Evie’s heart swelled, and her eyes burned with a rush of unshed tears. This man…this incredible, amazing man was offering to support her through what was sure to be an excruciatingly painful conversation with her father.
But as much as she loved the idea of Beckett being by her side—in more ways than one—this fight was one she needed to take on alone.
“I appreciate that, Beckett.” Evie rested her palm against his chest. “More than you’ll ever know. But I need to do this on my own.”
“You sure?”
She nodded. “My relationship with my father was complicated long before Afghanistan. We have nothing in common, we rarely see eye-to-eye about, well, anything…we don’t even look anything alike.”
“You take after your mother.”
“I’ve often wondered if that’s why he resents me as much as he does.”
“Because you’re a constant reminder of what he lost?”
Another nod. “There are a lot of things I need to clear the air with as far as he’s concerned. His source of contention toward me is one of them. And honestly, I’m not sure I’d be able to discuss everything as openly as I need to if you’re there. I hope you can understand that.”
“Of course, I understand.” Beckett covered her hand with his and gave her a gentle squeeze. “I just hopeyouknow I’m here. For whatever you need…whenever you’re ready.”
Evie felt absolutely awe-struck. There was no other way to describe it. This man…this honest-to-goodness Americanhero…was like a dream come true.
Is he? Too good to be true?
The intrusive thought was more than a little unsettling. But while the answer still remained to be seen, she chose not to borrow trouble.
She’d had more than her fair share of that lately, not to mention her impending visit with her father. Plus, there was just something about Beckett. A deep-seated goodness that shined brightly within him.
And every instinct Evie had said this was a man she could unequivocally trust.
“Okay, so that’s it,” she announced. “I’m going to book a flight to East Hampton tomorrow. If my father truly wants me dead, he’s going to have to tell me that to my face.”
A set of lips she could still taste on her own curved upward with Beckett’s slow-forming grin. “That’s my girl.”
Hisgirl.
Boy, that sure had a nice ring to it.
CHAPTER NINE
Mitchell Estate
East Hampton
Evie gaveher driver a generous tip and sent him on his way. She took a moment to breathe in the fresh sea air before turning and facing what had once been her childhood home.
Only it had never felt like a home. Not a real one, anyway. Definitely not after her mother’s untimely death.
Shewould’ve paid the ransom.She would have loved me enough to save me.
Regret momentarily flourished as Evie took those first tentative steps toward her family’s estate. As she did, Beckett’s voice rang clearly through her ears…
You’re worth every fuckin’ penny that man has, and don’t you ever let him or anyone else make you think you’re not.
Her father’s actions—or lack thereof—had left her questioning that very thing. For weeks now, she’d sat at Lo’s. Alone and soaked in tears and heartache, wishing with all she had that it was all some sort of horrible mistake.
Deep down, however, she knew the awful truth. And it was that truth that had brought her here today.
You came all this way. May as well get it over with.