Chapter 12

Alexa nearly stumbled in surprise. Austin said something else, but she was too stunned to even pay attention. Calling her father intimidating would be an understatement, but Austin didn’t seem fazed in the least. He’d flat out told the man that they were together.

Austin was blocking the doorway as she moved closer. While her father was almost six feet tall, Austin was six-foot-three. His broad shoulders and muscular frame filled the space, shielding her dad from view. No. Austin was shielding her, she realized. He wasn’t about to let her dad inside the apartment until he knew for certain who he was and if she wanted him here.

“Her boyfriend? Alexa didn’t mention that she was dating anyone.” She didn’t miss the sound of irritation in her father’s voice.

“That’s her decision, sir, but yes, we’re together.”

“My wife got a call from Alexa earlier saying that she’d been in the hospital. I went to her apartment, but she wasn’t there. Explain yourself.”

“Alexa is fine. She was discharged from the hospital and is recovering. Wait here,” Austin said, his voice firm. “I’ll make sure she’s up for having company right now.”

“I’ll see my daughter whenever I damn well please!” her father spat out, sounding even more irritated.

“That’s up to Alexa,” Austin countered smoothly, sounding significantly calmer and in control then she would be if the situation was reversed. “Wait here while I check with her.”

“It’s okay, Austin,” she said as she reached him. “That’s my dad. You can let him in.”

Austin glanced at her, seemingly to make certain that it was really all right, then stepped to the side. Her dad strode into Austin’s apartment like he owned the place, his sharp gaze landing on her. Austin was stiff, clearly still on guard, watching his every movement. When her father reached out to embrace her, Alexa held up her hands. “Be careful. I just had surgery.”

“Surgery?” he asked in alarm, pausing. “Are you okay? You told your mother that you were unexpectedly in the hospital but didn’t mention anything about surgery.”

“I didn’t want to worry her, and yes, I’m okay,” Alexa said, exchanging a glance with Austin. She looked back up at her father. “It was unexpected—emergency surgery. But I’m recovering and will be fine.”

“Alexa. My God. Do you even have the funds to pay your hospital bills? If you’d taken a government or military job like I’d advised, you’d have better benefits and premium healthcare. This little photography business—”

“Sir,” Austin interrupted as he moved closer. His arm went around Alexa’s shoulders, easing her against him, and Alexa let out a breath she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding. Her father was an intense, powerful man. To have Austin stand up for her meant more than she could say. “Alexa is an incredibly talented and capable photographer. I’m damn impressed with what she’s accomplished.”

“That still doesn’t mean—”

“I have health insurance, Dad. I’m an adult.”

Her father’s gaze was tracking over them, and he seemed surprised by Austin’s arm around her shoulders. Her own parents had never been overly affectionate, but Alexa had always been different from them. A dreamer rather than a doer. Except she had done well and started her own business. While she may have been more of a free-spirit in college, lacking some direction, she’d made her passion a success. Her outgoing personality served her well when booking clients for photoshoots in Oahu, and word had spread about her talents. Adding an online presence had helped to grow her business even more, and she was busier this year than ever before.

“You have health insurance,” he repeated, frowning.

“Of course I do. Health insurance, liability coverage in case something happens to a client while on a photoshoot, renter’s insurance for my apartment, car insurance.” She resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she finished rattling off the list. Her dad was the type of man who wanted to be in control of every last thing. Why he thought she couldn’t handle her own life because she hadn’t taken his preferred career path was a mystery.

The military offered a clear vehicle to move upward and get promoted. It was perfect for a man like her father, who wanted everything just so, all wrapped up in a neat little package. Alexa had forged her own way, starting her own business, and was damn proud of what she’d accomplished.

Her father cleared his throat, looking slightly chagrined. “And what was the emergency?” His eyes went to her abdomen, clearly noticing how stiffly she’d moved. “Burst appendix?”

Austin didn’t answer, leaving the decision to tell her father up to her. Alexa watched her dad’s gaze narrow in confusion when she didn’t immediately respond. “It was an ectopic pregnancy,” Alexa finally said. “My tube burst, and I was rushed into emergency surgery.”

“You were pregnant?” her father asked in shock, his voice rising. He shook his head, grumbling, then glared at Austin, his eyes like ice. “You got my daughter pregnant? How dare you!”

“Dad!” Alexa interrupted, the heat of embarrassment washing over her. She felt like a teenager being chastised by her father. While her parents had moved to Kauai at her mother’s wish, Alexa had stayed in Oahu partly to have her own space and freedom. While she loved Hawaii’s natural beauty and the people she’d met here, she didn’t love her parents’ overbearing tendencies. Having them on another island gave her some breathing room, the opportunity to really flourish and grow. At the moment, however, it didn’t feel like she lived nearly far enough away.

“This is unacceptable.” Her father looked between the two of them, his eyes hard.

“Alexa is an adult, sir,” Austin said, his voice steel. “If you’re going to speak to us in this manner, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“He’s right, Dad,” Alexa said, exasperated. “This doesn’t have anything to do with you.”

Her father’s eyes darted between the two of them once more, and then he hefted out a sigh. “And you’re okay now after the health scare?”

Health scare. Pregnancy. She knew her father would never utter the word.

“Yes.” She gave her dad a hard look, wondering if he’d apologize for his behavior. Doubtful. He’d always had an air of superiority about him.

“Let’s sit down,” her father suggested. “To say I’m shocked about the pregnancy is an understatement, but there’s another pressing matter that I need to discuss with you.” He eyed Austin again, suddenly looking more curious than before. “Are you in the military?”

“Yes. I’m a Navy SEAL, sir.”

“At least something worked out in my favor,” he said stiffly.

“Dad?” Alexa asked, confused. She felt Austin’s arm tighten around her, like he also sensed some bad news was coming. The three of them stood there in the foyer, tension filling the air, until her father finally broke the silence.

“I’m being threatened by a former subordinate, and it’s possible that Alexa is in danger.”