Page 24 of Ripper's Property
Those sweet words on her lips melts the muscle inside my chest. She is a princess. My little sweetheart who has owned my heart since the day her father handed her to me and told me to keep her safe while he went to deal with his wife and the dealer who destroyed their world. I don’t feel like I have sacrificed anything. I feel lucky.
“I need to get you clean, baby.” I can’t stand seeing her in that bitch’s blood. I should’ve taken Cherry out the day we ran into her at the club. Then none of this would’ve happened. She’s gone now. And as soon as King gets back, Montoya will be gone too.
She steps into the shower and tips her head back, letting the blood run off her.
“Keep your eyes closed, babe.” I don’t want her to see the brown stream as it swirls down the drain. The bits of Cherry’s flesh. I rinse her off then take the soap and scrub her down. Then I rinse her again and wash her again. “Now, turn so I can wash your hair.”
Her body melts against me as I run my fingers through her hair, scrubbing her scalp, massaging the shampoo in.
“A girl could get used to this.”
If the circumstances were different, I’d make it even better. But it’s not the time for sex. I want to get her dry and climbinto her bed and hold her. I need her close. The guys can fuck themselves. If they want to rat me out to King, so be it, but there’s no way I’m letting her out of my sight.
“I love you, baby.”
She turns her head, looking up at me with a cute little smile, taking my breath right away. “I love you too, honey.”
Those words calm the madness that’s been running through my veins since the moment Hawk alerted me to the fact that something was wrong. It was like my life flashed before my eyes. My worst nightmare unfolding.
“You motherfucking bastard!”
I’m jolted from my sleep at the sound of King’s voice, opening my eyes to find myself staring down the barrel of a gun. I know this isn’t a nightmare that I’m having; this is real life, and King wants me dead.
“You put my daughter’s life at risk and almost got her killed.”
I don’t understand how the hell he got here so fast. I would’ve locked her door if I knew he was coming home. Shit.
“Daddy! Stop!” My girl sits up and shields me with her small frame.
“I’m not going to stop, Rory.” He turns his glare on his daughter. “He needs to pay for his crimes.”
“No!” she shouts, climbing onto my lap and wrapping herself around me. “You are not going to kill the man who saved my life. Now, put your gun down.”
“This isn’t for you to decide,” he seethes. “Now, move, Rory.”
“No! If you kill him, you kill me. I’m not going to live in a world without him.” Her words land hard, overwhelming my old ticker that’s now pounding hard in my chest. “Now, lower yourgun and thank the man who not only saved my life, but has sacrificed everything to guard me these last sixteen years. You owe him your gratitude, not your anger.”
His shoulders drop ever so slightly. I can see the war raging in his mind. I don’t blame him. If it were me and my daughter, I’d be battling the same demons. Wanting him dead for nearly getting her killed but being grateful for protecting her. I’m battling those demons myself, knowing I should never have left her.
“I’m sorry I left her, King. I know I was supposed to wait until you and the guys returned, but I had a good lead and wanted to end him once and for all. Didn’t realize it would all get shot to shit. Believe me when I tell you that I will forever live with that regret and will never take a chance again.”
His gun lowers to his side. His jaw still clenched as he shakes his head. “I couldn’t survive without my little girl.” He looks at her. “She’s my whole goddam world.”
I know exactly how he feels.
“Mine too, King. My life flashed before my eyes when I saw the gun pointed on her, but I wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.” I can say that now, but at the time, I was scared shitless. Thankfully, Raid knew exactly how to get her to bend her head so I could get a clear shot and take Cherry out.
“I guess she’s right about me owing you my gratitude.” He steps forward and holds out his hand. I shake it, feeling his tight grip, knowing he’s still raging mad over my actions. “But there’s still a matter of you breaking our agreement.” His hold on me tightens before he finally releases me. “I was pretty damn clear about you not touching her until I returned and knew where she stood on her feelings for you.”
“I didn’t want to be alone, Dad. After what happened, I asked Rip to stay with me.”
Rory’s sweet for trying to cover for me, but I need to own my shit. I’ve fucked up and I need to make amends.
“I’m in love with her, King. And yeah, I didn’t hold up to my end of the deal. I betrayed you and I’m damn sorry. It’s just so fucking hard telling this girl no.” I look to my pretty princess who’s still shielding me like armor. She’s gonna make the best old lady. Brave enough to stand up to her father. After everything that happened last night, she never crumbled or broke down. She snuggled into me and slept soundly. Me… I was having nightmares, picturing myself getting there too late, watching her die right before my eyes. Fuck. Never again.
“Yeah.” He nods. “I know how damn hard it is sayin’ no to her. I’m not pleased that I have to question your word now, but I understand why you did it. I know you love her. And it’s clear to me that she’s chosen you, so I will keep to my word. But you better guard her with your life, because if you fuck up again, I won’t be showing mercy.”
I have no intention of making the same mistake twice.
