Not the words she expected. “I’m pretty sure that’s what you wanted when you told me to grow up and solve my own problems.” She threw his words at him so fast she hoped his head spun until he was spitting up split pea soup.

“I deserve that.”

“Is there a point to this conversation?” Because she had no desire to fan the flames of the past.

“I called your attorney to make her aware that Desmond had located you. And since your desire to disappear under a new name went as far as to cut your sister off, I knew I was wrong about the man you married. Cutting me off, I understood. I was a shitty father.”

“You can say that again.”

“Anyway—”

“No. You can say that again. I’m not sure I heard it the first time.”

To hear her father take a deep breath and admit it again was worth all the tea in China. “I was a horrible father. I didn’t deserve you or your sister and didn’t realize how empty my life was until I was following Desmond down the crazy hole and believing that he was right about you.”

“Which was?”

“He said you were sick and that he’d been hiding your illness since you married. When Helen showed up on my doorstep a month after you left, she ripped into me. Blamed me for every bruise. She showed me letters that you’d sent to her the week you left.”

Erin remembered the letters well. It was her goodbye to her sister in writing and a warning not to try and find her or risk Desmond using her as bait, or locating her, which would have devastating results. Each letter outlined, in order, what a nightmare her marriage was. It wasn’t evidence so much as a testimony should something happen to her. Erin knew Helen would fight in her memory if it came down to that.

“I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you, Maci. I truly am.”

Erin closed her eyes. “I’m not ready to accept your apology.”

“That’s fair. The fact that you’re listening to me is enough. Now, other than hearing your voice and assuring your sister that you’re safe, I came to your attorney’s office to lend emotional support, if you’ll have it, and financial—”

“I don’t want your money.”

Renee cleared her throat. “Five hundred an hour, Maci. Take the money.”

Now wasn’t the time.

“I also have some insight on a few things,” her father said.

“This is where it gets good. Listen up,” Renee said.

“I brought Renee a copy of the gift I gave you and Desmond in regards to Vertex. Collectively you and Desmond own fifty-one percent of the shares of the company.”

“I know that.”

“Collectively. Independently you own twenty percent and Desmond owns thirty-one. I gifted the shares to you as an inheritance. This isn’t something Desmond can take from you when you divorce. I did see that as a problem for the daughter of a wealthy man.”

“Desmond told me it was a dowry and you gave it to him.”

“I gave him the right to be able to control Vertex, which you showed no interest in doing, but the shares belong to you.”

“That’s not how it was explained to me.”

“I really should have insisted that you take business classes in college,” he said. “Anyway, since you filed for divorce and your sister gave me a come-to-Jesus moment, I have slowly started buying out or trading shares of my other holdings and now have thirty-three percent of the total sprinkled about under various names. You’re not the only Ashland who can make up names.”

“To serve what purpose?”

Her father sighed. “I live in a financial world. I’m not known for going into a bar and starting a fight to flex my weight. I am, however, gifted in the art of corporate takeovers. You and your sister now own fifty-three percent of Vertex and have the ability to kick out the CEO and replace him with someone mentally competent.”

Erin’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding.”

“I suck at being a dad,” he told her. “But I’m pretty good at being an asshole.”

Matt squeezed her hand.

“I’m looking at the paperwork from the wedding gift, Maci. This is ironclad. I’m sure Desmond knows this and that’s why he’s losing it.”

Matt spoke for the first time. “Once Desmond finds out he’s been removed from the corner office, it will make him even more dangerous.”

“Who’s this?” her father asked.

“My name is Matthew Hudson, Mr. Ashland. And I have no qualms about flexing my weight with fists if it means protecting your daughter.”

Erin smiled at the sentiment and lifted his hand to the side of her face.

“You have a valid point, Matt. Which is why Mr. Ashland and Helen haven’t announced anything yet,” Renee told them.

“I’ve spoken with the authorities both in Chicago and California. We think it’s wise to lure Desmond back to the office where we can keep track of him while this becomes public knowledge. Which might be the best way to keep you safe.”

Erin’s brow furrowed. “How did you know I was in California?”

“You were spotted in LAX back in May. I might have hired a few dozen people to find you.”

“Dad!”

“I’m sorry. I know it’s not what you wanted, but I had to know that Desmond hadn’t found you first.”

“He did find me.”

“Yes, I know. It’s against my nature to ask permission but in this, I am. I’d like to come to you and escort you back to Chicago—”

“My life is here now.” Erin looked at Matt as she spoke. “There are people here who love me.”

“It’s not forever. It’s to lure Desmond away from those you care about.”

“I need to think about this.”

Matt nodded his approval.

“I’m on standby.”

A gust of wind rattled the bedroom window.

Erin sat in an awkward space of not knowing how to say goodbye.

“I’m not in a position for asking favors,” her father said. “But I’m going to anyway.”

“Okay . . .”

“Call your sister.”

Erin placed a hand to her chest. Could she? “Renee?”

“Cat’s out of the bag. No reason not to now.”

Just the thought of her sister’s voice had tears in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“I’ll check back with you at the end of the day,” Renee said. “This is all good news. But watch your step. If Desmond gets wind of any of this . . .”

“I know. Trust me. I know what the man can do when he’s angry.”

Matt picked up the phone. “Thank you, Renee. Mr. Ashland. We’ll be in touch.”

After the call ended they both stared at the phone.

“I can call Helen!” Erin leaned forward, kissed Matt, and grabbed the phone.

She dialed the phone and put it to her ear.

“Hello?” The second her sister’s voice came over the line, Erin started to cry and Matt walked out of the room.

“Helen, it’s me.”

“Maci? Maci!” Helen all but screamed her name. “Are you okay? Please tell me you’re—”