Page 43 of Never Gonna Lie (Forbidden #2)

Chapter Forty-Three

RAVEN

R olling over, I notice the space where James had been is cold and empty. I smile to myself before dragging my ass out of bed and heading for the bathroom. I clean my teeth and splash water on my face before grabbing the hair tie around my wrist and putting my wayward curls in a top knot.

Walking back into the bedroom, I reach down and grab my discarded dress. I would’ve worn one of James’s T-shirts again, but I can’t find one, and after the bathroom incident, I don’t want to go rooting through his drawers again.

Bounding my way into the kitchen, I come to a halt when I see my dad sitting at the kitchen island. I let out a gasp, and his head jerks up.

“Dad? What are you doing here?”

Does James know?

Of course, he does; he would’ve let him in. I swallow. Is James going to change his mind now that my dad’s here?

Dad smiles softly. “Hi, pumpkin. I came to fix some mistakes.”

I nod slowly, walking to the coffee pot. I need a moment to gather my thoughts; guilt over James sits heavily on my shoulders.

“I want to apologize, Raven.” He clears his throat. “I’ve made some terrible decisions, but I promise you, the threat on your life wasn’t any of my doing.”

Turning round, I glance at him. He looks like my dad, but doesn’t at the same time. His usual put-together demeanor is now a crumpled mess. “What happened?” I ask as I sit across from him.

He clears his throat before looking at me.

“I, uh, have a gambling addiction. It started after your mom died. I needed an outlet. It wasn’t a healthy option, but it was the only one available to me at the time.

” He sighs before continuing, “Emma helped me get clean when I met her. She was so good.” Dad smiles as if reliving the memory.

“But then you went away to college, and I felt like my world had been ripped apart again. I felt like I’d lost a part of your mom when you left and I…

just couldn’t cope.” Tears glisten in his eyes as he tells me his truth.

My heart breaks for him and the struggles he’s faced. I rush over to him and give him a hug, tears lining my own eyes. “Oh, Dad. I’m so sorry.”

“I’m the one who should be sorry. I failed you,” he utters.

I scoff. “You could never fail me. You’re my superhero.”

He huffs out a watery laugh and hugs me. “I love you, pumpkin.”

“Love you, Dad,” I reply.

“Ooooh, a hugathon, I want in.”

I jump away from Dad at the newcomer's voice. Twisting around, I take in the absolute god of a man standing before me. My mouth gapes open at him. Long blond hair tied up in a man bun and wearing a suit tailored to his every muscle.

His smirk tells me he noticed me checking him out, and I have to quickly shut my mouth .

“You’re early,” I hear James say as he walks into the kitchen. He’s still in the same clothes from last night, and I blush at the reminder.

“Traffic was good, so I made it here quicker than I thought,” the Viking god explains.

I peer over at James, and I notice his eyes have darkened. Desire pools in my lower abdomen—he’s jealous and I think I like it.

In a voice so unlike his, he says, “Morning, Raven.”

“Morning,” I squeak.

“Ah, so you’re the wonderful Raven that I’ve heard so much about the last eighteen years but have never met?” the Viking asks, jumping around on the balls of his feet like a kid.

“Erm, yeah?” It comes out as a question because I have absolutely no clue who this man is.

He stops bouncing and holds out his hand as he introduces himself, “Theo.”

His name clicks, and I smile, rushing over to take his hand. “Theo. I’ve heard so much about you as well. It’s so lovely to finally meet you.”

He pulls me in for a hug, completely taking me off guard, and I hear a low growl behind me. “Get your fucking hands off her.”

Theo pulls back slightly, a shit-eating grin plastered across his face as his eyes twinkle. He hauls me in for another hug as he says, “Mmm, you smell incredible. Like leather and smoke.”

I freeze in his arms.

“Theo. I’m not going to ask you again,” James warns, his tone low and dark.

Dad starts laughing. “Ease up, James. Theo’s just messing around. This protecting my daughter thing has gone to your head a bit too much.” He slaps him on his shoulder as James nervously chuckles.

Theo releases me, giving me a wink before heading to the fridge. “Got any food? ”

I glance over at James, who pinches the bridge of his nose. “It’s too early for your shit, dickwad,” he grumbles.

I laugh at the pair of them; they’re like a comedy show with their banter. I’ve never seen this side of James before. I’ve seen the sweet side, the dominant side, and the grumpy side, but never this. Just another thing to add to the reasons why I’m so head over heels in love with him.

“Do I need to make myself scarce today?” I ask as I sip on my now lukewarm coffee, grimacing at the taste.

“Yes—” Dad starts at the same time James says, “I think?—”

Dad gives James a weird look before turning his gaze back to me. “We have some things to discuss with Theo, pumpkin. Did you want to catch up with Mia?”

I nod. “Yeah, I can see what she’s up to.” I peer over at James. “I need some new… clothes.” His pupils blow wide at my suggestion, but my dad pulls us out of our heated exchange.

“Erm, I wouldn’t use the credit cards at the moment.” He clears his throat, his face going red and his eyes cast down.

“That’s okay, I can stay home.” I shrug, not bothered. “I can get some reading done.”

Dad smiles gratefully at me from across the room.

I’m rinsing my cup in the sink, just about to put it in the dishwasher, when I feel a body brush up behind me. I glance over at my dad, but his back is to us as he talks to Theo.

James presses up against me. “Clothes, huh?” he whispers in my ear.

“Uh, huh.” He knows I’m full of shit; most of my stuff has migrated here over the last few weeks. “Gotta keep things interesting.”

Something cold and hard slides into my hand.

When I look down, I notice it’s a credit card.

“Spoil yourself, pretty girl. You can show me later.” He winks before looking over his shoulder.

Seemingly happy with whatever it was he’s looking for, he leans down and places a quick kiss on my lips. I groan as he pulls away, wanting more.

Theo coughs. “Come on, big boy, leave the poor girl alone. She needs a real man.”

“Like fuck are you a real man,” James grumbles. “More like a cunt with long hair.”

Theo gasps at his chest in fake outrage. “The ladies love my hair, more to tug on.” He winks at me, and I think I swoon slightly.

He’s definitely got something going for him, but unfortunately for him, I only have eyes for one man.

“Neither one of you assholes will be touching my daughter. I’ll fucking shoot the pair of you,” Dad warns, eyeing both of them.

Theo bursts out laughing, James freezes, and I let out a nervous chuckle. “Yeah, right. As if, Dad. I’d rather not date someone as old as you,” I scoff, rolling my eyes.

Oh my god, I lied to my dad. There’s a special place in hell for people like me.

A pinch to my ass has me yelping. I jump away from James as I rub the sore spot.

“Good.” Dad nods his head, pleased that he’s got his point across. “No one will ever be good enough for my pumpkin.”

“And on that note, I’m out.” I kiss my dad on the cheek, pat Theo on the chest, and give James a lingering glance that’s full of heat for later.