I pulled back just enough to look at her. “Baby, of course I wanted you, but I was so afraid that I would turn into him, that I would hurt you. I thought the best thing I could do was stay away.”
“But you’re not like him,” Frankie said fiercely. “You’re not.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do.” She gripped my shirt. “You came looking for me even though I did something stupid. That’s what a good dad does.”
I cupped her face in my hands. “I’ve done terrible things, Frankie. Things I’m not proud of.”
“You’re not bad.” She gripped my shirt tighter. “Bad people hurt people ’cause they’re mean. You’re not mean.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Yes, it is.” She leaned her forehead against mine. “You’re my dad. And I want you to be my dad. I don’t care what you did before. I care about who you are now.”
The tears I’d been holding back finally broke free. I pulled her close again, holding her like I should’ve held her years ago.
“I love you,” I said, my voice raw. “I’ve loved you since the moment I met you. I just didn’t think I deserved to be in your life.”
“You do,” she whispered.
I kissed the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her hair. “Let’s get you home. Your mom is losing her mind.”
Frankie winced. “Is she really mad?”
“She’s terrified. There’s a difference.” I stood and scooped her up in my arms, careful of her injured ankle. “But yeah, you’re probably grounded for life.”
She wrapped her arms around my neck. “Will you still come see me even if I’m grounded?”
“Every single day,” I promised. “If your mom will let me.”
“She will.” Frankie rested her head on my shoulder. “She loves you too. She’s just scared.”
“I know.”
“Are you going to tell her? About being my dad?”
I looked down at her. “Do you want me to?”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “I want everyone to know.”
“Then I’ll tell her.” I adjusted my grip on her.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
I carried her back toward the truck, where Nox was already settled in the back seat. Jack had radioed everyone that we’d found them, and I could hear the relief in his voice as he talked to Sam. When he saw us, he ended the call and walked over. “She okay?”
“Sprained ankle. She’ll be fine.” I looked at Frankie. “Won’t you?”
“Yeah.” She smiled up at me. “I’ll be fine, Uncle Jack.” She grinned at Jack and he shook his head.
Jack met my eyes, and I saw understanding there. He knew what had just happened between me and Frankie. He knew everything had changed.
“Let’s get you home.” Jack patted Frankie’s head, then turned to me and said, “Kat’s waiting.”
I nodded, my heart pounding. It was time to stop running. Time to stop hiding.
