“Come with me.” He finishes our kiss and grabs me by the hand. He looks toward Maisy who is having a conversation with someone only she can see. “Maisy. We’ll be back. Veronica is right here if you need anything.”
Pike smiles at the stout gray haired woman sitting reading a Harlequin novel.
“I don’t need anything but these men to quit following me around.” Maisy quips. “And another brandy.” She holds her drink up toward Veronica who sighs and looks toward Pike. Maisy snorts, “You don’t need his permission to give me a damn drink.”
Pike nods. He plays the tough guy but both Maisy and I have his number.
“You’re a sweet Daddy.” I lean into his side as he drapes his arm over my shoulders. “Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see princess. Just come with me.” He has dark circles under his eyes.
Pike has been working so much. He’s tired and I do my best to not be demanding of his time, but I miss him so. This house I hope will be our sanctuary. A place where he can come and recharge but sometimes I wonder how often he will be able to take time. His company runs him to the brink of exhaustion.
He leads me down the hallway from the great room. The slick floors are made from antique pine planks. The walls are alternating stone and plaster with barn beams imported from his families land in Hungary.
We visited there on our honeymoon. A tour of Europe that culminated in Pike meeting his family for the first time. Aunts, Uncles, cousins all gathered and welcomed us with open arms.
His Grandparents left some land to his mother. He didn’t know until we were there and his mother’s brother gave him the deed to an old farm that had been in the family for gnerations. There were several century old buildings on the property that were not repairable. Old stables and a huge hay barn. So, Pike had them taken down, but saved all the lumber. Shipped the beams and planks back here to build this country house for us. It was completely just before Christmas and we’ve been staying here as a family for the holidays.
As we get close to the bedroom, Pike stops us.
“Princess.” He shifts, taking me by the shoulders to face him. “You are part of my very soul, you know that don’t you?”
“Yes Daddy.” I smile. The look on his face somewhere between concern and joy. “What is it?”
I watch him swallow hard. I know this look. It’s something that comes over him often. I see the responsibility he feels for me.
“Just come in to the bedroom. We need to talk.”
My heart sinks but he traces his hands down my arms and pulls me by the hand. Once inside, he settles on the end of the bed, gathering me forward to stand between his legs. His hands on my hips.
I’m near tears because I see the tension in his ace. Something is wrong and he’s doing his best to hide it from me I can feel it.
“Daddy, something’s wrong. You’re scaring me.” I put my hands on his cheeks. The rough scratch of his unshaven face under my palms.
“Baby nothing’s wrong. I just think we need to make some decisions. Or I need to make some decisions and I hope you will understand.”
My heart is in my throat. I swallow and wait.
“I want to make some changes in our life.” His brow comes together and even muscle in my body tenses.
“Okay. Like what?” I mumble barely able to get the words out.
“First off, I’ve already talked to my board. As of March 1st, I am stepping down as Chairman. I will be a majority shareholder, but I will no longer be involved in the daily operations of Richard’s Holdings.”
He pauses, his green eyes searching my face as I wait for the other shoe to drop. Pike managed to save the merger in spite of all the drama and chaos caused by Margaret and the Marcus family. It was a miracle, but it made him an obscene amount of money. Half of which he immediately turned over to a number of charities.
“Is that it?”
“Is that okay with you?” He asks and I can see he really isn’t sure.
“Are you kidding me?” I throw my arms around his neck. “I’m so happy.” Tears spring to my eyes. “Is that it? Really? That’s what you wanted to tell me?”
“Princess, I wasn’t sure if having me be the powerful business man was part of what appealed to you. Part of why you loved me.” His voice hints at the truth in his words.
People think of Dom’s as impervious to emotion. That their hearts are somehow made of different stuff than the rest of us. But I assure you they are not. Pike is as sensitive and loving as many man on this earth and he has insecurities just like the rest of us.
“I love you even more Daddy. Because this means I get more time with you. You get more time with me. With our family.” I release my grip and take his hand to place them on my belly. “We could be living anywhere and I’d be happier with more time with you than any position or job you would have.”