Page 90 of Counterfeit Connection

She sniffs back more tears then surprises me by climbing into my lap and wrapping her arms tightly around my neck. “I love you. I love you. I love you. I can’t believe you had to deal with that man for your entire life.”

I cradle her back and bury my face in the crook of her neck. “Maybe that was all part of some kind of invisible thread that was leading me to this moment. If that’s the case, I’d put up with Lachlan Shaw for one hundred lifetimes if it meant I found you.”

I hold her close to me. Part of me is screaming to connect with her completely right here and now in the driver’s seat. The part of me that prevails is the man who knows she just needs me tohold her and listen to what she says, but more importantly, what she doesn’t.

She slides her beautiful pencil skirt up just enough so she can wedge her knees at my sides. My left hand holds gently at her neck while my right caresses up and down her back. Her sobs become less. The shaking of her body subsides. Her breathing evens out into a quiet purr.

“I hate watching you cry. It tears my heart out, Kaitlyn.”

“I’m sorry,” she mumbles against my neck.

“Don’t you dare apologize. That fucker in there is responsible for all of this. I’m grateful I exist, but not so much that I won’t cut him off. If I have anything to say about it, I’ve had my last words with that man.”

“That breaks my heart for you, for the little boy in here,” she says, laying her hand on my chest.

“That boy mourned his relationship with his father a long time ago.”

She lays her forehead against mine and closes her eyes. We remain still for a few moments before the ringing of my phone tears through the car, removing us from our newly found peace.

“I’m ignoring it,” I tell her.

“No, don’t do that. It could be important. You should answer it.”

I sigh and reach into my jacket pocket to pull out my phone. MUM shines brightly on the screen, so I answer.

“You have impeccable timing,” I say into the phone.

“Griffin, where are you?” she asks in a tone I only rarely, if ever, hear.

“What’s wrong?”

“Tell me you’re nowhere near your father’s house.”

“Actually, we’re in recovery mode in the drive up. Why?”

“Griffin, I need you to leave immediately. Mr. Graves and I are on the way over and things will not be good, especially if you’re there.”

“Graves? Your attorney? Mother, what’s going on?” Kaitlyn carefully moves over to the passenger seat and regards me with furrowed brows.

“As we speak, your father is being effectively locked out of Orion. Graves is along for service of your father’s NDA and retirement agreement. As of today, I managed to secure controlling interest in Orion and he’s out. You and Kaitlyn are free to be however you want to be without the threats your father could pose.”

I swear I can feel the color drain from my face. “Christ Almighty. What have you done?”

“I’ll explain it all soon. I promise. Just keep your phone nearby and enjoy your time with Kaitlyn.”

“I don’t want you here without me. I’m staying. We can talk to him together.” I’m already reaching for the car door handle.

“No. Absolutely not. Graves is with me, like I said, and this will be a much calmer affair without two hot-headed men in the room. I can handle this, Griffin. I need you to trust me. Your old mum can handle a lot more than you know.”

Chapter 28

Griffin

It’s been four days since I ended the call with my mother and drove off my father’s property. I still have no idea what happened in that room, save for a text from Mum letting me know she was safe and back at her home.

Everything is quiet and it’s becoming a little frightening.

But I’m staying true to my word and enjoying my time with Kaitlyn, as per my mother’s request. When I asked if she’d like to attend a close friend’s birthday celebration with me at a posh bar in London, she jumped at the opportunity to get dressed up and schmooze with the city’s best and brightest. We no longer have to worry about who we see and what we say. We’re just being with each other, doing what feels right.

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