Page 13 of Triumphant Kings (Boys Of Kingston Academy #3)

Grayson

“ H ey, Pops.”

Dad looks up from his computer, smiling when he sees me stepping into the kitchen.

“Morning, son,” he chuckles. “What has you up this early?” he asks, looking back down at his computer. “It’s seven.” His eyes flick back up to me. “Is someone dying?”

“Ha,” I laugh, pulling the chair across from him out and taking the seat with a heavy drop. “Depends on how this conversation is gonna go.”

That has his face dropping. “Oh, boy. I’m not sure if I’m going to like this. Do I need our lawyers on speed dial?”

“Not unless it’s to defend you in court for killing me.” I give him a playful grin when really I feel like my heart is going to drop out of my ass.

Today is the first day back to school, and the morning after the very kinky and mind-blowing sex I had with Sadie.

She said Erin wanted me to talk to my dad, and it’s the least I can do. I don’t want to hide my relationship with Sadie any more than I have to.

Things between us are more serious than they’ve ever been, so it’s about time Dad knows. I mean, there's a chance he won’t kill me. Erin knows, and Sadie is still standing, so I'll take that as a good sign.

If I should be afraid of anyone, it’s my grandfather, but his opinion of me doesn’t matter anymore. After everything I’ve gone through with Sadie, I’ve been shown that money doesn’t buy happiness. I don’t care if my grandfather disowns me, takes me out of his will, and cuts all ties with me.

The only person’s opinion I care about is this man sitting in front of me. The man who’s always been there for me and has supported me no matter what.

Honestly, if he doesn’t approve, it’s going to gut me, because no matter what, I’m still going to be with Sadie.

“Grayson. What's going on? You're actually starting to scare me.”

“First, I want to give you a heads up. I’m calling Grandfather tonight and telling him my engagement to Sarah is over.”

He blinks at me a few times before saying. “I mean, it’s about time. I honestly thought you would have done that a long time ago.”

“What?” My brows furrow.

“Well, yeah,” he laughs. “Your grandfather tried to pull that shit with me when I was your age. The only reason why he got what he wanted was because I loved your mother. But you? You don’t even know this girl he’s set up for you.

I know you, Grayson, and you are not the kind of man who does something just because other people want you to. ”

“Hold up.” I shake my head. “So, you're okay with me not marrying Sarah?”

“Of course. I don’t care who you marry. As long as they treat you good and you're happy. I never fought him on the whole arranged marriage thing because you never made a big deal about it. But I knew that when the time was right, you would make your own choices and fight for what you want.”

“Huh.” I slump down in my chair, looking off to the side. His words hit hard. How did I ever get so lucky? It’s rare to get a good man as a father in this world, when most men only care about money and power. I really hit the jackpot with him.

“Are you really all that surprised?” he chuckles.

“No.” I blow out a breath, my eyes flicking over to his. “I guess not.”

“Good.” He nods his head. “Now, is there any specific reason you’re doing this now? Or just wanting to get it out of the way?”

I give him a nervous smile. “I have a girlfriend.”

“You do, do you?” he chuckles, closing his laptop and clasping his hands together on the table. “You’ve never been the one woman kind of guy. She must be a good woman if she’s managed to tame the great Grayson Taylor.”

“She’s amazing.” I smile. “Funny, smart, kind, loving, loyal.”

“What’s her name?”

“She makes my heart do funny things, my soul ignite.”

“And her name is?” he asks, raising a brow.

“Her sass.” I groan. “It’s so damn hot. She’s badass, Dad. Way too good for me, but I’m already too far gone to care, you know? Like I’m–”

“Grayson.” Dad chuckles, saying my name louder. “Answer the question, boy.”

Unable to look him in the eye when I tell him, because I’m a little bitch like that, I cover my face and lean my elbows on the table. “Sadie,” I mumble into my hands.

“How about we try that again without your hands muffling your words?”

Taking a deep breath, I sit up, move my hands, but keep my eyes closed.

“The woman I’m madly in love with, the one who owns me in every way, is Sadie.

You know, the same one who just became your new daughter, my stepsister.

Erin’s daughter.” The words come out in a rush, needing to get them out before I clamped my mouth shut and ran off.

When he says nothing and the silence goes on for way too long, I risk peeking an eye open and find him smiling at me.

I open the other and frown. “Why are you smiling? Shouldn’t you be yelling at me? Threatening to send me away to an all-boys school?”

He lets out a huffed laugh. “First off, you’re of age. I can’t make you do anything. And second, I’m smiling because your big grand confession isn’t a surprise to me.”

My lips part as I gape at him. “It’s not?”

“Boy, how stupid do you think I am?” he asks, still grinning as he sits back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “You look at that girl the same way I look at her mother: utterly smitten.”

“You’re fucking with me.” I narrow my eyes.

“No, I’m not,” he laughs. “Grayson, anyone with eyes can see how you look at that girl. Although sometimes I wish I didn’t because you really don’t know how to keep your bedroom eyes to yourself, do you?”

“Bedroom eyes.” I laugh in surprise. “Careful, old man, your age is showing.”

“Watch it.” He narrows his eyes playfully.

“So that's it? You're just... okay with this?”

“You say you love her?”

“More than my next breath,” I say without hesitation.

“And she makes you happy?”

“Didn’t even know what happiness was until I met her.”

He smiles softly and nods his head. “Then who am I to get in the way of that?”

“But she’s your daughter.” Yes, Grayson, remind him of the reasons why he shouldn’t be okay with this.

“She is. I love her like she’s my own. But the fact is, you two aren’t blood. You didn’t grow up together, and there's no sibling bond between the two of you.”

“Fuck no.” I snort.

“Then there’s nothing wrong with it. Although I'm not exactly sure how all of this is going to work, seeing how she’s married to Collin Jones. Well, Collin Killian now, I guess.”

“And Declan,” I point out.

“She’s still with him?”

“Never broke up.”

He nods. “I guess you're just going to be added into the mix?” he chuckles. “I’d say, it’s very unconventional, but fuck it. If you're all happy, no one else's opinion matters.”

“I’ve been a part of the mix for a little bit now.” I chuckle. “So has Preston.”

He lets out a low whistle. “You know this isn’t going to be easy. When everything comes out, you will get backlash.”

“I don’t care.” I shrug. “Like you said, none of their opinions matter.”

“And Bradly is just going to let his last son go?” Dad shakes his head. “Not without a fight, he won’t. If he and Tina broke off their engagement, I’d know about it. The whole damn world would.”

“He’s still working on that.” I sigh heavily. “Evil bitch is nothing but poison.”

“That I won’t argue with.”

“Well...” I fiddle with my thumbs as I tap my foot. “This went a lot smoother than I thought it would. I was expecting more of a fight, maybe you slapping me upside the head and calling me stupid.”

“I mean, I can still do that if you like.” He grins wide.

“Nope. That's okay. You already said you approved. Can’t take it back.”

Dad gets up out of his chair, and I do the same. Making his way around the table, he pulls me in for a hug. I squeeze him tightly, trying not to let the damn tears fall because fuck, this moment means a lot more than he thinks.

“I’m proud of you, Grayson. I love you. Now, go be the amazing man I know you are, love your woman right, and make the world a better place.” He pats me on the back before pressing a kiss to the side of my head.

“Thanks, Dad.” My voice cracks just the slightest.

We sit back down and talk a little longer.

I’m fucking beaming, so damn happy that everything worked out.

I knew deep down that Dad wouldn’t have disowned me; I was just preparing myself for the worst, although I did think he would have been a little apprehensive about it.

I wonder if he knows that Erin knew about us, and that because she was okay with it, so was he.

Either way, I’m not asking and I’m not pushing. He’s on board, that's all that matters to me.

Now, to just call up dear old granddad. I’m not telling him about Sadie. Knowing him, it would just be another target on her back. No, for now, all he needs to know is I’m taking control of my own life.

We’ll deal with the rest when it comes.

“Morning.” Sadie’s voice sends a spark of excitement through me. My head whips around to find her as she walks into the kitchen.

“Morning,” Dad replies, voice friendly.

“What are you doing up this early?” she asks, eyes scanning me. “You’re all ready for the day.”

“I couldn’t sleep.” I grin, getting up from my chair. Sadie walks over to the fridge, and I lean against the island, keeping a bit of distance from her even though I want to walk over to her, wrap her in my arms, and kiss her until she’s moaning against my lips.

But, you know, parentals watching and all that jazz.

“Yeah?” she asks, closing the fridge door and popping open a bottle of water. “Why's that?”

My eyes track the way she brings it to her lips, taking mouthfuls and swallowing as she goes. I bite my lip, my damn cock liking the sight of her too.

She looks so good this morning. Her hair is down and curly, a little bit of makeup, but that school uniform. I want to bend her over the counter, lift up that skirt, and fuck her right here.

Slowly, I bring my eyes back up to meet hers. She’s watching me, an amused look in her eyes as she waits for me to answer.

“Too excited.”

“For?”

“School, of course.” I grin widely, not at all, why I’m excited.

She huffs out a laugh, getting busy making something to eat. “School is the last place I’m excited to go,” she grumbles.

“It’s not so bad. Only a few months, then you have the whole summer off.”

“Yeah, and then three more years of the same bullshit with the same people.” She sighs, spreading peanut butter on her bread before folding it in half to make a peanut butter sandwich taco.

“Oh, also, I told my dad about us. Wanted to warn him that if he walks in on me fucking my little sister, there’s nothing to worry about.” I can’t help but love the way her eyes go wide in horror.

She chokes on her food. “Shit.” I laugh, grabbing her bottle of water. She coughs a few times, swallowing hard before chugging the water.

“What?” her voice cracks.

“Dear god, Grayson.” My dad groans. “Stop it with that shit. You're going to kill the damn girl.”

“Sorry.” I bite my lip, rubbing her back as I try not to smile. “You okay?”

Her pretty blue eyes narrow on me, pure murder shining back, looking so damn sexy.

“I’m going to kill you,” she hisses.

“Mhmm, baby, talk dirty to me.” I step forward, pulling her into my arms, blocking her from my father’s view, and leaning in to whisper in her ear so only she can hear. “Makes my cock hard.”

“I’m going to get ready for school,” she says a little too loudly, pushing away from me with pink cheeks.

I chuckle, watching her rush out of the room.

“Be ready in twenty. I’m driving that sweet ass to school.”

“I hate you!” she shouts back.

“Not what you were saying last night!” I call back laughing.

“Grayson,” Dad says firmly, warning me to knock it off..

“Okay, okay.” I hold my hands up in surrender. “I’m done.... For now.” I grin.

He sighs heavily, shaking his head. “Maybe I should have put down some ground rules.”

“Nope.” I head towards the door. “You already said your piece. No going back. Love you, byeeee.”

I’ve never been so excited to drive to school. I wonder if we can get a quickie in before the first bell.