***
To say Ty was shocked would be an understatement. All the blood drained from his face, leaving him looking as white as sheet. He swallowed audibly.
“Why? Cat got your tongue?” The elderly man raised an eyebrow as if challenging Ty to disagree.
Ty didn’t know how to respond to Paul’s question. He also couldn’t help but wish he could ask the man whether fucking his daughter had in any way prevented him from keeping her safe. He stared back at the man for a moment and then thought defiantly; ‘fuck this’.
“I still kept her safe, Sir.” He definitely wasn’t going to lie. The man was obviously on to him.
Paul’s brows rose, this time as if to say ‘what the fuck?’ Then his mouth tightened in obvious annoyance. “You sure did.” He nodded. “But as a father, it pisses me off that my daughter was being used…”
“With all due respect Sir, your daughter wasn’t being used.” Ty rasped, irritation simmering through him. “And I will appreciate it if you don’t degrade what we have with such words.” His body language was so tight and defensive.
“And what exactly do you have? Huh?” Paul moved to sit at the edge of his seat, with his hand clasped on his knee, his eyes cold. “She’s just a kid. Suddenly finds herself in the grips of criminals who want to kill her. Has no one around to help her or give her hope. Then along comes a…good-looking chap. Probably shows her some kindness. She’s vulnerable. It’s only natural that she will develop feelings for the guy. But you…” Paul pointed a finger at Ty. “You were on a job. Knew what you were there for. Knew you had to be the professional that your superiors expected you to be…unless of course, the rules have changed. Which I doubt it has. I know my daughter is beautiful. But a serious soldier doing his job shouldn’t even notice that. But you don’t just notice that. You go right ahead and take advantage of her. How do you put it…get your rocks off.”
“That’s not how it happened,” Ty said quietly, the full import of the wrongness of his actions finally hitting him. “I didn’t take advantage of her.” He rasped.
“Put yourself in my shoes for a moment, young man. I know you’re not a father but try. How would you feel if you were me?” Paul sat back and watched Ty. “Someone may see it as romantic but I don’t. As far as I’m concerned, you took advantage of my daughter’s vulnerability.”
Ty cleared his throat and took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry you feel that way, Sir. I understand how you would think that too.” His voice was low. “And I do apologize for not acting professionally. But I’m not sorry or regretful for what I share with your daughter. I know how you must hate me for what happened. But I didn’t plan what happened between Tanesha and I. In fact, I tried to fight it. God knows I tried. Yes, your daughter is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.
But what called to me was her inner beauty. What I feel for her is more than mere lust.” Ty paused for a moment when Paul Ashton snorted in disbelief. He felt himself trembling from frustration…anger…he didn’t know which. Ty took a deep breath, silently urging himself to calm down. “I’m in love with your daughter, Sir. I know you’ll probably think I’m just saying that to continue…getting my rocks off. But what I feel for her is real and is never going to change.”
“Love is a strong word, young man,” Paul said gruffly. “Where I come from, you first introduce yourself to a girl’s parents, court her, marry her, before you have sex with her. You decided to start with what’s supposed to be last. Very disrespectful if you ask me. I’m so disappointed because I had better plans for my daughter. If for…”
“Would you please permit me to court your daughter Sir?” Ty asked, cutting Paul off. He moved forward to the edge of his seat. “Please give me the chance to make it right.”
Paul gave a short humourless laugh. “A little too late for that don’t you think? Don’t get me wrong young man.” Paul frowned. “I’m not saying you should court or marry my daughter. Hell, I should be telling you to stay away from her. I’m just stating facts and how I thought things should go for my daughter under normal circumstances… which this is not.”
“I know. But I’m ready to do the right thing. Please permit me.” Ty looked desperate. “These past two months without her…not seeing her, not being able to talk to her has been…” He shook his head slowly, his very soul showing in his eyes. “It’s been hell. The restlessness, the impatience, the numb feeling inside… I missed her so fucking much.” He whispered, not even looking at the obviously shocked Paul who was staring at him. It was not every day Paul saw a strong proud male such as Ty completely bare his soul. “I’ve always thought guys who allowed themselves to be completely smitten with girls were weak.”
He gave a short humorless laugh.
“Little did I know. I’m normally a strong guy. Strong as a brick. But your daughter turned my world on its axis. I couldn’t stop loving her even if I wanted to.” He looked up and fixed his intense blue eyes directly on Paul’s. “Please, Mr. Ashton. I do respect and love Tanesha. But without your consent, I’ll be forced to disrespect your family by dating your daughter behind your back. Because trust me, I will. But I want to do the right thing so please.”
Paul stared at Ty for a long moment. He had no doubt that Ty would do exactly as he’d said…fuck his daughter with or without his consent. “Tell me one thing soldier. And I want the honest answer.”
“I’ll be as truthful as I can Sir.”
“Whilst my daughter was on that Island, there was a time I was present during negotiations with ZONKAI. I spoke to…Skull, who gave me a very graphic detail of how he was going to cut up my little girl. I only got to know from my wife, last night, that you were Skull. Meaning you were the one I spoke to. True?” Paul watched Ty. The soldier looked as if he was going to be sick.
“True,” Ty whispered. He wanted to die.