Page 47 of Inevitable
“No offense intended,” Seth said grimly. “But Emma and Wren are important in our lives. I guess we’d kind of like to know your intentions now that you do know about Wren.”
I grimaced. It was really none of their damn business what my intentions were. I answered to no one.
However, I stifled the instinct to tell them any of those thoughts.
Brock, Nate, Gage, and Seth had been there for Emma and Wren.
They’d looked out for their best interests when I couldn’t.
I could hardly fault them for watching out for Emma and my daughter.
Hell, I appreciated it even though it irked me that I hadn’t been part of Emma and my daughter’s lives until now.
“I didn’t know about Wren until yesterday,” I said stiffly. “I intend to get to know her as soon as possible. I’m going to be part of her life in every way possible now that I do know. Hopefully with emotional support as well as financial. As you probably already know, I’m not sure exactly how to emotionally support my daughter, but I’ll figure it out.”
“She’s a hard kid not to like,” Gage mused. “She’s a normal girl in some ways, and like a small adult in others. She’s way too smart for her age, and really good with computers just like you. I think she’s always wanted to fit in with girls her age, but she’s always felt a little different because of her intelligence level.”
I could actually relate to that. I never quite fit in with kids my age when I was younger, either.
Hell, I wasn’t exactly social with most peoplenow.
“I get that,” I admitted. “I felt the same way when I was younger.”
“For what it’s worth,” Nate added. “I think you’ll understand each other in ways others can’t. You’ll connect with her, Marshall. Just don’t hurt her and we won’t have to hurt you. I don’t think any of us would like that since we respect you.”
Okay, I did admire the way these men had looked after Emma and Wren, but enough was enough.
I glared at them. “Do you really think I’d hurt my own daughter?”
“I’m not sure we know you well enough personally to judge,” Gage said earnestly. “You’ve always been all business all the time. That won’t work with a girl like Wren.”
Gage was right. That was exactly who I was, and I knew that wasn’t going to fly with a thirteen-year-old girl.
Christ!Just the thought of figuring out how to have an emotional connection with anyone was daunting, much less trying to figure out how to be a parent to a daughter.
“I have no fucking idea how to be a father,” I admitted before I could stop myself. “I never planned on having a child. But I’m not walking away from my daughter now that I know that she exists.”
Nate grinned. “We thought we were tough guys, too, until we met Wren. None of us had much interaction with kids, either. She’ll get to you. All you have to do is let her in and care about her.”
I didn’t let anyone in, and I liked it that way. That was the problem.
“All of you know that’s just not my personality,” I grumbled.
“I think that’s bullshit,” Brock answered. “You care about people, Marshall. You wouldn’t be doing what you do with Last Hope if you didn’t. We know what you did for Wyatt when Shelby’s life was in danger. We also know you didn’t have to giveyourself up for Emma and put your own ass on the line. I very much doubt you’d ever hurt anyone intentionally. But you’re going to have to drop some of your defenses to get to know Wren. She’s a kid. She’s not going to understand that you care if you never show it.”
“I’ll figure it out,” I answered in a voice that would let them know that I was about done talking about this subject.
They all nodded.
“I think you will figure it out,” Gage said. “You’re staying for a while?”
“I am,” I replied brusquely.
“How long?” Seth questioned.
“As long as it takes to get to know my daughter when she gets back from San Diego. I talked to Wyatt this morning. Until further notice, he and the rest of my partners there will be handling Last Hope operations.” I glanced at Brock. “If you suspected that Wren was my daughter, why didn’t you mention her before I left for Lania?”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t my place to make that call or to tell you about my suspicions. That was a decision that Emma needed to make. She’s her mom.”
