She tilted her head. “I see you haven't lost the toothpick.”
He rolled it between his lips and grinned. “I see you haven't lost your puppy.” He glanced at Joshua's scowl and back at her.
“Where's the hoodie?” The bubbled pink gash on her cheek moved with her lips.
His own scar itched, but not with the same tingling connection he'd once felt. Maybe he'd imagined that bond. Perhaps their shared pain hadn't really been shared at all. He slid a palm down his tie and tapped the heel of his leather loafer beneath the table. Fuck, he was sweating already. He needed to lose the jacket. “People change.”
She held herself so impassive, so stock-still, one might question if she were breathing. “Why are you here?”
Typical Liv, skipping past friendliness and shoving straight to the facts. He could only blame himself for her coldness. Beneath that defensive shield lay the warm and caring woman she was, the girl who existed before he’d taken her.
The year that separated them should’ve tempered her visage, and maybe it had. Most likely, she wore her protective mask now because of him. His stomach sank. He was there to change that.
“I've stumbled upon something incredible” —someone with a wealth of spirit and strength, someone he hadn’t ruined— “that has put all my mistakes in perspective. I've found a reason to try harder. To be a better man.” Ah, there it was. A flicker of warmth beneath her frozen face. “I know I'll be a good father.”
Her thawing expression hardened into ice. “Absolutely not.”
Joshua grabbed her folded hands and squeezed. “Hear him out, Liv.” Green eyes locked with his. “You found someone?”
More like she found him. His very soul lay in the palms of her bound hands. He nodded. “I love her.”
Liv's lips twitched, barely a tic, but it could've been a smile. “Does she know what you've done? Did you tell her about us, all nine of us, and your father?”
He tapped the toothpick with his tongue and reclined against the seat back. “She knows everything.”
“I'm happy for you, Van.” It was undetectable in her tone, but a glimmer of sincerity touched her eyes. Then it was gone. “If she loves you in return.”
“She loves me.”
“So where is she? You're hardly a man who would leave his girl unattended. Why isn't she with you?” Her emotionless voice set his molars together. Worse was the diligence in her questioning. She didn't believe the relationship was consensual. She would’ve been right two months ago.
He held her unwavering gaze. “She's agoraphobic. She can't leave the house.”
“Convenient.” She inhaled a subtle breath, and her tone hardened. “Cut the crap, Van. No manipulations. No bullshit. Tell me what you want.”
He held his hands still on his lap and maintained strong eye contact. If he showed any sign of nervousness, she'd jump on it. “I want to meet Livana. Take me with you on one of your visitations.”
Joshua bent forward, his dark brows lowering over narrowed eyes. “You know about the visitations? You've been watching Liv?”
“Of course he has.” Liv stared back without a hint of surprise on her face. She was smart. She had to have known or at least suspected. “Stalking and abducting is what he does.”
His cheeks burned, and his body tensed. Yeah, he had been stalking. “She's my daughter, too.” How could he explain?
“Do you have someone tied up in your house right now?” she asked.
Fuck yes, and he was two seconds from shoving out of there to be with the one person who had faith in him.
She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “How many times a day do you beat her and make her suck your cock?”
He launched toward her, mirroring her pose. “Asks the hypocrite who fucks her slave boy on the kitchen table with a strap-on.”
She put a hand on Joshua’s suddenly heaving chest and sat back with a satisfied smile. “Only one way you'd know that. Some people don't change.”
The toothpick snapped between his teeth. He spit it on the floor and faced her again. “Come to my house. You can meet my girlfriend. She'll validate everything I've said.”
A waitress appeared at the table, beaming a smile at Liv. “That was an incredible performance, Miss Reed. The manager wants to meet with you before you leave to discuss a regular schedule.”
Liv nodded. “Thank you.”
“Can I get y'all any drinks?”
“No, we're good. Thanks.” Joshua waved her off and folded his forearms on the table. “Why on earth do you think I'd ever allow Liv to step foot in your house?” He continued in a harsh whisper. “You blackmailed her for seven years. Beat her. Raped her. Gave her no choice but to train and sell slaves.” His voice pitched in a state of disbelief. “You kept her daughter from her.”