Chapter 28
Matt
While Madi and Ashley were with Jamie and Emily, John pulled me into the hallway.
“That was quite the display back there.”
No small talk. No questions.
“Just doing my job.” I bit back the sir.
“And I have a bridge to Hawaii for sale.”
Check. And. Mate.
If I were half the man John Sheppard was when I reached his age, I’d consider it a win.
John didn’t give me time to answer, not that I could have. “Did you see my email?”
“No, not yet.” I reached for my phone.
“I’ll save you the time. The shipment for Dr. Greenfield’s system was delayed. I need you to continue… protecting Madi. Will that be a problem?”
An untimely smile crossed my lips before I forced my expression back to neutral. Smiling when your boss tells you his daughter still needs protection is a good way to get fired. Or get your ass kicked.
Channeling my inner Buckingham Palace guard, I anchored my feet to the floor and stood at parade rest.
“No problem at all.”
He shook his head and laughed before saying, “You know, Madi had the same response.” He pointed at my face.Fuck.“You can drop the stoic act.”
He’s not upset?
This time, feeling like I had her father’s approval, I didn’t hide my smile as the metric fuck-ton of tension it’d been holding rolled off my shoulders.
“You’re not going to threaten me?” I asked. Apparently poking bears was my fucking thing now.
“No, I want my daughter to be happy.” He paused and looked over his shoulder. “Besides, I believe my sons have that part covered.”
It was my turn to laugh. “In spades, sir. In spades.”
He stared at me for one, two, three long heartbeats. “Just keep her safe, don’t hurt her, and we won’t have a problem.”
“Dad!” Jay shouted, interrupting our conversation.
“Coming,” John called back. “Let’s go.”
It wasn’t enough to assume I had his approval, so I asked, “John, just to be clear, you’re okay if I court Madi when this isall over?” I’d never used the word ‘court’ in my life, but it felt appropriate.
“I didn’t realize you weren’t.” He turned and walked away while I picked my jaw up off the ground.
After recovering from that mind-fuck of a shock, I quick-stepped to catch up to him.
“What is it?” John asked as we entered the room.
“Madi has an update,” Jay answered. “But she wouldn’t tell us until you returned.”
Jay glanced my way, making it clear his you was singular.Joke’s on him. I had his father’s blessing to date his sister.
