Page 6 of Dagger

I smiled at how easy Sophie made it sound, when, in reality, I was thirty years too damned late.

How could I make up for a lifetime of hurt? Elise wasn’t that young girl who was so quick to forgive anymore. It was plain to see she was damaged and held a lot of resentment inside, resentment she was justified to feel. I didn’t need Sherlock Holmes to work out there was a shit ton of work to do to bring back the girl I once knew.

However, I was prepared to toil. I’d slog my guts out to make everything up to her. My universe had opened up again, and just like thirty years before, Elise was at the center of it, keeping me grounded. She was the moon, and I was the Earth. A magnetic force kept us tethered together. It always had.

I just had to make her feel it, too.

My stare went to Abe. “We need to call Church, then a full member meeting. Can you get on it? Suggest lockdown for the ol’ ladies and kids. The second Henderson starts to realize he’s losing control, he’ll react.”

Atlas’s mouth thinned. “When you back an animal into a corner, it’ll come out fighting.”

I nodded my agreement.

Abe got to his feet, pulling his cell phone from his pocket. “I’ll message the groups. When do you want the member meeting?”

“As soon as you can get the men together.” I stood, my anger draining away as my mind began to morph into prez mode. “Call Church, but before that, tell Cash, Bowie, and Breaker I wanna see them alone, and we’re gonna FaceTime their sister.” My eyes fell on Sophie, and I smiled. “Gonna explain everythin’ to my kids.”

Tears filled her eyes. “It’s going to be a lot for them.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “But I’m done hidin’. They need to know the setup between their ma and me. Cash already threw a fuck ton of crap at Adele for leavin’. I told him some of the history ‘cause he needed to let that shit go, but these secrets are gonna destroy us if we let ‘em. I love their mother, and I’d never hurt her, but they’re my kids, and they need to know the truth. Adele’s been on at me for years to tell them everythin’. She won’t mind as long as I handle it with care.” I reached out and rested a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay with me telling them your story?”

She nodded wordlessly.

I dipped my chin. “And are you okay?”

“It’s a lot,” she admitted. “And I’m still confused about some things. But yeah, I’m okay.”

Then she did something that made my breath hitch. Something that I didn’t deserve, but I thanked the heavens for all the same.

Soft arms went around my waist, and my beautiful daughter hugged me so hard that my bones went tight. “I’m glad it’s you,” she whispered.

My heart exploded in my chest, and my hand went to her back. I could already feel her weaving around my heart. I knewshe was special the first time I laid eyes on her, even before she saved her brother’s life.

“Knowing you’re mine is one of the proudest moments of my life, Sophie,” I said huskily. “I’m no less proud of this moment than when your siblings were born. You’ve come to me differently, I admit, but it’s no less beautiful.”

She tipped her head back until her watery eyes met mine, and she beamed.

“Now we’ve gotta save your mom, Soph,” I murmured. “We’ve gotta bring her back into the fold where she belongs.”

“In what capacity?” she asked. “As far as I’m concerned, Elise is in my fold already. The second I discovered who she was, and without even knowing the circumstances, she became mine. There’s nothing conditional in what I feel for her. Even if it came to light that shehadgiven me up, I would’ve understood, because I’ve had a lifetime to come to terms with it and understand that breaking your own heart is sometimes the most unselfish thing you can do for the people you love. But I need to know what your intentions are and if I need to shield her from you.”

I couldn’t stop my lips twitching at Sophie’s gall. Who would believe I had to explain my intentions to my daughter about her mother?

“She’s been mine since she was sixteen years old, Soph,” I declared. “I’ll take Elise Bell in whatever capacity she’ll have me, and I’ll do it gladly.”

“What if you can’t get her back to the place you both used to be?” Her fingers wrapped around my forearm. “Will it be enough?”

“Knowing she’s the mother of my daughter is enough. Knowing she’s away from evil and you’re both safe is enough. Moving her in here and being her roommate for the rest of our lives is enough. Admittedly, I want more, but I intend to get it inways she’s comfortable with. Gave her up once, not prepared to do it again, at least not without a fight.”

“She’s suffering from trauma, John,” Sophie reminded me. “Years of it.”

“I’ll go easy.” I grinned.

“Jesus,” Abe scraped out.

Atlas barked a laugh.

Sophie rolled her eyes upward, and my grin widened.

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