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My father continues to look at Indie like she’s shit on the bottom of his shoe, and I’m seriously considering if I can get away with stabbing my own father.

When he opens his mouth, I really hope he thinks about what he says, as he’s cutting it close already.

“As I said, you can keep…her…but I won’t allow you to date…him,” he says through gritted teeth, snarling when he can’t even say their names.

I roll my eyes at his empty threat. “Look, we both know you can’t disown me. You don’t have another heir, so it’s just anempty threat, one that I won’t even think about taking seriously. I love Miles, and that won’t change.”

My father pales as he leans over his desk, no doubt to appear more menacing. “I don’t care. I will disown you and find a new heir.”

Before I get the chance to respond, Marcus clears his throat loudly, drawing our attention over to him, where he’s not even hiding the disapproving glare he’s aiming at my father.

“I feel now would be a good time for me to have my say on the matter, as I’m assuming that’s the reason you asked me to be here, is it not?”

My father nods. “Yes, it obviously concerns you. I’m sure you can appreciate the disgusting conflict of interests.”

Marcus waves my father away, like he didn’t say a word. “Well, let me make my position clear, then. If you disown Jacob, I will burn the peace treaty and break all alliances with the Santoro family. With both Chloe and Jacob on my side, any war I wage will be over before it even begins, and you will stand no chance of winning.”

My father’s eyes grow wide as his mouth falls open, his words coming out as a stutter. “Y-you’d s-support…h-him?”

I look over at the man who has been one of my best friends for most of my life, despite the family rivalry we were raised as part of, and I see nothing but sincerity in his gaze. I’m more shocked when Marcus breaks his cool mask of indifference to smirk at me, before turning his dangerous glare on my father.

“I will always support him, and Miles. They are my best friends, and they’re happier together with Indie than I’ve ever seen them. As far as I’m concerned, you can either accept that they’re together and trust that Jacob will be a good leader for the Santoros, or you hand all power over to me, as I will only take it from you in a war you won’t win. But you should know, I’ll only hand the power back to him in the end, so you may wantto save us all the trouble,” Marcus retorts, sounding every bit as condescending as I expect from him.

Miles lets out a short laugh, not even bothering to hide it as he places his hand on my shoulder. My father’s eyes are still raging, but his face seems to sag with resignation as he realises he’s been backed into a corner.

“Fine, but I want to clarify that I don’t approve,” he says, almost petulantly.

I roll my eyes at him as I stand up. Not caring about the consequences, I grab hold of Miles and pull him against me, wrapping my arm around his waist. I press my lips to his in a passionate, albeit PG-13, kiss that makes my father’s head explode as Marcus grumbles beside us.

As I pull back, I give my father my best ‘I no longer give a shit what you think’ smirk. “Your opinion is noted, but I don’t care. I don’t need your approval, nor was I seeking it. I love both Indie and Miles, and I’m not bothered who knows it.”

Indie jumps up and quickly kisses me too, wrapping her arms around my waist. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispers as she pulls back, a bright smile lighting up her face.

Marcus stands too, shuffling awkwardly as he stares at my father. “Well, I think that covers everything, unless you have anything else you’d like to discuss?”

My father’s gaze narrows on Marcus once more. “Does Chloe know?”

Marcus narrowly avoids rolling his eyes as he tuts. “Of course, she does. She loves Indie and Miles, and she’s happy for them all. There’s a reason Jacob has remained sober for as long as he has, and it’s all because of these two people.

“I’m not asking you to accept them, but if you want your children to be part of your life, you will need to support the choices they’ve made. We will wait for you to make the first move.”

With that, Marcus sweeps us all out of the room, leaving my father alone in his office with his mouth wide open, a look of confusion written plainly across his face. He’s no doubt wondering how his carefully crafted plan went so very wrong.

As I walk through the hallways of my childhood home, this time holding the hands of the two people I love, all I can feel is relief that we no longer need to hide. This was my biggest hurdle, and I faced it, thanks to the people who love me and gave me strength.

I’m excited for the future we can have, knowing nothing can stand in our way if we face it together.

After two days of waiting, we finally got the call we’d been anticipating. The Doughtys were ready to start Gregg’s interrogation, and they were happy for us to be involved.

It’s been five days since Indie was taken, and although she’s healing physically, the emotional scars are far from fading. She’s terrified nearly all the time, and I don’t think that will go away until she knows the threat is gone—which is something I’m only too happy to help with.

Neither me nor Jacob want to leave her, but we also don’t want to miss out on being part of Gregg’s downfall, and this is an argument we’ve had regularly over the last few days. Finally, we agreed to just talk to Indie about it.

As we lay in bed, due to leave in a couple of hours, I broach the subject. I’m reluctant as she finally looks well rested after sleeping for about four hours after her nightmare woke her.

She’s lying beside me with her head on my chest, Jacob curled up beside her with my arm wrapped around them both. She’s got one hand on my chest, while the other is laced with Jake’s. Her breathing is slow and calm, for the first time in awhile, and I hate having to do this now, but Jake glances at me, confirming now is the time.

“Dee,” I start, capturing her attention so she looks up at me. “Today is the day the Doughtys are going to interrogate Gregg. They’re confident the last five days of solitary confinement and mind games have softened him up enough that he’ll talk. I’m not so sure, but we are going to try. They’ve invited me and Jake along to be part of it.”