Page 136 of Safe and Sound

“How could you possibly tell her you’d take her to New York today?”

“Because I have the plane and the time, and I wanted her to meet some of her family.”

“How do you think it makes me feel that I’m her mother, and you didn’t even check with me.”

“I intended to take you with us.”

“That still doesn’t answer my question.”

“I guess because I’m her father.”

“You’re not on her birth certificate, Dare. Legally you are nothing to her.”

His expression clouded over. “Whose fault is that?” Before I could open my mouth to argue, he shook his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, you shouldn’t.”

He leaned back against the counter and shook his head. “This fatherhood thing has me spinning.”

“That’s understandable.”

His shoulders drooped, and he put his head in his hands. “I’m such a fuck up.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Yeah, I am. I’m saying and doing all the wrong things.”

“No, you’re not.” When he shot me a look through his fingers, I said, “Well, for the most part you’re not.”

With a sigh, he righted himself. “Look, I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have offered to take her to see Maeve.”

“I don’t mind you taking her. I just wanted you to ask me first.”

“In the future I will.” He grimaced. “Except for maybe the cats.”

“Excuse me?”

“They’re a bonded pair, and Piper had to have the orange menace. She wouldn’t even consider any of the others.”

“You’re going to have to be tough with her. I know you feel guilty for what you’ve missed with her, but that doesn’t mean you get to spoil her like with the plane while I play the bad guy.”

“You’re absolutely right. I’m still playing the spoiling uncle rather than the dad,” he replied as his phone buzzed.

“That’s not a bad thing. Well, it is when there’s two cats peeing and shitting in the litter box,” I mused.

When Dare’s head remained buried in his phone, I demanded, “Dare, are you listening to me?”

He jerked his head up. “Two of my men just apprehended Wesley outside a gun store in Rockport. Along with the gun, he had rope, bleach, and trashbags in his trunk.”

Just the mention of Wesley sent a shudder through my body. Realizing what he was intending sent me rushing over to the sink where I heaved up the contents of my breakfast. Over and over I retched.

Dare was at my side in an instant, rubbing my back and telling me nothing was going to happen to me.

When there was nothing else left in my stomach, I swiped my mouth on my sleeve and fought the shakes going through me. “Baby, it’s over.He’sover.”

I bobbed my head. “I-I know. I-It’s just thinking about if you weren’t here what c-could’ve happened to me…and Piper.”

Dare drew me into his arms. “I’m here. As long as I draw breath, nothing is going to happen to you or that little girl. And should something happen to me, my family will always protect you.”

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