Page 55 of Protective Heroes

“Are you saying I never cared for my baby girl, asshole?”

“I’m saying you’re never around long enough to know what’s going on in her life. Did you even know Christmas is her favorite holiday? That she never celebrates because you’re never home to celebrate with her?” I wanted to roar that last part but I kept my temper in check. I was seething and so pissed off I had the urge to bury my fist into the man for hurting Evie, knowingly or otherwise.

Davidson’s face fell, and for the first time in all the years I’ve known the man, he looked contrite.

“Evie, is all this true?”

“I’m sorry, I don't mean to hurt you, Dad. Did you really drive all night to come find me?”

“I’m here, aren't I? I was worried as hell. Oh, sweetie, you could never hurt me.” He paused, holding my gaze a minute before turning it to his daughter. “This really what you want?”

My ice princess steeled her shoulders and pushed out of my arms right when I thought she would cry. “This is what I want. I’m happy with Gabriel.”

Instead of hugging his daughter, the man shoved his hands in his pockets and marched out of the open door, head hanging low. He paused, turning to look back at me first. “You hurt her, I’ll have no problem disposing of your body.”

My respect for him returned. “Merry Christmas to you too, Davidson.”

He locked eyes for a moment and an understanding passed between us. He didn’t like what happened between me and Evie, but he wouldn’t stand between us either.

He turned to Evie and opened his arms. That one gesture seemed to heal years of hurt and misunderstanding between them. I stood back and watched as the man held his daughter close and whispered something to her that made the woman I loved smile.

“Merry Christmas, Daddy.” One final squeeze and my friend walked off. I truly understood how the man never recovered from his wife’s death and deep down I’m beginning to understand the heartache. I didn’t need years to know I would only be half the man I was without Evie in my life.

And just like that, we were alone again.

“I think that was as close to an approval as we’ll ever get.”

Evie bit her lower lip, looking at me with tears in her eyes. “You really love me?”

“I do. I’ll dedicate my life to making you happy.” I sat down on the bed and pulled her to me. Tears clung to her cheeks. I knew Davidson. He might not be happy about the recent turn of events, but he knew that deep down his daughter was safe with me.

“Marry me, my Ice Princess.” It was the only thing I could think of to say that felt right. “Or I can pull out those cuffs and give that sweet ass of yours a good spanking.”

She slipped into my lap and wiggled her delicious ass, making me hard and ready. She blushed charmingly, noticing the effects she had over me.

“Are you planning to use sex to get whatever you want from me for our whole marriage?”

Epilogue

Evie, four Months later in Italy

Ididn’t expect to spend Christmas Day getting married. But a few phone calls and a couple of hours later I was Mrs. Evie Dyson. Gotta love small towns! We planned on kissing the bustle of New York City goodbye the second the ink dried on my diploma in one year, and until then we’ve been going back and forth between Christmas and New York City. Not the easiest but I’ve come to love the small town so much I couldn’t dream of living anywhere else.

But a trip to Europe? Now a girl can have her dream and live it too, right? As soon as my spring semester was over, we left for Europe for a delayed honeymoon. I’d been there many times as had Gabriel, but we’d never been there together, he argued.

It took a little work, but my father finally understood what my relationship with Gabriel meant and agreed to stay in Christmas long enough to give me away. I knew their friendship would recover from the blow it took, but I still can’t help but feel bad for coming between them. Gabriel kept telling me he would do it all over again, and I won’t lie. So would I.

The two weeks we spent abroad, I couldn’t imagine falling more in love with the man, but it happened.

Gabriel certainly loved the great outdoors. So far I have lost track of the stone walls down deserted country lanes and crumbling castles we’d exited with my panties tucked in his pocket. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t complaining. And it was a far better tour of Europe than I had experienced before.

“I’m beginning to think the whole point of this trip was to fuck me in exotic locations.” I pulled my skirt back down over my hips in the car.

“What’s wrong with wanting to broaden my wife’s education?” Gabriel asked, leaning in for a kiss.

Smug bastard.

“How far is the hotel?” I leaned my head on his shoulder while he studied the map.

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