Page 52 of Dangerous Protocol

“It’s an excellent start, that’s for sure.” Jeffrey set his hand over her nervous fingers on the blanket. “You are so brave. I hope you know that.”

Jeffrey would share all of this information with Wolf so he could put his team to work tracking down the animals that dared to touch his daughter.

Isla tried, unsuccessfully, to hide a yawn behind her hand.

“Okay, that’s enough talk for now,” Maya said. “The doctor wants you to get some rest.”

“But I’ve been sleeping for days and days,” Isla whined in protest.

“That kind of sleep doesn’t count, kiddo,” Jeffrey said.

“Fine.” She huffed and scooched down until her head was on the pillow.

“Good night, my darling girl.” Maya tucked the blanket around their daughter, kissed her on the forehead, and stood.

“Night, Mom.” She yawned again.

“G’night, honey.” Jeffrey kissed her little knuckles and joined Maya.

“Night … Dad.” She gave him a shy smile, rolled onto her side, and faced away from them.

Jeffrey straightened to his full height, and when he looked at Maya, the joy, surprise, and pride he felt at their daughter’s acceptance of him was on full display.

All those nights alone, when Maya’s emotional guard would weaken and wistful thoughts snuck in, she’d fantasized about this very moment. But nothing compared to the tenderness and joy of the reality.

Jeffrey flipped off the light, they stepped out of the room, and he pulled the door shut with a quietclick.

“That went reasonably well.” She wasn’t sure what she’d expected to happen, but her daughter seemed to comprehend the motivation as to why Maya kept her father’s identity from her.

“She’s a smart kid.” Jeffrey curved his hand around the back of her neck. His thumb skimmed along her jaw, doing all kinds of devilish things to her insides. “You did an amazing job with her, Maya, and under the most horrific and trying circumstances.”

She had never sought out anyone’s approval of her as a mother—perhaps she’d feared the response. So attaining his validation for her hard work and sacrifice cast off the weight of doubt and disapproval she’d been shouldering for so terribly long.

“Thank you.” Tears pooled in her eyes, and she stepped up to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and held on as if afraid he might walk away. “That means more to me than you can know.”

“I love you, Maya.” His strong arms held her, giving her the safety and security she needed to let go of her guilt, regret, and loneliness.

“I love you, too.” So very much.

All of these years, she’d moved through each day raising Isla alone, doing whatever was necessary to ensure her daughter had the best life possible under their unique circumstances. She’d struggled to keep her head above water—financially, physically, emotionally—and second-guessed herself every damn step of the way. All the while, the grim reaper’s shadow loomed over their life, just waiting for an opportunity to destroy her.

She’d battled a deep loneliness and sense of loss and longing for Jeffrey and whatmighthave been. Thoughts of him would sneak into her dreams, and she would awaken to another disappointing day without him in their life.

“We’re a team now, Maya.” His deep voice vibrated against her, then he leaned back, placed a finger beneath her chin, and tilted her face up to him. “You, Isla, and me. Got it? No more running.”

She stared into blue eyes so like their daughter’s and made the easiest promise of her life.

“No more running.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, raised to her tiptoes, and kissed him. And it felt so damn good.

He groaned, and his tongue thrust between her lips. She curled her fingers into the back of his hair, and—

“Shit.” Wolf’s curse managed to find its way through the lust fogging her brain.

Jeffrey slowly ended the kiss, dragged his hand from beneath the back of her shirt—when had that happened?—and grinned at her.

She blinked herself to coherence, and they turned toward Wolf.

“Sorry to interrupt.” His large body blocked the hallway, and he pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “Maya, you just got a message from Al-Mansoori.”

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