The Girl He Craves

Meredith's pov

The young girl shuts the door behind Grant and me, leaving us in the presence of my father and Margo, who had been working here since I was young.

She beamed when she noticed me, her features lighting. "Meredith dear.’

She looked a bit peeved that she could not come over to me and had to remain positioned by father to nurse his wounds.

I looked at his wounds closely, smiling as I took a further step.

’Did Aiden do that to you?" I pointed at his nose and jaw. He looked like he had gotten punched relentlessly.

Father pushed Margo’s hand away from his lips. She had been dabbing a cloth on the split flesh.

’What do you think?’ He questioned, lounging back in his chair casually as though his face did not pain him. I didn’t miss the slight wince.

I grinned. I guess you deserve it, father. You are, after all, trying to ruin his life."

His grin widened. "I haven't tasted my own copper blood in years.” He licked his split lip. "I've missed the tang.”

I shook my head and walked over to the huge bookshelf. My fingers skim the backs and stopped on the huge book he used to read to me when I was younger.

He still had it.

I took it from the shelf, opening it to that page I knew was important. Grant leans over me protectively.

I smiled warmly at him, reassuring him with my eyes that my father would not hurt me.

He wasn't convinced.

’Grant, son. It's been a while. Sorry I hadn't seen you at first."

'Don't act like you like my presence here Sergio,’ Grant grunted, leaning against the shelf.

Father's eyes narrowed. "How has work been, still scrapping for money?"

for me ending the agreement marriage with the Muralo's. He didn't understand that love was far greater than a simple agreement

he

But now.

the photo, brushing my fingers over her face. "She wouldn't have approved of this

my gaze back to him,

a step forward but Grant stops me. I looked up into his concerned eyes and lift my hand to brush my fingers over his stubble

and the silence of

reluctantly let me

continued my stroll toward father who motioned

passed

few years older than me and actually grew up here. Her mom

were friends before

see

"I would like to speak to my daughter

narrowed. ’He’s family. Whatever we speak about, he will

Father's eyes narrowed.

it was stubbornness. We didn't

He muttered, his

the photo on the desk, right before him while

had done a number

feel bad about it,

whispered, keeping my eyes focused on him to

his bony fingers reaching out for

man

forget?’ His watery smile made my

tears brimming in his eyes is the last family photo we took with mom. She had been awfully sick here but she was the one who prodded for

twelve here I think. Those days were always a huge blur. It was because I

photo was taken, mom died. She died happy though, with a smile on

had been happy to leave, but we

pain for years. And she didn't want