Page 99 of The Surrender

His shoulders drop. “It felt like miles getting here.”

“Is that why you came? To see how long it took to get to your daughter?”

He cocks me a sideways smile. “I know I’m a pain in your arse, Amelia. I know I drive you to distraction. But the thought of another man being more important to you than me doesn’t make me feel very good.”

God love him. “No man will be as important as you, because you’re my dad.”

“That’s sweet. And this ... Jude. Does he support your career?”

“He does.”

“I see.” His nose wrinkles. “Nick stopped by earlier.” Looking at me, he squeezes my hand. “I get it now. I understand.”

“Understand what?”

“Well, he hardly lights up the world, does he?” He huffs to himself. “But he was predictable and reliable, and I know it’s awful for me to admit this, but he licked my arse so much, I knew he would never dare take you away.”

“That really is terrible.”

“I know.” He turns to me, smiling and cupping my cheek. “You’ll always be my little girl first.”

“I will.”

“Good.” He nods, assertive. “Then I suppose you ought to take me back into this outrageous mansion and I ought to show a bit of grace to the king in his castle.”

“Just one more thing.” I stop him from getting up. “Promise me you won’t mention Jude to Nick, okay? That has to come from me.”

“I promise,” he says, dropping a kiss on my cheek. “And promise me you’ll get that hand checked.”

“Promise.”

Settled, I smile wide as Dad helps me up and walks me back to Arlington Hall. I never for a moment considered there could be a deeper reason for his prehistoric stance towards my ambitions. Turns out, my old man is scared.

“Be nice, now, okay?” I order gently when we make it back to the Library Bar.

“Yes, yes.”

Mum and Jude are talking quietly, my man looking so insanely handsome as he smiles at whatever Mum is saying. When she spots us, she sits up, hopeful, and Jude cranes his neck a little to see, standing as we near.

Dad offers his hand, and Jude takes it, flicking his eyes to me. “You’ll look after her.” It’s definitely a demand.

“Without question.”

“Respect her.”

“Endlessly.”

Dad eyes me briefly. “Support her career.”

I laugh mildly and Jude smiles. “Always.”

“Love her.”

“Until I die, sir.”

“Oh, well, that’s a statement and a half.”

Mum looks like she might faint, her wide eyes jumping between Dad and Jude.