Read Online His Reason, Her Choice by Teona Bell - Free Book Online Page B

returned, Russ was walking through the front door. From the lack of surprise on his face, Joy assumed he’d already known his parents were there and didn’t warn her.
    “Russ, I just met your parents. Who knew they were coming?” She infused her words with meaning.
    He cast her an apologetic look. “Yeah, who knew? Mom, Dad, this is Joy, my—”
    “Mistress?” his father interrupted and turned at last from the window. The old man’s eyes were just as chocolate brown as Russ’s but without the friendly light to make him approachable.
    Joy glared at Russ, but he shook his head imperceptibly. His mouth tightened. “I don’t know why you’ve come to my house with that accusation, Dad, but you owe me and Joy an apology. Mom, here’s your prescription.”
    He handed his mother a bag, and she took it and thanked him before returning to the couch. For some reason, both Denita and Nicolette had latched onto the woman and sat beside her on the couch. Joy blinked at them in disbelief. Maybe Gloria gave off a Russ vibe.
    “I heard everything from this young lady,” Russell said, gesturing toward Denita.
    Joy’s hackles rose. “Denita and Nicolette, go to your room until I call you.”
    “Mommy,” was the whiny response from both.
    “What?” Joy folded her arms, and the two girls popped to their feet.
    “Yes, ma’am.” They ran off, and Joy spun to face Russell. “Denita’s smart for a six-year-old, but I’m pretty sure she didn’t call me a mistress.”
    The older man frowned. “Of course not. I defined what she told me, that is that my son pays for everything and buys them and you anything you want. Since it’s also apparent you live here, I concluded for myself what you are.”
    “A gold-digger. That’s in essence what you’re saying, right?”
    “There’s no need to get up in arms, Miss...”
    Russ strode over to her and wrapped an arm about Joy’s waist. He drew her to his side despite how she much she tried to get away. “And I said, you’re wrong, Dad. Joy is my girlfriend. I take care of her and the girls because I love Joy.”
    Joy froze. He made it worse. These people wouldn’t like her any better because he lied about their relationship and his feelings.
    “Well there,” Gloria chirped. “See, Russell dear? You were wrong.”
    Joy looked at her in surprise.
    Russell seemed less than convinced. “I’ll apologize if I am wrong.”
    “What are you trying to say?” Joy snapped. She tried to step nearer to him, but Russ wouldn’t let go. She glared at her lover, but he ignored her. In frustration, she turned back to his dad. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
    Russell’s hair was stark white, and as he moved closer to them, she noticed the wrinkles around his eyes and the smile ones around his mouth. So he didn’t always frown like he did right now. “I know my son, and it’s pretty obvious he cares about you a great deal. On the other hand, I don’t know you at all. You could be the type of person who uses him for what he can give you. I wouldn’t be the man I am today if I skipped along in ignorance of the fact that there are predatory people in the world.”
    Joy fell silent. As pissed off as she was because he was talking about her, what he said made sense. That didn’t stop her from disliking the man on the spot.
    “Dad,” Russ said in a low tone, “apologize to Joy.”
    “Son, you can’t—”
    “Apologize,” Russ ground out.
    Red stained the old man’s cheeks, and a muscle ticked in his jaw. “It doesn’t change what I think, but I apologize, Joy.”
    Gloria clutched her hands together. “Good. I don’t like when my boys fight. Joy, both of them are very stubborn, but Russell always gives in to Russ. He has ever since our son was born. It’s a wonder Russ isn’t spoiled. Well, I hand in that.”
    Joy made a small sound of acknowledgement. Her mind reeled, and she wanted to get away from them to think. Instead, Russ leaned down as if he intended