Page 88 of Cutter

Her lips quivered, but she pushed on. “You’re everything to me. You’re the love of my life and my Daddy. I can’t imagine life without you. My home is with you. I want to spend the rest of my days at your side.”

“That’s more like it.” He dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “And don’t even think you’re escaping what’s coming to you.”

“Escape?”

“With all the brouhaha, I didn’t forget, kitten. You owe me for that little underhanded act you pulled the night of the bust. Right?”

Her cheeks flushed red. She sent a glance at her soon-to-be ex-captain pacing in the hallway. Thank goodness, he’d left when he had.

“Right, Daddy.” She lowered her eyes. “I owe you.”

“You’re learning, little girl. Give me a sec. I want to talk to the captain. I’ll be right back,” he said and walked out. Though she couldn’t hear them, Emily watched their animated conversation through the glass. They spoke a few minutes, shook hands, and Captain Weaver left.

“Is everything okay?” she asked when Cutter returned.

“Everything’s fine, baby.” He grasped her hand. “I told him we’d take off as soon as you got cleared to travel. He asked me to text him when we arrived so he wouldn’t have to worry about us, and I promised I would. The captain’s a good man. He offered to send officers to your apartment. I told him it wasn’t necessarybecause you’re staying at the clubhouse with me and the guys until you’re ready to travel.”

Taking a deep breath, Cutter dropped his forehead onto her chest. “When Blade called, I feared the worst and thought the world was ending. I’ve never been so scared in my life. Don’t ever do that to me again.”

“Shhh…shhh.” Gently, she stroked his head. “We’re safe and together, Daddy. That’s all that matters.

“Yes, nothing else does.”

Mangrove Junction, Southwest Florida.

Eight months later…

Emily sat on her porch with her ankles crossed on a rattan footstool. Winston, the Lab/Shepherd mix they’d rescued from the shelter, napped peacefully at her side. It was an ideal Chamber of Commerce afternoon in June. Summer wasn’t scheduled to settle in for another two weeks. A soft, cool breeze blew in from the ocean, making her windchimes jingle playfully in concert. She had her real estate book open on her lap. Although the test was next week, her mind was in the mood to reminisce rather than study.

Shark, the president of the Keys chapter, had told Cutter about this little community on Florida’s southwest coast. The location at the edge of the Everglades kept the throngs of curious tourists away. It was the right location for Daddy, close to the Spawn’s southern clubhouse, but distant enough to ensure their privacy. Even though Daddy had officially retired, the MC had awarded him an honorary sergeant-at-arms title. He’d be considered a Devils’ Spawn officer for life, his opinionand expertise respected and sought after. And no kidding, they’d already called several times asking his advice on settling disputes between brothers.

As they’d driven around the community looking for a place to settle, they came upon the cute cottage, sitting under a giant royal poinciana on one side and a purple trumpet tree on the other. It was instant love.

Two weeks later, he’d dropped the agreement document on her lap. “Are you gonna marry me or what, kitten? I don’t want to buy the cottage if we’re not hitched. I know you love it…”

Emily had thrown her arms around his neck, answeringyesto his proposal multiple times. A week later, the guys and their ol’ ladies drove to Everglades City to witness Emily and Cutter’s marriage. The party came down to Mangrove Landing and lasted the weekend. The poor neighbors didn’t know what hit them, but when they learned it was a wedding celebration, they took it in stride. A few even joined the festivities.

Emily and Cutter had come down in October, and the months had flown past. Together, they’d set up and decorated their new home, keeping Emily’s Tween in mind. And now, summer was here, nipping at her heels, and she hadn’t noticed. Life with Daddy had been a whirlwind of bliss, with one beautiful surprise after another.

The latest and biggest of them all: Daddy was a wealthy man. Cutter had been his mother’s sole heir. After she died, he’d inherited vast amounts of land in northern Spain.

“I sold some acres and held on to the rest, hoping I’d find the woman of my dreams and raise a family. Here you are, kitten.”

“You’re such a romantic, Daddy.”

“So true, baby girl. Let me show you…”

She sighed, remembering how Daddy had shown his love.

Abruptly, Winston’s tail wagged furiously, and he jumped up and barked once. The street was empty, but the tail she calledWinston’s happy meter was a sure sign of Daddy’s impending arrival.

“What is it, boy? What is it?”

Winston’s entire body went into action. He wiggled side to side as his tail swung in the opposite direction. He was an obedient boy, though. Less bratty than her sometimes. He wouldn’t move until she gave him permission. As the chopper’s uniquepotato-potato-potatosound got closer, she stood and gave the order: “Go get Daddy.”

Cutter barely got off the bike before Winston was all over him. Laughing, he dropped to one knee, petting Winston until he calmed down and went sniffing after a new interesting scent.

“Hey, kitten.”

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