Page 54 of Her Protector Daddies

“My dad ignoring my texts? Sure,” I scoffed. “He’s not exactly great at communication or, y’know, being a father.”

Jay flashed me a sympathetic look, then leaned to the side as Tyler slid a bacon roll and cup of freshly brewed coffee in front of me. Despite how good it smelled, my appetite waned quickly, replaced by a churning, clenching nausea.

“Do you really think you’ll need this many weapons?” I refrained from tacking on that it was just my dad. Given everything that had happened, I had no idea how he was going to react to me, never mind anyone else.

“We have to be prepared.” Tyler affectionately squeezed my shoulder. “You need to eat something.”

I toyed with the edge of the roll but I couldn’t stomach actually eating.

“What if he doesn’t show?” I focused on Bailey, the one who had seemed the angriest when telling me about the party I might have to attend. He’d been adamant that this meeting with my father would negate that, but now I’m not so sure. Bailey kept his gaze down, his eyes hard on the weapon in his hand.

“We’ll deal with that when the time comes,” Jay answered softly. “First, we need to get there and set up an overlook to make sure you’re protected. Everything after that will be touch and go but if we’re lucky, your father will do the right thing.”

Yeah.

The right thing. That totally fits his bill.

“Eat,” Tyler reminded me from across the kitchen and while I flashed him a smile, my heavy heart made that impossible.

I was too full of dread.

“Make sure you maintain your distance from him, okay?” Tyler brushed my braid away from my shoulder and gripped me lightly, his eyes darting back and forth as he watched me.

“I know. Stay far enough away that he can’t grab me, and try to get him to hand himself over to you and the others so you can protect him,” I repeated. We’d reviewed this thrice on the drive to the meeting parking lot. I wasn’t going to forget.

“Exactly. If this goes well and we secure your father then you won’t have to attend Andrés’ party.” Tyler puffed out his cheeks.

“Amen,” Bailey muttered from nearby.

I fought to roll my eyes. “No pressure then, huh?”

“None at all,” Jay scoffed from the other side. “Bailey will be up the fire escape behind you, keeping an eye on everything.”

Taking his cue, Bailey winked at me and darted away across the parking lot to the wrought iron steps winding up the side of the building.

“Jay and I will be just across there in those alleys, so if anything goes wrong we will be with you in twenty seconds, tops,” Tyler explained.

“With your running, it’s more like forty,” Jay snorted.

“Shut up.” Tyler shot him a withering look and another snort of laughter rose in response.

“I’ve got this,” I assured them both, straightening my stance and smoothing my hands down my shirt, although I wasn’t entirely sure if I was trying to persuade them or myself. “Trust me.”

“We do,” Jay replied immediately, pulling his gun from his body holster.

“It’s your father we don’t trust.” Tyler looked me over once more, then finally released me. “We’ll be right over there.”

I wanted them to stay. I didn’t want to stand here all alone, waiting for my father who may or may not honor his message and turn up to talk to me. As Tyler and Jay jogged away to their respective positions, my hands came together and my nails worried along one of the indent lines in my palm.

This would be the first time seeing him in over a month since those men came to the apartment and attacked me while he fled for safety. Just thinking about it sent anger skittering hot through my chest and I tried to hold onto that sensation. It was a much more satisfying feeling than the churning nerves.

I had this. He would turn up and we would talk. He would listen, he’d hand himself in for protection and Andrés would be put away for a long time. And then I’d kill my father for leaving me that day.

Simple.

The minutes ticked by like sludge. At one point, checking my phone for the umpteenth time, I was sure time was ticking backward. I paced back and forth, rocking my weight between each leg as the meeting time came and went. Knowing the others were watching but not being able to communicate was killing me.

If I was completely honest with myself, it was a little hot too.

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