Not sure what to make of that, she helped with the clean-up, then packed herself a sandwich for dinner tonight. Beck helped her find a cooler for her food. Then they were heading to the hospital. She was anxious to see her father. Of course, he was in good hands, but she’d feel so much better once she laid eyes on him. And he would probably feel better once she assured him she was all right.
When they walked into his room, she was surprised to find him sitting up and surprisingly alert. His color looked almost vital. He was even full of smiles.
“Hi, boo.”
“Dad.” She rushed to take his hands. “You look great.”
“I feel strong. Dr. Litchfield and I had a long chat this morning. Nice man. He adjusted my meds. He said my condition may be up and down for a bit while he tries to stabilize my immune system, but today feels better.”
“That’s fantastic news!”
He looked past her and set eyes on Beck and Seth. “Dr. Beckman. Mr. Cooper.”
The speculation in his stare made her squirm. Now that he wasn’t half asleep, he was wondering what these two men had done to his little girl last night. Nothing, and she knew that. But that didn’t mean they hadn’t touched her in the past…or that they wouldn’t touch her in the future. Heavenly didn’t mean to, but she blushed to the roots of her hair.
“Just Seth.” He shook his head as he came forward to shake her father’s hand, then settled himself beside her, resting a casual arm around her shoulders.
“You can call me Beck,” the doctor invited with a manufactured smile as he took her hand in his and brought it to her lips.
Heavenly froze. They were declaring themselves to her father without saying a word. They met her subtle attempt to work free from their grip with an implacable hold. Short of making a scene, she was stuck between them.
“I want to assure you, Abel, that I’m going to—”
“We,” Seth cut in, motioning between him and Beck. “We’re going to.”
She wished she could close her eyes and escape. Or put a stop to this. What must her father be thinking?
“Yes,” Beck corrected. “Seth and I have had a conversation, and we’ve decided it’s in everyone’s best interest if we both take care of Heavenly. We’ll make sure she eats well, has a safe place to live, a quiet space to study, and can focus on her future. She’ll be well looked after and well cared for.”
Why hadn’t they just shouted the fact they intended to take her to bed together? “Guys…”
“I see.” Dad pinned the men with a knowing stare. “I’d like to speak to my daughter alone.”
“Of course.” Seth pressed a kiss to her temple, then he stepped out of the room.
Beck squeezed her hand. “We’ll be outside if you need us.”
“Shut the door.” Her voice shook.
Dad might be sick and weak, but he was still her father and he was going to flex his parental muscle.
As soon as the door snicked shut, he motioned her closer.
She approached on trepidatious steps. “Dad…”
“Do you know what you’re doing?”
Not really. “I’m fine.”
“Do you know what they want from you?”
When her dad studied her with that shocked expression, she didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want to lie to him, but she didn’t want to give him a heart attack. “I do.”
“Baby, you don’t have to…let them pervert you—”
“I’m not.” Heavenly didn’t want to cry. She wanted to be strong for her dad. But she couldn’t stand the thought of him being ashamed of her. “I’m with them because I’m in love.”
Her father was silent for a long moment, then he reached a shaking hand out to her. “Oh…boo. Are you sure? Are you ready to tie yourself to two men who have already lived a lot and seen the world and are ready to settle down? Because Beck and Seth are.”
How had everyone seen that but her?
“You look surprised. It’s all over their faces,” Dad went on. “They want forever with you. You’ve always talked about travel and adventure and exploration. I want you to experience those things…”
And she wanted to, as well. She’d always wanted to. “I’ve told them I can’t do forever, just right now.”
“You’re a sweet girl with a soft heart. You’re a loyal child who’s stayed with me because I needed you all these years when you should have been spreading your wings and flying away. I’m so worried you’ll be the same kind of woman to them, that you’ll never get to live for you.”
“Dad…”
“Promise me you won’t let that happen.” His grip was surprisingly strong. “Promise me that, before you commit your future to anyone or anything, that you’ll live those dreams you’ve always had. Meet people, experience cultures, see the world. Find out who you are before you have to figure out who you are with someone else. If your mother had done that, maybe she would have stayed.”
What could she say when she suspected he was right? “All right. I promise.” Even though he leaned back against his pillows in relief, she still felt the tension in his body, in the room, and wanted so badly to allay it. “Dad, they didn’t lay a finger on me last night. In fact, they’ve hardly touched me at all.”
That wasn’t totally true. But they hadn’t pressed her for sex. Her father could read between the lines. Hopefully, that would give him some peace of mind.
“It’s a matter of time, boo. They want you. They intend to have you. It’s going to get messy, emotional, and complicated. I hope you’re ready for that.”
No. It terrified the hell out of her. “I’ll be all right. I promise. I have to get
