Shattered Ties(65)

“No! And you can’t tell her. Please, Daddy. She’ll never let me see him again.”

“I’m not who she wants for Emma, but I’m sure you’ve figured that out already,” I added.

“I figured as much. Andria was always set in her ways.”

“And she’s a stuck-up bitch,” Emma said from the bed.

“Watch it, missy. You don’t speak like that in front of me.”

“Sorry, but it’s true. We both know it. Look, can you leave for a minute, so I can get dressed?”

He sighed. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. Jesse, I think it would be in your best interest to follow me out of the room.” “Yes, sir,” I said.

I followed him from the room and closed the door behind me. I hoped that Emma was hurrying because spending any alone time with her dad was not something I wanted to do after what he’d just walked in on. I considered myself lucky to be alive at this point.

He walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. “Have a seat.

I think we need to talk.” I sat.

“Obviously, I’m pissed at the situation that I found my little girl in a few minutes ago. I think any dad would be.”

“I understand. I’m sure I ruined any chance of you liking me.”

“I wouldn’t say that. You didn’t lie to me when I asked, so you have a few bonus points for that. Something tells me that things are serious between the two of you if she brought you clear to London with her.”

“It is. I would never dream of hurting her.”

“That’s good to know. I don’t know how much Emma’s told you about our family, but things are...complicated. Her mother and I are civil with each other but only for Emma’s sake. I haven’t been around much for Emma because of that, and I live with that guilt every day. I love my daughter, but I haven’t been a very good father to her. Instead, I left her with a woman I despise. I’ve always been afraid of what Emma might become under Andria’s control, but Emma has proven me wrong time and time again. My little girl is a good person. How, I’ll never know.”

“She really is. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who cares about people the way she does,” I said.

He smiled. “I’m very proud of her. She means the world to me, and I don’t want her to get hurt. Consider this your warning—if you hurt her, I’ll hunt you down and make you wish you’d never met her.”

I winced. “I understand. I promise that I won’t hurt her. I’m not good with people. I never have been, but for some reason, I opened up to Emma. I can’t explain it.”

“Do you think you love her?” he asked.

The question caught me off-guard. I was still trying to figure that out myself. I knew I felt something strong for her, but I wasn’t sure that it was love. After all, we’d only known each other a few weeks.

“I don’t know. I care a lot about her, but I don’t know if I love her. I don’t want to move too fast by throwing that out there unless I mean it.”

“That’s the best answer you could have given me. You’re both young, too young, to be in love. I know what it’s like to be seventeen and feel like you’re on top of the world. It will take a few years and a few times of getting f*cked over to knock you both down a few pegs. But if you do eventually realize you love her, hold on to her.”

“I will. I have no intentions of letting her go.”

“Good because you have a lot to face. The biggest problem will be her mother. While I have no problem with Emma dating someone who isn’t rich, her mother has always been about the money.” “I’ve noticed,” I grumbled.

“You’re going to have a hell of a fight on your hands when she finds out about you two. I’ll back you up, but there isn’t much I can do since I’m not around that often.”

“I know we’ll have to face her eventually. I’m just hoping it’s later rather than sooner.”

“You seem like a good kid, Jesse. I hope things work out.”

“Me, too.”

“What are you two talking about?” Emma asked from the doorway.

“I was just explaining to Jesse about my days in a biker gang before I joined the band...and all the ways I’ve killed men.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “He’s lying. Daddy wouldn’t hurt a fly.” “That’s what you think,” he said as he grinned.

“Jesse, if you don’t mind, I’m going to steal Emma away for the day. I have a show tonight at Royal Albert Hall, so I want to spend a few hours with her by ourselves.”

“Of course. I’ll just hang out here or walk around outside for a while.”

“Are you sure?” Emma asked. “I hate to leave you after you came all this way with me.”

“I’m a big boy. I can entertain myself for a few hours. Go have fun.

Bond. Tell your dad how awesome I am.”

They both laughed as they walked to the door.

“Just call my cell if you need anything!” Emma said over her shoulder. “I will.”

I sat on the couch for a few minutes, debating on what to do. I could stay here and sleep for a few hours, or I could go out and explore the streets of London. The chances of me ever visiting London again were slim to none, so I decided to explore.