“Tessa Ashford. The manager of this hotel. You’re making a scene in my lobby, and I won’t allow you to spew poison in my hotel. You won’t talk to Ro like that. We both know that Langston Hotels is a far bigger success now that he’s taken over. He cares about this company and its people, and he’s good at it. He gets none of that from you.”

I stared at her. She was sticking up for me. “Tessa⁠—”

She pressed an arm across my stomach, like she was shielding me. “He said he is not attending your… Was it fifth or sixth wedding?”

I smiled. “Sixth.”

“Right. It’s time you start listening, Mr. Langston. The board gave him the company because he’s the best man for the job. He’s building up the business, and caring about the employees, and⁠—”

“Soft,” my father spat. “He was always too soft.”

“No, that’s called good business,” she quipped back.

Looking at him, I realized he was just a selfish, bitter old man. Whatever his failings as a father, they had nothing to do with me, and they never had.

I took Tessa’s hand and squeezed.

My father didn’t miss the move. His gaze narrowed, then he grinned. It was ugly. “Oh, you love pontificating to me. You’ve always thought you were better than me. No, you’re just like me, boy. You’re fucking her. You’re fucking an employee.”

I stiffened.

Tessa wasn’t having it.

“He’s nothing like you. He never was and never will be. And now, you’re leaving.” She nodded, and that’s when I saw Enzo had moved close by.

“Come this way,” the concierge said.

My father made a blustering noise. “No, I am⁠—”

“You’re done, Father. Go.” My tone was final.

Trinity was tugging on his hand. He glared at me, then Tessa, then followed his young fiancée.

Then Tessa grabbed my hand and dragged me in the opposite direction. She angrily scanned us through the staff door and towed me into my office.

“God, I do not like your father.” She jammed her hands on her hips.

“Me neither.”

“That… woman, girl, is so young.”

“Old enough to know what she’s doing.”

Tessa blew out a breath. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have butted in⁠—”

I cupped her cheeks. “You stood up for me. Against him.” I stroked her cheekbones. “No one’s ever done that before.”

So many things moved through her eyes. “Ro, I meant it. You’re nothing like him.”

I realized that now. I’d been so focused on proving that I wasn’t my father that it had dominated my life for a long time. “He’ll think twice about taking you on again.”

She laughed. “I didn’t think, I just reacted.”

“You were magnificent. My fairy queen in action.”