“First, I want to tell you again how proud I was to be in the audience at your graduation and see you walk up on that podium for your diploma. You’re an amazing woman and I regret so much not being there for you while you were growing up. You should have never had to struggle as you have to survive and succeed.”
I lean over and place my hand over his, trying to dispel the tension in his body. The anger I felt toward him is gone. I no longer see him as the self-absorbed mogul who lived obliviously in his ivory tower downtown. I don’t want him to feel guilty anymore. In some respects, I believe I have accepted him so easily because as soon as he found out about me, he charged into my life like a lion, righting every single wrong within his power. My abusive mother is now in jail—no doubt thanks to threats of retribution from him—and my evil stepfather is dead. I have never asked Lee directly if he had anything to do with that—and I never will. Somewhere, deep inside, I know he may not have killed Jim Dawson, but he somehow started the ball rolling. I can’t be sorry, though. He had been a truly vile and evil man. Knowing he could never again inflict injury feels like an albatross of fear lifted from my shoulders. The scars he left on my body are the physical reminders of his torment but knowing it can’t ever happen again has allowed me to live freely for the first time in years. Lee also sat at a restaurant near his office every morning for a month in hopes that one day I would agree to meet him there and I finally did. We now have breakfast together once a week and a bond of sorts is forming between us. I might never call him Daddy, but he is important to me.
“Lee, thank you, but please don’t do this to yourself. I know you had no idea I existed. I think we both need to make our peace with that and move on.” Putting my other hand on my stomach, I add softly, “I made it despite everything and I’m happy.”
He swallows audibly before inclining his head. “I’m trying. I tend to dwell on things and that’s a tough one for me to let go. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, Lia.”
I can’t help myself. I begin laughing. Nothing about Lee Jacks says “old.” He doesn’t even look like it would be possible to have a daughter my age. Rose is a big Son’s of Anarchy fan and I watched it with her a lot when we lived together. Lee reminds me of a slightly older Charlie Hunnam. His hair is a little lighter but styled very similarly. They both have the same ruggedly handsome features, although Lee dresses in expensive suits versus jeans. Something about him says he might also be just a little dangerous. All in all, my father is a very handsome man—actually, Rose calls him sexy mob daddy, but I try to ignore that. “You look so young, you could pass for my brother,” I say honestly.
He gives me a soft smile that looks filled with pain as he says, “I was never young, Lia, even when I was a child.”
With complete understanding, I reply, “Neither was I, but my daughter will be. She’ll have the childhood we were denied and we’ll live every moment of it through her.”
“Indeed we will,” he agrees before seeming to make an effort to shake off his sober mood. “So, I came to ask you to consider a business proposal.” He holds up a hand when I begin to protest, thinking that he’s offering me another job in his company. “This is different, Lia, so please let me explain and then we’ll talk about it.” When I don’t protest, he begins. “I’ve recently purchased a medical staffing company. The business was once very successful and profitable but has fallen victim to bad management in the last several years. Squabbling among the officers and principals drove the company very nearly into bankruptcy. I saw potential though and bought it for a very good price. It’s going to be a challenge, but I believe strongly that with careful analysis and changes, it can return once again to the top.”
I’m hanging on the edge of my seat by the time he’s finished. My degree focused on this very principle and what he’s saying fascinates me. “That’s so exciting. I’m sure it will be just as successful as your other holdings at Falco.”
He takes his time before saying, “This company wasn’t purchased under Falco. I bought it personally.”
Confused, I ask, “Are you starting something new then?” Men such as Lee and Lucian rarely seem content with just remaining the same. The need to grow and expand is always there.
“I hope so,” he says as he stares at me. “I’d like this to be a joint venture with my daughter.”