Devotion (The Seductors Series Book 3) Read Free Page B

I…I…” I had no idea what to do.
    “You can stay and catch up with Claire if you want. I’d understand.” He really wanted me to come; I could see it in his eyes.
    “No, I want to come if that’s okay with you,” I replied, watching his stunned face.
    “Of course it’s fine with me. I’m not sure what kind of mood he’ll be in, though.” Oliver looked toward Claire. “How was he when you saw him?”
    “He was having a good day on Monday. He recognized Richard.”
    “Right away?”
    “After a few minutes. He didn’t stay with us long, though. We lost him half an hour later.”
    “Are you sure about this, Jade?” Oliver asked one final time.
    “Yes,” I smiled, touching his face. “Come on, let’s go.”

    It didn’t surprise me to see that Oliver’s father had the best care money could buy. The home itself was a magnificent mansion. Each resident had their own personal caregiver, and Oliver’s father had the largest room in the building.
    “It’s lovely to see you again, Oliver,” a fair-haired woman greeted us as we walked into his father’s bedroom. He wasn’t there, though.
    “Hi, Gail. Where is he?”  
    “He’s fine. The doctor hasn’t finished with him yet, so why don’t you take this lovely lady outside and I’ll bring your father out to you when he’s done?” Oliver nodded, taking my hand in his and leading me away.
    “This place is lovely, Oliver,” I mused, looking around as we stepped through the doors.
    “I would have rather kept him at the mansion, but Richard won that argument. I’m not in Macon enough to fight for my father’s right to stay in his own home!”
    “How is your father’s health?”
    “He’s deteriorated since being here, like I knew he would. How can he hold onto his memories when he doesn’t recognize anything here?”
    “I’m sorry,” I whispered, leaning in to kiss his neck before wrapping my arms around him.
    “Richard said that if I really cared about my father, I should have moved him to New York. But how could I run my business and look after my dad? I didn’t see that as a viable option.”
    “That was a heartless thing for your uncle to say.” I was seeing another side to Richard that I didn’t like, but it all made sense now. His uncle was jealous of Oliver, just like he had been with his father.
    “He thinks I’ve got it easy—living in New York, running Kirkham Industries—while he looks after my father.”
    “Your uncle is delusional! I’ve only been working with you for six weeks and I can see how stressful your job is!”     
    “Jade, it’s okay,” Oliver chuckled, pulling me onto his lap as he sat down on one of the benches that were scattered around a table. “Although, I do find you standing up for me incredibly sexy.”  
    “Who else is going to watch out for you if I don’t?” I ran my hands through his hair, gazing down into his hooded, dark orbs. “I love you. I’m always going to stand up for you.” I meant those words, too.
    “I love you, too, Sweetheart,” he beamed, wrapping his fingers around my hair and tugging me down toward his lips. It was only a chaste kiss, but I could feel all the love that was poured into it from the two of us.
    When we broke apart, Oliver looked up and I could tell from the stance in his body that he could see his father. I slid off his lap and turned in the direction he was looking.
    My heart broke watching the frail old man making his way toward us with Gail. He looked so lost, gazing around at everything and yet nothing. Oliver resembled his father a lot. I took his hand in mind, squeezing it for reassurance. He turned to look at me, giving me a half smile. Yes, I’m here, Oliver. You’re not alone anymore.  
    “Look who has come to visit you, Francis,” Gail beamed once they reached us. “You remember Oliver, don’t you?” Francis gazed down at his son, looking at him as if he were a stranger. I couldn’t even imagine how hard this was for Oliver.