Page 86 of The Billionaires' Gamble

“We’re together. The four of us.”

“The four of you?”

I nod. “It’s unconventional, but it works for us.”

At least I hope it does. Because if I come away from the best weeks of my life with a broken heart, there’s not a punching bag on the planet that will survive me.

I can tell he’s working on the phrasing of his questions. Which is… refreshing.

He takes two more bites. I’m not sure if he’s buying time?—

“They make you happy?”

The fact that my dad considers my feelings and the impact of his words makes my mother’s faults all the more glaring.

“They do. We’re… a family.”

He nods, and Ford is uncharacteristically quiet. Aren’t they going to burst my bubble? Tell me that a Montgomery can’t possibly take up with three men at the same time? Remind me that one scandal is plenty?

Maybe they feel sorry for me after yesterday. Maybe they’re just biding their time until the shock has worn off.

“That’s all I ever wanted. I think that’s what most parents want for their children.”

Most parents.

Not all. Not my mother.

My stomach turns, but I refuse to waste another second feeling sick over that woman.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

The way he doesn’t even hesitate!

I don’t know how to ask what I want to know. The thought races through my brain, reorganizing the words over and over.

“Just say it, honey.”

“When you and Mother split up…” My words fall off, but my mind finishes the question: why did you let me go so easily?

“I thought you needed her more than me. My marriage to your mother showed me what I did and didn’t want in life. I never would have let you stay if I’d known this is how it would turn out for you.”

Years ago, I would have agreed with him. Even with all the browbeating, I thought, no, I was sure I was doing the right thing. It’d been too easy to brainwash myself into believing that my grandfather was proud of his Harvard-bound granddaughter, and that my mother couldn’t wait for me to join her at the helm of the family business.

I suppose I should be grateful that it didn’t take me forty or fifty years to learn these lessons. But still…

“Yeah, but if I hadn’t, I might not have found King or Alex or Gabe.”

He nods. “That’s a possibility.”

I glance across the beautiful backyard toward the pool house. “In that case, I think all her crazy was worth it.”

“Really?” Ford asks.

I mean, the kidnapping was beyond extreme. But I’m incredibly aware that even though I suffered mentally, especially during my teen years, I still had it good. Excellent schools, a safe home, money and then some. And until yesterday, I’d never felt like she was a danger to anything but my peace of mind.

Was all of that worth the mischievous smile on Gabe’s lips? The way he makes me want to be at the top of my game? The light and joy and laughter King brings? The peace and security I feel when I’m with Alex?