Page 86 of Sypher

The line went dead. I pocketed my phone and headed into church.

Chapter Thirty-One

Pippen

November 30, 2024, the Powell Ranch, Diamond Creek, NE.

“You can stay as long as you like,” Grayson Powell said while he walked us through the cabin to make sure everything looked good. Chrissy and Tabitha, Ellie and Ryder’s girls ran around, dragging Danika with them as they checked out the place. Danny told me we’d only be staying here for a few days, giving Nav time to set everything up before heading to Oklahoma City. While I was sad to leave my friends, I knew that getting Danika the help she needed was more important. “This cabin isn’t easily accessible, so I’m leaving one of the ATVs here for you. No one will know you’re here.”

“Thank you,” Danny said, shaking the man’s hand.

“Don’t worry about it,” the rancher replied, smirking over at Jessie who looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here.

“Jessie, this place is amazing.” Ellie chuckled, bumping the stubborn woman into getting a reaction out of her. Something was going on there, and the blush onJessabel’sface told me everything I needed to know. My bestie liked the larger-than-life sexy rancher.

“Did some digging last night and learned that animals are good for therapy,” I heard Ryder say to Danny, who was standing next to Winchester. I really didn’t know much about the club brother, only that he had offered his family home to me and Dante. From what Ellie told me, there were only six Powell children left in the area after the death of their parents. Raisedby their mother’s maternal father, who owned and operated the hardware store in town. The oldest sibling, Carson, spent most of his days in town, leaving Grayson, the second oldest and two younger brothers, Hudson and Emerson, to run the ranch. Then there was Winchester, the youngest brother named Tyson, who joined the Silver Shadows when the club put down roots five years ago. The brothers had a younger sister, Addison, who they helped raise. She was nineteen and studying to be a veterinarian. Overall, the family was very tight and close knit.

“Maybe we should bring Tabby here more often, Ellie,” Ryder added while Ellie smiled warmly.

“That would be wonderful, and Jessie could keep me company.”

Jess furrowed her brows and growled as Grayson smiled happily.

“Would love the company. The more the merrier.”

“Okay, what am I missing?” Danny whispered, leaning against the wall next to Ryder, who chuckled.

“Grayson has taken a liking to Jessie, who isn’t being receptive.”

Smirking, I shook my head. “He’d have better luck climbing Mount Everest. Jess is a city girl, born and raised. Her idea of having outdoor fun is hoofing it to the nearest coffee shop. The girl can’t even climb a damn ladder without getting faint.”

“Yeah, I don’t think Grayson cares.” Winchester grinned. “If Gray wants her, then he ain’t gonna stop until he has her.”

“How would you pretty girls like to see the baby barn?” Grayson asked when the girls ran back into the living room.

“Can we?” Chrissy clapped, jumping up and down. “Please!”

“Sure can, but I’m gonna need help to drive. I bumped my foot this morning, and it’s real sore,” Grayson said pretending to favor his right foot. “Maybe if you sweet talk Ms. Jessie, she can help me drive us over there.”

And that was all it took for three little girls to rush over to Jess. They begged and pleaded, leaving‘Auntie Jessie’with no choice but to give into their demands. Huffing, Jess narrowed her eyes at Grayson, who was grinning from ear to ear, before growling sweetly and saying, “Love to help.”

“Oh God,” I muttered. “I know that tone.”

In the next instant, Jess walked over to Grayson and smiled up at the very large man, then stomped on his foot, hard.

Grimacing, the man swallowed his pain while Jess laughed, heading for the front door. “Now you really have a sore foot. Let’s go, girls, you can ride with me.”

Despite the fact that Danika hadn’t uttered a single word, it had been a wonderful day, and from all appearances, she had thoroughly enjoyed herself and all that surrounded her. Starved for love and affection, Danika soaked up everything and everyone around her like a thirsty sponge, especially Danny, whose warmth she craved and found comforting. Although she was never truly far from him, always desiring his embrace, he gladly and readily complied with her unspoken wishes.

I watched them throughout the entire day. A feeling of unending fascination washed over me, knowing that I could watch them forever and never grow weary. With a patience that bordered on the uncanny, he treated her with such gentleness, like he somehow intuitively knew precisely what she wished for. His devotion to her was evident in his actions. He would speak only in response to her nonverbal cues, such as pointing, and offered soothing physical comfort even when she remained silent. It was evident to me that she, much like myself, was completely enchanted by him and his allure.

Not that I blamed her one bit.

My little girl took after her daddy.

God, I still had a hard time processing that part.

Despite months of knowing she existed and waiting for her safe rescue by Danny and the others, the weight of fatherhood still felt surreal. A heavy cloak of responsibility settled on my shoulders. Growing up, the idea of having children never crossed my mind; I was too focused on other things. I was so consumed by my own desires that I ignored everyone else’s needs. So, I never gave it another thought. Even after Danny and I started dating, a selfish streak kept me from wanting to share him with anyone. I cherished our quiet time together, but the arrival of Danika had shifted the dynamic.

---