Fall For My Ex's Mafia Father novel Chapter 223

I blush a little, embarrassed that it’s been that obvious.

“You don’t get it, dad,” I say, tracing a finger along the wood of the bench before I look up into his eyes. “Daniel and I…we’re dedicated to one another.”

“Dedication makes a better match than passion,” he says, considering.

I blush again to think of my father thinking of me and Ivan in terms of passion.

“But Fay,” he continues, “I have…other reasons for wishing you’d turn your head in a new direction. Not to Ivan, if that’s not what you want. But…elsewhere.”

“What?” I ask, curious. “What reasons?”

“Fay,” he says, shaking his head. “We have…not been to each other, what a father and a daughter should be. That was your mother’s choice – not mine. I would have kept you, if she had let me, raised you to the life you should have had. I hope that you would let me give it to you now. Let me help you make the choice that will make you happy.”

“But…” I slow down here, wanting to get this right, wanting to…

I take a deep breath, thinking about what Kent would do in this situation, and realize that he probably wouldn’t say much at all and, instead, let the other person weave enough rope to hang themselves with.

“Dad,” I say, reaching out and taking his hand, doing my best to make my face look worried. “What do you mean?”

“I mean I wish for you to be happy,” my father says, clamming up a little and leaning back against the arm of the bench, studying me.

I decide to push it and press my eyes shut, making myself think as many horrible things as I can in just a few seconds – imagining everyone I love dying, my horse getting hurt, Daniel in a terrible car crash –

And when I look up at my father again, my face is red with emotion, my eyes a just a little wet. “Please,” I say, shaking my head. “I don’t know what to do.”

Something breaks in my father – I watch it happen. And he leans forward towards me, true concern in his eyes. “Fay,” he whispers, tsking again and reaching for me, pulling me close. “I would keep you safe, my darling,” he murmurs against my hair.

“Does that mean,” I sniff, allowing myself to get worked up, to actually worry now. “That…that you don’t think Daniel…”