Page 49 of Bullet

He nodded, seeming to accept my answer. “Want some coffee?”

“Sure,” I responded. I needed another cup after the night I'd had with Ford. We only got a few hours of sleep, and I had a busy day ahead of me.

I sat down at the table. “Where are Raleigh and Jameson?”

My dad answered me from the kitchen, “Out on a run. They should be back in a couple of days.”

“Oh.” I didn't really care to know details about what my brothers did in the club because it only made me worry more about them.

A few moments later, my dad sat next to me and handed me a mug. “Thanks,” I said before blowing on the steaming liquid.

“There's something I want to talk to you about.”

Shit.

My stomach dropped as I set my coffee down, trying to play it cool. “Okay, what is it?”

“Remember that morning you came home hungover? You flinched when I went to grab you.”

That was the morning after the first time Ford and I hooked up. “Yeah. What about it?”

“We haven't really had the chance to talk since you started working, but I told you that conversation wasn't over.”

I took a sip of my coffee, waiting for him to continue. His face hardened in anger as he leaned forward on the table. “Has someone been hurting you, Dixyn?”

I sighed, then crossed my arms over my chest. “Not anymore.”

His fists clenched as he growled, “Who?”

“This guy back in LA.”

He placed a hand on my shoulder. “Why didn't you tell me? I could've helped you.”

I shook my head, fighting back tears. “He's dangerous.”

He slammed a fist down on the table, making me jump. “I'm dangerous!” he yelled before lowering his voice to a harsh whisper. “No one touches my daughter. I will tear that motherfucker apart for hurting my baby girl. Now, tell me who he is.”

I shook my head again, afraid for my family. I knew my dad would get the club involved, and I didn't want that blood on my hands.

My dad firmly gripped me by the shoulders. “Dixie, the club and I can take care of this asshole for you. He'll never hurt you again.”

The tears started falling. “You don't understand. He's not just some normal guy.”

There was fire in his eyes as they locked onto mine. “I don't care if he's the goddamn president. I will slit his fucking throat.”

I took a deep breath to compose myself and shook my head. “I can't. I can't risk you or Raleigh or Jameson. I can't lose you.”

My dad cupped my cheek, his face softening. “Who'd you get involved with, Dixie girl?”

“It doesn't matter. I got away.” I took his large hands in mine and squeezed. “You'll protect me, right?”

“Of course, sweetheart. Always.”

I threw my arms around my dad's neck and hugged him tightly. We didn't have the best history, but I knew deep down that my dad would take care of me.

He wrapped me in his embrace, and cursed, “Dammit, Dixyn.”

I let him hold me for a few minutes before I pulled away. “Thank you, Daddy.”

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