Matteo figured he owed Edward Marlot for the pain he’d caused Annika. Which was another thing that scared him.
Could he see the man and not beat his face in? Matteo had a strict no-kill policy. When on the LAPD, he’d had to draw his gunseveral times but thankfully never fired it at a suspect. Sure, he’d had his fair share of scuffles. He wasn’t naïve. There were times one had to fight.
But he didn’t have a badge now. Upon joining the Daddy Guard he’d made a silent vow to himself that he’d never take a human life.
That was being tested now. What if taking out Marlot was the only way his babygirl could live in peace?
Sure, in so doing he’d go to prison for the rest of his life. One doesn’t just snap the neck of the world’s richest man and walk away scot-free.
That didn’t scare him, though. It would be worth it. Even if he never saw her again but lived out the rest of his days in a lonely, dark cell, he’d be fine—as long as he had the knowledge that Annika was free, safe, and thriving.
Don’t go down that road. The mission will be a success. She’ll be free of Edward Marlot and you two will live your happily ever after.
Matteo hoped that was the case as he took another sip of coffee.
The birds flew away from the towering palm. The morning sun rose a little higher. Somewhere he heard the sound of a sprinkler making that telltale “clip-clip” sound as it watered someone’s yard.
He chuckled. Only in Los Angeles did people water their lawns in late November.
“What are you thinking about, Daddy?”
He turned in his seat to see Annika standing on the patio. Reaching toward the glass-topped table near him, he sat his coffee down. “You snuck up on me. Not many people can do that. I’ll have to watch you.”
She laughed as she padded toward him. It felt wonderful once she was on his lap and his arms were securely around her.
He kissed her. His mind went back to those dark thoughts and horrific what-ifs he’d been pondering.
I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my sweet girl safe. She’s my everything.
“So, what are you thinking about?” Annika asked again.
“Oh. Just… last night.”
“What Stryker and Harrison proposed?”
He nodded and thought of reaching for his coffee mug. It wasn’t so much that he needed a drink as it was he wanted to occupy his mouth so he didn’t have to talk.
Discussing his feelings wasn’t exactly his strong suit. Besides, he didn’t want her to see his fear—though the reluctance wasn’t born of some masculine shame.
Rather, he didn’t want to transfer it to her. Fear could be contagious. But so was hope. He’d much rather impart that.
“Yeah. It’s a lot to keep straight. But we can do it.” He kissed the side of her head. A few moments ticked by before he spoke again. “Honey, are you sure you want to do this? It’s asking a lot of you. If this thing goes south?—”
“I want to. He took so much from me. For a while yesterday I was thinking that I shouldn’t even be mad. After all, my journey eventually led me here. To you. To the others.”
She sighed, then added, “But I am mad. I would have met you anyway. Instead of hiding in the trees or on the back wall of Auntie Athena’s place, I would have been in there, having fun with the other Littles. And me and you would still be right here, in this chair, together. Edward Marlot robbed me of time. And that’s one thing you can’t get back. I’m willing to risk everything if it means taking him down. I won’t let him do that to someone else.”
Matteo pondered his sweet girl’s words. An ironic smile split his lips. Wasn’thethe one who was supposed to giveherstrength?
But here she was encouraging him.
He kissed her again and held her a little tighter.
“We’re going to get through this. Together. And know that I’ll do whatever I need to do to keep you safe. Daddy will never let anyone harm his little girl.”
She sighed. “I know, Daddy. That’s why I’m doing this. Because I know you’ve got me. Nothing can hurt me when you’re around.”
Annika was right about that, he mused silently. He’d give everything to protect her. His own life. The life of Edward Marlot.
