Chapter 183

Alex’s POV

It was familiar yet strange to see my office building again. There were times I missed my work, but I was happy with my decision to turn over the operation of my businesses to Daisy, and I had the utmost confidence in her.

Joseph drove into the parking garage, and I took the private elevator to the penthouse.

Bittersweet memories of Joanna washed over me when I stepped into the enormous living room. The entire apartment was kept spotless, but there were still signs of my beloved wife everywhere.

Joanna loved staying the night here after dinner and watching a show at one of the theaters or the opera house.

She had decorated the penthouse herself, and it was saturated with her personal style. The carpeting was soft beige wool, and the drapes, the sofa, and the chairs were azure blue.

Joanna bought the art on all the walls whenever she saw a piece that spoke to her, or she commissioned local artists to paint what she wanted.

Her favorite painting was hung over the gas fireplace. It was a pairing of an infant who resembled Daisy at that age. She was lying in a reed basket in the middle of a field of wildflowers that had a small brook flowing through it.

Recalling the day I helped her hang the painting on that wall brought tears to my eyes. I lost her and Daisy less than a month later.

My grief was interrupted by the alarm that told me someone was riding up the elevator, and I went to the door to let Victor in.

The guilty expression on his face didn’t ease my mind. Why didn’t I see his playboy side before encouraging his engagement to my daughter?

“Come in and sit down, Victor.” I waved toward the living room.

He sat on a chair and waited for me to sit on the couch before speaking.

“Alex, I’m so sorry about last night.” Victor’s expression was sincere. “Something happened this week that I would rather not speak of, and I let my emotions get the better of me.”

I looked him in the eyes. “Are you trying to tell me you haven’t been living the life of a playboy since you were eighteen?”

His eyes never left mine. “No. I can’t say that. But this week was the first time I’ve been out partying with women since I met Daisy.”

“This week?” I repeated. “So last night wasn’t the first time since you became engaged to my daughter?”

“I went into some bars and clubs the last few evenings,” he admitted. “But I haven’t done anything except get drunk. I haven’t taken any women home yet.”

Was he telling the truth? It was hard to tell. In the business world, Victor was known to be able to bluff exceedingly well.

“Daisy loves you, Victor,” I said. “We spoke about open relationships, and she won’t be part of one. She wants love and a real family with a trustworthy man.”

“Can you be that man?” I asked.

He hesitated long enough to concern me, and I didn’t like the doubt on his face when I said Daisy loves him. How could he not see it?

“I’ve never been married or had children, but I believe I could be a good husband to your daughter,” he said.

How does he feel about her? He hasn’t mentioned love.

I came right to the point. “Do you love Daisy?”

Victor dropped his eyes to the floor momentarily before looking up at me again. “Yes. I love her like I’ve never loved any other woman before.”

His response made me sigh with relief. But I wasn’t convinced of his worthiness. “Can you assure me that you will give up your playboy ways and be a good husband to my daughter? I don’t want Daisy married to a cheat who will hurt her.”

“If I am given the chance, Alex, I will be a good husband to Daisy and do everything in my power to make her happy.”

I wanted to believe him, but Daisy’s happiness was on the line. “You swear to stay away from other women?” I asked.

“I swear I’m finished with that life,” Victor promised. “I knew I was done with it last night when I saw myself through your eyes. I have never been so ashamed of myself.”

Victor continued. “I went straight home after you left, and I thought about my life and what I want and don’t want. There is no doubt in my mind that I want a life with Daisy. I don’t want those women who only want me for money and power.”

Calm washed over me. Victor had changed, and then he had a lapse in judgment. But deep down, he was the man I thought he was.

“You Have greatly relieved my mind, Victor. Thank you.”

Victor smiled. “I am glad, Alex.” His smile faded. “You haven’t told Daisy about last night, have you?”

“No, and there is no reason for her to ever know,” I said. “As long as your behavior is not repeated, knowing about it would only hurt her needlessly.

“Thank you, Alex. I don’t want to ever hurt her.” He grinned. “And Daisy has become more outspoken than ever.”

We laughed together, and I felt like everything would be alright.

Victor and I chatted a little while longer about association business before we went down to the parking garage together on the private elevator.

It began raining as Joseph drove me home. It was dreary weather that tried to sap my good mood.

Daisy didn’t have any plans, and I spent most of the day with her, watching old movies. Later that evening, we had dinner with Victor, Mitch Long, the COO of Wilson, Inc., and his wife Casey.

It was a pleasant meal. It was good to see the respect Mitch gave my daughter. He listened carefully to her opinions and supported her ideas.

Victor was attentive and said all the right things. But after watching him barely interact with Daisy all evening, I began to get an uneasy feeling about something he said that morning. But I couldn't put my finger on it.

After our guests left, I was exhausted and excused myself to go to bed. I fell asleep instantly, but I woke in the middle of the night after dreaming about Victor at Moonglow.

He had been dancing with the big-busted blonde that had been sitting in his lap. Daisy approached the pair and tried to cut in to dance with Victor. But they laughed at her and continued to dance, pushing her out of their way as she cried.

I sat straight up in bed and remembered the words that were setting off alarm bells in my mind. Victor said he hadn’t taken any women home for sex yet. “Yet,” I repeated. “What did that mean?”

And he was excited as he spoke to Mitch about taking over the leadership position soon. He didn’t seem nervous at all. Was the position his true reason for marrying Daisy?

Men had married women for much less than the power and fame of being the leader of The United Association of Alphas!

“Blast it!” I cursed and called for Benson. I couldn’t let him marry Daisy only to achieve his career goals.

He was in my bedroom within minutes, dressed in his pajamas and robe. “Alex, what is it? Are you ill?”

“I don’t know if Victor told me the truth or if he lied so he could marry Daisy and become the association's leader,” I said as I paced the room.

“I must know conclusively if he loves my daughter or if he's using her to get my job. I can’t leave this world peacefully without knowing she will be safe and loved.”

“You are right,” Benson agreed. “Daisy cannot marry someone who is using her to get what he wants. But how can we be sure if he loves her?”

“We must test him,” I decided. “I have a plan that will tell us how he feels about Daisy.”

“I will help you and do whatever is needed, Alex,” Benson said. “What's your plan?”