He scrubbed his face before muttering, “I think you have some explaining to do, young lady.”

I smiled wider, hearing the switch in his tone from angry to miffed. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

He huffed. “Those allegations...are they real? He won’t hurt you?”

“He’d never hurt me in a million years, and as for the allegations, they’re in the past. He isn’t that same man anymore. You’ll just have to trust me on that and forget you read such things.”

“I expect a deeper explanation soon, Ellie, but right now, I’m just so glad you’re alive.” Peering around me, he asked, “Where are you?”

The outdoor lantern painted us in a romantic hazy illumination and the splash of Nirvana most likely distorted some of the sound but at least he could tell I was in one piece.

I was alive, and lucky enough to be sharing my world with someone I’d almost lost.

“I’m in the archipelago still, at the coordinates this phone gave you. It’s called Goddess Isles.”

“And that man who you assure me won’t hurt you? That pharmaceutical CEO who ought to be in prison if the newspapers have a shred of truth—”

“Sully, sir.” Sully leaned forward, crowding into the screen. His naked chest probably gave my father incorrect conclusions of what we’d been up to. “And your daughter is quite right, I would never hurt her and those allegations online are no longer who I am. However, I will admit that I would hurt any man or woman who dare put Eleanor in danger. She’s changed me in many ways, but I would still make others bleed if they put her life in jeopardy.”

“Sully,” I hissed. “Stop it.”

He just shrugged and raised an eyebrow. “You have my word, Mr. Grace, that you have nothing to worry about from me. I love your daughter more than I’ve loved anyone.”

“Eh...” My dad’s wrinkled cheeks pinked as Sully nodded respectfully all while Pika stayed dozing on his head and Sully’s eyes flashed with violence. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

Sully smiled, doing his best to shed his aggression and be magnanimous. “Let’s just focus on the here and now. It’s an honour to finally meet you.”

“Eh...likewise, I suppose.” My father swallowed, eyeing up Pika but deciding not to ask. “Um...you look different to your company photograph online. Clothing is preferable.”

“Suits have a tendency to hide the real man, sir.” Sully grinned. “And we’re currently in the tropics, so excuse my lack of attire.”

“Fine. And you don’t have to call me sir. Ross is good enough.” My dad sighed. “My name is Ross and, as long as you keep my Ellie safe, then...I guess the rest can be discussed at a later date.” He wasn’t happy and his many questions glowed in his gaze, but he’d always done his best at accepting my decisions and reserving judgment.

“Ross then.” Sully squeezed my hand, unseen from my father’s angle. “I’m the reason your daughter hasn’t called, I’m afraid. I...wasn’t well for a while and her attention was very gratefully on me. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here talking to you.”

My dad’s gaze snapped back to me. “What on earth happened over there? And what precisely is going on between you two?” His shoulders puffed up. “I think...I think I would prefer a private conversation with my daughter, Mr. Sinclair. I need to know she’s happy and taken care of.”

“Dad, I’m fine. Honestly. I know I made you worry and you’ll be utterly confused, but please accept that things are—”

“I understand your desire to speak to her away from me, Ross, but allow me to give you the information you require.” Holding out his hand, Sully waited until I’d placed the phone into it before leaning back on his lounger and saying, “Your daughter and I met through unconventional means, but I have full belief that it wasn’t chance but destiny. I know you have no reason to trust me, or believe a word I say, but I need you to listen when I say that I love her. I love her more than any achievement or asset, pet or person before her. I love her for her strength, her empathy, her stubbornness, and her kindness. I love her so much in fact, I’ve asked her to marry me, and she’s accepted.”

“Oh, my God.” I clamped both hands over my mouth.

My father let out a noise as if someone had punched him in the gut. “Marriage? Bit soon, isn’t it? Even if you do speak very passionately about—”

“Your daughter brought me back to life, sir. In so many ways. I know it’s tradition for the guy to ask the father’s permission, but I wouldn’t survive if you said no, so...I’m telling you that I am going to marry your daughter, and I’m going to give her every penny I own, every island I control, and share every remaining year I have left on this planet with her by my side. You are, of course, welcome to visit at any time. I will cover any ticket cost you require. You may request to come tomorrow, if you want. However, I must warn you. I have an agreement with Eleanor that means she will marry me the moment I can walk unassisted. That day is almost here, sir. And I will not wait.”

My dad choked, coughing no doubt on absolute shock. “What? Walk unassisted? What does that even mean? You can’t just marry her. Is that what she wants? What about her travels and career choices? Her friends? Just a minute here—”

“Sully, give me the damn phone.” I reached for it, but he held it out of grabbing distance.

“All this talk of love and weddings has ensured I need to go kiss your daughter now, Mr. Grace. Please be assured she is in the best of health and is safe and please...forgive me for this.”

“Sully, no, don’t—” I launched at him, Pika and Skittles darted into the sky, but I was too late.

Sully punched the hang-up button.

“Did you seriously just say all that and then hang up on my dad?”

“I did.” He tossed my phone onto the lounger, and with a groan and gritted teeth, he swung his healing legs over the edge of his lounger and pushed into a standing position. Snatching my wrist, he hauled me up with surprising strength. “Come on.”

I looked at my abandoned phone, wondering what on earth I could say to my dad. What would he think? Would he take Sully up on his offer? How did he feel about me marrying this egotistical fool who’d successfully stitched up my heart with every delicious word and sewed me to him for eternity?

Sully looped his arm over my shoulder. Without his cane, his steps were lumbersome and careful, his bones warning him not to exceed too much pressure.

I hugged him and acted as his crutch, guiding him around the dining table. “Where do you want to go?” I eyed up the edge of the deck and the crystal pool of Nirvana, silky and inviting beneath. We were too close. One wrong step and—

“I want to go swimming.” Sully fell sideways, pulling me with him off the deck.

Chapter Forty-One

I WASN’T PROUD OF what happened next.

I didn’t mean to pull Eleanor into Nirvana or instantly paw at her the second we broke the surface.

I’d grown hard while confessing my undying allegiance to my wife-to-be while talking to my new father-in-law. My cock had ached as my mind filled with indecent thoughts the longer I envisioned her as my wife with my ring upon her finger.