“I know.” I make sure she hears that. Every syllable. “And I believe you.”
She blinks fast, lashes wet. My chest pulls tight.
“But here’s the part I need you to hear,” I say, hands on my hips. “I don’t think this is about her. I think this is about optics.”
Her brows pinch. “Optics?”
I exhale slow, angry heat climbing up my spine. “I don’t scroll. I did last night. Been in this business long enough to know all the players. He’s trying to climb into Aldridge Shaw’s pocket. And Shaw’s daughter? Emilia?” I shake my head. “Ice princess. Family royalty in his world. A girl like that doesn’t want a scandal, nothing that could blemish her appearance. Pictures ofthe two of them?” I shake my head. “Obvious as to what’s going on. So now Dingy’s scrambling to clean his image,” I continue. “Suddenly being Daddy of the Year looks good for business.”
Her face goes pale.
But she needs to hear it all. “You don’t shadow a girl like Emilia Shaw unless there’s a ring or negotiations underway.”
She swallows, small and tight. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you deserve to know why your life’s being invaded,” I say, voice low. “And because this isn’t a man wanting his child. This is a little weasel wanting leverage.”
She closes her eyes like she needs a second. Savannah stirs, babbles softly, oblivious.Perfect.
Claudia wipes at her cheek once, quick, like she hopes I didn’t notice.
I did. I don’t comment. Instead, I say, “So I don’t know whether to give the cops the green light,official. Or handle it myself,unofficial.”
Her eyes fly open. “You’re not hurting him.”
“Not unless he earns it.”
“Deacon—”
“I’m asking,” I say. “You tell me which way this goes.”
She looks down at Savannah, then back at me, jaw trembling now with fury, not fear.
“I want him stopped,” she whispers. “But I want to win clean. I want her to grow up knowing I love her and would do anything to keep her safe and healthy, and also that doing the easy thing isn’t always the right thing.”
That hits harder than a punch.
I nod once. “Then I’ll let the system take first shot.”
“And if it fails?” she asks, barely audible.
I lean in just enough that she feels the weight of my promise. Not touching her. But close enough she could. “Then it’s my turn.”
Her breath shudders. Mine isn’t much steadier. Savannah kicks softly, coos. Earth spins again.
“Four days,” I tell her. “Then I’m back on the ice.”
“And until then?” she shakes her head not understanding what I’m putting down.
I hold her gaze. “Until then, you get settled, you embrace the little team that’s surrounding you and Savannah now, and when needed,Iwatch out for you.”
Her lips part. Her fingers flex on the stroller. She doesn’t run.
Which might be the most dangerous thing either of us has done yet.
“Let me buy you lunch.”
She starts moving again, and I fall into step beside her, ready to steer her toward the nearest café when she murmurs, “Coffee.”
