And her touch pulled tears to the surface. “I struggled to put bullets in them, but I managed. Then, out of nowhere, something in me snapped. I heard a little child crying out for help and everything just… went dark. When I came to, I was covered in blood, holding a knife in my right hand with a gun in my left, and a couple of the guys were dragging me away from mutilated bodies spilling blood at my feet.”
“Jesus, Dean,” she whispered.
I swallowed hard as I wiped my own tears away. “We lost two of our men during that attack. And with each city we came into that we tracked those fuckers through, I became more ruthless. Every time we got attacked, I became feral, and animalistic. As if there were a beast inside of me that could level an entire city if given the chance. It felt like my entire heart had frosted over. Just turned to ice. So, when we get to where we’re going, you need to understand that it’s why the guys call me Frost.”
She furrowed her brow. “Get to where we’re going?”
I threaded our fingers together. “I know your question was why I never came after you, and the truth of the matter is that I wasn’t the same man that deployed. Two years of bloodshed, and killing, and watching children die froze over a part of me I had convinced myself I’d never get back. So, when you weren’t at the apartment, I figured it was some sign from God telling me to leave you alone because it was for the best. That’s why I didn’t bother tracking you down after that. I figured you were better off. To be honest, I still think you’re better off. You're in this situation because of me, at least partially. And I can’t help but wonder--.”
The second her lips crashed against mine I wrapped my arms around her. I pulled her into my lap because I feared that it would be the last time, she’d ever let me handle her like that. She spread her legs like butter and wrapped her thick thighs around my pelvis. I leaned up, allowing her to blanket me as I peppered kisses along her exposed cleavage.
“I’ve got you,” she whispered as she kissed the top of my head, “I’m right here, Dee.”
I dug down into the depths of my soul to find the strength to speak. Then, I lifted my head and gazed up into her glorious face.
The face of an angel, honestly.
“You have two options for safety,” I said as I leaned against the couch cushions. “You can come back to a warehouse where me and the other guys have been staying to keep safe. You and Natty will have a room to yourselves. Chloe will also have a room. Or, there’s a safehouse in another town about an hour from here where the three of you can lay low.”
“Will you be in the safehouse with us?”
I shook my head. “No.”
She sighed. “Then, it sounds like we’re going to the warehouse.”
My gaze searched hers. “I was wrong not to come after you. I’m so sorry, Lexi.”
She smiled softly. “I would have forgiven you; you know. I would have understood. Thank you for telling me what happened. I’ve been racking my brain for years, trying to figure things out. The Army wouldn’t tell me anything about you because we weren’t married at the time, and none of the wives that I tracked down had any information to give me.”
I shook my head. “I’m so sorry that I put you through that. I’m so fucking sorry, Lexi. I never meant to hurt you. I never meant to ever, ever hurt you.”
And I’d spend the rest of my life trying to make up for it, if she’d let me.
Sixteen
Lexi
The only thing I knew to do was hug him. But, more than that, I couldn’t keep Natty from him any longer. I knew he didn’t have an inkling of an idea that she was his daughter, and he deserved to know. Especially if he was going to be in our lives.
Especially if he was going to be protecting us.
“Dean?” I asked softly.
His hands ran up and down my spine. “Yes, sweet pea?”
I giggled softly as I sat up. “There’s something I really need to tell you.”
His eyes searched mine. “Well, you’re safe here, so feel free t—.”
“Natasha’s your daughter.”
I had no idea how he was going to react, but I didn’t expect him to stiffen. I didn’t expect rigidity to flow along his face the way that it did.
“Dean?” he asked.
He removed his arms from around me. “I need to stand.”
I slid beside him onto the couch. “Dean, are you alright?”
