Page 63 of Sweet Possession
When we reached a place in the parkthatwas fairly secluded, Ipulled her off the path and led her over to a huge tree, offering us shelter from the sun.
Sitting down, I tugged her into my lap. She laughed as she fell intomy arms, but quickly adjusted herself sothather back was to my chest, and her head rested against my shoulder.
I wrapped my arms around her waist, giving her neck a quick kiss.
“You’re quiet today, baby girl. Is everything okay?”
She sighed, and not one of contentment.“Yeah, guess Ijustdon’twant our trip to come to an end.”
“Me either, but we can do this again,”I replied, lacing my fingersthrough hers at her waist.
“I’d likethat,”she hesitated, she had more to say. I waited patientlyfor her to open up about what was on her mind.“I’m a little anxious about going back to Vegas as well, if I’m honest. For the first time in my life, I feel like I can breathe easily without the constant fear of what my dad might do next hanging over me, but I know when we go back,thatfeeling will go away.”
I deliberated for all of ten seconds as to whether I should tell her nowabout Freddy, but she’djustpresented the perfect opportunity for me to tell her the truth.
“Cora, your dad left Vegas a few days ago, no one has seen himsince.”
“What?”she spun to face me, her brows pulled high in surprise.“Heleft?”
“Yeah, baby girl. A few days ago. Apparently, he packed up all his shitfrom your old house. He was last seen on a bus heading out of the city.”
She gaped at me, her eyes wide and unblinking. After a few seconds,her entire body deflated like a balloon.“He got himself in debt again, didn’t he?”
Her eyes dropped to her lap, and my heart broke at hearing the hurtin her tone.
Once upon a time, I was in her shoes. Always hopingthata parentwould suddenly step up to the mark and become a decent parent, only to be let down time and time again.
No matter what Freddy had done to her, it was natural for her to hopethathe’d see the error of his ways and finally be the father she wanted. Only time would make her realizethatFreddy only gave a shit about one person- Freddy.
“Yeah,”I replied, refusing to lieto her.
She fell quiet for a few moments, staring down in thought at her lapbefore looking up at me. I expected to see tears in her eyes, but when her gaze met mine, allthatwas reflected in her orbs was acceptance.
“I shouldn’t be surprised, I can’t remember a time when he didn’t owemoney to someone. And it’s not like he has got another child he can sell, what other choice would he have but to run like the coward he is?”
“He is a coward,”I said, cupping her cheek.“A coward, among manyother things. But the biggest thing he is, is a fool for not realizing how incredible his daughter is.”
She gave me a small smilethatdidn’t reach her eyes.“Will anyonecome looking for me?”
“No, baby girl.”
She held my gaze for a few seconds, the cogs whirling before hereyes narrowed on me.“You’re going to pay his debt again, aren’t you?”
I pulled her closer to me.“Yeah, I am.”
“You shouldn’t have to,”she said, a hint of defiance I’d never heardfrom her before shining through. She pulled out of my grasp before rising to her knees.“You shouldn’t have to keep paying his debts off, Fox, that’s not fair.”
“Fox?” I replied, raising a brow.
Her cheeks flushed a gorgeous shade of red.“Sorry. Itjustmakes meso madthathe thinks it’s perfectly acceptable to run up debt and leave other people to face the music.”Her voice rose several octaves as anger gripped her. I didn’t interrupt, letting her get her emotions out for once.“How many times does this have to keep happening for him to learn? I mean, what the hell is wrong with him? He’s a grown man for fuck sake, he should grow up and start taking responsibility for his actions!”
I folded my arms across my chest and chuckled, earning me ascathing look from her.“I’ve never heard you swear before, baby girl. You know, you’re kinda adorable when you get mad.”
All the anger rushed out of her as her shoulders dropped, and a slygrin crossed her face.“You’re a bad influence on me, Daddy.”
I grabbed her, pulling her down and laying her on her back.“Ohyeah?”I said, tickling her waist and eliciting playful giggles from her.
“Stop! Stop!”she begged as I managed to slip my hand up her topand tickle the soft skin over her ribs.“You’re not a bad influencereally!”
