Page 127 of The Beast's Heart

I don’t know if I’m supposed to touch him, but I can’t help myself. I grab his hand. “Yes. Yes, they removed the tumor. You’re going to be fine.”

He’s also in a mask and his brow furrows, his gaze cloudy. “I don’t understand. I don’t remember…”

I swallow, fighting back the fear that he might not be okay after all. “You had another seizure. Zane called me. You were in and out of consciousness but it’s okay now.”

“But how did I get here?”

“Adam. The Beast. He arranged it. When he found out you couldn’t get treatment in the UK, he worked with Zane and Sebastian to make this happen.”

“The Beast…” he whispers. His gaze clears and he reaches up to touch my cheek. “You went in my place.”

My eyes are welling up again. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for— for everything. It was the only way I could think of to keep you safe.”

Dad sighs and shakes his head. “Jonathan, my stubborn boy. It’s not your job to keep me safe. I was so worried. Why wouldn’t you speak to me?”

“I know.” The tears spill over. “I—I was scared. Scared that you wouldn’t… I knew you’d be disappointed in me and I couldn’t face it. But then— when I thought I’d never get the chance…”

I cover my face. Even with him here, now, beside me, the fear is still so real.

“Of course I was angry. But I could never stop loving you and caring about your wellbeing. You know that. For someone so incredibly smart you can really be quite dim at times.”

I manage a teary laugh. “Like when I went to the estate thinking no one would notice I wasn’t you?”

“Precisely.” His brow furrows again. “You said The Beast organized this?”

“Yes. He’s been wonderful. Everything they say about him isn’t true. He’s gentle and kind and generous and…” I realize how I sound and stop.

But my father misses nothing. His eyes sparkle knowingly. “Oh, is he all those things?”

“All that and more,” I admit, bashfully.

“And does he know you feel this way about him?”

“Yes, but… things are complicated.”

Dad squeezes my hand. “Oh, Jonathan. Aren’t they always? I’ve missed you so. Please, tell me everything.”

So I do. I rattle off the whole story.

“He wants you to stay? At the estate I assume? With him and the children? Is that what you want?”

“I don’t know.”

Dad knows me well enough to sense the lie, even so fresh out of surgery. He gives me another knowing look.

“I just… I don’t want to be away from you again.” The tears threaten to return and I take off my glasses to dash at my eyes. I hate that I’m so weak.

“My dearest, sweetest boy. This is what every father wants for their child. To find someone who makes them happy. I’ve been waiting for this day for so long. Please, don’t concern yourself with me.”

I shake my head. “You don’t understand. It’s not— I wasted so much time. And I missed you so much. And Zane, and Sebastian. I love Adam and the children, but I…”I almost lost you.“I want to come home.”

“Love?” Dad asks.

I nod.

“Well then the solution is clear. You should bring them home with you.”

“You mean…?”

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