Page 60 of Merciless King
He shrugs. “I like kids.”
As much as I'm enjoying this lighthearted moment, there's a serious matter I need to discuss with Matteo, so I walk with him toward the hall.
Once we're out of earshot, I lower my voice. "I need you to do something for me. Find someone to keep an eye on Gabriel. I don’t trust him.”
“Okay. For how long?”
“Few days, at least… oh, and when he’s served divorce papers. I’ve called Tony about pulling those together.”
“Consider it done.”
With that weight off my shoulders, I return to the living room, ready to enjoy more precious moments with Piper and Elysse. For the first time in years, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm meant to be. I just hope Elysse feels the same.
Nervousness twists in my gut as Piper and I sit down with Elysse. I've faced down dangerous men without flinching, but the thought of my daughter rejecting me fills me with a fear I've never known.
Piper takes Elysse's hand, her voice gentle as she begins. "Sweetie, there's something important we need to tell you. It's about your dad."
She covers her ears and shakes her head. “I don’t want to know about him. He’s mean and scary?—”
“No, sweetie, not Gabriel.” Piper pulls Elysse closer, holding her. I’m afraid she might change her mind. “About your real dad.”
Elysse's brow furrows, confusion in her large, dark eyes. I remember thinking that Elysse must take after her dad. And now I see it. She has my eyes.
“You said he was gone.”
Piper takes a deep breath. "I know, but I was wrong.”
Elysse's gaze darts between us, her little mind working to make sense of this revelation. "Who is he?”
I lean forward, my heart pounding. "It’s me."
Her eyes widen, and for a moment, she's silent. Then, in a small voice, she asks, “Like my new daddy?”
I shake my head. “Like your real dad.”
She looks at Piper, who nods. When she turns back to me, her expression fills me with dread. "Didn't you want me?"
Her words are like a knife to my heart.
“Sweetie, he didn’t know about you,” Piper explains.
“If I did, I would have been there,” I add. “And now that I do know, I’m here because I want you more than anything.”
Elysse is quiet for a moment, processing this information. “Really?”
“Really. Even before I knew the truth, when I met you at the restaurant, I wanted to be there for you. I’m so sorry that we missed so much time. I hope you’ll forgive that and let me be your dad.”
It takes a moment, but then a smile spreads across her face. She launches herself into my arms, hugging me tightly. “I wished you were my dad instead of Gabriel.”
I've never been moved to tears before, but the overwhelming love and acceptance from this little girl—my little girl—has tears stinging my eyes.
"I'm here now and forever," I promise. That includes Piper too, whether she realizes it or not. I glance at Piper, who wipes a tear from her cheek.
“Can we watch the movie again?” Elysse asks. I have whiplash at how quickly she’s moved on to the next thing. But then I realize that she doesn’t need more time to process this. She’s accepted that I’m her father and is ready to move on.
“Sure thing.”
Elysse grabs the remote like a pro and turns the movie on again. She grins as she starts dancing, her little feet tapping out the rhythm. I do my best to follow along, feeling a bit silly but loving every moment.