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"Ask him" My mother’s voice drifted from somewhere behind us "I told you he can’t be trusted, Fallon"

I closedto feelever happened!" someone said "I never touched her She kissedcorners Closed doors

I could still hear the My feet were gone My legs up towhen I tried to tense my muscles

Your life doesn’t interest me, Fallon

You knohat I used to call you? Pussy-on-the-Premises

I sucked in quick breaths, but they left th to take in air again In quick Out slow In quick Out slow

How could he do this? How could she?

You’re just a slut like your mother Madoc’s words hadn’t cut before, because I knew they weren’t true Why did I feel pain from them now?

Did you really think he loved you? He used you!

I squeezed hter and sed S it do it down

I heardmy name

"Fallon! Look at me!"

Open your eyes! What do you see?

My eyes snapped open, and I saw Madoc standing in front ofmy shoulders

Who are you? My father’s shtenedas Madoc kissed my forehead

I don’t try to kill your deood kid, Fallon He picks up the pieces

I felt his hands oncircles on ain I will put you through a wall to get to her

Finish up, Father She needs to be kissed

Madoc

My heart swelled He was mine He was alwaysthe love, the worry, the fear

And I held hi that happens on the surface of the sea can alter the caled "Listen to," I said firmly

I walked around him and slowly--very slowly--approached my mother with my hands folded in front of me

I kept my expression flat and en up around her "Lawyer up," I threatened "Madoc and I want the house, and it is very lonely in your corner, Mother" Leaning into her face, I barely unclenched ainst me And You Will Lose"

I spun around before she even had ti Madoc’s hand on the way

"Fallon, letever happened She came onto me, and I--"

I halted in the hallway and turned to face him "I don’t even want to hear it I don’t need any reassurances where you’re concerned"

Taking his face in my hands, I took his lips that captivated my entire body the moment they touched Madoc had me body and soul, and no one could stop us Least of all ive her the reaood I would’ve wasted s that woman respected were money and power, and I just threatened her with both

Any ain Madoc and I have a life to live

"I love you," I whispered into his lips

He let his forehead fall to hed "Thank God You had me scared"

I heard someone clear his throat, and I twisted my head, only to have asped and pulled free of Madoc to nearly knock runting froet a good look at hiht brown hair was slicked back, and his face--usually clean shaven--was scruffy as hell with his usual patches of gray showing He earing a black Ar the necktie like Jared and Madoc instead of the bowties everyone else wore

"Fine" He nodded, rubbing my arms "Sorry that I worried you"

I wanted to ask him questions, but I knew this wasn’t the tienerally didn’t tell ht it was better that his daughter not know about his seedy business, as if I didn’t pick up things on my own anyway

"Sir, I’m Madoc" My husband reached his hand out "In case you don’t remember"

They had only met once, that I know of But my father would definitely re that had happened

He hesitated only a moment and then took Madoc’s hand "I re "This is the wrong place to talk about this, and there are things I want to say to both of you, but for now, I’ll just say this" He narrowed his eyes on Madoc "You are aware of the burden of this rinned down atabout Fallon,"about me You do not want me as a pissed-off father-in-law It would be safer for you if my child stays happy Got it?"

Woard

"She’ll be happy," Madoc asserted, looking my father in the eye

I smiled at both of them "I’m already happy"

I could tell it was hard forwith my mother and his risky business Neither let him be the dad he wanted to be, but those were his choices, and I wasn’t going to feel sorry for him I loved him But I chose Madoc And I would choose Madoc forever