Page 94 of Mile High Baby
I simply lay there wondering what was going through his head.
Finally, he came up to me, poking me hard in the chest. A blast of pain shot through me, making me wonder if he knew I’d been shocked by a cattle prod there.
“Okay, big guy. If you love my daughter and want her, prove it. Be with her. Make her stop crying. Make her happy or I will kill you.”
I looked at him, wondering if I was hallucinating. “What?”
“I’m not going to be the asshole here. If it’s true love, go for it.” He laughed like he was calling my bluff. “I bet you weren’t expecting that, were you? I won’t be the excuse you use to hurt my daughter, Alex. So now you have to decide whether you’re brave enough to be the man she needs, the man she thinks you are.”
A mixture of relief and terror washed through me. Relief that he’d accept me in Victoria’s life and terror that I wouldn’t be able to be the man she deserved. I’d already failed her by not stepping up to be a father.
“And on that, I’ll let you wallow in your pain.” He went to the door, opening it. Before he walked out, he looked over his shoulder. “By the way, thank you for saving her life and for risking yours to make us safe.” He was out the door before I could acknowledge his thanks.
“Wow.” I lay in bed not sure what to think, except that Henry had just given me permission to love Victoria. To be with her. Except... what if I failed? What the fuck did I know about love?
There is no greater happiness or adventure than letting the love of a good woman into your life.
Dax’s words filtered back into my mind. Was this how he felt with Vivie? Did Noel and Archer feel this? And what did I have to look forward to if I didn’t step up and grab love? The life of adventure I’d had before didn’t seem so appealing. Oh, sure, I wanted to travel and explore, but it would be so much more exciting with Victoria by my side. Victoria and our child.
The answer was clear. It had always been clear, but I’d been too afraid to act on it.
I pressed the buzzer for the nurse. “Yes, Mr. Sterling.”
“I’ve got to get out of here.” I fought the excruciating pain to sit up and swing my legs over the bedside.
“You’re not discharged. The doctor will be in—”
“I have to go now.” I slid out of the bed, my feet hitting the floor, jarring every bone in my body.
“Mr. Sterling.” She attempted to get me back in bed.
“Get the doctor. I need to leave.”
“You stay here.” She went to the door. “Make sure he doesn’t leave,” she told the guard.
He looked in, his brows raised as I waved him in. He stepped in, letting the door shut as the nurse went to get the doctor.
“What’s your name?”
“Doug.”
“Doug, I need to leave. You need to help me drag my ass out of here. Where’s my clothes?”
“I think Mr. Shepperd dropped a bag off.” He pointed to the corner. “Your other clothes were bloody and taken for evidence.”
“Right. Help me get dressed. We have to hurry.”
“I don’t think—”
“Don’t think. I’m your superior and I’m telling you that you need to help me break out of this place.”
I made a mental note to let Elliott know that I'd bullied Doug into helping me so he wouldn’t lose his job.
Getting dressed was like rolling in broken glass, but I did it. Doug checked the corridor. “I don’t see the nurse.”
“Good. Let’s go.” I felt a million years old as I hobbled with Doug’s help to the elevator and down to the garage where Doug arranged for a car.
Once in, I drew in a breath to manage the pain. I gave the driver the address. “Try to avoid potholes and quick stops, but more importantly, get me there quickly.”