Page 14 of Forbidden Bliss
My nostrils flare with each quick breath I take, my fists preparing for a potential physical altercation. I stand my ground. “Well, I’m here now, and I’m not backing down. I’m Tristan Wolfe—not my father.”
Hunter moves closer, his hands clenching and unclenching. “Too late. You’re a carbon copy of the guy. You’re a Wolfe.”
Grimacing, I shake my head. “I don’t need your approval.” Turning, I face Willow. “I fully believe in your abilities to care for yourself and Lana. It’s not that. I want tobewith you, and I want to be a father to Lana.”
Hunter steps in front of me, blocking my access to Willow. “No. You should go.”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair before lifting my chin higher to refocus on Willow.
She looks torn as she presses a fist to her lips.
Time slows as I gaze at her pained eyes. My lungs constrict, making it hard to breathe, but I try once more. “Is this what you want?”
She doesn’t answer.
“Did you hear me?” Hunter’s hand taps his holstered gun, the threat clear. “Your rent is up. Leave town, Tristan. I won’t let you hurt them again.”
Willow’s body posture collapses as she turns away. When she faces me again, her mouth opens, but nothing comes out. Her eyes shimmer with unshed tears.
Throwing my hands up, I turn and stalk out the exit. The door’s closing thud reverberates through me, like a sound marking the end.
Back at the rental unit, my mind churns as I stuff my belongings into my bag. The pain of leaving them behind feels as if a knife is twisting in my torso—sharp and unrelenting. Each passing minute feels like it pushes me further from the possibility of redeeming myself.
Images of the past few days flash through my mind—of seeing love again, and meeting a daughter I never knew I had. But it’s all gone now.
The past crushes me, but the fear of history repeating itself makes things even worse. While I finish packing, my brain replays Hunter’s words, his threats, and the look of hurt in Willow’s eyes dozens of times until I can no longer bear it.
I load the last of my things into the car and take a final look at Hunter and Willow’s house. As the sun sets, I breathe in the cold evening scent of pine and earth before slipping into my Lambo and turning the key to start the ignition.
I’m unwanted here. I’m going home.
Chapter 7
Willow
HunterandIstandin the aftermath as the evening desert sun seeps through the large kitchen window. His jaw sets as he grabs a chair and sits at the table. “What just happened?”
I roll my eyes as I sink into a seat across from him. “Hunter, it’s complicated.”
He crosses his muscular arms and leans back in the chair. “I have time. Tell me what I need to know.”
My lips tighten before I lift my chin and tell him the truth. “We’re together again. As a family.”
Hunter’s eyes blaze with an intensity that sends chills across my back. “Stay away from him. He’s a Wolfe, and he’s no good.”
His voice is like a whip, sharp and unforgiving.
My heartbeat pounds hard against my breastbone. “You don’t even know him.”
Hunter’s tone drips with disdain. “Yeah, that’s because he hasn’t been around. He’s the very definition of a deadbeat dad.”
I lean into him. “Not anymore.”
Hunter’s eyes narrow, the muscles in his jaw ticking as he struggles to contain his anger. “So he shows up and you’re ready to forgive him from one day to the next? It doesn’t work that way in my book.”
“Come on, Hunter. You’re being stubborn.” An ache sears my temples. Why is he not understanding this? I steady my vocal cords to talk sense into him. “He told you the truth. His father forced me out and Tristan had no idea what was going on. He had no idea I was pregnant.”
My brother’s mouth twists, but he says nothing.