“Well, this is some bullshit, huh?” he finally said.
Shell rolled her eyes and hip-checked him. “Really, that’s how you want to start?”
The big man shrugged. “Never felt like I didn’t know how to talk to my daughter. It sucks.”
Her heart clenched, and she squeezed Saint’s hand.
“I can go if you three want some time?”
“No.” Copper shook his head. “Stay, uh, please.”
Saint nodded, watching Copper with wary eyes. “I wasn’t gonna leave anyway,” he mumbled, making Beth swallow a chuckle.
“Sounds about right,” Copper muttered back.
Shell elbowed him.
After another sigh, Copper continued, “The other night, I was…”
Wrong?
Reactive?
Insensitive?
“A fucking asshole.”
That worked too.
Saint’s grip eased a fraction, as though some of the tension he carried evaporated.
“I’ve always been overprotective of Beth. After what happened to Sh—” His voice gave out. He pressed his lips together hard, staring at the ceiling, blinking rapidly.
Beth had never seen her father fight tears before.Never. Not once in her entire life.
Shell leaned into him, and he pulled her close, burying his face in her hair for just a moment before straightening.
“After what happened to Shell…” he continued, voice rough, “… I’ve been so fucking determined I wouldn’t let something like that happen to you. I think I wanted to make up for, uh… the way and the person who conceived you.”
“Dad…” Beth’s heart thudded hard against her ribcage.
Despite how he acted the other night, Copper was typically a reasonable man. He didn’t like to be wrong or fuck up, but owned it when he did. Still, he rarely let anyone view this side of him. Not only was he letting her see his vulnerable side, but he was also giving Saint a glimpse too.
And that was the best apology she could ask for.
“Let me get this shit out, Beth,” he continued with a huff.
Her lips quirked.
Copper’s focus went to Saint. “I said some real fucked-up shit to you, Saint. Called you a predator. Said you were taking advantage of my daughter.” He shook his head, disgust clear on his face, disgust aimed at himself. “That was bullshit, and I knew it even when I was saying it. You’re a damn good man, which I’ve known for a long damn time. Witnessing you suffer today when Beth went missing and hearing what you just said to her, I didn’t need that to know you love my daughter. I already knew. I was just too stubborn and scared to admit it. I’m fucking sorry, man.” He extended his hand. “I’m proud to call you brother, and maybe one day I’ll call you son.” He winked at Beth.
“For fuck’s sake, Dad. Pressure much?” Wasn’t getting kidnapped stressful enough? Now her dad had to hint about marriage.
Saint stood and grasped Copper’s hand. “Forgiven and forgotten, Prez.”
Copper seemed to lose a hundred pounds of weight from his shoulders. He straightened, and his eyes lit. He tugged, bringing Saint in for a back-slapping hug.
“Oh!” Shell reached into her tote bag. “Think it’s about time you put this back on.” She handed Saint’s cut over to him.
