2

Anthony inclined his head. “I know you will. You’ve always been a strong woman, Oriana. I’m sorry I didn’t see that before. I’m sorry for…for so very much.” He cleared his throat, glancing over at Silver and Ford as though he’d forgotten they were there. “Please, come sit with me for a bit. Your stepmother is bringing refreshments for us to enjoy.”

“Great, but don’t expect us to call her ‘mom’.” Silver hissed under her breath as she joined Ford on the leather sofa set across from the massive marble fireplace.

Behind them was another floor to ceiling window with a picturesque view of the ocean, bringing in so much natural light no lamps were needed, but there were two tall glass cylinder lamps at either side of the sofa. In front of them was a large, square, sleek black coffee table on a fluffy grey area rug. The massive room was sparsely furnished, but the way it was set up in front of the fireplace made it kinda cozy.

Anyone looking at them now would think they were a normal family.

If they could ignore the underlying tension.

Ford reached out and took Silver’s hand, shooting her a slanted smile before turning back to their father. “How is Anne?”

Smiling broadly, Anthony settled Westy in the crook of his arm. “Very well. She’s been managing all my affairs. If not for her I wouldn’t have regained my health. Or been able to afford all this.”

“Do you really need such a big place?”

“Ford!” Oriana frowned at him, then looked back at their father. “This is a beautiful home. I think what my sweet brother meant to say is it’s a little big for just you and Anne, isn’t it? I hope you have help taking care of it?”

“I do.” Anthony’s lips quirked. “And it was a good investment. These new condos are in high demand. I know none of you will be interested in living somewhere like this, what with you all having children and big families, but you’ll make a killing on the market selling it when I die.”

“Anthony, your children haven’t seen you in a long time. They don’t need to hear you speaking that way.” Anne clucked her tongue as she padded softly into the room, holding a silver tray with a tea setting and a plate full of tiny sandwiches. She placed the tray on the coffee table. “Don’t mind him. We were discussing how you might rebuild the family fortune in the housing market once you inherit the purchases your father and I have been making over the last year.” Anne smiled at Oriana. “He says you’ve got the best business sense of all his children. And I agree.”

Oriana’s lips parted. She shook her head. “I’m training to be a sports doctor. And…” She swallowed, still standing beside their father, looking down at him holding her son as though she’d never seen the man before. “I thought you were leaving everything to Ford?”

Not that Ford wanted anything from the man, but he was a little shocked as well. Anthony had practically disowned Oriana, claiming she wasn’t his daughter at all. He’d acted like Ford, who he barely knew, was the only child who mattered.

Hadn’t worked out for the man when Ford had sold the team out from under him, but even that hadn’t seemed to deter him.

Anthony inclined his head. “I’d planned to, and he will still inherit some of what I have if I manage to accumulate anything worth leaving him, but…” The old man sighed, leaning back in the chair, holding his grandson closer. “Oriana, I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I can’t erase what I’ve done, but—as I told you on the phone—I’m hoping I can right some of them before I’m gone. It pleases me you three are so close. I don’t want to miss out on your lives. On meeting my grandchildren. The Delgado legacy will continue with you.” He looked from Oriana, to Ford. Then finally, to Silver. “All of you. And I want that to be something you’re proud of. Because I’m prouder of you than I can say.”

Silver’s bottom lip quivered. She sat up a little straighter as a tear spilled down her cheek. Wiping it away impatiently, she stared at their father. “That sounds good, but I hope you know it’s going to take more than some nice words to get us to trust you again.”

With a heavy sigh, Anthony lifted Westy, placing the baby back in Oriana’s arms. He didn’t speak again until she’d taken a seat at Silver’s other side. “I respect that. And believe me, I know we have a long way to go. But you’re here. That’s a start.”

Anne patted her husband’s shoulder. “Yes, it is.” She moved to the table, setting out the teacups. “Why don’t we all have some tea and catch up? Unless you’d like coffee? I can go make some, it won’t take a minute.”

“Tea’s fine.” Oriana gave Anne a hesitant smile. “It’s clear you’ve taken very good care of our father. Thank you.”

“Yes, well…I know you probably didn’t think much of us getting married. I’m only ten years older than you.” Anne poured the tea, a wistful smile on her lips. She handed Oriana the cup after preparing it exactly the way his sister liked it. “But I worked for him for a long time and we’ve been through a lot together. It was nice to have a chance to prove I could be there for him like he’s been there for me.”

“You stuck around even after he lost almost everything.” Oriana’s smile was warm now, showing she held nothing against the woman. “That tells me a lot about you.”

“I appreciate that.”

Thanking Anne as she handed him a cup of tea—black, like he usually took it at the office, even though she hadn’t been there in a long time—Ford tried to keep his expression neutral. This whole thing was surreal. He could tell Oriana desperately wanted to believe in their father. She’d spent her whole childhood, and much of her adulthood, trying to be the perfect daughter. Sure, she was stronger now, had a family of her own, a career she loved, but he could practically see that little girl she’d once been, looking for her father’s approval.

Maybe this was real. Maybe Anthony had gotten a reality check when he hadn’t been invited to Silver’s wedding. Seen that he’d end up dying alone, forgotten by the children he’d pushed away again and again. Fuck, it would be awesome to see him be the man, the father, Oriana and Silver deserved.

But did anyone really change that much?

By his side, Silver stared at their father, hugging herself tight, not touching her tea. She hadn’t said much, but that wouldn’t last. Oriana talking and laughing with their father had her on edge. Her expression darkened as Oriana began telling Anthony a funny story about her husband, Max Perron, bringing Westy to meet a few players during a charity event.

“Sorry, but I can’t do this. I don’t know what you’re playing at, Dad, but I’m not here for it.” Silver stood, shaking her head when Ford moved toward her, and strode off down the hall.

Damn it! Ford didn’t blame Silver for leaving, but he couldn’t just abandon Oriana. He stood beside her, raking his fingers through his hair, torn. Hopefully Silver had just gone down to wait in the car. They could talk to her when they got there.

Which would be soon. Oriana being happy with all this was good, but he didn’t want her getting her hopes up. They all needed time to see if Anthony was legit interested in being the father they needed.

That my sisters need. He was never mine. Ford’s throat tightened. He’d been useful once, but not anymore. If not for Oriana, he wouldn’t be here at all.

He looked over at Anthony. “I’m not sure what you expected, but you’ve got a lot to prove. And she owes you nothing.”

“I know that.” Anthony took a deep breath. “You should go to her, Oriana. I’m not giving up, but I don’t want to make this more difficult on any of you.” He lowered his gaze. “If you’ll give me a moment of your time, Ford, I’d like to speak to you alone.”

Fuck no. Ford’s lips parted, but Oriana rose beside him, giving him a look that nearly broke his heart. She needed this chance. Needed the father she believed Anthony could be in her life. The way she held Westy close made it even more obvious why she’d picked up the phone when the man had called her. That little boy would never lack for love. He had Sloan and Max’s fathers to fill the grandparents’ role and a whole team’s worth of adopted uncles ready to dote on him. But Oriana wanted her son to have Anthony as well.

If there was any chance that little boy could have his grandfather in his life, Ford would help make sure that happened.

He sighed and nodded. “Go on. I won’t be long.”

Oriana pressed a light kiss on his cheek, then went to her father, hugging him and holding Westy up so his grandfather could cuddle him one last time.

Anthony’s eyes lit up. “Wait, before you rush off, I have something for him.” He reached for his cane. “I’ll be just a—”

“Let me get it.” Anne hurried off, returning seconds later with a big, shiny blue gift bag filled with pale blue tissue and curly blue ribbons. Her cheeks were red as she returned, handing Oriana the bag. “You can open it later if you’d like. I’d planned this to go much nicer, but…” She shook her head, looking sad. “We knew it might take time to repair Anthony’s relationship with all of you.”

“Thank you.” Oriana bit her bottom lip as Westy started to fuss. “I feel rude leaving without—”

“Don’t, my sweet girl.” Anthony gave her another hug. “I just hope you’ll come visit with him again soon.”

“I will.”

“Good. Then go make sure your sister is all right. And please call me when you have a chance.” Anthony walked Oriana to the door, waving off her objections. “I’m much better. Don’t worry about me.”

With both his sisters gone, Ford felt out of place. His only interactions with Anthony had been either on the direction of Roy Kingsley, the man who’d raised Ford as a son until the truth had been revealed, or standing by Oriana and Silver once he’d finally understood what loyalty really meant. Not giving his all to someone who considered him disposable, but caring for those who loved him, who never asked for more than they gave. People who didn’t hurt him when he didn’t serve their purpose any longer.

Cleaning off the table, Anne shot him a sympathetic smile. “Family can be very complicated.”

“Just a bit.” Ford shoved his hands in the pockets of his black slacks, smiling back at her. The woman seemed nice enough. Sticking with Anthony through some of the shit he’d pulled might have been questionable, but maybe her faith in him hadn’t been completely misplaced.

Maybe.

Just maybe.

Ford would reserve judgment. On them both.