As they entered the beautiful glass and marble lobby, with a doorman in the center, Jason stopped short. Savannah gasped. And Faith looked at the tall man who was the cause of their reaction.

“Robert!” Savannah stood in shock, staring at the man who looked as if he’d been waiting for hours. His suit was rumpled, his tie undone, his shirt unbuttoned, and he appeared exhausted.

“What do you want, Dad?” Jason stepped up to the other man and asked.

Robert looked at his wife. “I want to talk.”

“But Mom doesn’t want to see you.” Jason put himself between his parents, taking his mother’s side.

Staring at the man, Faith could see where Jason got his good looks. He was a true combination of both parents, who were now at a standoff as they looked at each other. A glance at Savannah, and the longing in her face was obvious. She still loved her husband.

“This is really between me and your mother, son.” Robert sent a pleading stare to his wife.

“But Mom ran here, so that makes it my business. Now if she wanted to see you, I wouldn’t get involved. But seeing as how she made it clear she wants to be left alone…” Jason let his voice trail off, his meaning obvious.

Faith really felt bad for him, a son stuck between both parents, although Jason didn’t really seem torn.

“Can we do this upstairs, please?” He glanced at the doorman, who, caught watching, looked down immediately. Then his stare came to Faith, a stranger to him.

Jason pulled her close. “She’s with me and she stays. You don’t warrant an introduction,” he muttered. “As for talking, it’s up to Mom.”

Savannah looked shaken but she stepped forward. “Five minutes,” she said softly.

They took the elevator up in awkward silence. Jason let them into the apartment, unset the alarm, and glanced at his mother. “Should I stay or go?” he asked.

“Stay,” his father said, surprising Faith. “You need to hear this, too.”

“Fine.” Jason’s curt tone told Faith all she needed to know about his mood.

She squeezed his arm in understanding and comfort. “I’ll go wait in the bedroom.” She started to walk away only to find herself pulled back against his chest, his arms wrapping around her middle. “I want you here.”

Then she wasn’t leaving.

Chapter Nine

Once upon a time, Jason had a good relationship with his father. When Jason thought Robert Dare was just their father, his, Alex’s, and Sienna’s. After their world blew apart and Robert shattered his image as a dad to look up to? Well, not so much. Jason couldn’t imagine why his father wanted him in the room now. Maybe he thought he’d get support from his son. If so, Jason hoped the man wasn’t holding his breath.

They settled into the family room, his mother and father on opposite sides, Robert taking the chair, his mom on the far end of the sofa away from him, with Jason pulling Faith close to him on the other side.