Til Debt Do Us Part (Married At Midnight #4)

Chapter 36

Thirty-Six

Talia

I run my fingers through Solana's dark hair, smoothing it away from her tear-stained cheeks. She clings to me, her small body tucked into the curve of mine as we sit together on her canopy bed.

"It's okay, sweetie," I murmur. "Everything's going to be alright."

Aunt Minnie perches on the edge of the mattress, her wrinkled hand covering Solana's. "That's right, dear. You're safe here with us."

Solana nods, her breath hitching, but she doesn't speak. My heart aches for this little girl who has already endured so much loss and uncertainty in her short life.

First the loss of her family, then getting shuffled between foster homes. Just when she started settling in with us, Felix kidnapped her, plunging her back into fear and uncertainty.

It's almost too much for one tiny heart to bear.

I wish I could promise her that nothing bad will ever happen again, but I know better than to make vows I can't keep.

The sound of footsteps draws my gaze to the open bedroom door. Dare fills the frame, impeccably dressed as always in one of his tailored suits. Our eyes meet and an unspoken conversation passes between us. He knows I don't want him to go, but his business can't wait any longer. Solana needs me more right now.

"I have to head out for a bit," he says. "But I won't be far if you need me. Just call."

"We'll be alright," I say with more confidence than I feel. "Won't we, Solana?"

She nods again, clutching me tighter. As Dare turns to leave, guilt wars with relief inside me. I want him here, yet his presence is a reminder of the world I tried to leave behind. The world that refuses to let me go.

Aunt Minnie gives my arm a gentle squeeze. "Why don't I make us some tea?" she suggests.

I force a smile. "That sounds perfect."

As she shuffles out of the room, Solana lifts her head from my shoulder. Her dark eyes are still swimming with tears, but there is strength there, too. She has endured so much, but she is a survivor.

Exactly like I am.

The sound of raised voices drifts down the hallway, preceding angry footsteps marching toward us. I brace myself as Remy bursts into the room, his wrinkled face flushed with rage.

"What's the meaning of this?" he bellows. "Summoning me here like I'm some damned servant."

His cruel gaze falls on Solana and she recoils. Anger flashes hot inside me.

"Get out!" I yell, putting my body between Remy and Solana. I bare my teeth at him. "Out of this room right now!"

Dare appears in the doorway.

"That's enough," he says, his voice low but firm.

Remy whirls toward his grandson, sputtering indignantly. But Dare silences him with a look.

"Let's go. You don't need to intrude here," he growls.

"But--"

Dare leans toward Remy menacingly. "Don't make a scene, Remy."

A look of concern flits over Remy's face. He clears his throat. I've never seen the old man back down so quickly. He glares at Dare, resentment simmering in his eyes.

"Fine," he grits out.

"Burn and I need to discuss some things with you," Dare continues. "Right now."

He turns and strides from the room, not bothering to see if Remy follows. After a moment, the old man shuffles after him, grumbling under his breath. Solana squeezes my hand tightly as their voices fade down the hall.

"Are they going to fight?" she whispers.

"They'd better not, if they know what's good for them." I smooth her dark hair gently. "Dare won't let anything happen to us. I promise."

She considers this, chewing her bottom lip. Then she nods and nestles against me once more. I continue stroking her hair, offering what little comfort I can. But my thoughts are with Dare, hoping he can finally make his grandfather understand.

Hoping this family's cycle of lies and manipulation can end here and now. With me.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Solana is right to be worried - when Remy and Dare clash, things often spiral out of control.

The minutes tick by slowly. I strain to hear the conversation down the hall, but only muffled voices reach us. Solana fidgets in my lap, her small body tense.

I kiss her forehead and slide her from my body. She whines, but I shush her. "It's okay. Aunt Minnie is right here with you still. She'll keep you company while I just check on everyone else."

I tiptoe into the living room, peeking around the corner. Remy stands on one side, his face flushed, eyes blazing. Dare stands on the other, his jaw set. One look at his stony expression and I know Remy is refusing to listen to reason.

"This is outrageous!" Remy bellows, jabbing a finger toward Dare. "You have no right to speak to me this way. I am the head of this family!"

"Not anymore," Dare says evenly. "Things are going to change around here."

Remy scoffs. "You think you can threaten me into obeying you?"

He turns and notices me for the first time. His lip curls in disgust.

"And with the help of this gold-digging little--"

"Don't," Dare snaps, his voice like a whip crack. Remy blinks in surprise.

I make my way into the room slowly, one hand supporting my heavy belly. Remy regards me, his gaze flitting to my stomach. Uncertainty passes over his expression.

Is that longing I see?

"The baby's kicking," I say softly. "She's pretty riled up. I think she can sense the yelling and arguing going on out here."

Remy purses his lips. "Are you here to tell me to shut up, too?"

I shrug and cup my baby bump.

"I'm telling you that there are bigger issues than whatever you are griping about. You're in my home. You should respect my need for a quiet, tranquil atmosphere. I'm carrying your legacy in here. I would think that you would remember that."

My words catch Remy off guard. He opens his mouth, closes it, and then says, "I didn't realize that you could hear us."

I fold my arms across my chest.

"Everyone can hear you, Remy. Not just here. But in basically every room you've ever walked into. You terrify people."

He glares at me. "Surely you overestimate my might."

"I don't think I do."

Dare seizes the opportunity. "It's time to make a choice, Remy. Are you going to keep up with your reign of terror? Are you going to keep poisoning this family with your manipulation?" He pauses, licking his lower lips. "Or will you help it heal?"

Remy turns away, his shoulders hunched. For a full minute, the only sound is the ticking of the antique grandfather clock in the corner.

Finally, he speaks. “I’ve made mistakes.”

That was not what I was expecting him to say. My jaw drops but I’m too overwhelmed to interject my mixed up thoughts.

Dare waves a hand. “Do you care to expand on that?”

Remy gives him a look but purses his lips. Silence reigns again.

Dare shakes his head and stomps his foot. “If you’re not going to apologize, Remy?—”

Remy holds up a hand and Dare falls silent. Remy speaks haltingly at first, then his words come pouring out like a floodgate has just been opened.

"I… I treated you boys harshly after your mother passed. Made you compete for everything. My attention, the family business. Tried to make you as hard and ruthless as me." He glances at Dare. "Maybe I went too far. Your mother wouldn't have wanted that."

Dare's jaw tightens. "You think?"

Remy winces at his grandson's sarcastic tone. "I thought it would make you tough. Ready to take over the empire someday." His voice drops. "Like my father did to me and my brother."

Burn looks surprised. "You have a brother?"

Remy's eyes darken. "Had. I haven't spoken to him in forty years. I don't even know if he's still alive or not."

He falls silent again. The clock ticks steadily on.

Dare steps forward. "It's time to break the cycle, Remy. No more lies and manipulation. Things are going to change around here."

Remy rubs a hand over his face. For the first time, he looks every one of his eight decades.

"Maybe you're right," he says finally. "I'm an old man set in my ways. But perhaps... maybe there's still time to change."

He meets Dare's eyes, and for once there is no malice there. Dare studies his grandfather, arms folded across his chest.

"That's not an apology."

Remy's face mottles. "Are you going to fucking make me say the words?"

I chime in. "It would be nice."

He gives me a cutting look.

"Fine! I'm sorry. Okay? Sorry for not being the grandfather you needed."

Silence reigns for almost half a minute. Dare scrubs a hand through his hair.

"It's nice to actually hear an apology for once," Dare says finally. "But I'm not ready to forgive you yet. You have a lot to make up for. If you really want to change, if you want me to stay here in Harwicke, you'll have to prove it."

Remy's shoulders slump, but he nods. "Understood. I'll... I'll try to do better."

My eyes fix on Dare. "Wait, did you just say... are you thinking of keeping the company here in Harwicke?"

He nods. "I am."

"Do you really mean it?" I whisper, my heart pounding in my ears. Dare takes both of my hands in his and looks me in the eye, determination shining in his gaze.

"Yes," he says firmly. "For you, I'll give up everything. All I need is right here."

My breath catches as he leans in to kiss me, sending sparks of warmth radiating through my body.

Remy clears his throat from the other side of the room. A sliver of ice forms in my chest, but I meet his gaze head-on. He looks like he's about to say something when he notices the protective hand that Dare has placed over my growing belly.

"Talia," Remy starts gruffly, the apology painfully slow to form on his lips. "I owe you an apology as well. I shouldn't have insulted your background or tried to use you as a pawn against my grandsons. That was wrong of me."

I suppress the urge to throw him out then and there. Instead, I look pointedly at Remy and reply coolly, "I accept your apology. On one condition. That you never raise your voice to a woman again. And you need to learn to hold your tongue."

My words seem to surprise him, because for once his mouth stays shut. He makes a face like he is being forced to absorb something unpleasant. For Remy, I guess this is a brand new concept. He simply nods and turns away without another word, shuffling off into the dark hallway like a chastised child.

Dare gently wraps his arms around me and presses a kiss to the crown of my head. "Don't let him get to you," he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear. "You handled that like a pro."

I smile up at him, the warmth of his embrace soothing away the last of my tension. "I'm just glad it's over," I admit, leaning into his chest. "I don't think I could handle any more drama right now."

Dare chuckles and runs his hand down my back, sending shivers through my body. "Well then, let's forget about all this and focus on each other," he suggests.

My lips turn up at the corners and I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him in for a deep kiss.