“You almost ready?”

I looked in the mirror, and my eyes connected with Jay standing in the bathroom door. He wore his Yankees cap, a blue polo shirt and jeans. Regardless of the shirt he wore, he still exuded the edginess that never failed to get me hot and bothered.

“Almost.” I uncapped my mascara and ran a coat over my lashes. “I’m nervous.”

He came up behind me and grasped my waist. His front fitted to my back making me feel safe and calmed my nerves a bit.

“Don’t be. I’ll handle Annabelle. You just go say goodbye to your father.”

“Right.” I nodded my agreement and my throat threatened to close thanks to the thought of this probably being the very last time I would see him. Jeff had called a few days ago to let me know that hospice had been called in and they didn’t expect him to last much longer.

When Jay found me crying on the floor in my office, he made plans for us to stop on our way to the airport so I could see him. I was appreciative for the effort on his part and for his boys who were coming along. It didn’t help to alleviate my concerns about seeing that viper. Or potentially running into my traitor of a cousin.

Reports from Jay’s “guy” and Jeff’s investigator were getting a little more promising than what we had previously been receiving. We had just paid for them to take a trip to Maine where they had located a few people from Annabelle’s past.

Jay didn’t elaborate too much on what kind of information they possessed. He said that he didn’t want me getting my hopes up until we knew for sure what we were dealing with. It made me love him even more knowing he wanted to shoulder that burden for me. Regardless though I was still crossing my fingers and saying my prayers they found something. Especially now, because Jeff caught wind she was attempting to have my father’s will changed a few weeks back. My plan was to contest the will if she succeeded in doing so.

Only time would tell in all aspects of this whole sad affair.

Jay’s hands traveled up my sides and around towards the front where he gripped my rib cage just under my breasts. Such a tease, not going any higher. Some things would never change.

“Want me to help you relax? I have a few remedies up my sleeve that I think would serve you well.”

I rested my head on his shoulder and let out a disappointed sigh. “We don’t have time. I want to be able to spend as much time with him as I can today. If we start fooling around, I’ll feel guilty later.”

Turning in his embrace, I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You aren’t upset are you?” I asked with a pouty voice. I knew that voice drove him crazy. In a good way, of course.

He growled and grabbed my ass, hefting me up so that I had no choice but to wrap my jean-clad legs around his waist. His mouth took mine possessively as he backed me into the wall. I hit it with a thud, but didn’t care as he continued to make love to me with his mouth.

I broke away and stared at him as I panted and attempted to regulate my breathing. “Even though this is taking my mind off my dad, it isn’t helping our time constraints.”

“It’s your fault. You know better than to use that voice on me unless you want me to bend you over and shove my dick inside you so hard that you feel me in the back of your throat.”

I shivered thinking about the time I found out just how hard he could in fact fuck me from behind after I used that voice. Why do you think I used it as often as I could?

“My apologies, but we better get going. Let me down.”

He kissed me briefly and let me down. I grabbed my cosmetics case and went into the bedroom to finish packing. Suitcase zipped, I slipped my shoes on and followed Jay downstairs as he towed my bags.

Jerome was downstairs waiting to take us to my father’s house and then the airport. I greeted him with a kiss on the cheek, which earned him a hard glare from Jay, and then we were off.

The whole way out to the ranch my stomach had butterflies. I barely even heard Jay and Jerome talking up front. I couldn’t focus on anything other than my nerves. As we parked in front of the house, I took a few deep, calming breaths and got out in time to see Zeke, Mike and Killer pull up behind us.

Greta opened the door and pulled me into a tight hug. Tears started streaming down her face. I was immediately concerned that I was too late.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Miss Victoria. Your father isn’t good. He needs you.”

My heart picked back up into my chest from where it had fallen into my stomach. He was still alive.

“Where’s Annabelle?” I looked around, but I couldn’t see any signs that she was there.

“She’s out shopping with that disgraceful man. Your cousin. You go up quickly. I’ll help keep watch for her.”

“Thank you.” I took one last look at Jay, who gave me a small, half grin to let me know all was okay, then I ran up the stairs to my father’s room.

Inside was still as dark as I remembered it from the last time I had been able to visit. He looked even smaller in the bed if that was possible.

A young nurse excused herself and left the room to give us some privacy.

My father’s breathing was extremely shallow and raspy. It was heartbreaking to see him so fragile and so close to heaven.

I sat down on the bed next to him and reached out to gently stroke his hair. Inching closer I stretched out on the bed and curled into his prone body. Overwhelming grief took over knowing this would most likely be the last time I’d ever get to do this with him. This was the man who taught me how to count, to fish and to ride a bike, among many other things. He was the man who taught me what it was to love and showed me so often how special I was.

He was also the man who broke when my mother died. She was his soul mate, and he had told me that when she left, she took an important part of him with her. I couldn’t blame him for the years I didn’t have him the way I wanted. His grief was so heavy. I knew he did the best he could. I knew this because I had grieved right alongside him.

“I love you,” I said, hoping he could hear me. “I love you so much, daddy.”

“Love.” The word was so low that I barely heard him. I sat up and looked down on him, but his eyes were still closed.

For a brief moment, I thought I had imagined hearing him speak, but then he did it again.

“Want. See. Brenda.” Each word was followed by a long pause and spoken so faintly I could hardly hear what it was.

Pain pierced my heart when he said he wanted to see my mom. He really had taken a turn for the worse. There was no denying it, regardless of how hard I wished that some miracle would sweep in and make everything better.

“It’s okay, Daddy. You’ll see Mom soon. Just rest.”

I kissed his cheek and laid my head back down on the pillow next to him. I wrapped my arm around his middle. I stayed that way for a long time. Trying to put my life into my father. Knowing it was futile, but trying just the same.

It’s so unfair to have to say goodbye to someone before you’re ready. To have to watch as they fade away. To see the life seep out of them.

I wanted to scream and cry. I wanted to throw things so that someone might make the pain go away.

The rational side of me knew that it didn’t make sense. So, for yet another time in my life, I was going to have to be strong and deal with what life was throwing my way.

* * *

Jay

The boys bullshitted while my head was upstairs with Tori. This shit had to be hard on her. I had never lost a family member, but I had buried a few good friends over the years thanks to life on the streets. I knew how bad it could cut you.

Part of me wanted to be up there with her to absorb some of her pain, but I knew I was needed down here.

“Oh dear!” Greta cried out and raced towards the front door.

I looked out the window and saw Annabelle and Rich walking up the front steps. Shit was about to go down.

“Yo,” I called out to the guys and pointed towards the door with two fingers.

We all got up and headed into the foyer, so we could head them off before they went upstairs and disturbed T’s time with her dad.

I stood in front of the stairs leading to the second floor with my arms crossed and a gun tucked into my waistband. Even though I made a conscious effort to stay away from the filth that surrounded me growing up, I wasn’t averse to protecting the people I cared about. I’d learned a thing or two over the years, and I’d happily practice them today if need be. It wouldn’t be the first time.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” Annabelle shrieked from the doorway. T’s dumbass cousin went to block her with his body. What a misled allegiance that was.

“Yeah, I want to know why you think you can just barge in here whenever you feel like it. This is private property. If you don’t leave we’re going to call the cops.”

“Go for it,” I invited. “I’ll remind you though that you didn’t do it before. And it’s probably for the best you don’t do it now either.”

I was actually surprised her cousin hadn’t called the cops after the fact. I thought for sure he’d be stupid enough to go there once he felt like we weren’t a threat any longer.

Annabelle’s face twisted into a sneer. “Maybe I don’t care what you think. That bitch doesn’t deserve to be here. This is my house and I am the one who decides who can come inside.”

“He’s dying,” Killer said in disbelief. Even the most coldhearted son of a bitch knew that this was fucked up.

“You think I don’t know that? It can’t come soon enough! Every day this place reeks more and more of death!” She screamed back at him.

Shit, this bitch was totally fuckin’ whacked.

“Do you hear yourself? There’s a man lying upstairs preparing to take his last breath. And with him is his daughter. His flesh and blood. You think you can stand there and make judgments about who should be with him in his final hours? I should shoot you now.” I drew out my gun and pointed it right between her eyes. Her eyes widened, and she gulped loudly.

“This is insane!” Rich shouted. “You’re nothing but thugs. All of you! Do you really think Tori is going to keep you around?”

The guys all laughed at his description of us. I fought the urge to roll my eyes and lowered my gun, tucking it back into the waistband of my pants. So narrow minded.

“I have a feeling I’ll be around for a while.” I crossed my arms again.

“Sure, as long as you’re giving her money and keeping her in the lifestyle she’s used to. Once she doesn’t need you anymore, she’ll move on. You’re just a phase to her. A way to live wild and reckless,” Rich continued to needle me.

Internally, I winced at the suggestion that I was just a phase, but outwardly I didn’t even allow the muscle in my jaw to tick. I didn’t want to give Rich the satisfaction. When I didn’t answer him, he went on with his rant.

“Tori decided to go slumming when she hooked up with you. If you compared yourself to her exes you’d know that.”

“Her ex-fiancé was a banker and his parents owned the country club. You’re nothing like him. He was refined and cultured. And his clothes actually fit,” Annabelle chimed in.

At the mention of her ex, I clenched my fists tighter under my armpits. This wasn’t the first time I had heard about him. It was the first time I was getting any real information though. Tori had conveniently forgotten to tell me anything about him or their time together. Now I knew why. Because I was the exact opposite of him.

Maybe she was just slumming after all.

“I think it’s best you shut your mouth. ‘Cause see I’m gettin’ the sudden urge to see if my gun fits inside it.” Zeke took a menacing step towards the couple, and I fought back laughter at the way they started to cower. Seems they were all full of bluster, but no action to back it up.

“Black and white doesn’t mix,” Annabelle yelled sounding hysterical. “There I said it. You don’t go together and she’s going to realize it one day and leave you high and dry.”

“Do it, Zeke.” The words were barely out of my mouth before I heard his gun cocking.

“You’re going to regret this,” Rich warned. Apparently, he didn’t have any common sense whatsoever.

“Way I see it is, you’re going to regret hitchin’ yourself to this crazy bitch. The intel I got is seriously fucked up. Isn’t that right, Suzy?”

“Now you’re just making shit up. Who the fuck is Suzy?” Rich demanded to know. My focus was on Annabelle though and the fact that her face drained of color faster than I’d have thought possible. Seemed we were on to something here.

“I’m sure Annabelle can tell you who Suzy is.” I left it at that. Until we had hard proof about her past, I didn’t want to say too much.

“Annabelle?” He asked.

She turned to him and let out a laugh that was most definitely panic stricken. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just trying to start trouble.”

Done with this whole scene, I looked at my watch and decided it was time to go get Tori. We had a plane to catch, and I was over these assholes.

“You guys got this?”

“Yeah.” Killer moved over and took my spot in front of the stairs, blocking them.

I took the stairs two at a time and went to the door at the end of the hall that I knew she’d be behind.

The door swung open, and I was immediately brought to my knees when I saw Tori lying next to her dad with her arm wrapped around him. She was singing “My Girl” softly. As I stood there her breath hitched a few times through her tears, but she still put so much of her heart into that song.

In that moment, she looked so damn vulnerable and small. Like a little girl looking to her father to make everything better again, just like she knew he could always do. All I could imagine was my little Jazzy lying there, and I knew I wanted to be that person not only to my daughter, but to Tori too.

My hand gently ran the length of her arm to get her attention. She startled and looked up at me.

“Is it time?” She asked as tears streamed down her cheeks like a waterfall.

Overcome with emotions looking at her, I couldn’t get my voice to work so I just nodded. All I wanted to do was pick her up and hold her tight.

Her eyes slowly closed like she was in great pain. She curled into her father’s body again, so I turned and took the room in to give her a little privacy. Her goodbye was an intimate and personal thing that I didn’t exactly feel comfortable watching.

Her soft murmurs lasted for a few moments, and then she slowly sat up in the bed. I instantly went to her, wanting to console her and take away some of her pain. I was a fixer by nature, and it was wearing on me that I couldn’t make everything right in her world.

Tori’s hands curled into the shirt on both sides of my waist, and she face planted into my abdomen. Tears racked her body as she sobbed into me.

“It’s so unfair!” She wailed. “Why couldn’t I have more time?”

“I know baby,” I murmured and wrapped her up in a tight embrace.

After several minutes her crying slowed, and she looked up at me. I rested my hands on either side of her head and used my thumbs to wipe the tears flowing from her eyes.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“I’d do anything for you, T. Told you that already. Don’t ever thank me for taking care of you. I’d die doing it.”

A fresh sob made its way through her, and she tightened her arms that were still around my middle.

“Take. Care. Her.” The words were barely louder than a breath, but their meaning couldn’t be mistaken. Her father was giving me his blessing, which was humbling. Especially since he barely knew me.

“Always, sir. I’m honored to.”

When he didn’t respond again, I decided we needed to go. For as much as it killed me to be the one who took her away from this moment, it was for the best that we were getting out of there. Some time in New York might be good for her to clear her mind of everything stressing her.

“You ready?” I asked her and lifted her up from the bed.

“Yeah. I guess.” She turned back and placed a kiss to her father’s cheek. “It’s okay, Daddy. I’m going to be alright. Go be with Mom.”

I led her from the room by the hand and stopped once we were in the hall.

“You going to be okay?” I asked her.

She gave me a shaky smile and a slight nod of her head. “As long as I have you, I’ll be okay.”

“You’ve got me, baby. No doubt about that.”

“Good. We’ve got a plane to catch right?”

“Yeah.” I knew she needed the subject change. And I respected it.

“Then we’d better get going.”

We started towards the stairs again, but she came to an abrupt stop a few feet from the landing.

“They’re here aren’t they?” She asked, referring to Rich and Annabelle.

“Yeah.”

“Can you do me a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Can you get me out of here without having to see them? I don’t think I can take that right now.”

“Of course. Stay here.”

I jogged down the stairs and did just what my girl needed, and fuck, but it felt good to slap those asses around a bit.