Page 58 of Daddy's Accidental Babies

David’s shoulders slumped, a flicker of regret passing across his face. “I never wanted it to get this far. I thought I was protecting her.”

“You were protecting yourself,” Savannah said. “Now we’re done with that too.” She sighed, walked over to him, and took his hand, and to my shock he didn’t pull away. His shoulders drooped as she said, “Daddy, I love him, and we’re happy. And you’re best friends. Why can’t we make this work?”

David let out a slow breath and sat down on the edge of the armchair, elbows braced on his knees. His voice, when it came, was quieter than I’d ever heard it. “I’m tired, sweetheart. This was never supposed to get this far.”

He looked at me, then back at her. “I believed it was a man you hit that night. I did. I saw your face afterward. You were scared to death. And I made a call because I thought burying it would be safer than facing it—we both had huge plans for our lives. And now look at us…I didn’t want my daughter tied to scandal.”

I crossed my arms and kept my stance steady. “But I lived with it. I carried it while you moved on. You didn’t protect her, David. Real protection would’ve been both of us facing up to what happened and accepting the consequences like real men would’ve. Not this.”

David nodded faintly. “I know that now.”

I stepped closer. “It’s too late for damage control. This ends tonight—with full disclosure. No more spin. No more shaping the narrative. No more twisting the truth to serve your campaign. And most of all, no more secrets.”

David glanced down at her hand again, still locked in mine, then back up at her face. “I’m sorry,” he said. The words were low and not as firm as they once might’ve been. And they came way too late in the game to heal anything, but I could see by the look in his eye he meant them.

Savannah’s throat moved as she swallowed. Her hand dropped gently away from his. “I need some time to process all of this. But I’ll call you soon.”

His shoulders were still drooping, but none of us said anything else. There wasn’t much more to offer, and no true resolution coming tonight. Healing would take time. Whatever he chose to do next would be on him, and Savannah needed time to breathe.

Savannah didn’t say anything as we turned to go, though I saw the way her shoulders were slouched and her face was drawn.

Only an hour ago, we were tangled up in each other and ready to embrace a life together. I was set to meet my boys, find out what they thought of me. And now all I wanted to do was pull her into my arms and comfort her. Seeing what David’s antics did to her made me so angry I could punch him, but I knew healing would never come that way.

“Hey,” I said softly as I opened the car door for her. She turned and leaned against the side, standing almost in the open door.

“Yeah,” she said glumly.

“I’m gonna pull the plug on all of this…” I hooked my fingers through hers as she offered a look of confusion.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, no more publicity, no more face of Dominic Knight in the press. If the shareholders aren’t behind me, I don’t want them. What I want is you, and my boys, and hopefully someday a family we are proud of. And I want you to feel secure—no more stressful run around.” I leaned in to kiss her, but she pressed a finger to my lips.

“Dominic, you can’t do that. I won’t let you just give up.” Her earnest expression warmed my heart.

I reached up and wrapped my hand around her wrist, moving her finger from my mouth. “I can do anything I want, Ms. Bennett, and right now I want to drive you home so you can rest. Tomorrow we will discuss when I can stop by to meet my sons. How does that sound?” Offering her that small choice caused her to blossom under my touch.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you too…Now get in my car and let me drive you home.”

She got in without arguing, and as I closed her door, the only thing on my mind was tomorrow. I had waited long enough; it was time to do the right thing without hesitation.

31

SAVANNAH

Cal sat cross-legged on the throw rug, frowning with intense focus as he nudged the final puzzle piece into place. “I win. I’m the best,” he announced, stretching his arms above his head like he’d just won a trophy. The grin on his face was priceless.

“You are,” I said, smiling as I leaned over to kiss the top of his messy curls. “A total genius.”

Leo didn’t look up from the coffee table, where he was scribbling with determination. Crayons rolled precariously close to the edge, and his tongue poked out in concentration. I scooted closer and slid a blue crayon back toward him before it fell.

Thea sipped from her wineglass, seated on the couch with one leg folded beneath her. “Just promise me you’re thinking this through. If it’s all true…if Dominic doesn’t make time for you and puts his career first the way your father did…” Her words trailed off, but the bite in her tone didn’t go unnoticed.

“I’m thinking,” I told her. “That’s why you’re here. So I don’t get lost in it.”

Before she could answer, a knock sounded at the door. Thea glanced over, reading my expression for permission, so with ashrug I gave it to her. She rose, set her glass on the coffee table, and went to answer it.

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