“Let’s call it a waffle, please. By the way, we aren’t choosing an insect for our waffle iron.”
He loved how Brooklyn had used the termour. It sounded like she planned to stick around. “Good idea.” He stood and walked to the waffle iron to concoct another. Would she talk to him?
After a quiet pause as he prepared the griddle and poured the batter, Brooklyn said quietly, “My life was boring. I have parents who love me and were active in my life. I should have listened to their warnings when I met Brent. They picked up on something… Something off about Brent and his family long before I did.”
“And you rebelled, ignoring their pleas for you to stay away from him?” Caden guessed. He could see this happening as if it were in real time. He forced the hatred he had for Brent into a controlled box inside him, so he wouldn’t scare Brooklyn. No one threatened or manipulated his little girl. He closed the top of the waffle iron and walked back to her side.
“I was so stupid. Looking back now, I don’t understand how I didn’t pick up on the signs as well.”
“You were young, and Brent was your rebellion.” He smoothed a hand down her arm to reassure her. Brooklyn was not at fault here.
She shrugged. “You’re too good at this. I wish I had been that perceptive. Anyway, Brent’s family welcomed me. They were so nice in the beginning. Then they weren’t. His family hasn’t chased me for a while. Brent won’t give up.”
“I’m sorry, little girl. He won’t bother you now.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt by him.”
“I think I can take care of myself. And you, little girl. If not, I have an entire team of trained covert-military men who’ll back me up.”
“Hopefully, he’ll decide to go back home now. Things can’t be going well for him. He used to drive a fancy silver sports car. I noticed he was in a bashed-up blue car.”
“It’s hard to keep a job when you’re harassing someone a couple of states away,” Caden said.
“From what I hear from my parents, the word around our small town is that he’s working as a day laborer now and living in that car. Unfortunately, he doesn’t see that his crappy life results are from his decisions. Everything is always my fault. He hates me so much. It’s scary.”
Caden moved back to the griddle and rescued the golden waffle. “Round two. I vote we concentrate on this golden deliciousness and worry about Brent later. He’s affected your life enough.”
“Do you want to butter this one?” she asked, smiling up at him.
“No way. You’re the expert.”
Brooklyn concentrated on her task. Caden smiled as the tip of her tongue appeared at the corner of her mouth. Her life should always be this enchanting. He had to make this end for her. The team would help. They’d consider it a training exercise in handling urban threats.
CHAPTER 11
Brooklyn glanced at Caden as he drove toward Zale’s. She’d woken up from the nap he’d insisted she take about an hour ago. Already, she had more energy than she had in a long time.
Caden reached a large hand over to wrap around her thigh when he noticed her looking at him. “You okay, Brookie?”
“Yes. I’m good. Better than good.”
“Sounds like you need a naptime every day.”
“I’m sure I’ll get caught up on my sleep soon,” she told him.
“Remember when I showed you the camera in that teddy bear on the tall dresser in your nursery? I’m going to check it at two p.m. each day. Your cute bottom better be in that crib or it will be red when I get home.”
“You’re not really going to spank me.”
“Of course I am if you’re naughty. If you don’t fall asleep, you can read or simply relax, but I want you in bed from two to three.”
Brooklyn bristled at his demands. Who was he to order her around? She opened her mouth to argue, “Daddy…” That one word stopped her from arguing. If she wanted him to be herdaddy, she should probably let him be one. Brooklyn rubbed her hand over his and smiled as he intertwined their fingers.
“Yes?” Caden asked.
“Never mind. I’ll stretch out and try to nap.”
“Good girl.”
