From the kitchen I hear Gray say, “Bimbo?” and then grunt. I’m pretty sure Ivy elbowed him. Resisting the urge to run my handover my beard, I tell Sean what happened.
Even though she’s already heard the story, Fi’s body grows stiffer and stiffer as I speak. I know I’m causing her more embarrassment,and I mentally curse the little gold digger who stole my phone and sold our privacy.
Sean glances as Fi again. “I’m sorry, baby girl. I’ve already sent out a cease-and-desist order.”
“Which is utterly useless,” she says in a dead voice. “The damage is done.”
“Damn right it is,” Sean snaps, glaring at me. “Of all the fucking moronic, idiotic, stupid, fucking, brainless—”
“Dad, stop,” Fi cuts in with a hard tone. “Yelling at Ethan won’t change anything.”
“It’ll make me feel a hell of a lot better.” He doesn’t take his eyes off me. “I trusted you to protect her.”
“I know,” I manage past the lump in my throat. “You aren’t saying anything I’m not saying to myself.”
“It wasn’t his fault,” Fi says. She sounds remote, her gaze lackluster. “It was that opportunisticbimbo’sdoing. Let it go.”
Sean runs a hand through his hair. “Look, why don’t you pack a bag? Come back to New York while this blows over.”
At that, my hands grasp Fi’s shoulders. “Like hell.”
“You don’t get a say anymore, Dexter. Not after you fucked up her life.”
The truth of his words is an ugly blow, but not enough to keep me quiet. “I appreciate that you are upset, Sean, but there’sno way I’m letting you take Fi out of here. I’m not letting her face this alone.”
He growls in disgust. “Because you’ve done such a fine job of caring for her so far?”
Fi shrugs out of my grip, stepping away from me. She might as well have ripped my hands off. She doesn’t even look my wayas she moves closer to her dad. Away from me. I want to snatch her back, haul her out of this room and back to our bed.
“Dad,” she says with a soft sigh. “I need you to go home.”
He blinks at her like she’s not speaking his language.
Ivy and Gray slowly walk out of the kitchen as if they can’t keep hidden for this.
Sean doesn’t notice. “Fiona—”
“I’m sorry,” she cuts in. “I know you want to help. But you being here, saying these things to Ethan... It just makes everythingmore real. More... humiliating.” Her small hand shakes as she runs it through her hair in a gesture just like her dad’s.“I can’t handle real now, okay? I want to be left alone.”
Her dull gaze slides to Ivy and Gray. “You too. I’m so grateful that you guys came here for me, but now I want you to go.”
Ivy nods, her expression broken. “Okay, Fi. We’ll give you space.”
“Now, wait just a minute,” Sean starts, only to be cut off by Fi again.
“Please, Daddy. I can’t.” Her chin quivers, but she stays firm. “I need this. Please go now.”
I feel sorry for the guy; he looks gutted. For a second we all stand there, no one making a sound. And then Sean sighs. “Allright, Fiona. I’ll go.”
He moves like the walking wounded, slowly gathering his phone from the table.
Gray clears his throat. “We’ll go with you, Sean.”
Ivy looks around as if she suddenly doesn’t know which way is out. “I’ll just... There’s coffee, and I baked you a pecanpie, and... right.” Her gaze goes to Fi, but she doesn’t make any move to hug her as if she knows Fi won’t want it now.“Call me, okay?”
“Okay.” Fi stares at the floor, her body stiff, her arms clutching her middle. She looks so small and defeated, I’m crushedall over again. I murmur my goodbyes but keep my eyes on Fi.
It isn’t until we’re alone in the silent house that I move to hold her. But her hand swipes up, coming between us. “I meantit,” she says. “I want to be alone for a while.”
