The lie rolls off her tongue so convincingly I almost believe it myself. Almost forget this is all an arrangement, a business deal between two people using each other for mutual benefit.
Almost.
But the weight of her hand in mine reminds me this is real in all the ways that matter. For the next six months, Savannah Parker is mine to protect. Mine to champion against the world.
Even against her father.
Especially against her father.
Sheriff Parker stares at his daughter like she's grown a second head. "Love? You've barely spoken two words to this man before yesterday. This is ridiculous, Savannah."
"You don't know everything about my life." Savannah's grip on my hand tightens.
"I know enough to recognize when my daughter is making a catastrophic mistake." He turns to me, eyes cold. "Whatever your game is, Reeves, it won't work. I'll make sure of it."
Something in me snaps. The barely contained anger I've been swallowing for years rises to the surface, not in a roar but in something more dangerous. A quiet certainty.
"There is no game, Sheriff." I step forward, gently moving Savannah behind me. "Your daughter is an intelligent, grown woman capable of making her own decisions. Decisions you should respect even if you don't agree with them."
"Don't you dare lecture me about respect." He jabs a finger in my direction. "Not after you corrupted my daughter."
"Corrupted?" I laugh, the sound devoid of humor. "Is that what you think? That I'm some villain twirling his mustache, plotting to steal your precious daughter? Wake up, Parker. The world isn't divided into good guys with badges and bad guys with records."
"Dad," Savannah tries to interject, but I squeeze her hand, silently asking for a chance to finish.
"I've spent years proving myself in this town despite your constant harassment." My voice remains level, controlled. "I run a legitimate business. I teach at-risk kids valuable skills. I paymy taxes and keep to myself. Yet you've never given me a single chance to be anything but the criminal you decided I was."
Sheriff Parker's face flushes darker. "You think a few years of good behavior erases what you are? What you've done?"
"I think a man should be judged by who he is now, not who he was at eighteen." I stand taller, using the height advantage I have over him. "I'm not that kid anymore. And Savannah sees that, even if you refuse to."
"Savannah is young and naive."
"Savannah is standing right here," my fiancée cuts in, moving to stand beside me instead of behind. "And I'm neither young nor naive. I'm a grown woman who knows exactly what she wants."
Her father's expression softens slightly when he looks at her. "Sweetheart, think about what you're doing. There are plenty of good men in this town. Men with futures. Men without records."
"Men you approve of, you mean." She shakes her head. "I'm not interested in living my life according to your approval rating system, Dad. As I said, I love Colt. We're getting married."
The conviction in her voice sends warmth spreading through my chest, even knowing it's all pretend. But maybe not everything needs to be an act.
"Sheriff Parker," I say, deliberately softening my tone. "I understand your concerns. I'd be worried too if I were in your position. But I care about your daughter. More than I expected to, if I'm being honest."
His eyes narrow in suspicion. "You expect me to believe that?"
"I don't expect anything from you." I place my arm around Savannah's shoulders, drawing her against my side where she fits perfectly. "But I want you to hear this clearly. I will protect her. I will support her dreams. I will give her the freedom to be exactly who she wants to be.”
His eyes narrow.
"Unlike you," I add, unable to resist the dig.
Savannah pinches my side subtly, but there's a smile playing at the corner of her mouth.
"This conversation is over." Sheriff Parker reaches for his daughter. "Savannah, let's go."
"No." I step between them, my patience finally exhausted. "Savannah isn't going anywhere. She's staying here, with me."
"The hell she is."
