Page 30 of Saved by my Baby Daddy Spy
I take a deep breath. There is no good way to say everything that is running through my mind right now. I have to get the truth out in the open and then move on from it.
Whatever moving on from it will look like.
“I didn’t think you wanted kids. Even now, I don’t know for sure if you want to be in her life. You have a choice to make, and I’m worried that you’re going to walk away. Which you can do. I’m not asking you to stay. I want you to want this on your own, but you need to understand that everything I’ve done and every choice I’ve made all this time is to protectmydaughter.”
“You meanourdaughter.”
I shake my head. “No. I mean my daughter. She will be our daughter when you make a decision about what you want. You told my sister within minutes of seeing her again that kids are a bad idea. If you still feel that way, then you’re not going to want this. And that’s fine.”
“Stop. You think you know what’s going on in my head with all of this.”
“No,” I say, my voice breaking slightly. “No. I think that you don’t know what to make of this entire situation either. I’ve had a little over two years to wrap my mind around everything.”
“And you think that I need to take time to think about this.” He throws his hands up in the air. “Fuck, Hannah, she’s my daughter and I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
“Which is why you need to take time to think about this.”
He scowls at me, making my stomach drop to my feet. “Stop telling me what I need. You intentionally kept this from me for weeks. I can’t believe you.”
Holden gives me a look that cuts right through me before spinning around and stalking away. My heart tears in two for my daughter as tears slip down my face.
The sand is cold against my bare legs as I sit down and stare at the waves.
One hour. I get one hour to feel as miserable as I want about this entire situation before I go home to Kerrigan and pretend that everything is all right.
As I stare at the waves rocking back and forth, something tells me that one hour won’t be enough.
Chapter Ten
Holden
Over20monthsago.
Florence, Italy.
The whispers of centuries-old stories fill the air as I walk through Florence's historic streets. Tall buildings with Renaissance splendor are surrounded by cobblestone walkways, and the aroma of freshly brewed espresso blends with the tangy scent of centuries past. The city becomes a living work of art and mystery as the sun's warm rays bring the terracotta hues of the buildings to life.
I find a secluded spot near the Arno River, where the iconic Ponte Vecchio arches gracefully overhead. The riverbanks boast a panoramic view of the city, a blend of red-tiled rooftops and church domes. A gentle breeze carries with it the melodies of street musicians, their tunes weaving through the alleys.
Dialing Eli's number, I press the phone to my ear, the connection crackling with the distance between us. As we discuss the details of the impending exchange, I lean against the stone railing, overlooking the Arno.
We decide on a discreet piazza, tucked away from the prying eyes of both allies and adversaries.
Another day to exchange the flash drive that has the potential to change the world. The CIA already have the contents of the flash drive. This is a copy of the content with some missing key information.
My new mission is to lure out and capture the mastermind behind this conspiracy.
“Who are you?” Eli asks sternly.
“I am Tate Erikson, a former employee of Gould Tech & Innovations.
“How did you come in contact with the flash drive?”
“I was one of the lead scientist who worked on the contents of this drive. I couldn’t let it fall into the wrong hands after my bo… my boss…” I hesitated.
“After your boss?”
“Died, he died,” I note.
