Page 26 of Always Been Mine

“You know I did, Admiral.”

“Beatrice doesn’t want to use you as an alibi.”

“Why ever not?” Gabe growled.

“She said you had a confrontation with Stone last week and it might shift the investigation to you.”

Gabe inhaled sharply, not sure whether to feel elated that she cared for him enough to protect him, or annoyed that she would think he’d let her go through this alone.

“It’s time for you to get your head out of your ass, Commander.”

His eyes narrowed at the older man, pretty sure he knew what the admiral meant, but he was feeling masochistic right now. He needed a push.

The admiral snorted. “I’ve left you well enough alone these past few months, Gabriel. I know coming back from being Dmitry Yerzov is tough. But, son, you’ve gone all the way to the other end of the spectrum, a level above beinga pussy. You should be ashamed to be called a Navy SEAL.”

“Now wait a goddamned minute—”

“From what I’ve gathered from my daughter, you’re nowhere near getting through to her—”

“Yeah? Well, her daddy issues ain’t helping, and I’m really uncomfortable talking to you about your daughter. She’s an adult. Fine time for you to be showing concern—”

“I’m more concerned about you.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you hear a thing I said?” Porter huffed in irritation. “You’re not the man you used to be, Gabriel. The man three years ago was the man my daughter fell for. You’re not even close. You treat her with kid gloves. Hell, if she takes you back the way you are right now, she’ll eat you alive. Drag you around and spit you out like a chew toy. Don’t make me regret helping you with my daughter.”

“Back the hell up,” Gabe snapped. “I do not treat her with kid gloves. What do you think I should have done to her when she kneed me in the balls?”

Porter froze; then his eyes crinkled at the corners before he burst out laughing.

“Glad you find it amusing,” Gabe grumbled. “I can take it from here, Admiral. I’ve done some soul-searching so to speak. I’d appreciate it if you let me handle Beatrice from here on.”

“Handle?” The admiral quirked a brow.

“The woman needs some wooing and a firm hand. I’m handling her with care this time, Ben.”

The admiral’s brows shot to his hairline. “This should be interesting. You may still be the right man for her after all.”

“What the fuck, Ben? I don’t care what you think, especially since you didn’t give a shit for most of her life.”

“Tread carefully, Gabriel,” Porter warned.

“No. You need to come to terms with a few home truths,” he shot back. “Your fuck-ups as a father are not helping mycause with your daughter at all. I’d prefer it if you stay away from me while I’m trying to get Beatrice to take me back.” Gabe felt pain lance through his chest, thinking of the girl she used to be. “I don’t get it, Admiral. She’s beautiful, intelligent, and larger than life. How can you not cherish and protect someone as precious as her?”

The admiral paled, his face was a mask, but the tension rolling off him was palpable. Gabe knew he’d gone too far, but someone had to say it. Someone had to fight for Beatrice, for the girl she had been who needed the love of a father.

“You think I don’t cherish her?” Porter said softly. “The second biggest mistake of my life was getting in too deep with the CIA and then realizing I’ve made enemies. Having personal attachments had suddenly become more complicated. Protect her? Why do you think I’ve hooked her up with so many security firms? Do you know how many allies she has made, willing to protect her?”

He regarded the admiral skeptically. “No matter how you emotionally detach yourself from Beatrice, the threat will always be there by association. Are you sure this is not a defense mechanism on your part, so if anything does happen to Beatrice, you would be as you are—apathetic?”

“I’m warning you, Commander.” Porter’s face was etched in tense lines.

“I guess I’ve made my point.”

The admiral sighed in resignation. “It’s too late for me, Gabriel, but not for you. Be the man you used to be. Protect her because I can’t do it forever. One of these days, my enemies are going to catch up with me. She will get caught in the crossfire.”

It chilled Gabe that nothing had happened as yet. He knew several missions the admiral had orchestrated that threatened serious blowback.

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