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"Eva"

I took a deep breath "Gideon and I eloped"

The line went eerily quiet

"Dad?"

"When?" The scratch in his voice killed o"

"Before you came to see me?"

I cleared my throat "Yes"

Silence

Ah, God Totally brutal Only weeks ago I’d told him about Nathan’s abuse and that nearly broke hi me out We were on this island and it was beautiful, so beautiful The resort ere staying at does weddings all the tias There’s a full-time officiant and someone who handles the licenses It was just a perfect moment, you know The perfect opportunity" My voice cracked "Dad … please say so"

"I … I don’t knohat to say"

A hot tear slid down my face Mom had chosen wealth over love, and Gideon was a prime example of the type of man my mother had picked instead of my dad I knew that created a bias my father had to overco a wedding," I told him "We want our friends and family with us e say our vows …"

"That’s what I was expecting, Eva" He growled "Da fro up to that, and he just runs off and takes you? And you didn’t tellto me? It hurts, Eva It hurts"

There was no way to stop the tears after that They ca my throat

I jolted when the door to the break rooer walked in "She’s probably in here," ue said "And there she--"

His voice trailed off when he saw lasses

A darkly clad arm shot in and brushed hi in onangel, his fine suit erous, his face hardened into a beautifulto process how and why he was there Before it did, he was in front ofto the screen before he lifted it to his ear

"Victor" My father’s na "You see to me now"

Will backed out and shut the door

Despite the cutting edge to Gideon’s words, the fingertips that brushed aze was focused on me, the blue filled with icy fury that nearly ry And so was ht Gideon’s wrist, shaking my head, suddenly panicked that the two --each other

"It’s okay," I whispered "I’aze narrowed and he ain, Gideon’s voice was firm and controlled--and all the ry, and hurt, I’ll give you that But I won’t have my wife twisted up over this … No, obviously without children ofthat reduction in voluaway from me "No, I wouldn’t be happy about it if my sister eloped That said, she’s not the one I’d take it out on …"

I winced My husband and my father had that in common: They were both incredibly protective of those they loved

"I’m available anytime, Victor I’ll even cohter, I accepted full responsibility for both her and her happiness If there are consequences to be faced, I have no probleaze narrowed as he listened

Then Gideon took the seat opposite me, set the phone on the table, and turned on the speaker

My dad’s voice filled the air "Eva?"

I took a deep, shaky breath and squeezed the hand Gideon held out to me "Yeah, I’m here, Dad"

"Sweetheart …" He took a deep breath, too "Don’t be upset, okay? I’ this and … I’ve got to put it together in et off my shift?"

"Yes, of course"

"Good" He paused