Page 41 of Meant for Mayhem

Mom’s eyes darted to me, a hurt expression I couldn’t stand shining back. Dad looked away from us both, muttering under his breath. But Shannon stood there, oblivious to the mess she’d walked into. That she’d hit my family’s most tender nerve.

“Is that why she’s here?” my dad said, switching back to Finnish. “So you can punish me some more?”

Anger rose so fast in me, all rational thought went right out the window. I lifted Shannon’s hand that was still tangled in mine, turning it so her ring was clear as day. “This is why she’s here, Papa. Because my wife is loyal. Because she believes in me even when I’m not good enough. Because she chose me, which is more than I can ever say for you.”

Shannon’s back went ramrod straight, surprised by the sudden turn of events, and I felt like an asshole. Maybe I should have warned her, or called ahead, or done something to lessen the blow. But this was how every conversation with my father ended with me pissed off, hurt, and feeling not enough.

“Your son is wonderful,” Shannon said. Her voice laced with steel, but the words were so tender they shocked the hell out of me.

“He steps up for those in need, even when they can’t admit they need it,” she went on, and my heart pounded in my chest.

“And look at what he’s done for his daughter.” Shannon pointed at the toys gathered in the corner of my otherwise modern penthouse, the highchair tucked under the counter, the boots by the front door.

“He’s selfless and kind and thoughtful and just plain good in a way most people can’t even fathom. If you don’t see the value in that, then it’s time to look inside, Mr. Laaksonen, because that’s your inferiority complex showing, not his.”

Silence sat heavy in the room, everyone as shocked as me by what she said.

Shannon’s fingers loosened in mine, realizing what she’d done.

But I couldn’t let go.

Not after that.

Not after she’d stepped into a fight she’d never asked for and somehow walked away defending me better than I’d ever defended myself.

I couldn’t look away.

Not when she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin enough to dare anyone to disagree with her. I’d watched her put Beckett and his players in their place without breaking a sweat, but this wasn’t the same.

She’d gone to war with my father for a man she barely knew.

Slowly, she turned toward me, and the fight melted out of her expression almost instantly.

“What?” she asked quietly.

“You...” I shook my head once, still trying to catch up to whatever had just happened. “Thank you.”

A faint blush crept across her cheeks, and she looked almost embarrassed by the gratitude.

“I don’t like bullies.”

“No,” my mom said. “Neither do I.”

The room had gone so quiet I’d almost forgotten anyone else was standing there.

Mom rolled toward us until she stopped directly in front of Shannon. For a long moment, she simply looked at her, studying her face with the same careful kindness she’d always reserved for people worth knowing. When Leena reached for Shannon, my mom smiled.

“My son has spent his whole life protecting everyone else,” she said. “It’s nice to see someone protecting him for a change.”

Shannon’s eyes widened, and Mom reached forward, covering both Leena’s tiny hand and Shannon’s with hers.

“Welcome to the family, Shannon.”

Something caught in my throat.

Shannon blinked hard, clearly fighting whatever emotion had blindsided her too.

“I...” She laughed softly, the sound thinner than usual. “Thank you.”