Page 46 of The SEALs' Single Mom Baby Surprise

She perks up a little. “Yes.”

“You like it when the princess is smart and strong?”

An enthusiastic nod.

“Good. I’ve got the movie for you.” I put in a well-worn copy ofBeauty and the Beastfor her and retreat back to the kitchen to clean up.

But it looks like Sloane has beaten me to it. Shepard slips by and plants himself on the other end of the couch with Reese.

I take up the towel and step beside her to dry the dishes as she washes them. We stand in silence until the sink is empty.

Sloane turns to me, and I hand her the towel to dry her hands as she frowns at me, balling the fabric in her fists. I’m braced for her sharp tongue.

“This isn’t a safe house.”

“It’s safe enough.” She blazes with defiance, and I’ve never been so tempted to lean into the burn.

She narrows her eyes. “Aren’t we putting you in danger, being here like this? Putting your family in danger?”

“No.”

Her arms cross. “Sterling.”

God, I like the sound of my name on her tongue. But the worry and panic in her eyes has me leaning in to catch her.

“I can’t turn someone else’s life on its head like that?—”

I grab her by the shoulders, pulling her in. “Listen to me. This is my job. It’s my job to keep you safe.”

“But…” Her hands grip my arms tightly, that vulnerability she’s always hiding shining up at me.

“Let me do my job. I’m very good at it.” Because I want to protect her. The niggle in my chest warns me not to get involved like this, but my gut is telling me it’s too late.

She blinks through my words for a second before she nods, grip loosening but not releasing. I just want to tug her against me and close her in my arms, but I let her go.

“Good. Now, I’m going to camp out on one of our suspects tonight. You want to come?”

“Yes.” No hesitation. It almost makes me smile.

“It might not amount to anything.”

“Please.” She hangs the towel on the oven handle. “I have to get Reese ready for bed first.”

“I’ll pause the movie.”

Some humor finally bleeds through. “You’re the only one here who knows how.”

A full smile cracks across my mouth, and she reflects it back at me. Shaking my head, I pauseBeauty and the Beastto a chorus of groans.

Sloane claps her hands. “Bath time. Once you’re clean, you can finish the movie. Then straight to bed after.”

With a soft huff and a sigh, Reese crawls off the couch and follows her mother upstairs.

Shepard drops his head back against the couch. “That seems to have gone better than we anticipated.”

“Shock and awe,” I respond, peering out my front window.

“She hasn’t been as prickly today. What did you do to her last night?”

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