‘What is it?’I broadcasted through the link Cass and I shared as I crossed the room and jerked the door open, looking down.
My two-foot-tall bounty hunting partner looked pale as a ghost. As a hot pink demon imp, this was hard to accomplish.
He swallowed visibly. “Your dad’s here.”
2Daddy say what?
‘Doyou want me to tell him you’re resting? Give you a little time to prepare?’
Brock’s compassionate offer snapped me out of my daze, and I blinked at him a few times as I came back to myself. Leaning my shoulder against the archway of our bedroom, I took a deep breath. Just down this hall was a large seating area where my father, the one whom I’d believed dead for most of my life, was waiting. Cass had already gone ahead of us, leaving Brock and me alone.
Brock brought a hand to the small of my back, his flesh warm against mine.‘I’m sure he’d understand...’
A heavy sigh escaped me. I was a supernatural bounty hunter, for fuck’s sake. I’d faced down more nasty creatures than I could count. I could do this.Of course I can. So what if I had no real memories of him or my mother before the car accident that supposedly killed them both? He was still my father … everything would be fine … it might just take a little time to get used to having a parent around.
When Gran passed, I’d felt orphaned, without family. Sure, I had Cass before Brock came along with Molly and the rest of my crazy crew. But my dad was … my dad.
My heart thumped uncomfortably in my chest, so loudly I could hear it, protesting my discomfort. What would he be like? Would we have things to talk about? Would he feel like a stranger? Other than the small conversation we’d had on the phone when I’d done that spell to trick the killing curse into thinking Nathan was me, we’d never spoken.
‘Eve?’Brock tried again, massaging his hand against my back, and I shook my head, my long, dark hair scattering.
‘Thanks, but I’m okay. He’s my dad.’I stumbled over the word that I wasn’t used to using.Dad. I’d dreamed of having parents for so long … this didn’t seem possible. Why was I so freaked out when it’s all I’d wanted for as long as I could remember?
Before I could mind-fuck myself more, I straightened my shoulders, flung my hair back, and tugged my crop-top down, though it was no use since my growing belly pushed the fabric right back up under my breasts. With total confidence, I marched through the archway—and froze mid-step when I first caught sight of him.
He looked so much like me—or rather I looked so much like him. He shared my straight, shiny black hair, oval face, and bright bow-like lips. The only striking difference were the violet eyes I’d gotten from my mother, though even the almond shape of them were like his.
I resumed my approach as he pinned his gaze on me, gesturing to a woman who stood behind him to roll his wheelchair so he’d meet me halfway.
“Hello, kitten,” he said, and my heart seized for a moment.
“Hey, Father. Dad…” I struggled with what to call him.
The face that resembled mine creased into a gentle, warm smile, and I all but ran toward him. He opened his arms, and I leaned over to embrace him, doing my best not to focus on the fact that he was in a wheelchair. The fucking Akuma, or whoever had tried to kill him, had left him paralyzed and my mother dead. I was going to kill the next Akuma I saw.
He patted me awkwardly on the back. “I’ve longed to see you for so many years.”
Pulling back, I stood in front of him. “Why are you here now? I mean, I’m so glad you’re here, but … why now? I thought it was dangerous for you to come here?” I scanned the spacious room. It was empty beyond Cass, my father, and the woman behind him, who looked like a caretaker.
He grimaced and rubbed at his chest, seemingly unconsciously. “The Akuma found me. I fear they’ll find you next.”
Feeling awkward towering over him, I took a seat on the nearest couch, thankful for Brock’s support when he sank into the leather cushions beside me.
“Actually,” I said, “they did find me. At a selkie cove I went to in order to heal my blade.”
Understanding sparked in his eyes before turning to anger, and then melting into a fearful expression. “Then we have less time to complete your training than I thought.”
Great.That sounded ominous.
Brock took my hand and leaned forward. “Hello, sir. I’m Brock. Welcome to our home.”
My father’s loving gaze traveled between us, across our linked hands, before he nodded once, his smile suddenly tight. “Thank you for having me.” Then his gaze went to my belly. “Have you just had a large meal Evie, or am I going to become a grandfather?”
“Oh! Right.” I giggled nervously. “We’re expecting…” I let my admission linger because what the fuck else was I supposed to say to the dad I’d known for all of five minutes?
“This is your husband?” my father asked me, looking again between Brock and me. “Did I miss the wedding?”
A nervous shrill of laughter bubbled out of me before I inhaled sharply and choked on my own spit. A hacking cough had me in its clutches while Cass grinned like an idiot behind my father, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
