Page 93 of Brazen Obsession

I wrap my arm around her waist to hold her close. “My dad is coming this morning.”

She stiffens slightly. “Is everything okay?”

“I asked him to.”

“Oh.” Sara doesn’t shift from where we stand.

“That’s it?” I ask. I don’t know what I was expecting, but something more than oh.

“Your dad seems like a nice guy. Don’t worry. I know he’s not that nice of a guy, but he clearly loves you.” Sara shrugs. “As long as he doesn’t bring an official to marry us on the spot, we can talk to him. He might have good suggestions, even if he can’t help us directly.”

The weight lifts a little more.

“I love you, flower.” I kiss her temple as Peabody trots back over to us.

“I love you, Finn. This is the right call. I know it.”

I hope so. The morning becomes chaos as I fill in everyone. Breakfast is made. Caitlyn wishes we had the croissants with chocolate in them. Roger and Bitsy are still struggling with jet lag, drinking their coffee like it’s precious. Wyatt makes Sara and Natasha omelets. Dante finishes his workout and joins us.

“I’m going to the hospital to visit with Tom so Drew can come back.” Bitsy sits back in her chair with her hands wrapped around her cup of coffee. “I’ll see about his discharge. With this many people in the house, we ought to be able to care for one invalid.”

“I’ll join you at the hospital as soon as the meeting is over.” Natasha glances at me.

It’s funny, we both understand growing up with well-meaning fathers who had our future mapped out for us and we both fell for Tom. Tom’s still one of my best friends. Are we a little broken? Yeah, but we’ve had falling-outs before. Not this serious, but I can see letting him back in.

Roger reaches over and puts his hand on Bitsy’s knee. “Don’t go anywhere without the guard.”

“Yes, sir.” She gives him this little secret smile.

I smirk and Sara’s eyes widen as she stares at her mother. Guess she never noticed that before. When her gaze finds mine, she lifts an eyebrow at my grin. I chuckle.

Bitsy and Caitlyn head out after breakfast and Drew returns.

“I like this better than being dragged out of bed,” Sara mumbles to me so Roger won’t hear.

“My dad does like to make things big.” Kidnapping us at the estate was new, but I shouldn’t have been surprised he knew all along about the place we went to hide. There’s not much my father doesn’t know about.

Sara sits between me and Dante on the couch. Wyatt sits in the armchair. His eyes linger on the door while his knee bounces. He might be more nervous than I am about this meeting.

Drew and Roger are in the other armchairs while Natasha sits beside Dante. We all surround Sara with the space opposite us available for my father.

Colin Lawson walks in with a few guys dressed in black suits. Always one to make an entrance. I learned from the best.

I rise and offer my father my hand. “Dad.”

Dad smiles and jerks me into a hug. “Finnigan! I honestly thought you’d never call.”

I shake my head at the name but hug him back. He holds me at arm’s length and looks me over before his gaze slides to Sara.

“How are you holding up, dear?” Dad releases me and holds out his hands toward Sara.

“I’m okay.” She offers him her hand and he engulfs it with both of his.

“Good. Good.” Dad’s gaze flicks to Natasha. “I’m grateful he got away with just a shoulder wound. Tom’s a good boy.”

Dad releases Sara’s hand and takes the empty chair, sitting on the edge of it like he’s in a hurry. He clasps his hands between his knees and takes in the solemn faces around the room.

“I’m here because I love you, Finnigan. I promised I’d do anything for you.” My dad clears his throat. “So tell me what you have so I can sweeten the pot.”