Page 79

What?
Relief pounded through me, and I rushed, “Then why would you suggest?—?”
“I want you to stay here.”
Surprise blasted me back, my body slammed by a rogue wave.
Had he lost his mind?
“What are you talking about?”
He reached out and snagged my wrist, pulling me closer as he urged the words up close to my lips. “I want you to stay here. Both you and your mom if you’d like. I have plenty of room. Want you here while she gets settled. While she gets used to me. For as long as you want.”
Shock dropped my jaw.
No.
That wasn’t my intention.
I wanted to take her home.
With us.
And besides, I was supposed to go back and take over Ivy Threads, Emmalee’s clothing boutique. The one she’d begged me to open with her three years ago, but I’d been too afraid to step out my door most days to even consider it.
I’d let her down, and I wouldn’t let her down this time.
In my stupor, he managed to tug me even closer. “Give us four weeks. It will give Maci the time to get to know me and the rest of my family, and it’ll give you time to see this is where she belongs. Time for you to be sure you can trust me. Then we can go from there.”
“Are you insane?” I tried to fumble back, but he held me close.
His proximity sent a rush of lightheadedness through my brain.
Or maybe it was just his outrageous demand that had me feeling like I was tumbling through space.
Sucked into a black hole with no way out.
Severity erupted in his features. “Alternate is for me to take you to court. Is that what you want?”
It was a plea all mixed with a threat.
Dread nearly choked me out.
I was pretty sure there wasn’t a chance I’d win. The man had money, and well…he had the right.
There was no question she was his. Maci had borne little resemblance to Emmalee other than the color of her hair.
But to this man? I knew exactly what a paternity test would show.
It didn’t mean it didn’t stoke a flame of hate so hot in the middle of me that I couldn’t see.
Would he really wield that kind of power against us?
Wield the power to rip her from our arms?
It was so unfair.
Why, Emmalee? Why did you bring us here? Why would you want this terrifying man to raise your daughter? One who barely even remembers you? One who I am certain is keeping secrets?