Chapter 139
Alcee was sitting next to Antero’s bed watching him sleep and wondering how long this calm would last or alternatively, if he’d to back to the gilet sultan. nearly catatonic version of himself she hated more than his violence. She brushed his hair off his forehead and almost laughed when he grimired padar bet touch, rolled over on his side and spotined Avalanche. She never wanted a dog but damned if she team’t thrilled with it right pos
The quiet spoken word from the doorway made her spine stiffen.
She turned her head slowly to see the man standing in the doorway an expression on his face she didn’t want to name. It was easier when he was being cocky and self–assured, but this remorseful expression of regret wasn’t what she needed to deal with right now. She was tos tired.
“I’m too tired for you Torq.”
“I know. Susana said he may wake up a few times through the night because it’s his pattern. I,” he cleared his throat still speaking softly as if world to wake the child up, “I booked in online with the therapist for the morning. I was so busy getting Mom and Dad here and then planning for Cortades and with the arrival of my brother, I put the most important thing on the backburner. I fucked up. I’ll make it better.”
She looked at him angrily. “All I hear are excuses.”
“I know You’re right. They are. Excuses for being a shitty parent but it’s all I have. Staffing tomorrow and for the next six weeks I am scheduled three sessions a week, in my schedule so it can’t be changed with the therapist. I owe him an apology, and I will give it to him in the morning when he wakes up. Whether he receives it or not, I will apologize and I will keep apologizing until he knows his daddy will never hurt him again.”
Her eyes tore from his, tears welling in hers and she wanted to yell at him he doesn’t deserve the opportunity to be Antero’s father. Instead, she nodded. “Fine.”
“You should go to bed.”
He might wake up.”
“And I will be here.” When her eyes flicked back to his he shrugged, “it’s s my mess. The least I should do is be the one to lose sleep over it. I will sit there in the chair and watch over him. If he or Avalanche wake up, I’ll deal with it.”
“He’ll freak out if he sees you here and not me.”
“And I will deal with it. I am his father.”
“You’re not compassionate enough, and I don’t trust you to do right by him.”
The accusation felt as if it were a direct assault on his character and she could see the shot landed exactly as intended. The hurt on his face was blatant bus instead of fighting back all he did was give a slow nod of acknowledgement.
“I know you don’t trust me, and I can’t say I blame you. However, you are exhausted, and you need rest. If he wakes up and I can’t manage the ntuation, I promise you, I will get you to help.”
“Torg.”
“Let me be his dad. You managed mom duties all night. It’s time for a shift switch if you will. Go to bed. Get some sleep. I will wake you if he is inconsolable.” He gave her a sad smile, “come on, Alcee, I’m not asking for a limb here. I just want to do my job as a dad because I failed sa miserably before.”
“Fine.” She got off the chair. “Do you promise to come get me?”
“Yes. I know my word doesn’t mean jack shit to you right now, but you have it.”
“Fine but we’re not done talking about this, When I’m not so emotionally volatile, and he’s settled somewhat, we’re fighting this out.”
“I agree absolutely but there will be no fighting. This is all on me, I will accept whatever you decide with the exception of you leaving me. That, I can’t accept. I need you I need him. I don’t show it very well. I haven’t even done a remotely decent job, but I’ve already started to put things in motion, and you
Chapter 139
will see.
I’m serious and I mean this. I will be the man you both deserve”
“I don’t care if you fail me.” She stood in front of him, her neck craned and not looking away from his gaze, “but if you fall him again the way you did tonight, you won’t need your enemies coming for you because I’ll do it myself. If you ever hurt my son again the way you did tonight and look at him asf he is the problem the way you did on the roof earlier, you’ll pray for a quick death.*
His smile made her want to punch him the way Antero punched Raniero earlier.
“I look forward to a lifetime of you keeping me accountable.”
Before she could stop him he placed a kiss to her forehead. She wiped it off angrily. “Stop it.”
“Go to bed cranky girl. You have every right to be angry with me, but you look ready to drop. You can give me hell in the morning, and I promise to listen and take it. I owe this entire family an apology and I will make it.”
She started to walk away but he pulled her by the arm and surprised her by drawing her into a hug, his arms wrapped around her tight, his face buried in her neck.
“Thank you for not leaving me already. You were given an opportunity to leave me, and you didn’t take it, and I swear to God Alcee, it means everything to
me.”
“You’d better not make me regret it.” she whispered against his chest, hating to admit to herself this hug was everything she’d been needing all night. Releasing herself from his grip she walked down the hall to their bedroom, found one of Torq’s T–shirts on the end of the bed and pulled it over her head before crawling into bed and falling asleep almost immediately.
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