"When you left," he says quietly, and his voice cracks just slightly, "I thought I'd lost you. Thought you'd never come back. Thought I'd driven you away for good."
"Dad—"
"I'm your father. I'm supposed to protect you. And I failed. I arranged that marriage to Bronco. I handed you to that monster." His eyes are definitely wet now. "I've carried that guilt for years. And then when you chose Shadow, when you left because I was too stubborn to see what he meant to you—Ithought I'd lost you for good. Thought I'd never get to tell you I was sorry."
"It wasn't your fault," I whisper.
"It was." His voice is firm despite the emotion. "But if you can forgive me, if you can give me another chance?—"
"There's nothing to forgive, Daddy. I love you."
He pulls me back into his arms, and I feel his chest hitch.
My father, the Prez of Shotgun Saints MC, the man who never shows weakness—crying into my hair where no one else can see.
"I love you, too, baby girl," he says roughly. "So damn much."
We stand there for a long moment, and when he finally pulls back, his eyes are dry again.
Composed. The Prez mask is back in place, but I saw underneath it.
I saw how much my leaving hurt him.
"I love him, Dad." The words tumble out. "I know it's fast and crazy and he lied to you, but I love Shadow."
His jaw tightens, but he doesn't pull away. "I know you do. Shiver told me. Said you got his name tattooed and everything."
I pull back, lift my shirt slightly to show the bandage on my ribs.
He stares at it for a long moment.
His expression is unreadable, but I see his throat work as he swallows hard.
"I guess you really are Property of Shadow," he says quietly.
"By choice," I say firmly. "No one forced me. No one bought me. I chose him, Dad."
"I know." Phantom's hands drop to his sides. "And that's what scares me. A man you'd mark yourself for permanently—that's a man who has power over you."
"He'd never hurt me."
"I know that too. That's why I'm here." Phantom looks toward the clubhouse where I know Shadow is probably watching. "To make sure no one else does either."
Movement catches my eye.
Shadow's walking toward us, slow and cautious, like he's approaching a dangerous animal.
The tension spikes immediately.
Dad’s entire posture changes—shoulders back, jaw set, eyes hard.
The emotion from moments ago is completely buried now.
Shadow stops a few feet away. "Phantom."
"Enforcer." Phantom's voice is ice.
Interesting… because Dad kicked Shadow out of the club.
