to at least show you I still care, even if you think I don’t.”
Damien doesn’t say a word, so I do, seeing what I think is genuine remorse on John’s face and hearing it in his words. This is something they should probably talk about in private, so I butt in. “I’d appreciate it if you’d look at the sutures. Thank you.”
He slowly approaches on the opposite side that Judy is on. Taking his hand out of his pocket, he raises it and tilts my chin so he can get a better view. He studies the stitches this way and that, hums a couple of times, then finally steps back. “Terrible. This will scar.” He rocks on his heels. “Once you’re healed, I can fix it. You’ll never know it was there.”
“Is that all you wanted?” Damien prompts.
John inclines his head. “Yes.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
“Take care, Isabel. And if you need anything, please have Damien reach out.”
Damien
“Dad.” I call his name when he steps foot on the porch. “What’s this really about?”
He holds his arms out in a surrendering gesture. “I told you in there. You’re my son. I do care.”
“Yeah, sure. But…”
“How would it look if your girlfriend—”
“Fiancée,” I correct him.
He lifts his chin. “How would that look if she was left with a scar?”
“She’s beautiful with or without a stupid scar. I know that’s not exactly something you understand.”
“I think you get my point.”
I don’t believe his reasons are without consequence. “Why the fuck would I trust you with the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my life with?”
“You know there is no way in hell I’d let anything happen to my future daughter-in-law. What would people say?”
“Hold up.” I shove my hands in my front pockets as he reaches his car. “That’s something you’d care about? A scar. But you didn’t care that your son fucked your other son’s wife and then married her?”
Instead of giving me a bullshit answer, he actually appears as if he’s thinking. “It isn’t something I go around advertising, and it’s been enough time that I think most people have forgotten, luckily. But bottom line, Laila is a bitch, and you’re better off without her. Your brother is learning that the hard way.” He slides into his Jaguar, and I just stand here for a second. Speechless.
I hate, absolutely hate that my family is the way it is, and that conversation with my father was the first time he’s reminded me of the man he used to be. Or at least the man I thought he was when I had hero worship.
When I have kids, I don’t really know what to expect. I have no clue what their interests are going to be, but I do know that whatever it is I’m going to support them and love them. I’ll never make them feel less than, or like they don’t matter because they don’t fit into the mold I had shaped for them because there won’t be a mold.
And I know Izzy will be the same way. She has a big family, and she wants one of her own. And I can’t wait to give her that.
The capacity for me to think about that or analyze why my dad was here right now isn’t something I have. I need to focus on Izzy and finding the bastard who tried to kill her. I’m trying my best not to let my emotions get involved because if I do, the guys will pull me from her case. Same with Gio. Because that’s what this is now, a case, like she’s a damn client.
I can’t believe this shit. I haven’t allowed myself the time to get as angry as I really am because I’m too busy doing what I can and giving all my energy into protecting her and figuring out what the fuck is going on.
It still doesn’t make sense. Who would want to hurt her? She’s so… good. Innocent. The most obvious suspects are my brother or Laila, but I just don’t buy it. Murder? It’s not something I think either of them is capable of. There’s also Dr. Rickman, but from what I know about him, he may be in over his head with his own drug issues, but it’s just not believable that he’d be so stupid to hurt her.
I’m eager to get in on the action at Royal, but I need my focus to be on her health right now. She needs me to be strong for her