to choose between you.”
“No,” I said quietly. “If that happened, I would leave. I wouldn’t make you choose. But it’s not going to happen, Hank. She’s it for me. I’ve been waiting so long for her that I’d almost given up.”
“Guess all the hiding has been hard on you, eh?”
“You have no idea. You could have said something. Given me a clue.”
He grinned, lifting one shoulder. “I didn’t want to make it too easy for you. Challenge is good for a man.”
“You’re an ass.”
“At first, I thought you honestly didn’t like each other, so I didn’t bother trying to push it. But seeing how well you worked together gave me hope. Lately, though…”
“We weren’t fooling you anymore?”
He chuckled. “No. The two of you were far too in tune with each other. If Laura was upset, I knew you would be too. On the days she was glowing, I knew you’d be flying high as well.” He held up his hand. “And I don’t want to know why.”
I grinned. I had no plans on telling him either.
“The bottom line was, I saw how you were with each other, and I hoped it was because there was something there. And after the Harris incident, I was sure of it. I’ve never seen you rage the way you did that day. I knew then she was in good hands—you’d look after her.”
“So…we’re okay?”
He ran his fingers over his moustache, staring at me. I tightened my fingers on Laura’s arm, pulling her closer to me. Hank leaned forward.
“No more lies. You show the world how proud you are to be with my daughter. You protect her and love her the way she deserves.”
“I want to.”
“Then do it.”
“I will.”
He stood up, placing his hand on top of mine that was holding his daughter. “I’m glad she has you.”
I smiled at him. “Thanks, Hank.”
“And I want grandkids—soon.” He grinned. “Neither of us is getting any younger.”
I blinked, then snickered. “I’ll be sure to discuss that with your daughter.”
“Okay. Enough of this emo shit. I’m going to go get coffee. I’ll tell them you’re awake.” He paused at the doorway. “And, Jackson?”
“Yeah?”
“You hurt her, I have enough sites and concrete—they’ll never find your body.”
“I’m aware.”
“Good. Keep that in mind.” He chuckled darkly, pulling open the door and walking out.
Reaching for the glass, I took another sip, hoping when the doctor arrived, he’d give me something for the pain. I smirked down at Laura.
“I know you’re awake, sweet girl. You’re a pretty bad actress. No wonder he didn’t buy it.”
“He does, you know,” Laura mumbled into my chest. “He has access to a lot of concrete.”
“I’ll remember that.” I kissed the top of her head. “How much did you hear?”
She tilted up her head. “Enough.”
I gazed down at her. “You scared the fuck out of me.”
She blinked, her eyes filling with tears. “It happened so fast. I knew I had to move, but my feet wouldn’t go, and then…you were there.”
“I had to get to you.”
“And you got hurt.”
“My head can take it. Some Tylenol would be good, though. “
“Jackson,” she admonished, half sitting up. “You have a concussion, stitches, your foot is broken, you have contusions all over your shoulders and back—it’s way more serious than a headache!”
I glanced down, realizing for the first time my leg had an air cast on it. I already knew my head had stitches, and I could feel every ache in my back.
“How long was I out?”
“Most of the day. You’re going to have to be off work for a while.”
“Huh. Well, I guess it’s a good thing I have you to look after me.”
“I will.”
“Then I’ll be fine.”
“I was terrified. The piece of equipment hit you, and you were knocked out. People were yelling, and Hank was there. The ambulance came.” She shook her head. “I was crying, and I refused to leave you. I kept trying to tell my dad why, but he grabbed my face and stared at me, saying he knew, and he understood. He told me to calm down and go with you so I could be looked at. He followed the ambulance, and he’s been here with me—with us—until now.”
“Sweet girl…” I breathed out.
“He’s been so strong, Jackson,” she continued. “I told him how much I love you, how you look after me, and he’s been great once he stopped being annoyed. He was worried sick about you as well.”
“I’m fine.”
She sniffed. “We’re both fine.”
“When can I get out of here?”
“You just woke up, Jackson.