joseph frowned.“I talked to Finn every week to check on you, and he said you were doing fine.”

Jayla’s shoulders slumped.She would pretend to be okay when she noticed Finn’s concern.She was afraid of him leaving her for some reason.“I didn’t tell him a lot of things.”

“What about holidays?”Jayla asked.

“I was gone, sweetheart.I’m so sorry.I know I was a selfish bastard.I was just trying to keep my head above water.I felt you were better off away from my messed-up world.”