Page 80 of Daddy's Bodyguard

Daisy holds up her hand. “You what? You don’t even talk about Dad with me.”

“She needed it. She was shaken up after the gunfire. Worried about Carissa. Felt guilty. To get someone to open up, you have to open up. You taught me that.”

She bites her lip. “And?”

“And we slept together. Often. When I wasn’t teaching her combat. When we weren’t talking about the future, the past, her work, my experience. Somewhere in all that, I … I don’t know. I started thinking that we’d make it through the job. Like, we would have a life together.”

Daisy squeezes my hand and shakes her head. “It’s not like you to make a mess of things, Jasper. So, what really happened?”

“I left her there. I didn’t even explain. And we had a fight about her dad. And … then I fucked it all up.”

“What’s that mean?” comes a tiny voice behind me.

We all turn to look at Ellie. She stands there in her pajamas, then pads over to me, climbing onto my lap. I rub her sides. “I messed up.”

“With Sofia?”

“Yup.”

“So she won’t come play dress up with me?”

“Missy, your bedtime is quickly approaching,” Daisy says.

“I’ve got that,” Carissa chips in. “Let’s go read a story, Ellie.”

“Okay, Sister.”

Carissa takes her hand and smiles at Ellie as they disappear down the hallway. Daisy’s phone chirps, and she swipes the screen, her cheeks reddening as she reads. I clear my throat, and her head shoots up, a guilty expression on her face.

“What’s that about?” I ask, my chin jerking towards her phone.

She smiles, her expression clearing. “I don’t want you to judge me, but… I met someone.”

“Why would I judge you for that?”

“Because, you know… Ashton.”

I take her hand, giving it a squeeze like she did earlier. “It’s time to move on, Daisy. You’ve been alone for a long time. I don’t think you should feel guilty for wanting to be with someone else.”

She chuckles. “Oh, that’s such a relief. I hate lying to you about it. Remember when I showed up at Sofia’s office, when everything went down? I lied about the emergency. I was actually coming back from our date.”

“Oh, you sneaky little minx. Who is he, anyway?”

“His name is Trent, and he’s an investment banker. We met when Ellie and I went to the playground a few months ago. He has a son her age, and we hit it off almost at once.” She palms her cheeks, her face reddening again. “He’s such a dream, Jasper.”

“I’m not the only one in love, am I right?” I tease.

“Shush. That’s a big word for me.” She shakes her head. “Especially considering I haven’t really spoken to Ellie about her dad. Having people come in and out of her life isn’t going to do her any good.”

“Seeing you happy will do a world of good for her,” I assure.

“Just like seeingyouwith someone will show her how a man should treat a woman,” Daisy redirects. “Also, youcanfix this. You can. Don’t count yourself out.”

“You don’t know Sofia. Her trust is next to impossible to earn, and I broke it. I broke it by leaving her there, by not telling her.”

“By doing your job.” She pats my cheek. “From what Carissa says, that’s something Sofia will definitely understand.”

“She hates me.”

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