Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 222

*Michael*

As night descended upon the tropical paradise of Maui, I arranged a special surprise for Shelby—a private dinner on our secluded beach. With the stress of everything and having to say goodbye to the trip I had originally planned, it felt like the right way to finish our last night in Hawaii.

The soft glow of lanterns illuminated the sand, creating a romantic ambiance that I knew she would appreciate.

We settled at the elegantly set table, the scent of the ocean mingling with the delicious aromas wafting from the plates before us. The anticipation of the food that awaited us stirred a sense of excitement within me. I glanced at Shelby, hoping that the gorgeous atmosphere would whisk her away from the burdens that consumed her thoughts.

“Shelby, this view is incredible, isn’t it? Just the two of us, surrounded by the beauty of this beach. I wanted our last night in Hawaii to be special, to give us a chance to unwind and forget about everything else for a while.”

“It’s beautiful, Michael. Thank you for arranging this.” Shelby reached out her hand, but her brow furrowed. “But I can’t help but think about the case. There’s so much at stake, and I feel a responsibility to see it through.”

“I understand, Shelby. Your dedication to your work is one of the things I admire most about you. But tonight, can we try to set it aside, just for a little while? Let’s focus on us and enjoy our last night here. We need this time together.”

“I know you’re right, Michael. It’s just… it’s difficult for me to completely let go. This case weighs heavily on my mind, and I can’t help but feel a sense of urgency to make things right,” she sighed.

“I know. And I respect your passion and commitment. But remember, we’re in this together. Our connection and our love are what sustain us through the challenges we face. Tonight, let’s create a space where we can find some peace together, even if only for a little while.”

“You’re right, Michael. I’m sorry for bringing the case into our special night. We do need this time together. I’ll set it aside, at least for now.”

However, as the evening unfolded, it became apparent that Shelby’s mind remained firmly anchored to the ongoing case. Her dedication to her work was commendable, but I longed for a brief rest—a chance for us to get lost in each other’s company, disconnected from the demanding realities of our lives.

With each passing moment, Shelby’s conversations gravitated back to the intricacies of the case, her voice brimming with passion and concern. While I understood the importance of the matter at hand, a small part of me yearned for her to let go, even just for this night.

In a gentle and understanding tone, I attempted to steer the conversation toward lighter topics, delicately navigating away from the weighty case that dominated our every thought. I wanted nothing more than to connect with Shelby on a personal level, to create a space where we could simply be us, unburdened by the weight of the world.

“Shelby, can we try to let go of the case for the night?” I ventured, my voice laced with a mix of longing and tenderness. “I know how much it means to you, but I want to cherish this time with you before you have to rush back to it.”

She turned her gaze toward me, her expression conflicted. The furrow of her brows hinted at the inner struggle she faced, torn between her commitment to justice and her desire to find comfort in our togetherness.

“There’s a man’s life at stake here,” she responded, her voice tinged with defensiveness. “I can’t just let it go, Michael.”

I reached out, my hand seeking hers across the table. “I understand, Shelby, and I admire your dedication. But tonight, can we find a way to set it aside, even if just for a little while? Our connection is what sustains us, and I want to savor this moment with you.”

The air between us grew heavy, the weight of our differing perspectives casting a shadow over our romantic dinner. It wasn’t my intention to spark conflict or diminish the importance of Shelby’s work, but I yearned for a balance—a space where we could relax amidst the chaos.

With a sigh, Shelby’s defensive stance softened, but the fire in her eyes promised retribution. The atmosphere between us had grown tense, the conflict of our opinions making it difficult to find common ground.

“Sure, Michael. Let’s savor it.” Although I could sense the challenge of her words, I was determined to make an effort to break through Shelby’s defensive stance.

“I understand your passion for this case,” I countered with a soft smile, “and I know how important this is. I do. I’m not belittling this or your commitment, Shelby.”

“I said I’d let it go, didn’t I? Let’s focus on us.”

Encouraged by her responsiveness, however unenthused it may be, I smiled and grabbed our glasses of wine from the table. Lifting my drink in a toast, I proposed: “To taking a break from all of life’s demands—if only for one night!”

She scoffed as we clinked glasses before taking long sips. Shelby drained hers in one go, clattering the empty glass back to the table with unnecessary force.

Her impatience was palpable, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. The evening was supposed to be a chance for us to unwind and get just a little more time alone.

As the night wore on, Shelby’s demeanor remained tense and irritable. Small things seemed to set her off, her temper flaring at the slightest provocation.

“Shelby,” I began, my voice thick with emotion. “I want to understand what you’re going through. I want to be here for you, to support you in any way I can. But it’s hard for me to do that when you’re clearly upset.”

Shelby’s work always weighed heavily on her, and tonight was no exception. But I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment that our trip had been hijacked by it.

“I’m sorry, Michael,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft music playing in the background. “I know how much this means to you, and I don’t want to ruin our night together.”

I reached across the table, took her hand in mine, and squeezed it gently. “I’m sorry too, Shelby. I can only imagine what’s running through your mind right now.”

The rest of the night went about as smoothly as it started. Shelby stopped talking about her client and the lawsuit, but she never loosened up or relaxed. The mood had soured, and there was no way to get it back.

I hadn’t meant to start something, I was just worried. After how she’d reacted when I’d voiced my concern earlier, I didn’t want to let on just how worried I was. I knew that it was part of the job, that sometimes people didn’t play fair, and sometimes they made things a little dangerous. But, I’d never thought it would be us. I didn’t want my family to be on the receiving end of it.

Later, in bed, the night was silent and still. Shelby had drifted off to sleep an hour ago, but I remained wide awake. My mind raced with thoughts on how to protect her and all of us from the threats of her client’s enemies.

I thought about the logistics of hiring more bodyguards, beefing up home security systems, or moving altogether to one of our vacation homes until it all blew over. All of these solutions seemed extreme, but I also could not find any other way to protect my family from any potential danger.

Unable to take it any longer, I slipped out of bed and onto the balcony, dialing an all too familiar number.

“Michael?”

I whispered, not wanting to disturb Shelby or let her know what I was about to do. “Delaney, it’s Michael. I hope I didn’t wake you. I need your help with something, something important.”

“Give me all the details,” my trusty hacker responded without hesitation.

I sighed, weighing whether or not I wanted to do this. I shouldn’t be interfering with Shelby’s work, but this was our safety. “It’s about the case Shelby’s working on. There have been threats, and now a man’s house has been burned down. I’m worried that things could escalate further, that our family might be at risk.”

“That’s a troubling situation, Michael. I’m sorry to hear that. What do you need from me?”

“I need you to ensure our digital security, Delaney. I want you to dig deep, find out if there’s any trace of our family being targeted or if there’s any vulnerability in our systems. I want to protect Shelby, our kids, and our future.”

“Michael, I understand your concern, and I’ll do everything I can to help. I’ll start by running a thorough check on our digital footprint, looking for any potential breaches or suspicious activities. I’ll also set up additional safeguards to protect your online presence.”

“Thank you, Delaney. Your expertise means a lot to me. I want Shelby to be able to focus on her work without constantly worrying about our safety. I’ll make sure she knows what we’re doing to protect our family.”

“Keep me updated on any developments or if you notice anything unusual. Together, we’ll do everything we can to keep your family safe.”

I ended the call, a mix of determination and relief filling my heart as I glanced back at my beautiful wife. I knew that taking action was necessary to provide a sense of security for Shelby and our children. But, it still felt like a betrayal. I made my way back into the room, watching Shelby sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the steps I was taking to ensure our well-being.

The guilt gnawed at me, but I knew that I had to put my family first. I slipped back into bed, careful not to wake Shelby, and wrapped my arms around her. I pulled her close, inhaling her sweet scent and feeling the warmth of her body against mine. It was moments like this that I wanted to protect, to hold onto, forever.

But the reality was that our happy moments could be shattered in an instant. The threats against Shelby’s client and the potential danger to our family couldn’t be ignored. I closed my eyes, trying to push away the worries and fears that lurked in the back of my mind.

I knew that I couldn’t let my fear take over, but I also couldn’t simply sit back and do nothing. I had to take action. For the safety of our family.