Love You Hello (bk2)

Chapter Seventeen

Nic's POV
"Dad?" I heard Josie gasp and got up. I walked up behind her. "What are you doing here, Dad?" She asked him.

"You're quite the ruckus around this town, Josie." His voice was bold and strong and seemed to echo through my entry way.

"Um, hi, can I help you?" I stepped beside Josie.

"Who are you young man?"

"Well, for starters, I'm the owner of this house and I'm also Josie's boyfriend."

Josie grabbed my hand. "Nic." She said softly.

"So, you're the boyfriend? Hmm, Jos, you didn't inform your mother that he's your boss."

Josie and I both gave him a look.
"Oh, I know a businessman when I see one. Besides, I own the block the New York office for Pike Publishing sits on. I know who is renting from me."

"Dad. Nic is none of your concern. What did you come here for?"

"I came to bring you home, Josie. I've had enough of your attitude."

"I'm an adult, Dad. I'm twenty-two years old."

"Okay, so then act like it. Come back to New York, marry rich and never work again."

I was appalled at the man standing on my porch. "Sir, I don't think you have the right to come to my home and speak to your daughter this way."

"And why is that?"

"Well because it's my home!"

"Young man, do you have a daughter?"

"Actually, yes I do. She's six and she'd probably smack me if I ever spoke to her with the tone you're speaking to Josie in."

Josie looked up at her dad. "Dad, I won't come home. I love my job, I love my friends, and more importantly I love Nic and his daughter. I have so many things here for me and there's nothing for me in New York."

"Your family is there."

"No. Christian Williams, the man who owns half of New York, is there. That's not my father. My father is the man who told me to pursue my dreams and not let anyone stop me! I do not know the man that is standing in front of me right now."

It didn't seem to faze him. "I won't take this as acceptable behavior. You've been gone for over two years. It's time you come home."

"No, Dad. Now, I'd appreciate it if you would leave."

I grabbed Josie's hand and stepped in front of her as he tried to take a step inside. "Do NOT step inside our home. You are not welcome here, sir."

"You think you can speak to me this way?"

"I can."

He snapped his fingers and a police officer stepped onto the porch and handed me a piece of paper. I took it and read it, Josie looked over my shoulder.

"A warrant for arrest?!" Josie exclaimed. "For who?"

"For you, daughter." Christian said boldly. "Because you have not returned the money you borrowed when you moved to LA, I have the right to obtain it by force."

"Wait a minute. Just hold on." Without thinking, I walked to the kitchen, grabbed a check from the drawer, wrote the amount on it and went back to the door. I handed him the check.

"Accept this as full payment from your daughter and leave the premises. This is my land, my house. Get out." I shut the door and took Josie in my arms. Her heart was beating fast. "Baby, are you okay?"

"I'm so sorry Nic. I didn't think he'd come after me like this. I didn't think he could find me here. I'm so sorry. I'll pay you back in full."

"No, baby." I soothed. "There's no need for that. I promise you it's nothing."

"Nic."

"Josie, it's okay." I kissed her head and walked her back to the couch. I sat down and pulled her onto my lap. "Baby, you're safe here with me."

She smiled, "God, we keep going back and forth today, don't we?"

I chuckled lightly, "Yes we do. But every single one is worth it."

We settled back and resumed the movie, holding each other. We'd decided on The Notebook and we watched in silence.

"Hey, Nic?" Josie asked after awhile.

"Yes?"

"Um, before, when you spoke to my dad, you said our house."

"I did?"

She nodded, "Yeah. You said, "Do not step into our home.""

"Oh." I realized. "I guess I did."

"Isn't that weird to you?"

I shook my head, "Not really, love. I think you've spent as much time here as I have this week. Besides, I like having you here."

She leaned into me and hugged my waist. "I like being here too."