Tavish gives another disapproving sound, but before he can ask me anything else, the maid comes to announce that dinner is ready.

Landon

Dinner is not going well. It takes every ounce of my control not to get a drink from the bar my father keeps in the sitting room. But if Brooke can’t drink through this neither will I. I can tell my father’s questions have made Brooke uneasy. Shit, we have not even talked about over half of his questions. I try to keep the conversations away from her, but my father seems determined to pick her apart.

“So, you didn’t go to school. You don’t participate in charity work or work. What do you do that is of any use to the world?” I can physically feel Brooke curl in on herself at his question.

“Father!” I say, my voice filled with warning.

“What? I accepted your little wife because she came from a well-known family. Now that you have completed the requirements, I would assume you would have terminated your marriage. Personally, I do not see why you went through all that work to replace her liver. You have already killed someone, so it is not like turning a blind eye to her sickness would have been an issue for you. That leaves me to believe by some reason unfathomable reason, you have decided you have feelings for this woman. Now, I do not have objections to her background, but she needs to at least participate in some social activities. Your mother hosted charity galas and tea parties. Your wife does nothing useful to society.”

Sweat trickles down my back. I cannot look at Brooke. My father let too many truths spill. Truths I have yet to tell her. I stand up.

“My wife is an amazing, beautiful woman who—despite her despicable father—is the most caring, kind, beautiful, and intelligent person I know. There is no one better to raise my children, and if she wants to stay home and raise the beautiful baby boy she gave me then I fully support that. Now, if you will excuse me, my wife, child, and I will be leaving.”

Brooke does not even hesitate to jump out of her chair and stride out of the room. I grab the car seat where Cahal is gurgling happily and follow. We do not talk; just hop in the car and leave. I am so angry, but on top of that, I am anxious and ashamed. Everything my father said was true. Well, not the parts about Brooke having no effect on society. But everything else…yeah. I have a lot of explaining to do. I just hope Brooke will stay long enough to listen.

Chapter 31

CHAPTER 31

For the Rest of Our Long Lives

Brooke