Page 23 of Swan

“What do you want with my daughter?” he finally asked.

“I’d like to make sure I never lose her from my life again.”

“That scene last night, was it some ploy just to cover why you stopped talkin’ to her?”

“No,” I said instantly. I appreciated how cautious he was, and of course he was since she was his daughter, but— “I would never lie to her.”

“You’re a famous singer. I’m sure you’ve got other women you can have.”

“No one could ever replace Swan. I wasn’t a saint after Swan and I were forced apart, but the spot at my side—as a trusted friend or more—was always hers to claim.”

“You sayin’ you want to date her?”

I put my coffee down and leaned into the table. Griz needed to hear the complete truth, which was something I’d figured out from being back in a home I’d spent more time in than my own. A resolve unlike any I’d felt washed over me. Everything always came back to Swan. How much I missed her. Loved her. Sure, I hadn’t had a superimportant conversation with the woman I gave my heart to when she was just a girl, but that would come soon. For now, I needed Griz to know how serious I was. “I’m saying, and I hope you’ll give us your blessing, that one day in the future, she’s going to be wearing my ring on her finger. As long as she’s willing to stick with me from here on out.”

His teeth ground together. “She’ll never be safe with all the crazy fans you have. I’ve seen the news reports of your place being broken into, so don’t fuckin’ lie about the fans. I know they’re out there.”

I nodded. “They are. But I want to keep Swan far away from that side of things. In an ideal world for me, I’d like to finish out the year touring but then cancel everything else. I’ve never liked being in the spotlight. If I can manage it, all I want is to sing, record, and release. No television, no concerts, just me and my music. All while Swan will be at my side.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I’ll make sure nothing harms her in any way. Believe me when I say I’ll always protect Swan and her soft, kind soul in any way I can.”

Griz grunted. “She’s the softest soul I’ve ever fuckin’ known.”

“She is,” I agreed.

“Fuck you for comin’ in here and takin’ her away.”

I stilled. “I haven’t.”

“You have. I see the way she looks at you. I see the goddamn hearts in her eyes. I know she’ll do anythin’ in her power to stick with you. The years you two hadn’t talked she was a lot quieter than before. And we both fuckin’ know how quiet she can be.”

I nodded. Hope thickened my throat.

Did this mean he’d give me his blessing?

“I ain’t sayin’ propose to her now.” His jaw clenched. “Not anytime soon either. Get to know each other again. You fuck her over in any way, and you know it won’t be only me gunnin’ for your blood.”

“I know, and I won’t screw her over. When I lost her, it was like losing a part of myself. She’s the most important person in my life. I’ll make sure she knows it every damn day. And all this is even if she’ll accept me as more than a friend.”

Griz scoffed. “Don’t be fuckin’ delusional.”

I ducked my head to hide my smile. He saw Swan’s interest in me. That there was a high chance I’d have her as mine was the biggest rush I’d ever experienced.

“Fuck,” Griz clipped. “You know you steppin’ into our world, things change. We’ll always be watchin’.”

“I know. I expect it. The club has always looked out for their own, and Swan will always be a part of the club. I wouldn’t try to change that.”

His jaw clenched again.

“Does this mean I have your blessing to date your daughter?”

His nostrils flared. “You don’t. But she has my blessin’ if she wants more from you.”

When I grinned, he swore.

We heard the front door open and close.

Moments later, Swan and Nickolas appeared in the doorway.

“Huh, no blood. Must have been a good chat,” Nickolas said, sounding disappointed. He walked over and placed a box on the table. “Swan nearly chewed my arm off when I took too long picking what I wanted.”

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