Page 113 of Unforgettable
“So Lorna took that as bribery,” Ryker said.
“Lorna is mad because my husband will not give her what she wants, and that’s to leave me for her. So she’ll do whatever it takes, even lying. She even went as far as making sure Haven didn’t get near you.”
Well, that didn’t work out too well. “Daddy, you didn’t hire her daughters to spy on me?”
“Not at all,” Father said. “Look, Haven, I will atone for my affair. But the facts will show I am innocent of the bribery charge.”
“So explain to me why you hate me, then,” Ryker said. “Why you threatened my football career? Why you don’t want me anywhere near your daughter?”
“You’re not good enough for her,” Father said as a matter of fact. “If you have a daughter one day, you might understand.”
“That’s not your decision,” Ryker said through clenched teeth. “You can keep trying to push me away or use your political status to scare me, but I’m not going anywhere. I might not like you, but I love Haven. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure no one, and I mean no one, stands in my way.”
I choked as my eyes bugged out. “You love me?”
Ryker turned his head slowly, and any signs of anger were replaced with a ginormous smile. He lifted my hand to his lips. “I came here tonight to tell you how I feel. I’ve never been in love with anyone but you. You have a way of stealing the breath right from my lungs. You have a way of making me see that a future is possible.” His warm lips touched my hand, making me tingle. “I’m nuts about you.”
Tears rushed out. My throat closed up. My hands were shaking, and my heart was beating so fast, I thought I would pass out. I wasn’t sure I could speak. I checked on Father and Arlene but mainly my father. He had his head cocked to one side, dumbfounded. Arlene, on the other hand, was smiling.
Ryker flashed his sultry gray eyes as he continued to keep his lips glued to my hand. I suspected he wasn’t letting me go until I said something. I did love him. I did believe he was the man I would marry someday. But I worried whether our relationship could thrive with my father in our lives or the hatred they had for one another.
My eyes drifted to my father again.
“Baby doll,” Ryker said in a husky voice, “we don’t need your father’s approval. If you love me, that’s all that matters.”
My father knew how I felt about Ryker. But I did want his approval. I did want him to accept Ryker into this family. Ryker’s love for me said that he would tolerate my father. But was my father’s love for his daughter strong enough to accept Ryker?
Father pushed to his feet and came around until he was standing over me. Then he kissed me on the head. “You have my approval, Haven. I want you to be happy. That’s all I ever wanted for you.”
I jumped up and hugged the man I remembered from before my mom died. “I love you, Daddy.”
He squeezed me to him. “I love you, little one. Always have.”
Tears dripped down my cheeks, relishing those three words I’d been waiting for for so long.
My father eased away and extended his hand to Ryker, who rose to the occasion.
Father gripped Ryker’s hand. “If you so much as treat her badly or break her heart, I won’t hesitate to ruin you. Are we clear?”
“Crystal, sir.” Ryker’s gaze tangled with mine. “I promise you that I will love her, protect her, and cherish her.”
I beamed as my stomach fluttered with love, pride, and happiness.
Father released Ryker’s hand. “I have to prepare a speech for the press. I suggest both of you lay low for the next couple of days.”
Arlene joined us, grasping my father’s arm. “I’m happy for the two of you.” Her smile seemed genuine, but hurt swam underneath the fake mask she was trying to wear, and it wasn’t directed at Ryker and me but at what my father was about to go through and, I would guess, the affair.
I’d always known she was a strong woman, but even the strongest person had to break. As much as Arlene and I didn’t get along, I hated that she had to put up with the turmoil my father had created. Sure, she’d known what she was marrying into as the wife of a senator, but cheating wasn’t one of them.
Out of nowhere, I hugged her. She stiffened for a second then returned the gesture. We’d had enough hate in this family to last a lifetime. If my father could accept Ryker, it was about time I did the same with Arlene.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “For being a bitch to you all these years.” I couldn’t and wouldn’t apologize for my father’s actions. That was something he had to do.
“I’m sorry too. A new start?”
I let go of her. “Absolutely.”
Father kissed me on the head again. “We’ll get through this.” Then they excused themselves, leaving Ryker and me standing on the veranda, watching them walk away, hand in hand.
