“Mr. Sutton, I’m sorry about all this. This wasn’t how I would have wanted it to happen. In a perfect world, none of this would have been so sudden or surprising. But we aren’t living in a perfect world. I can only imagine what you and your wife are going through.”
“You can’t,” he murmured. He didn’t sound mad anymore, only sad.
Nodding, I said, “She isn’t the same girl you raised. Not physically, anyway. She’s still your kid. A child you raised, and you turned her into an amazing person. I can never thank you enough for that. But as much as you love her and want to protect her, you have to realize that she isn’t weak. She may very well be the strongest of all of us. Her life has changed. She’s a wolf. A descendant of the strongest shifter to ever live.” I shook my head, not sure if he was understanding. He just kept staring at the ground.
“She’s a wolf—a wolf with a target on her back. Everything you see on the news, all the crimes and deaths and horrific things the royals have done over the last year, have all been to get to her. The very last thing she needs is her parents judging her over something that is both beyond her control and very natural for our kind. Forherkind.” I took a breath and eased my tone. “Now that we know, we can plan for the next time and buy plenty of suppressants.”
Maddy’s father finally looked up and locked eyes with me. They were bloodshot and wet like he was on the verge of crying. I couldn’t discern anything but sorrow in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Nico. All you and your family have done is try to protect us. Without you… I probably wouldn’t be here.”
I waved him off. “That’s nothing. I would do it for anyone?— ”
“That’s the thing,” he said. “Not many people would. Human or shifter. You’ve put everything you know at stake for Maddy and for us.” He kicked a pebble in anger. “And all I’m doing is standing here bitching like a child. Again, I’m sorry. I’ll… uh… head back to our cabin. Okay?”
He turned and started trudging back to the cabin he and his wife were sharing.
Before he got too far, I called after him. “Mr. Sutton?”
He turned back mid-stride. From the look and his face, I could tell he was ready and willing to get another reprimand or warning. I groaned inwardly.
“You’re a good father. Never forget that.”
His face almost crumpled into tears. He wiped at his eyes and nodded before heading on his way.
I put a hand to my head, watching him go. I was getting a headache. Deciding to get inside before anyone else stopped by to make my morning uncomfortable, I walked up the steps and through the door, shutting and locking it behind me.
Upstairs, I heard the water going into the shower. Undressing, I stepped into the bathroom and joined Maddy. She grinned at me as I closed the shower door.
“Looking to get luckyagain?” she asked, one eyebrow quirked.
I laughed and shook my head. “Lord, no. My downstairs needs a good long rest. He’s spent the last few days running a marathon. Even Olympic-level athletes need to rest.”
“Oh, so it’s Olympic level, is it?”
Shrugging, I said, “Didn’t hear many complaints the last three days.”
Maddy chuckled. “Fair enough.”
My smile faded when I saw the sad expression that slid over her face. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know,” she stated simply. “It seems like my parents are sort of at odds with everything. Gabriella has been more supportive and understanding of everything. I don’t understand it.”
Wrapping her in my arms, I pulled her flush against my chest. “They’re nervous and scared. It’s confusing to have your whole life flipped upside down. They,literally, don’t know how to help. This is outside their area of expertise. They’re human. Gabriella is a wolf. It’s natural that she’d be more understanding.”
“I guess you’re right. It doesn’t make it any easier, though.”
I rubbed my hand up and down her back as the water streamed down our bodies. “We’ll talk to them. Sort it all out and set things in stone. They both love you. I know they’ll get it together for you. Anyone would.”
Maddy lifted her face to mine, stealing a quick kiss. “Thank you, Nico.”
“I will do anything to keep you safe. Not just your body, but your mind too. Whatever it takes.”
She pressed herself against me and slid a hand between my legs. “So, are you sure you need to rest?”
The stirrings of desire pricked up inside me, but not even that could convince me I’d give her the pleasure she needed.
Sighing, I rolled my eyes. “How about tonight? Maybe I can take a nap today. Prepare to make your toes curl again.”
