“Is there anything I can do for you?”
“No, thank you. How’s your head?”
“It’s just fine, miss. I’ve got knocked in the head harder than that before.”
Nia tried to smile. “I want to tell you again how sorry I am.”
Sam looked shocked. “It’s not your fault.”
“He was my brother, and if he hadn’t followed me here, then you wouldn’t have been hurt, and Tra … Mr. Forrester wouldn’t have had his home wrecked.”
“I know for a fact Mr. Forrester doesn’t blame you.”
Nia looked down. “I didn’t think he did either.”
“Nia, come on,” Larkin said impatiently.
“Thank you, Sam.”
Within three minutes, Elder, Darian’s butler, Hicks, his driver, and Sam, the doorman, had called up the men. The girls were oblivious and continued to pack her things in garbage bags and her luggage.
“Leave all of that, Larkin.”
“Why?”
“Because he bought me all of those outfits, and I don’t feel right taking them.”
Larkin opened her mouth, but Aleena shook her head.
“Let’s just get this done,” Nia said.
Chapter Nineteen
“So, you’re just going to leave me without talking to me first?”
All three girls screamed and whirled to face the bedroom door where Travis leaned against the doorjamb with his arms crossed.
Nia’s first thought was he looked haggard like he hadn't slept.
She cleared her voice. “I thought it best to make a clean break.”
One of his eyebrows rose.
“I’m serious, dad … Travis. I’ve put you through enough turmoil. I thought you’d feel relieved.”
“Relieved? Where the fuck did you get an idea that I wanted you gone?”
Travis held up his hand when she opened her mouth. “Hold it.” He turned to the other two girls. “Girls, your daddies are waiting for you in the living room. I suggest you hightail it to them.”
Both girls looked at Nia. As much as she needed them at that moment, she knew she couldn’t take them away from the families they’d built with their daddies.
She hugged them. “Thank you so much.”
Aleena sniffed. “I want you to call when you’re done here. I’ll come back and get you.”
“She won’t be going anywhere, ladies.”
Nia sighed. “I’ll call you.”