Chapter Twenty-Three

Dealing with Daddy Issues

Tucker

Two months later

“Good news, sir!” Ella bounced into his office, her beaming smile lighting the dark space as Tucker lifted his head to greet her.

He’d told her he didn’t want to be disturbed until his letter had been written, but there was no way he would reproach her when she was clearly so happy.

“What’s that, little girl?” He put down his pen and turned toward her.

“Well, there’s two things.” Her labored breathing conveyed her excitement. “Alexander’s doctor called to say he’s been moved from Intensive Care to High Dependency.”

“So, he’s improving?” Tucker was surprised to hear it. The last time he and Ella visited him, the man had seemed half dead. The medics were doing everything they could, but nothing seemed to be working.

“Yes.” She nodded. “I’m going to see him tomorrow if you’d like to join me?”

“Sure.” Bennett wasn’t his first choice of company, but he was Ella’s father, and Tucker would do what he could to aid his recovery. “We’ll go in the morning. I wanted to let you both know that I’m writing off the money Bennett owes me. It doesn’t seem right to chase money when I have something so much more valuable.”

“Wow.” Her eyes widened. “But you always seemed so intent about the money, sir.”

“Not anymore.” He smiled. “The money doesn’t matter. We have more than we could ever need.”

“Thank you.” She looked genuinely touched.

He wasn’t sure why. Surely, she knew what she meant to him by now. The answer was clear—a hell of a lot more than four million.

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.”

“It’s not for him,” he assured her. “It’s for you… for us . That’s what matters to me. What was the other thing you wanted to tell me?”

She shuffled closer. “Mr. Sanderson has said the C.P.S. is dropping the case against me.” She exhaled as though she’d been holding onto the pressure of its verdict ever since her arrest. “I’m a free woman!”

“That’s fantastic!” He rose from his leather recliner and closed the distance between them before throwing his arms around her. She drew him closer, resting her head against his chest as he went on. “Although I wouldn’t quite put it that way. You’re only free when I say you are.”

“Of course, sir.” She glanced up at him with a half-smile. “My mistake.”

His cock stirred at the devil dancing in her eyes. He knew that look well and would love to scratch the itch for them both, but he was still only halfway through his missive.

“Thanks for telling me.” He grabbed her honeyed hair lightly and drew her head gently back. “But I do have to finish this letter.”

“I understand.” She peered guiltily at his desk. “I’ll leave you to it.”

“Don’t go too far,” he warned playfully as he released her. “I might need you when I’m finished.”

There was no ‘might’ in that sentence. He would need her. He always needed her, and after all, they had things to celebrate—like, for example, the love they bore for each other.

“Don’t forget I’m meeting Julia for lunch.” She reached for his face and drew her thumb over his stubble. “Your driver is picking me up at midday.”

“Oh, yes.” He hadn’t forgotten.

Ella had been excited about seeing her friend again for weeks, and Tucker didn’t blame her. Their whirlwind romance had swept her from her old life and taken her away from her friends. At his core, he knew he was culpable for that separation, and much though he wanted to consume her every waking moment, he accepted he couldn’t. Ella deserved better than that. Because he loved her so much, he longed for her to have a full and happy life, and that meant time with the other people she loved. He had hoped, though, that she might be around to quell his desire before she left.

“I’ll come and find you before you go, then.” He winked at her. “You can give me something to remember you by.”

“Yes, sir.” She feigned a salute as she backed away and giggled as she closed his office door.

“Damn, little girl.” He glanced down at the way his dick now tented his trousers. “You sure know how to distract me.” Shaking his head with a smile, he paced back to his chair and collected his pen, his concentration returning to his half-written page.

The letter to his father was one of the hardest he’d ever had to write, but he was determined to see the task through.

He and Ella had discovered a new ‘normal’ since the night Collins had come to kill him. With Collins out of the equation, the immediate threat against them had been vanquished, but Tucker knew the menace of Kenner remained. He sensed his shadow looming over everything they did, even though Tucker had spent many long hours securing their new residence.

He paused momentarily, thinking of the good men who’d been shot down by Collins. Men who’d worked in his security team for many years. Men who he’d liked personally. The toll Kenner had inflicted was far larger than only the threat to his and Ella’s personal safety. Until the man he suspected had fathered him was dealt with, that danger wasn’t going away.

Tucker’s gaze flitted to the top of the page and reread his words.

Dear Joel.

Tucker’s lips curled at his opening. He knew Kenner would loathe the informality.

It’s about time I take the opportunity to reach out to you personally. You and I have a lot to discuss.

You knew my mother, Sarah.

He hesitated over her name, heaving in air as he fought back his rising emotion. His mum should have had years ahead of her, but Kenner had deprived her of that chance. He’d denied them both.

I’m sure you remember the day we both visited you, but only I came home. We never talked about my mother’s murder, but now I think it’s time we did.

We also need to talk about Collins and the fact you were prepared to pay him to kill me.

His pen hovered over the page, ready to start the next paragraph.

I’m a threat to you. I know that.

His chin rose at the realization.

I know you killed my mother. I saw you, Joel, and I know how big a bastard you can be, but you can’t get rid of me.

I’m not going anywhere.

An odd pride surged at the statement. He wasn’t going anywhere. Just like Kenner hadn’t gone anywhere for all these years. Perhaps he was more his father’s son than he realized.

Let me tell you something else I know.

His pen sped up as he got to the point he truly wanted to make.

I know you’re my father, Joel.

I know the sick fuck who shot my mum is actually my dad . I’ve lived with that knowledge for years, but I won’t have to live with it for much longer.

Adrenaline raced around his body.

I’m watching you, Kenner. For the first time, I’m really watching, and I won’t stop watching.

If you come close to me or the people I love… if you so much as step a toe in my direction again, I won’t hesitate to retaliate, and I think you know I have a proven track record in this area.

If Kenner didn’t know, he could look up Tucker’s military record. Tucker knew men like Kenner would have access to those confidential records. Money could buy literally anything.

Take it from me, Joel. You don’t want to fuck with me.

You. Won’t. Win.

Do yourself a favor—stay away—but if you can’t, prepare to meet your maker.

Triumph flooded his senses as he dropped his pen.

That was everything he wanted to say.

He’d get a trusted member of staff to deliver the letter by hand and ensure it was put into Kenner’s hand directly. Tucker scribbled his signature at the bottom of the letter, folded the page and slid it into an envelope.

It was done.

Kenner would know the score, and if he wanted to discuss the matter further, Tucker would have no problem dealing with him.

In fact, it would be his absolute pleasure.

Until then, he was resolved to put Kenner back inside the box in his head. He’d ensure his security was grade A and that the woman he loved was safe, but beyond that, he didn’t want to think about the man who’d fathered him.

He had a life with Ella to be excited about. A better life than he’d ever dared to dream about. That’s what his mother would have wanted for him, and that’s what he and Ella deserved.

It was time to live.