“Youaretoo old for her, and you're right, you are every father’s worst fucking nightmare.” He huffs a laugh. “But when those men came here and took her, I was powerless. There was nothing I could do. I could never have saved her the way you did. If you are who Millie wants to be with, you won’t have me standing in your way.”
“Mr. Dawson… I wouldn’t haveanythingstand in my way,” I assure him, getting up from the table and taking the kettle off the stove when it starts to whistle. “What I want is for her to be happy. I want me and you to get along. If she asks me what yourassociation with Quinnell was, I won’t lie to her. She deserves to know the truth, and that truth is that you put her first. Hell, that truth is the reason you're still alive,” I snigger at him.
“I’d like the opportunity to tell her myself.” He smiles up at me.
“I think that would be best. I also think we should keep your visits to that Russian whore house between you and me. Millie still sees you the way every daughter deserves to see her daddy, and I don’t wanna ruin that for her.”
“You're a good man, Dev.” Dawson holds out his hand for me to shake, and I grip it firmly.
“I wouldn't go as far as that, but your daughter makes me wanna be a better one,” I assure him. “Now, you get yourself cleaned up, me and her are coming over for dinner tonight, and I like my steak cooked medium rare.” I stand up and start heading for the door.
“Dev,” he calls out to me before I can leave. “Thank you. I owe you everything.” He smiles at me gratefully.
“You don’t owe me a damn thing.” I nod my head before leaving him to fix himself up.
I stand on the clubhouse balcony and watch Millie playing in the sand with Rory. Looking at her now and the way she’s smiling, you’d never guess she’d been through all she has, and although I know some days are gonna be tougher than others, I’ll be with her for every single one of ’em.
“You know she’s gonna be wantin’ you to give her one of those soon.” Ruck comes up behind me and joins me in watching the girls.
“A kid? I’d give her one if that's what she wanted. I’d give that girl anything.” I watch her smother the baby in sunscreen, then bop his nose with her finger. She’s making being maternal look hot.
“Crazy how they change us, ain’t it? I never thought a female would get to you.” Ruckus laughs as he heads down the steps to join Freya, and when Millie looks up and spots me, the smile she makes warms my entire chest.
Kissing Rory’s cheeks, she places him on Alicia’s lap and starts rushing across the beach, up the stairs, and toward me.
“You were gone ages.” She slams her fist into my chest playfully.
“Miss me?” I grab her by the hips and drag her close.
“Of course, I did.” She licks her lips, and I brush off the grains of sand that are stuck to her cheek with my thumb.
“You looked like you were having fun down there.”
“I was, he’s becoming a real little character.” She glances back over my shoulder to where Alicia is bouncing her nephew on her knees.
“He’s gonna be just like his dad.” I smile. Thinking about how proud Saul would be to see how him and Lettie have fitted in around here.
“I’m gonna want that,” she suddenly blurts out, and immediately looks scared that she’s said the wrong thing. “I don’t mean right now, but one day.” She bites her lip and awkwardly looks up at me for a reaction.
“You just let me know when you're ready, darlin’.” I grab her and lift her ass up onto the wooden rail.
“You really mean that, don’t you?” She frowns at me and laughs at the same time.
“Uh-huh.” I nod back and grip her chin. “Now, what is my pretty girl gonna wear tonight?” I ask her.
“Tonight? Is there something happening?” I love how excited she looks at the idea.
“We’re going to your father's place for dinner.”
“What?” She laughs like she thinks I’m joking.
“You heard me. We’re going to dinner at your dad’s, and I want you to be wearing something very accessible.”
“You're not thinking…”
“I’malwaysthinking,” I warn her, gripping her jaw tighter as I drag her mouth onto mine.
“Dev.” She eventually draws back. “I don’t know if I’m ready to see him yet.” Her excitement gets masked by worry.
