Page 194 of Dagger

I dropped my hand and turned for the door. “On it.”

“John,” Leesy called, making me stop in my tracks.

I craned my neck and gazed at my beautiful wife.

“Tell Sunny if she wants to jilt him, we’ll take her to Bora Bora for a month to lay low. She’s making a huge mistake. She doesn’t love that asshole.”

Lips twitching, I gave her a loose salute and admitted, “I know,” before turning and heading for the guest room.

My granddaughter had asked to come here the night before her wedding because Bowie’s place was a madhouse. They had six kids altogether, so it was manic and noisy as hell. Sunny, Molly, and Kady were all close like sisters, so they stayed here together to help Sunshine get ready, the same way they did during all their milestones.

And I loved it.

I approached the room where the girls had congregated and smiled at their familiar laughter. Today was bittersweet. I wanted all my grandchildren to be happy, but I wanted to keep them young and little, too. The last twenty years of my life had been spectacular. Seeing all my boys—and girls—overcome their insecurities to become the men—and women—they were always meant to be, filled me with so much pride and joy that it hurt to breathe.

I never wanted to let them go.

Raising my hand, I rapped on the door, only cracking it open when Sunny called for me to enter. I stepped inside, taking in Sunshine’s ethereal beauty, and my heart squeezed tight.

“Your dad will be here soon,” I told her, dipping my chin. “You look gorgeous.”

Sunny beamed at me. “Thanks, Granddad”

I glanced at Molly and Kady. “Can I have a word with the bride-to-be?”

“We’ll see you downstairs,” Kady almost sang in her melodic voice, heading for the door.

Molly gave me one of her ‘oh my God, Dad,’ looks. “Don’t make her cry. You’ll ruin her makeup.” Reaching out, she squeezed my arm comfortingly before disappearing through the door.

My gaze went back to Sunshine, and I cocked my head. “You’re the most sought-after hair stylist and makeup artist in Wyoming, Sunny. If you cry, can’t you fix it?”

She laughed, flashing her dazzling, white teeth at me. “Of course I can.” Her beautiful smile faded when I spoke my next words.

“I told him to handle you with care.”

Tears welled in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” I whispered. “Never thought he’d dim your light. Not him.”

She bowed her head.

“He loves you,” I went on.

“If he loved me, he wouldn’t keep hurting me,” she breathed.

“Funny that,” I murmured. “In my experience, it’s usually the ones we love most that we break the hardest.”

A single tear ran down her cheek.

“You were my first grandchild, Sunshine,” I reminded her. “Not my oldest, but my first. I’ll never forget the day your mom brought you to that first barbeque. You looked up at me with those big, silver eyes, and I fell deep for you. Would’ve handed you the world if you’d asked for it. Would’ve fought wars for you.”

Her hand touched mine. “You did fight a war for me, Grandpa.”

My throat heated. “Your nanna owns my soul, Sunny, but on that day twenty years ago, you kickstarted my heart. I want you to know that I’m always here for you, whatever happens.”

She smiled through her tears. “I love you, Granddad.”

“You, too, sweetheart.” I jumped slightly as I heard the front door slam. “Sounds like your dad’s here, sweetheart, but before you go, tell me truthfully. Do you love him?”

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