Bella’s pleading tone and stubborn refusal to move cooled my anger somewhat, and I took some calming breaths. It didn’t matter the situation. Things always turned into an argument with my dad. However, he’d started it this time, attacking Bella before even properly introducing himself to her. I couldn’t tolerate it. My promise to make her happy included protecting her from jerks like my dad.

“Please,” Bella begged again, giving me a pouty look that was totally undoing my ability to reason with myself. “Nothing will be resolved if we leave now. Let’s explain the situation and the plan to them. You owe them that much. They’re your parents.”

Her levelheaded coolness was more than I deserved. How did she save me when I was the man who’d ruined her? It wasn’t fair, but I couldn’t turn away from her kindness or her logic.

“Okay,” I agreed, stepping in close to press a kiss against her cheek. It was both to thank her and to show my parents that they couldn’t shake my resolve to stay with her, no matter what they said. “I’m glad I have you here to keep me calm. You’re absolutely right. Let’s sit back down.”

Mom gave an obviously relived sigh, turning a much more favorable smile toward Bella. It was her true smile, not her public one, and it made me realize that everything might be okay after all. “Thank you,” she whispered, nodding her head in a small bow of acknowledgement before returning to her seat beside Dad.

As we resumed our own seats, Dad nodded to Bella as well. “Yes, thank you. I should have asked questions politely before jumping to assumptions, and I’m thankful you’re generous enough to give me a second chance.”

It was hard to hold back my shock. I’d never seen my father back down so quickly from a mistake. No matter what, he held fast to his convictions, never caring about what the other side said, never thinking anyone could be half as smart as he was. It was one of the things I hated most about him. I found myself in that position at times, turning cocky and believing I was right. It wasn’t a joke when I told Bella I needed her to knock some sense into me when this happened, and tonight she’d already proven her usefulness in that regard.

Apparently, seeing this had also reassured Dad, and he seemed willing to at least listen. As far as I knew, even in a debate at his job, he’d rarely back down and switch his position. Bella really was a miracle worker.

“Okay, Dad, let’s talk this through. Bella is right that you guys are entitled to have your suspicions, but I need to tell you the situation. I already have a great idea to combat any negative publicity from Bella’s life, and I think it will actually help me.”

Of course, I couldn’t tell them that I owed it to Bella. My parents never had any clue that the month I’d disappeared from home had been spent with gang members. They had no idea the kid who’d slit a girl’s throat for a measly eight-hundred dollars had been their own perfect son. They would be floored to learn how I’d ruined a lovely girl, just to prove that my father wasn’t always right.

Damn! I hated thinking about it myself. He pissed me off so much! Why did he always think everything had to be his way? It had never mattered how good my grades were, how much my karate instructor praised me, or whether I did everything the man asked, including giving up my art and piano playing. He’d never been satisfied. Mom spoiled me like crazy, but anytime Dad was around, I’d felt trapped and constrained, bursting to get away from the life of a Representative’s kid.

Being away from him, I’d let myself forget the true reasons I’d rebelled. Not that it excused what I did to Bella. Lot’s of kids had jerks for fathers. They didn’t hurt others because of it.

I firmly reminded myself again how fortunate I’d been to grow up in this life. All I had to do was look at Bella’s childhood. It was so much harder than mine, and yet she’d done everything she could to help her parents. If my father was demanding, he had that right. He’d provided us with so much, and I should have been more grateful. If I was a better person, Bella would have never had to suffer the way she did.

“Son?” Mom asked, voice gentle. “Are you going to tell us the plan?”

Bella’s large brown eyes looked up at me, full of concern. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Sorry, lost in thought.” I forced a laugh. “Just wanted to organize the bigger points to make sure you understand everything Bella and I have planned.”

Quickly, so no one would question the way I’d spaced out for a minute, I detailed what happened to Bella—leaving myself out of that story—and my strategy to turn it into a positive.

“So,” I concluded, “the self-defense classes will be a big part of my campaign, and I’d like women’s rights and safety to be a cornerstone of my platform.”

Dad frowned. “That’s not something we’ve ever done before. I’m sorry that Bella’s had a tough life, but that’s not the sort of thing this family works on. We’re infrastructure and transportation people. That’s our platform. It’s what wins elections.”

I stifled a sigh. I should have known he wouldn’t like the plan. My father had never approved of anything that deviated from his vision for the future.

“Things are changing, Dad,” I said. “I’m not going to abandon your favorite projects, but I also need a direction of my own. Until meeting Bella, I didn’t realize what my true passion was, but I want to protect people.”

Dad grimaced. “Then stop wasting my time and money and go be a damn police officer! Your job isn’t to protect the weak, it’s to make the country run.”

Mom raised an eyebrow at him, clearly skeptical. “I thought that was the same thing.”

“Well...” Dad grimaced. “The boy has too many ideals. Politics don’t work like that. How many companies are going to back this thing he wants to do? Self-defense classes, really? There are already too many damn bleeding hearts out there doing this sort of thing. It isn’t unique. It’s not going to win him an election. He needs hard hitting issues. The pipelines, deteriorating waterworks, hell, even fixing the economy. He needs something strong that our family is known for.”

Bella’s grin didn’t look natural. “So, Mr. Grogan, you don’t find women’s rights to be worth your time? I wonder if your current voters know that.”

Dad snapped his glare toward her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She shrugged. “Nothing. It was a simple observation. Your son wants to have a more noble purpose. Isn’t there any way you could support him in that?”

She was barking up the wrong tree, trying to get Dad to change his stance, but I couldn’t help but be pleased at the warmth that flooded through me at her words. She believed in me. I could make life better for other women. I could help prevent some other young, stupid kid from ruining another woman like I’d done to Bella. Just knowing she was on my side in that goal made it seem like it could be reality.

“You have a point, Dad,” I said when it seemed he couldn’t come up with an answer to Bella’s question. “There are a lot of people already fighting for women’s rights and trying to help them become safer in society. My platform’s nothing unique. Bella’s the only thing that makes it unique. However, I see no reason we couldn’t collaborate with those already working on this. We have a lot of resources at our disposal, and I think Bella’s story will generate interest in gaining more support.”

“What you think doesn’t matter. You’ll lose the election and ruin my legacy with this plan,” Dad said bluntly. “This is a stupid idea.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “I should have known you’d see it that way.”

I glanced at Bella, darting my eyes to the doorway. Already understanding, she gave a small nod. It was time to go. There was nothing further we could do here. Normally, I’d end up leaving pissed off, wanting to punch a wall or a person. I’d want to make someone hurt as bad as I did at my father’s continued rejection. However, with Bella on my side, I found that anger had completely disappeared.

“Mom, thank you for having us for dinner.” I stood from my seat, rounding the table and giving my mother a kiss against the cheek. “We’ll see ourselves out. Please have a good night.”

Bella had already stood from her chair, and when I rejoined her, she threaded her arm through mine. “Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Grogan. I’m pleased I was able to meet my husband’s parents. Please don’t worry. I’ll do whatever it takes to support him.”

Dad refused to look at us, but Mom smiled at Bella. “Thank you, Bella. This is the best resolution to a dinner that we’ve had in years. It wouldn’t have happened without you.” She glanced at Dad, but he still looked resolutely away. Mom shrugged. “We’ll think about what you said. Personally, I find it a commendable goal. You have my support, Damian.”

The shock of my mom speaking her own mind instead of agreeing with my father was almost too much to handle. “Thanks, Mom.” My voice was shaky. “I really appreciate that.”

“Don’t be a stranger, okay?” Mom said, a hopeful glint in her eyes. “Bella, perhaps we could meet for lunch one day in the city?”

“I’d like that,” Bella readily agreed. “Give me a call whenever you’re free.”

With an ending more congenial than I’d hoped, I gently turned Bella toward the house, quickly marching through it and out to the waiting car. When James opened the door for us, I ushered Bella inside before glancing at him. “Take us home.”

“Right away, sir,” James agreed. “Are you okay?”

Even though he was a member of my staff, James knew me better than anyone at this point. Since he’d been with me since I was a preteen, he always knew what I was thinking. He certainly understood how encounters with my father troubled me.

I flashed a smile. “Bella made a huge difference. Don’t worry. I’ve found a good wife to support me.”

“That’s excellent, sir.” His smile widened as I climbed into the car.

As soon as the door shut, Bella turned to me, frowning. “You kept saying they’d love me. That didn’t feel like love!”

“I know, I know.” I kept my distance, even though I longed to gather her in my arms and feel the comfort of her warmth. “I should have been more honest, but I didn’t want you to worry. Things are always like that with my dad. It really had nothing to do with you, per se. If it wasn’t you, he would have found something else to bitch about. I’m never going to be good enough to please the old bastard.”

She giggled a little at that, relaxing enough to reach her hand across and reclaim mine in her small, soft one. “I suppose he’s the reason you egged houses and smashed mailboxes? Wanted to give the old man something to worry about?”

Her teasing tone had me smiling again. It was amazing how she could do this to me. I’d never felt so comfortable with another person. “Was it that obvious?”

“Oh, yes. He’s a hard ass, for sure. I think we should meet my family soon, give you an idea of what a real American family looks like.” After a second, the smile fled from her face and she gasped. “No, no. Sorry. I didn’t mean that. All families are different. I didn’t mean to insult yours.”

“Don’t worry,” I reassured her. “I’m the one who called him a bastard.”

“Yes, but you’re his son. You have the right to complain about him. I could talk bad about my folks all I wanted, but if someone else said something.” She barred her teeth. “Grrrr... them’s fightin’ words.”

I couldn’t contain my laughter. “How do you make me so happy?”

“Hmmm...” She shrugged, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “Didn’t you say our marriage was destiny or some such crap? Maybe you’re right. We were destined to meet. I landed a hot, sexy, rich, kind, compassionate husband, and you got... well, you got a mess of a woman who’s very grateful you found her.”

“Don’t say that.” Without waiting for permission, I pulled her to me again, fitting her small body against me, stroking her silky hair between my fingers. “You aren’t a mess. You’re perfect. I... I’m going to help you see that!”

The guilt was almost too much to bear. She was too sweet, praising me. If she ever found out the truth—no, I couldn’t think like that. I’d make her deliriously happy. Soon, I’d help her realize her worth. She’d never find out the true connection between us, and I’d make her the happiest woman in the world.

“I’m going to show you your full potential,” I promised. “I’ll make you see what I see. You’re precious, beautiful, smart, funny, and, above all, the perfect match for me. I need you in my life, so stop heaping praise on me. You’re the one who saved dinner tonight and allowed me to talk to my parents calmly instead of leaving in a huff of anger like usual. I’m the one who’s lucky to have found you.”

She sighed, sounding happy and content. “Okay. Let’s not argue. How about we agree that we’re both good people doing the best we can, and let’s continue working toward a bright future.”

I cupped her cheek in my hand, gazing into her beautiful eyes. “That’s more than I deserve, but I’m so happy you want that.”

Taking her mouth tenderly, I covered her in kisses the entire drive back to New York City.