Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 428: I Miss Him

Alex looked up when Mari walked into his office, and he raised a brow when he observed the way she raised her shoulders like she always did whenever she was bracing for an argument.

He sighed inwardly, wondering what they were about to argue about.

Bracing himself too, he sat up and smiled at her, "What’s up?"

Mari cleared her throat as she stood behind one of the chairs at his desk, "I know we had an agreement about my not going over to Jax’s place..." she started, observing his expression carefully to determine whether or not she should go further.

Of course, he should have known this was going to be about Jax.

Alex leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest.

Mari watched him carefully.

The office was quiet except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall.

"I’m listening," Alex said calmly.

Mari cleared her throat again, glad that he’d not shut her down and was willing to hear her out on the subject.

"I know you said I can’t go to his place," she began slowly, "and I understand why. I really do."

Alex nodded once but said nothing.

"But..." she hesitated, "I was wondering if maybe you could reconsider it."

Alex’s brows lifted slightly.

"Mari."

"I know," she said quickly before he could say more. "I know what you’re going to say. But everything is calmer now. Things are not as messy as before. Besides, Chad and Venita came over to apologize. That counts for something, right?"

Alex studied her quietly without responding.

"Jax has been working nonstop for days," she added softly. "He sounds exhausted."

"So this is about taking care of him?" Alex asked dryly.

Mari ignored the teasing in his tone.

"I’m not sure he has been sleeping well either. It sees me like he forgets everything else when he works," she said. "And you know that’s not good for anyone, right?"

Alex sighed inwardly.

"And what exactly do you plan to do there?" Alex asked.

Mari blinked. "What?"

"If I say yes," he said patiently, "what exactly are you going there to do?"

Mari opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Alex waited.

Finally she muttered, "Make sure he eats and sleeps?"

Alex stared at her. Then despite himself, he chuckled.

Mari pouted immediately. "Dad!"

"You want to risk my blood pressure just so he can eat and sleep?" he asked.

"He’s overworking himself," Mari said defensively.

"And that requires you camping in his house?"

"I didn’t say camping!"

"So, what’s your plan? Do you want to go over for a couple of hours and come back?"

"A couple of hours won’t be enough to make sure he eats and sleeps well. So, I was thinking of spending the weekend. You know, since I have to resume fully at the office on Monday," she said with a sweet smile.

Alex shook his head slowly, though amusement flickered briefly in his eyes.

Mari stepped closer to the desk. "Dad, I miss him. Please let me go to him," she said more softly this time.

The amusement faded from Alex’s face and his expression softened slightly at the softness and honesty he heard in her voice.

"I know you’re trying to protect me. You can send any of your men with me, I don’t mind," she continued quietly. "He already has a lot on his shoulders. His siblings are a mess. He’s stressed over his work. And I know he misses me too."

Alex was silent.

Mari clasped her hands together. "If the weekend is asking for too much, how about just tonight? I just want to spend time with him even if it’s only for a little while," she admitted.

Alex looked at her for a long moment. Then he sighed. "You really love him."

Mari blinked, surprised by his statement. Then nodded slowly. "Of course I do."

Alex looked away briefly.

For a second he saw not the grown woman standing before him, but the little girl in glasses who used to cling to his legs whenever he had to leave the Island.

Now she was standing here asking permission to go see a man she loved. Time really moved too fast.

"You’re making this difficult for me," he muttered.

Mari’s eyes brightened slightly. "That means you’re considering it?"

"It means," Alex corrected carefully, "that I understand why you want to go."

Mari moved around the desk quickly before he could change his mind.

"Dad—"

"Sit down first," he said immediately when he saw her trying to hug him.

Mari laughed softly and sat on the edge of his desk.

Alex tapped his fingers lightly against the table as he thought.

Finally he spoke. "Alright. You can go," he said slowly.

Mari’s eyes widened.

"But—"

She groaned right away. "Does there always have to be a ’but’?"

"There is always a but when you’re my daughter," he said dryly.

Mari bit back a smile. "Fine. Go on."

"Your security detail goes with you. And if there is any issue whatsoever, you contact me and you leave immediately. Understood?"

Mari nodded quickly.

"And you keep your phone close to you at all times. Don’t make me call you twice."

"Yes, sir."

"And you update your mother."

Mari smiled wider now. "Yes, sir."

Alex narrowed his eyes slightly. "Why do I suddenly feel manipulated?"

Mari gasped dramatically. "Dad! I would never manipulate you."

Alex snorted. "You’ve been doing that for years. Andy taught you."

Mari grinned unapologetically. "Are you admitting that you married a manipulator? It tells a lot about your choices, you know?"

Alex nodded, "Now I’m rethinking my decision to let you go."

Mari laughed out loud, "What I meant is, you married the best woman there is. You make excellent choices."

He chuckled. "Go now before I change my mind. And let him know I want him to have dinner with us as soon as it’s convenient for him."

Alex looked at her for another moment before waving her away.

Mari squealed happily and this time he let her hug him.

"You’re the best!" she said excitedly.

"I know," Alex replied dryly, though one corner of his mouth lifted. "The guys will be waiting outside."

Mari kissed his cheek quickly before hurrying toward the door.

Halfway there she paused and turned back.

"Dad?"

"Hm?"

"I love you."

He raised a brow, "More than you love Jax?"

She giggled. "I’ll give you the response on my wedding day," she said before walking away.

Alex chuckled as he watched her go.