Page 46 of Dangerous Protocol

“Thank God.” The tension that had been tightening his shoulders finally loosened at hearing she would be okay.

“I’m going to send you an e-mail with the contact information for a psychologist friend of mine who specializes in dealing with childhood trauma,” Mike said.

“That would be great, thanks.” Jeffrey was a firm believer in people getting the mental health they needed. He’d been to way too many funerals for veterans who’d committed suicide.

“You bet.” He lifted his chin toward the bedroom door. “She’s been asking who the man is that carried her to safety.” Mike gave him a serious look. “I strongly recommend and encourage you to tell her who you are, sooner rather than later.”

“Shouldn’t we give her a day or two to recover?” The last thing he wanted to do was overwhelm the poor kid. “She’s been through a lot.”

“Which is exactly why you both have to be honest with her,” Mike said. “She needs to be able to trust the peopleclosest to her, and being truthful with her about who you are is a solid first step.”

Maya stepped into the hallway and quietly closed the door.

“I need to get her some more water.” She looked back and forth between the two men. “What is it? Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine. I was just updating Dad here on her status.” Mike looked at Jeffrey. “Think about what I said, okay?”

“I will.” Jeffrey hugged him. “Thanks for coming all the way out here, Mike. I really appreciate it.”

“I’m glad I could help.” He clapped Jeffrey’s back a couple of times, and they broke their hug. “Maya, it was a pleasure meeting you. I’m sorry it was under less than stellar circumstances.”

“I can never possibly thank you enough.” She reached her hand out and shook his hand.

“I’m glad I could help, and I’ll let you know about the lab work as soon as I have the results. Good night.”

He left them in the hallway and could be heard telling the team good night, then the front door closed.

“What did he mean, ‘Think about what I said’?” Maya asked.

“He said we should tell Isla I’m her father sooner rather than later.”

The bedroom door clicked open, and a wide-eyed little girl stared up at them.

“I … I had to go to the bathroom … and …” Her head tilted sideways. “You’re … my dad? But … I thought…” Her blond brows scrunched together, and she gave her mother a confused look. “You told me he was dead.”

“Isla, honey—” Maya lifted her hand to Isla’s shoulder, but her little girl took a step back, out of reach.

“You … you lied to me?” Tears welled in her blue eyes, and her voice trembled with hurt and disappointment. “Why did you do that? Why did let me think he was dead?”

“Ahem.” A throat cleared, and Andi poked her head around the corner. “Hi, yeah, um, this sounds like a pretty personal conversation you probably don’t want all of us to hear. Right?”

“Isla, why don’t you go to the bathroom, then I’ll explain everything,” Maya said, then turned to Andi. “Thank you, by the way. For helping bring her back to me.”

“You’re welcome.” She stepped into the hallway and gave Isla a reassuring smile. “Hi. I’m Andi. I’m glad to see you’re awake.”

Isla swiped her forearm across her teary eyes, sucked in a shaky breath and, in a move similar to her mom’s, visibly drew her shoulders back.

“Youwere one of the people who saved me?” Her brows lifted in surprise as she looked Andi up and down.

Decked out in all of her tactical gear, Andi was the picture of a confident and badass woman.

“I sure was, and it was my pleasure. Now I’m going to go back out there and hang out so you guys can do your thing.” She whispered to Isla from behind her hand, as if sharing a secret. “Go easy on your mom, okay? She’s been really scared and worried about you.”

She headed back into the living room with the guys.

Isla glanced sideways at her mom and gave Jeffrey a long, appraising look. “My eyes are the same color as yours.”

“They’re the same color as my mom’s, too.” Jeffrey couldn’t wait to share photos with Isla and tell her all about what incredible people her grandparents were.

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