Page 35 of Ruthless Roses
“Sorry, Mrs. Phi,” he apologizes. “You’re right. Dom doesn’t need to be exposed to foolishness. Let’s get you two home.”
We turn to leave, but Dad calls out to me again. This time with a voice edged with panic and hurt.
“Please, Delphi,” he says. “Please… just… can you give me just five minutes?”
I go still, instantly conflicted by his pleas. My knotted up insides twist tighter, making me almost nauseous. I swallow and breathe out in slow breaths.
“Please,” he mumbles. “It’s all I ask. Then, if you want, I’ll leave you alone.”
“Mrs. Phi.” Stitches shakes his head at me unforgivingly, telling me his opinion in a single gesture.
Don’t fall for it.
And maybe I shouldn’t.
But, as I glance over and meet Dad’s eyes, a sadness tugs at me. A deep longing that’s existed inside me for years now.
The kind of longing a daughter—a daddy’s girl—has for no one but her father.
IknowDad loves me. I’ve never doubted that he does.
It’s his trustworthiness that I’ve doubted. The underhanded things he’s done because, while he loves me, he could never give up control. He refused to accept what he didn’t approve of. My relationship with Salvatore being the top of that list.
“Five minutes,” I say reluctantly. I give Stitches a pointed look, signaling he’s not to run interference, and then I let cautious footsteps lead me toward him.
A dim light flickers in Dad’s otherwise sad gaze. He half raises his arms as if tempted to go for a hug. At the last second he reminds himself it’s too soon. We’re not there yet… or ever again.
“Hi, Delphi sweetheart,” he says, emotion welling up in his voice. “I’ve missed you so much.”
I believe him. I can sense how genuine he’s being—the deep level of fatherly affection that rolls off him.
“Hi, Dad,” I say. I blow out a breath. “I’m not even sure what to say. I thought you were…”
“Dead,” he supplies. “Everyone did. I almostdiddie. I survived by the skin of my teeth, and then I had to lay low for a very long time after what happened. Remnants of the Neptune Society were still looking for me.”
My lips curl into a frown. “Where have you been all this time?”
“Out of town,” he answers mysteriously. “I was shot twice in the chest, Delphi. All making sure you got out okay. They had to operate on three separate occasions to repair the damage. One of the bullets went through the left ventricle of my heart. The other bullet damaged my spleen and upper intestine. I’ve suffered permanent nerve damage.”
“Oh my god,” I gasp in horror. “But you look fine—”
“Appearances can be deceiving.” He unbuttons the top few buttons of his dress shirt and reveals horrible scarring that can only be a gunshot wound on his chest. His fingers refastening the buttons, he says, “I’ve lost sensation in my left shoulder and arm. It’s taken me a long time just to be functional again. But as soon as I was, I knew I needed to find my little girl.”
“Dad, I’m not…” I trail off, my thoughts suddenly mixed up. “I’m a grown woman. I’m married now. I’m a mother.”
“And I’m a grandfather. May I? Just one look?”
I regard him with concern, my brows knitted, my insides rippling. Then, stiffly, I give a nod and step aside, granting him access to the stroller where Dominic’s cooing.
Dad eases closer as if to show me he means no harm and understands the gravity of the moment. He peeks into the stroller and his normally stern, square-jawed face lights up. He releases a hearty chuckle and says, “My grandson! He’s an Adams alright. Look at him. He’s a spitting image of my girl.”
“Actually,” I say, “he looks exactly likeSalvatoreas a baby. Just caramel-colored.”
Dad catches himself before making a full scowl. His jaw tenser than a second ago, he shrugs and sticks both hands in his pockets. “Regardless, he’s a handsome, healthy baby boy. I would love to get to know him. If… if you’d be willing to let me.”
“It’s not only my decision. He’s Jon’s son,” I answer firmly. “If you ever do see him, it’ll be with his explicit approval.”
“So, in other words, it’s never happening. I’m cut out of my daughter’s and grandson’s lives.”