"He's sor-" he tries to say.

My blood starts boiling. How could her dad know and not have stepped in?

"When?" Livi's voice is stronger now.

"Two years." He closes his eyes.

"You've known for two years and never-" She stops when I put my hand on her shoulder.

"You?" he questions me.

"I'm Olivia's man." I wasn't gonna say boyfriend, but I wanted him to know what a man is. I am trying to calm her while fighting like a motherfucker to tell him he isn't a man. A man steps in to protect his woman and his kids.

"Hendrix Caldwell, this is my father, Darren Hemmingway."

I nod, and he tries to as well.

"You have an amazing girl here. Strong, smart, and a worker."

"Job?" he croaks out.

"He owns a bar," she answers. "In Detroit."

"That's how we met," I tell him. "Livi applied for a position when she was walking in the freezing cold, 'cause her car broke down. Like I said, she's a worker. Doesn't expect something for nothing and wouldn't take a hand out if offered."

"Good. Girl."

"She certainly is." I wrap my arm around her and pull her against my side.

There is silence for a while, and I force myself to step away, but she grabs my hand and rubs it.

"Sorry," he slurs again.

"I accept your apology," she says in a much different tone. Livi sounds strong for the first time since receiving the phone call about him.

"Bryce. Sorry."

"Dad, please don't push."

"So. Sorry. Failed. You."

She nods. "You need to rest. I'm going to talk to your doctor, give them my number, and then be back in a few hours."

With that, we walk out in the hall where she turns and wraps her arms around me. No words need to be exchanged; she simply needs to be held. So I fucking hold her, and hold her tight.

Eventually, something jars her, and she pulls away.

"Olivia?" I look up to see a woman walking toward us. Not just a woman, though; an older woman and a younger man.

Livi turns, still holding my hand, and freezes.

"I'm glad you could make it."

Livi doesn't say anything, not one thing, and I have no clue what to say. However, when I see the way the man looks at her, I am ready to blow.

"You wanna get out of here?" I am growling.

She shakes her head.

"Hello," she croaks out.

"Olivia, you look-" He pauses then looks at me. "Can I have ten minutes?"

"No," I respond, pulling her closer to me.

"Bryce, you don't have to-"

"Enough, Mom. Enough," Bryce snaps at the stepmother then looks back at Livi. "I don't deserve this, but I want ten minutes of your time." He looks at me. "I won't hurt her."

"You're damn right you won't," I hiss at him.

He takes in a deep breath and looks at Livi. "I need to talk to you."

"Were you in Detroit?" she asks.

He looks confused.

"Were you in Detroit?" she snaps.

He shakes his head no.

"Bryce, let's go." Victoria tries to pull him away.

"You go," he snaps at her. "Now." He looks back at Livi. "Five minutes." He walks toward a small room.

"You do not have to do this. You do not-" I am practically begging her. I promised no one would hurt her.

"Yes, I do," she says, wiggling out of my grip. "You can come."

"I might kill him."

"Hendrix, please."

I follow her into the room where Bryce is pacing. He stops when we walk in, closes his eyes, and then takes a deep breath.

"I'm gonna talk fast, because you agreeing to come in here is a gift, and I know that. I had a stepfather, Victoria's second husband. He wasn't kind. He always told me Daddy doesn't want a broken boy." He pauses, slamming his eyes shut. "When I told her, she didn't listen. I lost something I can never get back. I was ten when it started. She thought I was lying and still won't face it. Your father believes me, though. He confronted the man.

"When I met you, I was angry, but you made me smile. You were so good, Olivia. I wanted that. I don't know if I was trying to steal your light or crush it. You were a breath of fresh air. Sweet and kind, always. When my mother began saying mean things, I didn't want you to be broken. I didn't want you to feel broken. Hell, I thought I was trying to save you. I don't deserve for you to accept it, but I have to give my apology."

He waits for her to say something, but she doesn't.

"I'm married. I have a two-year-old little girl. I would kill someone if they touched her. I won't use the old excuse that I was young, hormonal, or you were just too beautiful, but all that topped with being abused myself..." He shrugs. "I'm sorry, Olivia. I am so sorry."

She nods and swallows hard. "Take care of her."

"I would die for her."

"I accept-"

"Livi, no means fucking no." I can't contain my rage.

"Hendrix-"

"If you so much as look at her cross-eyed, I will feed you your balls," I threaten.

"I've changed. I am regretful. I am so sorry."

"People can change," she says and shrugs. She looks up at me. "People can change."

I nod once, and then Bryce lets out a long, slow breath.

"I'm going in to see your dad. Mother will have him in knots again." He pauses at the door. "Olivia, he left her a couple years ago. Not that he is your responsibility, but he really has no one."

"They're divorced?"

He nods. "He sees her for who she is now. So do I, but I can't divorce her, you know."

Why is she letting this fucker talk to her?

"Is his paperwork-?"

"I have no idea. I know he asked for you, and I know she came because the hospital called her. He doesn't want her here, though." He swallows hard. "Some people can't change, but I swear on Gabby's life, on my life, I have."

"Your daughter's name is Gabby?"

He nods and smiles sadly.

I see regret in his eye, I see acceptance in hers, and I still want to snap his neck like a chicken bone.

After that encounter, I watch Livi with her father's doctors, filling out paperwork. I hear talk of living wills, DNR's, possible rehab centers, adult home care nurses, and my head begins spinning. I see strength in her, and I see intelligence. I see the sexiest woman wrapped in one package, and all I want is to watch her for days. I want to keep her safe, warm, fed, and under me.

Once we are back in her father's room, she explains to him everything going on. He looks at her like I am-in fucking awe-but there is also sadness in his eyes, one I can imagine is based on regret. I never want that look mirrored in my eyes, not with her, not with our children.

I feel like the wind is knocked out of me. I feel like I just woke up from hell and have seen an angel. I am in a fucking hospital, a place I despise, and I am struck with this feeling.

"Are you ready?"

"Sure thing," I say, avoiding eye contact. I don't want her to see me weak like this, and this is a fucking weakness that I will conquer in a way a man should.

"Hendrix," her father croaks. "Minute alone?"

Livi looks at me and I nod. "I'll be out in a minute, babe."

When she leaves, I walk up to his bedside.

"Thank you."

"No, man, no thanks needed. She's fucking amazing."

He closes his eyes. "You love her?"

"She'll be the first to hear those words from me, not you." I kind of smirk, 'cause I know it's a douchie thing to say to a sick man.

"Show her."

"Every day. Look, we'll be back later. I'm sure she's tired."

He nods and closes his eyes. "I love her. Her mom, better than me."

After that short talk, I join Livi in the hall, and we walk out of the hospital where the sun is still shining. She looks tired, yet so fucking beautiful. I reach behind her and rub her ass.

"What do they say today?"

She smiles and shrugs. "'Stronger than most.'"

"You sure are. Fuck." I can't take it. I stop beside the car, turn her around, and lift her chin. "Liv, I am a simple man. I work hard, play harder, and never in my life did I expect to be knocking boots in a closet with a sexy, little chick and a month later be ready to say this, but I am. You deserve to have a man by your side who thinks the world tipped when he realized you are not just in his world, but you are the best part of it. You, Olivia Hemmingway, are the best part of my life, and I am so fucking in love with you. I. Love. You."

She doesn't say shit, making me feel so fucking raw.

"Say something, Livi." I am begging now.

"I got my period today." Her frown deepens. "So you don't have to-"

"Don't have to? Like it's a fucking choice. Livi, this is not about that and never has been."

"Never?" She looks at me like I'm crazy.

"No. I will tell you that I am glad you have it. I mean, not right now, 'cause I want to be buried deep inside you, but I need time to convince you it's okay to love me. Fuck, I'll force it if I have to. I am-"

Chapter Twenty.

*Olivia*