Page 29 of Finally Found You

Lysander narrows his eyes, his expression incredulous. “You seriously want a recount? According to Kenzy, you’re not sold on going with us over the weekend.” He pauses, his gaze piercing into me. “Which means she already gave you the highlights, and you’re seriously trying to avoid me.”

“I’m…” I slump my shoulders, exhaling a resigned sigh. “It’s for the best,” I finally admit, barely above a whisper.

His lips curve into a warm, understanding smile. “I could use a little help with Kenzy. She’s a teenage girl—one of the most dangerous creatures in the world. One moment we’re discussing birds, and the next, she wants to know when I’m buying her a car. I can’t do this alone.”

I can’t help but laugh, the tension momentarily dissipating. “She’s already testing boundaries, huh?”

He nods. “You could help me control the chaos. I don’t want to come off as the bad guy.”

“Oh, but you will. That’s inevitable. No matter how much you try to avoid the word no, you’ll have to use it,” I warn him. “It’s part of parenthood.”

He raises a questioning brow. “You know that, and you’re just twenty-six?”

I nod. “Grandma was too old to raise us. I had the Dragos to guide me, but Kenzy…” I shrug one shoulder. “She had me, and I tried my best.”

His eyes soften, gratitude shining through. “That you did, and I appreciate it. I can’t believe how much I’ve been missing out on. She’s an amazing kid.” He smiles. “Thank you for being there for her.”

I return the nod, my heart swelling with genuine happiness for them both. Just as I’m about to speak, my phone rings. Glancing at the screen, I groan inwardly. It’s Ronan. I could send him to voicemail, but it’s best if I deal with him now.

“Hey,” I answer, bracing myself for the inevitable confrontation.

“You’re fucking kidding me, right?” His voice is so loud that I have to move the phone from my ear. “I don’t have that kind of money, and I won’t sell my house just because you say so.”

“Keep your voice down,” I order, my tone firm. “And the house is mine, too. I deserve to be paid.”

“You owe me the mortgage for the past two months. I should sue you for it,” he threatens.

“I only owe half of this month, but that’s beside the point. As I said in my email, I need you to send me my things and give me my part of the house. I used my savings to pay for the down payment. You didn’t put anything down.”

“Good luck trying to get it back,” he sneers.

“May I?” Lysander interjects, reaching for my phone.

“Listen,” he says, his voice a low growl. “My lawyer will be there tomorrow to resolve this issue. If you’re not packed and out of the house by the time he arrives, we’ll involve the police if needed. Have a good night.” With that, he hangs up and hands me my phone.

“What did you do?” I ask, my eyes widening with disbelief as my heart pounds.

He runs a hand through his hair, his expression serious. “Fixed your issue.”

“You didn’t have to. I can’t afford a lawyer and… did you seriously kick him out of the house?” I demand, a mix of shock and gratitude washing over me.

He nods, his gaze unwavering. “Yep.”

“We both own the house,” I protest.

Lysander shakes his head, pulling out his phone. “Not according to the information I received earlier today.”

“Information?” I furrow my brow. What in the world did he do?

He shrugs. “Yesterday, I requested a company to tell me all they knew about Kenzington and her family.”

“That’s… why would you do that?” I ask hesitantly.

He points toward the lounge chairs. “Why don’t we take a seat?”

Once we’re seated and sipping glasses of wine, he recounts the events from yesterday, detailing how he met Kenzy, his first impression of her, and the misunderstandings that occurred.

“I would never hit that kid,” I growl, my grip tightening on my glass.

---