My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 223

Evelyn

Jacob paced the room like a caged animal, phone pressed to his ear as he spoke with different people-lawyers, Tyler's representatives, anyone who could do something to help fix this mess. His jaw was clenched so tightly, I thought it might snap, and the veins on his neck bulged with barely contained anger. He looked like he was ready to tear through anything in his path, except for me. How did I know? Because....Every time our eyes locked, his softened.

I knew what was eating at him. It wasn't just that Tyler had walked past me, silent but leaving everything under his dark shadow. It was that Jacob hadn't been there. He'd been away, and Tyler could have done anything. He could've harmed me. Or worse-hurt our little Sienna.

I pressed my hand against my belly, trying to steady my breath, to hold myself together. One of us had to remain calm, and Jacob had already lost it when he saw the tears on my face. He was fuming, and I couldn't blame him. I was terrified of Tyler. Terrified was an understatement. What he had put me through last time, the aftermath-the doubt, the fear-it was something I never wanted to face again.

Jacob's footsteps brought him closer, and I looked up to see him still holding the phone. His voice was steady, but his eyes were hard with worry. "Yes, please keep me updated and handle the rest," he said, his hand resting on mine, gently covering my belly. His eyes softened as they took in my baby bump. "I'll have Bianca contact you-she handled the lawsuit last time."

When he hung up, his gaze met mine, and I smiled faintly, extending my arms toward him. I knew he needed this-he needed me to ground him.

As if on instinct, he dropped to his knees in front of me, wrapping his arms around me tightly, like he was afraid I would disappear.

"I'm sorry," he whispered against my ear. "I'm sorry I wasn't there. That bastard could've hurt you and our Sienna."

I ran my fingers through his hair, my voice soft and soothing. "It's not your fault, Jacob. You were there in every way that mattered-I could have just uttered your name and you could beat that bastard blue. You're here now, and that's all that counts."

His eyes met mine as he pulled back just enough to cup my face gently. "I should have been more careful," he murmured. "I thought after losing everything, he'd stay away from us... but no. He's still after us."

I bit my lip, struggling to keep my own fear in check. "You've got it all handled, haven't you?" I asked, trying to sound calm, but I knew he could see right through me. "So, we're okay for now. Please... don't worry."

Jacob let out a small laugh, but there was no humor in it. "Brave of you to tell me not to worry when you look like you're about to pass out from fear," he said, his voice softening. "You don't have to pretend to be unaffected. This is scary. For anyone."

"We're not talking about me right now, Jacob," I replied softly, pulling him closer. I placed a kiss on the corner of his mouth, then another a little higher, and finally one on his cheek. "You've taken care of me when I was crying like a baby. Now, with all the stress you're carrying, let me take care of you, okay?"

I saw him open his mouth to protest, so I pressed a finger against his lips. "This is non-negotiable."

and in one swift motion, he shifted beside me, pulling

supposed to take

he whispered, burying his face into the crook of my neck. "You being close is the biggest

along his jaw, savoring the roughness of his stubble beneath my fingertips.

could tell you how much I love you," he whispered, his voice filled with so

couldn't help but smile even wider. I rested my head against his, savoring the comfort of his

"Bianca will handle the matter, and I'll make sure Tyler can't get anywhere near you." His hand brushed my hair away from my face, and he cupped my cheek gently, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw. "But there's one thing

furrowed as I met his gaze, instinctively knowing this

take you. I promise," he said gently, brushing his nose against mine. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting myself feel his

falling from my lips

relieved, and then he leaned down, pressing his lips to mine in a kiss that sealed away all of my doubts and worries. In

****

We were enjoying evening walks, exercising together in the mornings, and living a life that felt like the definition

you alone at home," he muttered

the marble surface of the table while he stood

be done online; this was a project he'd been working on

man was trying every excuse in the book to delay

a matter of a few hours,

scoffed. "Well, you're being too pushy about this whole project. It

you work late all those nights, sacrificing your sleep?" I

faltered, and he looked at me like I'd caught him in a lie. He hated me for asking the question, but I knew he'd never back down without a

might matter, but not more than you and

help but

can't neglect your work, not something that took you so long to build. It's important for you, and it's important for us too

my hands drift lower, securing my legs around him. "And," I added with a coy smile, "I have a reward for you, too." My voice dropped a little lower. "If you finish your