Page 42 of Stone (Claimed and Protected #3)

D aniella

Endings had never been a favorite pastime.

Whether reaching the end of my favorite book or a television series I’d binge-watched to get my mind off real life, hitting ‘The End’ always left me feeling empty inside.

When dealing with the end of a relationship, quietly or loudly leaving the situation was never easy.

But as I sat out on the deck peering at the gently rolling ocean waves, this particular end, while cold, filled me with a sense of satisfaction.

Would I miss my mother over the years? Absolutely.

Perhaps at some point she’d disengage herself from my father’s hold and we could spend some time together.

But I wasn’t holding my breath.

Not only was she a creature of habit, but she also hated ruffling feathers. Especially since my father never made their disagreements easy.

Stone had left me alone at my request, although I felt him hovering over me only feet away in case I had an emotional breakdown.

I loved him for his concern and his care, but I was much stronger than even two weeks before.

I took a deep breath as I lifted my phone from the table.

I’d experienced so many thoughts, so much emotion that I should be drained.

Instead, I was alive with energy, eager to begin the next phase of my life.

Was I certain what that entailed? Not yet, but I was coming close to making perhaps the most important decision of my life.

Whether to stay or go.

After dialing the number, I grabbed the wineglass and sat back. Surprisingly, I was completely relaxed.

“Daniella.”

My father’s voice was powerful as usual, but I detected a hint of uncertainty. It was good to hear since he’d tried in several ways to ruin my life.

“My son is an amazing young man, Dad. He’s kind and generous, intelligent and creative.

He’s the best of both Stone and me. But you wouldn’t know that.

Would you? You have no idea how amazing Tyler Warren is.

Of course, that is unless you continued your long-standing friendship with his mother, Senator Trish Warren.

Just in case you don’t know who she is, which is laughable at best, she’s on your oversight committee.

From what I can tell, the two of you have been friends since law school.

Naturally, you selected someone you knew and trusted to steal my child and keep your secrets.

Correction, the child I had with the love of my life.

Now, I’m curious how you feel about what you did.

Do you feel guilty or did you simply shove the decision you made into a tidy little box like you do everything else in your unscrupulous, corrupt life? ”

I took a deep breath, feeling more uplifted than I thought I would. It was as if a weight had been yanked from my shoulders, allowing me to breathe once again.

“You don’t understand,” he said much more quietly than I’d heard in my entire life.

“Okay. What don’t I understand, Dad? That you’ve tried to rule my life since I was born?

That you manipulated everyone around me, doing your best to ruin relationships?

That you did your best to drive away the only boy I’ve ever loved, who is now a fully grown and distinguished man?

Or perhaps you’re talking about your utter hatred of Carter Bellows? Is that it?”

His heavy breathing was the only indication he was even listening or was still on the line.

“Let me think,” I continued, purposely pausing for a dramatic effect, “you were trying to cover up something terrible that happened between you and Stone’s father, who you admitted had once been your friend.

Since Stone has the same incredible sense of self that his father did and a completely moral character, you weren’t able to destroy either man.

So, you took it upon yourself to perform an ultimate act of betrayal.

You lied about my son’s life. You dared tell me he’d died, paying another family off to take the grandson you refused to learn anything about so you could keep me on a short leash while bribing Stone to stay away from me. ”

“Dani, you have no idea how terribly sorry I am for the decisions I’ve made.”

“Save it, Daddy. I’ve learned through the years you simply have no capacity for guilt or apologies. There isn’t a thing you can say to me to right the terrible wrongs or to bring twenty years of my life, Stone’s life, or my son’s life back. Not one damn thing.”

Yes, I’d raised my voice slightly, but was proud of myself so far, I’d kept my cool. I felt Stone’s presence right behind me, standing guard like the protector and hero he’d been his entire life. Instead of feeling violated by his attention, I was exhilarated, comforted by his closeness.

And his love.

“Please. Just allow me a few minutes to explain.” Now my father was begging?

I laughed and took a sip of my wine. Merlot had never tasted so delicious. It was fascinating how more alive my senses were since being relieved of such a tremendous burden.

“Unless you’re willing to confess all your sins, which somehow include Matis Garnier, then I don’t think we have anything left to talk about.” He seemed genuinely surprised I’d put some pieces together. “What, Daddy? You didn’t think I realized the reason I was kidnapped was entirely personal?”

“Shit, Dani. If you’ll just allow me to explain.”

“No, Father. I will not. The truth is that you had your chance to come clean years before. Two decades before, but you chose to enshroud all your dirty little secrets with blackmail and extortion. No longer. As of today, you are permanently and forever out of my life. Do not attempt to contact me again.”

Ending the call allowed me a moment of elation. I closed my eyes, taking several deep breaths until I was completely calm.

Almost immediately, I felt Stone’s hand on my shoulder and all the tension, every last moment of anger faded. Just from his touch. From his care. From Stone being such a strong and powerful influence in my life. For that, I would be forever grateful.

As he moved onto the deck, he brushed his fingers over my shoulder and down my arm.

The light touch tingled every nerve ending.

We’d spent the early afternoon enjoying lunch at a favorite little spot of his where more islanders had greeted us both, even knowing my name.

The family atmosphere had been exactly what I’d needed.

Even if I’d shed a few more tears.

Spending just one day with my son hadn’t been enough but forcing him to be in our lives wasn’t something I was willing to do. I would honor his choices, unlike how my father had refused to do with mine.

Stone stood at the railing, staring out at the water. I could tell he was waiting for me to say something. Anything. And it was killing him. The telltale signs were the bulging cords in the side of his neck. I enjoyed the quiet moment of simply being in the same airspace while basking in the view.

Even the backs of his knees were sexy. With my wine in my hand, I finally joined him at the railing, crowding his space on purpose. “How’s my favorite hunk of a man?”

His slight growl would always bring a smile to my face. “I better be your only hunk of a man or I’ll be pissed.”

“Are you going to beat him up?”

He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me even closer. “I will. Just tell me where he is.”

I punched him in the gut playfully. “You’re a pussycat.”

“Apparently, you weren’t awake when I rescued you. Didn’t you see the Hulk exploding into the room?”

“Are you talking about Kage or Maddox?”

His laugh was deep and husky, allowing the shivers from before to become electrified. “Both.”

“Then, yes, I did.” I leaned my head against his chest, savoring every moment together.

As a quiet moment settled between us, I was surprised I felt no tension. None. Sadness? Yes. Remorse and regret? To a degree, but I was relieved Stone knew all my secrets and I knew his. If I never learned what my father was hiding, so be it. I’d learn to live with any possible consequences.

“I wonder if we’ll ever see Tyler again.” My words were barely more than a harsh whisper.

“We will. He seemed to enjoy his time with us.”

“He did, but he’s a young man on the cusp of the rest of his life.”

He eased his arm from around me, turning sideways and leaning his elbow on the railing. “That doesn’t mean he can’t or won’t value his extended family. He certainly doesn’t know us well, but he went to great lengths to discover who we were and found the courage to introduce himself.”

“You’re right,” I said and it was the first time I’d felt pride for my own son. “He did so by confronting his father for the truth.”

Stone grinned and pinched my chin between his thumb and index finger. “Sounds like someone else I know.”

“You mean like his father?”

I did so adore his laugh and after everything we’d been through, the dangers he’d put himself through, watching him more at ease brought tears to my eyes.

“Don’t cry, Dani. Everything will be okay.” He shook his head as if trying to drive aside my pain.

“I’m not crying because I’m sad, but because of how much I love you.”

Maybe he wasn’t expecting me to so blatantly admit what he already knew, but the surprise in his eyes kept prickles of heat shifting down my legs.

He said nothing at first, merely taking a few seconds to pull my glass of wine from my hand, placing it on the table. As he continued to crowd my space, I couldn’t help myself, placing my palms on his chest.

“Dani. I’ve never felt so strongly about anyone in my life other than you. Maybe you didn’t know it, but you brought such light and joy when I wasn’t entirely certain who I was or what would be best in my life.”

“Really? You were always so confident.”

“I was faking it. I wanted to join the Navy, but I wasn’t certain if it was the right choice. I didn’t want to leave you, but I knew I couldn’t stay in Roanoke or even Virginia.”

“How did you find yourself?”