Page 102 of Lovestruck at Sundown
“I was thinking we could have to fly to L.A. on the 14th since I’m presenting an award at the Golden Globes on the 15th, and I would love for you to come with me. I’m also required to meet with the production company to sign the paperwork for the Haldor Stormbreaker movie deal and will probably have to pay a visit to the costume designers and have my measurements taken. We would then fly to Australia the next day.” He grabbed my hand and kissed it. “Enzio de Luca will have a few dress options waiting for you in L.A. if you agree to come with me to the Golden Globes.”
My jaw dropped to the floor. That was a lot to take in, andWilliam must’ve seen it written all over my face because he laughed. This was going to be our first red carpet event together as a couple. Media from all over the world would be there to cover the event. It was equal parts terrifying and exciting.
I was speechless.
“Is that …a yes?” William lifted his brows expectantly. I turned to look at him, and my face must’ve worried him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I—” I chewed on my lower lip. “What if my dad says I can’t go?”
“Do we even have to ask for his permission?” William mused. “After your last conversation with him, I thought there was no reason to worry about him anymore. There’s nothing left for him to barter with to make you do as he pleases. And I believe you and I agreed that you’d let me take care of you.” He tucked a hair behind my ear and kissed the sensitive spot below it.
My father had made it perfectly clear: It was either him or William. And I’d made my choice before he even finished that sentence. As easy a choice as it was, it came with a price. A lofty price. And it weighed heavily on my soul. A part of me wanted to cling to the father I thought I had for years. The one that called me kiddo and smiled warmly at me whenever he saw me. The one who protected me without hurting me.
The problem was, as the years went by, his grip tightened around me in a slow, progressive way. And by the time I realized it, I was already suffocating and gasping for air. But he hadn’t always been like that. I remember a different James Murphy, the one before my mom died. But I didn’t think I’d ever see him again.
The father-daughter relationship I had, or thought I had, was severed. And I had nothing left to do but accept that and grow the fuck up. It was time to start owning my choices, as ugly and emotionally straining as it was.
“You know what? You’re right. Let’s do this.”
William flashed me a grin and pulled me closer to his chest. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Oh, I have no doubts about that.” I stood and rubbed my hands excitedly. I was going to Australia! And with William, nonetheless.
Aaron set his book on the coffee table and walked to the kitchen.
“What are we going to do with—?” I jerked my chin at Aaron, who was pouring himself another cup of coffee. I leaned in and said, “He’ll obviously find out and inform my dad. We can’t leave without him.”
“There’s more than enough space for Aaron on the plane,” William whispered back. “Since we’re attending a big party for Coop Craft Brewery on the 22nd, having Aaron present wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“Okay.” I walked to the kitchen and braced my arms on the counter. “Aaron?”
He peeked my way over his cup as he sipped on his coffee. “Yes, Miss Murphy?”
“William and I are going to Australia on January 16,” I said casually, as if that was all William and I did. Travel all the time. Aaron cleared his throat and settled his cup of coffee on the counter. “And I thought it might be a good idea for you to come with us.”
“Have you discussed this with your father, Miss?” He cocked an eyebrow and crossed his arms at his chest.
“I … no.” I sat on one of the stools, but Aaron shook his head, hesitation etched on the forming crease between his brows. “I wasn’t planning on asking for his permission.”
“I’ll have to report this to your father,” he said. “We can’t leave the country without notifying him.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t ask you to do that,” I replied, “You can tell him. I don’t mind.”
“He’ll say no.”
“I know.” I sighed. “But there’s nothing he can do to stop me from going. He’s already taken everything from me. Money, credit cards, his trust and support.”Even his love. But I didn’t say it. Fuck, I hated it so much that it hurt me deeply to lose him. “There’s nothing left for him to manipulate me with. He’s even going to stop paying for school in September. I have nothing left to lose.”
“Are you attending any public events?”
“We are,” William intervened. “But Agent Hawthorne would be flying with us, too. Although I think we’ll see little of him once we get there. You know he usually flies under the radar and ensures everything’s fine from a distance.”
“I’ll have to coordinate the outings with Agent Hawthorne, though,” Aaron said. “I can’t risk having anything happen to Miss Murphy while we’re abroad. Especially if we’re flying to the other side of the world against her father’s will.”
“You can count on it,” William said in a confident tone. “And rest assured your travel expenses will be covered for the entirety of the trip.”
Aaron nodded once.
“Is that … a yes?” I asked cautiously.
