Page 23 of Innocent and Sweet

Kameron’s stomach soured. He braced himself. Everything could go to shit, and he’d have to pick up the pieces. Still, he refused to give up.

“Daddy?” Anissa asked. “What did you decide?”

“I’ll spare the house,” Howard said. “You’re right. The house isn’t sitting on ground vital to the building project and won’t be a problem. If the house remains and is preserved, I’d prefer if you sold it.”

“Why?” Kameron murmured. He needed to know.

“I’d prefer you and Anissa move into the guest house,” Howard said.

“What?” Anissa blurted.

“You told Julian you’d be happy to live here,” Howard said. “Did you change your mind?”

“No.” She relaxed a bit. “The guest house would be good, but I’m shocked you’re letting me go that far.”

So was Kameron. He hadn’t believed Howard would give her any rein at all.

“I’m scared,” Howard said. His voice faltered. “Jesus. You’re all I’ve got left, Ani. I wanted you to be where I could keep an eye on you. I wanted to protect you so I didn’t lose you the way I did your mother.”

“Is that why you picked guys you knew weren’t suitable?” she asked.

“I knew they wouldn’t stick around, and you’d stay at the house with me.” Howard’s shoulders sagged. He stared at Kameron. “I knew Anissa would fall for you. You’re arrogant, tough, pushy, and she’s talked about you non-stop. I thought if I got you to go away -- by force, rules or payment, then I wouldn’t lose her.”

“I’m still your daughter.”

“And if you want, we’ll reside in the guest house,” Kameron said. He wasn’t wild about living in a fish bowl, but he’d do whatever he had to in order to be with Anissa.

“You really want to get married, Ani? To him?” Howard asked.

“I do.” Anissa’s voice turned dreamy. She leaned into Kameron. “Very much so.”

“Kam?”

“I do.” Christ. Sounded like he was reciting wedding vows. Still, he had no regrets.

“Then I give my blessing, the guest house and an offer to pay for the wedding.” Howard nodded. “I knew this day would come, but I’m glad she selected you.”

Really? Kameron stared at Howard. He had to be imagining things. “You hate me. Hate my belligerence. Why are you steering her in my direction?”

“You’ve changed your mind?” Howard asked.

“No, I’m just confused.” He held Anissa. “Why the change of heart?”

“I know my daughter. She’s like her mother. Sarah didn’t say much, but when she got angry, she let the target have it. She yelled at me so many times. She loved with a bright passion and followed her heart. After she died, I thought my world had ended. Anissa’s grown up to be like her mother. I thought if I kept a lid on her, I’d always have a piece of Sarah in my life. Then you joined the security team. I saw a lot of me in you, Kameron. I never wore leather or drove a motorcycle, but I also have your blind determination. Sarah and I fit together because we were so different -- just like you two. I wanted to keep the attraction between you bottled, but as my Sarah would’ve said, you can’t stop four things: fate, taxes, death and love.”

“Daddy.” Anissa hugged her father. “I’m sorry.”

“No, baby girl. You need to start your own life. Just stay sort of nearby,” Howard said.

Anissa snagged Kameron into the embrace. “What do you think?”

Kameron laughed. “You’ve run the show, quite well I might add, and now you want my input?”

She blushed. “Yes.”

“I don’t want to sell the house,” he said. “It’s got emotional value.”

“How about it being moved to another property? You can keep the home, and I’ll have it moved,” Howard said. “Any property you want.”

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