I’m heartbroken.” I kept my voice monotone.
Liam sauntered over. “Careful, father. Aspen will eviscerate you with utmost ease. And I’ll enjoy watching.”
Rupert turned to Liam, dismissing me. “I see you look fine.”
Liam met my gaze. “He’s here for two things. One, no doubt there are some photographers downstairs who caught some pictures of the concerned father coming to check on his son.” Liam looked back at his father, his gaze hard. “Two, to ensure the pictures of him abusing teenage girls were destroyed.”
Rupert bristled. “I try to be cordial. I have your best interests at heart. And all I get from you is rudeness.”
“Save it, Father. A smart woman told me recently that our past is our past. We learn and move on. We can’t let it drive us. You’re my past. I’m nothing like you and I want nothing to do with you.”
“Fine. You’ve always been selfish, self-important, and insolent.”
I burst out laughing. “Seriously? There wasn’t even a hint of irony as he said that.”
Liam’s lips twitched. “It sailed right over his head. He probably believes every word.”
I shook my head. “Talk about projection.”
Rupert scowled at us. “The photos?”
“Yes, here’s the real reason for the visit from dear old dad. They’re gone. Destroyed.”
The older Kensington hesitated. “You’re sure?”
“Yes, Father. Now go.”
I studied Liam’s face. I saw no sadness or anger. He looked disinterested, slightly bored. I smiled. “Let me get the door for you, Mr. Kensington.”
With a haughty look, Rupert stepped out.
I took great pleasure in slamming the door behind him.
I moved over to Liam, and he wrapped his arms around me in a firm hug.
“I love a smart, kind, sexy, wonderful man,” I said.
“And I love a smart, giving, sexy, wonderful woman.” He rubbed his nose against mine. “Think we can both put the daddy issues away now?”
I nodded.
Then he lowered his head, his lips taking mine. Mmm.
I heard a beep and suddenly, the front door opened.
“Hey, this is a party, not a kiss-fest.” Mav sauntered in, followed by Monroe and Zane.
“Party time,” I said with a smile.
Liam
Liam sipped the whisky. Not bad. It was a forty-year-old Karuizawa single malt whisky. He preferred Scotch, but Japanese whisky this good was a nice change.
“Like it?” Mav asked.
“Superb.”
“I figured I’d bring it to celebrate you not being dead, and not having to clean up a sex scandal.”
Liam lifted his glass. “Cheers to that.”
“And to celebrate you being in love.”
Liam hadn’t expected that to be something that Maverick Rivera would want to celebrate. “Thanks, Mav.”
Scanning the room, Liam found Aspen. She was laughing with her mom, her sisters, and Monroe. One of the twins—Liam wasn’t sure which—was waving her arms around and telling a story.
But his gaze was solely for Aspen. Damn, he loved her so much.
He’d called his mother and Annabelle to update them on the situation. He’d known that they’d probably get calls from reporters and read about what had happened in the press. Annabelle had been thrilled that he’d fallen in love and couldn’t wait to meet Aspen. His mother was less pleased and more cautious.
He didn’t care. He didn’t need their approval.
Nearby, Liam spotted Jake Knox sitting in a chair. The bruises on the man’s face were now ugly shades of green and yellow. But he was healing. Erica sat beside him, holding a soda and lime. The man reached out and rested a hand on his wife’s still-flat belly.
The couple shared a private smile.
Then Jake looked up and met Liam’s gaze. The man nodded.
Liam nodded back.
A few other friends were there, including Eleanor and her husband. Liam’s assistant was sipping champagne, but she gave him the evil eye. Yes, she hadn’t quite forgiven him for taking a week off at the last minute. She’d been the one who’d had to cancel and reschedule meetings, and soothe ruffled feathers.
Boone stood with Eleanor and her husband, cradling a bottle of beer. When he saw Liam looking, he lifted his bottle.
Liam lifted his glass in return. Without the man’s help, Liam and Aspen might not have made it out alive.
Suddenly, Maverick muttered a curse.
He was glaring at his phone.
“Problem?” Zane asked.
“Over the last twenty-four hours, someone’s been targeting the Rivera Tech system with some high-level cyber attacks.”
Liam frowned. “Have they managed to get in?”
“No,” Mav growled. “But they’re having a good go at it. They’re good, but not good enough. Rollo and I have been busy beefing up system security.”
At the mention of her hacker friend, Monroe smiled and sipped her wine. “I’ve never seen Rollo happier. He loves