Page 47 of Dangerous Protocol

“I have grandparents?” Her face lit up.

“Unfortunately, they passed away a few years ago.” Her smile fell, so he quickly added, “But I have a bunch of pictures, and I’d love to tell you all about them.”

“I wish I could have met them.” Isla gave her mom an accusatory glare. “Excuse me.” She walked between them, went into the bathroom, and shut the door behind her.

Maya blew out a long breath. “That wasnotthe way I wanted her to find out about you.”

“Come here.” Jeffrey pulled her into his arms and stroked his hand down her hair. “She’s a smart kid. Once you tell her why you did what you did, she’ll come around.”

“God, I hope so.” She dropped her forehead to his shoulder.

“Mike’s going to send us the name of a child psychologist.”

She lifted her head. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

“I agree.” He hesitated. “Ya know we’re going to have to ask her about what happened when she went to the park.” Jeffrey hated that Isla would have to relive those horrible days, but it was important she tell them everything she could remember. “Wolf’s team can use the information she provides to find out if the men who took her are part of a larger human trafficking operation. If they are, they’ll take ’em down.”

“I know you’re right, but I’m worried about her.” Her arms tightened around him.

“I am, too, but she’s strong, and she has both of us to help her through this.” Jeffrey wouldn’t let himself think about how differently things would’ve ended had Maya not come to him for help.

“Once we’re done with Isla, you and I need to talk about Al-Mansoori.” A man of Nadim’s stature and position could not let it slide that outside forces managed to get past his security, into his embassy, then out with Isla. “He’s not going to stop coming for you.”

“I know.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ve actually been thinking about that, and I have a plan.” She patted the center of his chest.

“Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like it?” he asked.

Water ran in the bathroom sink, cut off, then the door opened.

Isla stepped into the hallway.

“Well, let’s get this over with.” She shuffled past them and muttered something like, “My life is so weird.”

Jeffrey rubbed his hand over his mouth to hide a grin, followed Maya into the room, and closed the door.

Isla climbed up onto the bed, sat back against the headboard, and pulled the covers up to her lap. Like a queen holding court, her little nose tilted upward, she made a motion with her hand in a get-on-with-it sort of way.

Jeffrey would’ve chuckled, had the moment not been so serious. Instead, he gave Maya a reassuring squeeze of her shoulder. He wanted her to know he was there and ready to support her in any way possible.

She set her hand over his and nodded in acknowledgment.

Neither of these actions were missed by their daughter. She might as well get used to seeing them together, because Jeffrey wasn’t going anywhere.

Maya settled on the edge of the bed next to her. Jeffrey leaned back against the wall by the door and crossed his arms.

“About twelve years ago, I was sent to America as part of a task force, and that’s when I met Jeffrey. I fell in lovewith him the very first moment I saw him.” She looked at him over her shoulder as she spoke. “He was sitting at the far end of this long table, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.” She dragged her gaze back to Isla. “Over the subsequent weeks, we became very … close, and I ended up getting pregnant.”

“You mean, you did sex together, right?” Isla crossed her arms in front of her tummy. “Because you told me once that’s how babies are made.”

“That’s correct.” Maya nodded. “It’s important for you to know that we cared for each other very much.”

“Wecarefor each other very much,” he clarified, just so there was no misunderstanding.

“If you liked each other so much, then why didn’t you get married?” Isla gave Jeffrey a challenging glare. “Didn’t you want to marry my mom? Is it because she was going to have a baby?” Her voice was less defiant as she asked, “Didn’t you want me?”

Jeffrey pushed off the wall and set his hand on Maya’s shoulder. “Isla, honey, I—”

“Actually, it was my fault. I never told him I was pregnant.” Maya interrupted him to jump on the proverbial sword. “And … well, I’m the one who left him.”

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