Page 44 of Her Hero Daddy

She nodded. “I don’t really want to go anywhere right now.”

“Good. Another rule is that you must follow Logan’s recommendations, and I will enforce them. That means eating, napping, bedtimes, taking medicine, all the things he recommended. I will help you with all of that.”

The look of contentment and relief that washed over her face made his stomach unravel. He wanted to be her safe place, and it seemed that when she knew he would help her with things, she was more relaxed. Her hands began to twist together nervously.

“What’s wrong, baby alligator?”

“Can I ask something?” she asked quietly.

To be her Daddy? Because the answer would be hell yes.

She took in a deep breath and let it out. Whatever it was, she was trying to get some courage.

“Why do you care what happens to me?”

Okay, wasn’t expecting that. Not. At. All.

Memories bubbled up in his stomach, causing him to wince. She needed his honesty. She needed to know where his drive to protect her came from. Only the thought of talking about it out loud with her made him feel woozy. He stared at her blankly, wondering just how much he should tell her.

She stood from the chair, looking ready to bolt. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“Stop. Sit.”

Haylee met his gaze but stayed standing.

“Sit.”

She slowly sat back down, lowering her eyes from his. He didn’t like that. Just because she was submitting to his command didn’t mean she couldn’t look him in the eye.

“Look at me, baby alligator.”

Her eyes lifted to his. Pure and sweet but scared and insecure.

“My dad abused my mom. My brother, Damian, and I are only eleven months apart in age. We grew up hearing the fights. When we were younger, it was just a lot of screaming and yelling directed at her, but as we got older, he started hitting her. Damian and I came home from a party one night, and he was screaming at her and slapping her around. We pulled him off of her and beat him up pretty bad. He was our dad, but he had become a complete monster, and our mom was the best mom anyone could ever ask for.

“My mom pulled us off of him when she heard sirens and told us to get out of the house before the cops showed up so we wouldn’t get arrested. Our dad was down on the ground, so we did what she told us. We left the house and ran. We heard a gunshot before we even reached the end of our street. We ran back towards the house, and before we got to the porch, we heard another gunshot. When we went inside, my mom and my dad were dead on the floor, and the gun was still in my dad’s hand. So, any kind of abuse is a huge trigger for me. Also, even though we just met, I care about you, Haylee.”

A sob from Haylee brought his attention to her. She stood and flew over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck so tight that if she was any stronger, he might pass out.

“I’m so sorry, Kane. I-I… I don’t even know what to say. That is the most horrible thing I’ve ever heard.”

He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and pulled her into his lap, letting her hug him. He wrapped his arms around her waist gently and hugged her back. He needed her comfort just as much as she needed his.

“Thank you, baby,” he whispered against her ear.

After a long while of holding her, she pulled herself back from his chest to look at him, their faces only inches from each other. Before he could stop himself, he leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. A small moan escaped her as he deepened the kiss slightly, being careful of the cut near her bottom lip. He didn’t want to pull back, but he wouldn’t risk causing her pain.

Her face hovered close to his, and he couldn’t help but give her several small kisses along her jawline. She smiled softly, resting her forehead on his. Her scent of vanilla and peaches surrounded him and caused his cock to throb against her ass. He hoped she wouldn’t notice. He couldn’t exactly help it, but he didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable.

His phone rang, startling Haylee. She tried to jump off his lap, but he held her there as he reached for his cell phone on the desk.

“Stay.”

She relaxed against his chest again.

“Yeah?” he barked into the phone.

“Whoa, did I call while you were jerking off?” Logan asked.