Page 210 of Guardian Daddy

It sounded bad when he said it like that.

“Cate, please tell me that this isn’t like when you?—”

“Can we not talk about that,” she interrupted Rhodes urgently.

Rhodes looked from Ethan to her. “Fuck. I know that I haven’t been that welcoming of your relationship with Ethan. I know that I’m overprotective. But all I want is to keep you safe.”

“I know you do.”

“I don’t like the idea of my sister dating anyone. But that’s me being selfish. Because I like having you all to myself.”

“You do? Even though I cause a lot of problems?” Cate asked.

Rhodes frowned at her. “I’ve already told you. What Kevin and Samantha have said and done is your problem. Not yours. And I won’t have you taking their issues on.”

It might take her awhile to believe that. But she guessed she should try. Since Rhodes seemed so certain.

“However, if you’re going to have someone in your life, you could do worse than Ethan. Ink certainly thinks a lot of him and he seems very protective of you. Plus, he’ll look after your Little. Give you what you need. But, honey, part of being in a healthy relationship is communication and honesty. I know my relationship with Samantha wasn’t healthy. We didn’t have that. And I don’t want that for you.”

“I have to tell him?”

“Yes.”

Her gaze went to Ethan. She knew he had to be dying of curiosity, but he remained quiet. “You’re right. But I want to be the one to do it.”

“That’s fair. You’ll promise to tell him all of it? Unless you don’t trust him to help and support you.”

“I trust Ethan.” Although whether he’d still feel the same way about her, she didn’t know.

She couldn’t always figure out how people would react. So she was feeling uncertain.

Whatever happened, she’d take it. If he wanted nothing to do with her after learning this, well, she guessed it was better to learn that now.

Rhodes gazed down at her wrists, he ran his finger over the hair tie. When he looked up, there was something in his face. Sadness?

“I don’t want you to be sad.”

“I won’t be sad if you’re not. As long as you’re happy and healthy. But, Cate, about this hair tie thing . . . ”

“It’s not the same,” she said fiercely. “The pain clears my head.”

“So it’s not to punish yourself for something you believe you did wrong?” Rhodes asked.

She glanced away. Perhaps it was that too.

Reaching out, Rhodes tapped her nose. “Tell me.”

“Maybe that as well. I just . . . I know I make mistakes and say the wrong thing?—”

“That does not mean you get to hurt yourself,” Rhodes told her firmly.

“It’s just a small pain.”

“I don’t care.” Rhodes then pulled her sleeve back farther to show the red piece of skin where she’d pinched herself. “What’s this?”

“I pinched myself.”

Rhodes closed his eyes. She hated disappointing him.

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