Page 62 of Merciless King
Elysse’s eyes widen. “That’s mean. Why?”
I shrug. “I don’t know.” Of course, I can guess. My father wanted to build an alliance with Rinella. Piper’s parents didn’t like me. Plus, I’m sure my father offered more money than they could earn in a lifetime.
“Grandma and Grandpa did that?”
Piper sighs but nods.
“They didn’t help you with… you know who?”
She shakes her head, her expression telling me not to talk about it in front of Elysse.
“Well, thank God Matty and I are here,” Lana exclaims. “We’re the best family ever. You’ll see.”
After dinner, Piper and I play with Elysse until her bedtime. For the first time, I put my daughter to bed, reading her a story from a stack of books Lana found somewhere that had been hers as a kid.
Tucked in bed, Elysse smiles sleepily up at us, her eyes heavy with exhaustion from the eventful day. After everything she went through, seeing her smile and feeling safe is an accomplishment.
I sit on the edge of the bed, smoothing Elysse's hair back from her forehead. "Goodnight, Elysse. Sweet dreams."
Piper leans down and presses a kiss to Elysse's cheek. "Love you. Sleep tight."
Elysse yawns, her little voice soft with drowsiness. "Love you too, Mommy. Love you, Daddy."
My heart swells to the point I can’t believe it hasn’t come out of my chest.
Piper and I each give Elysse one more kiss before quietly leaving the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.
As we step into the hallway, I pull Piper into my arms, holding her close. "Thank you for giving me this chance to be a father, to be a family with you both." I add the last bit to test the waters, to find out if Piper is seeing this thing between us as a done deal. Her and me forever. Just like we planned at eighteen years old.
Piper looks up at me, her eyes shining with what I hope are love and happiness. "I never thought we'd have this. After everything that's happened, I didn't dare to hope."
I cup her face gently, my thumb brushing over her cheekbone. "And yet, here we are. Didn’t I tell you we were meant to be?”
She laughs. “You always were so sure of everything.”
“Not everything. Just you. Us.” I give her a soft kiss. “I promise you, as I did then, that I will always love you. And I will do everything in my power to keep you and Elysse safe and happy.”
“It’s about time.”
I snort out a laugh. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that irreverent banter of hers. Unable to resist any longer, I capture her lips in a passionate kiss.
“It’s time for bed.” I scoop her up and carry her to my room.
“You have a thing about carrying a woman to a bed for sex.”
“I do?” I think about the last times I’ve been with her, and indeed, I’ve carried her. “Well, it’s what dashing knights in shining armor do.”
Her eyes narrow. “I’m no damsel in distress?—”
“No, you’re a damsel about to be thoroughly ravished.” I set her down in my room, only then remembering why I didn’t fuck her in the shower. “Although not tonight.”
“Why not?” She almost looks as if she’s pouting.
“You’re injured.”
She purses her lips and shakes her head. “I’m not broken. But…” Her fingers walk down my chest and lower, lower. “I imagine you have blue balls.”
My balls are fine, but her fingers dancing along my dick makes him perk up. I take her hand to stop her. “We can just sleep.”