DECEPTION - A Family Affair by Michele Lee Read Free Book Online

she wasn’t to blame then who was to blame?  Damn him she wanted to know why he couldn’t confide in her.  Again, her pride stopped her from asking.
    “Well I couldn’t plea my case since I didn’t have any of the facts.  For all I knew maybe it was me you were running from, but at this point it doesn’t matter it was so long ago and we are different people now.  Please don’t say anything to them; as the saying goes its water under the bridge.”  That was all she could muster.  She started to get out the car needing to get away from him and he was out before she was able to put her foot on the ground.  She looked in the back to say good bye to Cisco but somewhere along the way he fell asleep.  She grabbed Nate’s food and move to the side while Marco closed the door gently.
    “Do I need to worry about your father coming out with a shot gun if I walk you up to the door?”  He asked with amusement.
    He really knew nothing of her life and it troubled him to know she was right they are complete strangers now.  She looked shyly at him then replied.  “No, you don’t need to worry about my father.  I live alone now.” 
    He stopped in his tracks; her response was not what he expected to hear.  So much has happened; life kept going on without him.  “What happened to him?”  She misunderstood his look of alarm for sincerity and it warmed her to her very core.  She faced him and was lost for words for what felt like minutes.
    She turned to look at the house then the old pick-up that just sat in the driveway.  She couldn’t bring herself to get rid of it, somewhere deep down she was hoping he would return but knew that would never happen.  His memory was getting worse and he was not as strong as he used to be.  Finally finding the courage to speak she answered.  “He uh, he had a couple of strokes and I had no choice but to admit him to a nursing home.  I couldn’t provide him the care he needed.  I mean I tried for a couple of years but he had another stroke and fell on my watch.  He winded up dislocating his hip from the fall.  I felt so helpless, I failed him.  I know he wasn’t the kindest person but he is all I have left.”  She shrugged her shoulders and turned her head to try to hide the tears that suddenly rolled down her face.  She seemed to lose her composure and dignity around him.  She would never allow anyone to see her vulnerable side and here she goes acting as if she was a child again under the spell of Marco.  It aggravated her to lose control.
    He grabbed her and pulled her into his arms as he rubbed her back inhaling her scent that he so missed.  He was so pleased she didn’t fight him, she allowed him to hold her as she clinched the bags she held at her waist.  He had no sympathy for her father but yearned to protect her as he always had.  He knew she didn’t deserve this kind of burden.  “Hey I know one thing about you which is you always give your all so you failed no one.  You made the right decision making sure he gets the best possible care.”  He whispered into her ear.
    What happen to her shield to protect herself against him?  It must have been the wine talking she just revealed so much it reminded her of the old days when they would share all their problems but those days are long gone and she needed to snap out of this moment of weakness even though it felt so good to be in his powerful arms.  To be able to let the weight fall off her shoulders even if it’s for a minute she will savor it.  Again, she was captured under his wicked spell
    He slowly stepped back and searched for her face and then picked up her chin with his finger.  “Look at me.”  He softly pleaded.  She reluctantly raised her tearful eyes and she was mesmerized.  His turquoise eyes were in a trance as he looked into hers.  “You are so beautiful.”  He wiped her tear that was about to fall then he leaned in to kiss her trembling lips.  Once she felt the heat from