Page 111 of Blade

“When I saw Connie, I was stunned, and when you said she was your mother, I knew immediately she had lied to me. I don’t know why she lied to me, but I am so fucking glad she did. I wish I had been a part of your life from the beginning, but if not having me there meant she kept you, raised you and you are here before me today, I would give up those twenty-five years so I could have the rest of my life with you in it.”

She sat there in silence, tears streaming down her cheeks. Never taking her eyes from me, she whispered, “How do you know it’s me? How can you be sure?”

There was hope shining in her eyes, and I smiled.

“You look like a carbon copy of my mom at your age,” I told her.

“She confirmed it at the cemetery,” King added.

I had forgotten there was anyone else here when he continued.

“When I asked her what she thought she was doing, her response wasprotecting her from a dirty cop.”

I looked up at my brother, shaking my head before turning back to my girl.

“I’m not a dirty cop, baby girl. I don’t know why she kept you from me. It doesn’t matter anymore. Just tell me I can have you in my life now?”

“I always wanted a dad,” she cried, just before launching herself into my arms, almost knocking us both to the ground.

I held her tight, not wanting to let her go.

Suddenly she sat up, turning around to King with a mischievous grin she asked, “So that makes you my uncle, King.”

I laughed when my brother groaned.

“Yea, sweetheart, but I’m not buying you a fucking pony.”

She laughed at him and turned back to me. “Are you really my dad?”

“I’m really your dad,” I confirmed, and all those broken pieces caused by her tears slid right back into place with the smile she gave me.

She then looked over at Blade.

“I have a dad, Micah,” she said, as another tear slipped down her face.

“Yea, you do, baby.”

He smiled softly at her and reached up to wipe the tear away with his thumb. It killed me to admit it, but I could see they loved each other.

When I found out what happened, maybe I’d let him live with just beating his ass.

I just found my daughter.

I didn’t want to lose her for killing the man she loved.

“Well, this has been a week. Shit, I still have to deal with my mother.” She looked over at Blade and glared. “How long has she known?”

Her love switched so quickly into anger. She got that from me.

A little of that Irish temper.

“I will tell you everything if you just give me a chance,” he pleaded.

“Baby girl, I want you to tell me what this fucker did to hurt you so much?”

Looking over at Blade, she shocked me when she said, “He died.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

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