Page 283 of Allegiance

This kid…

She was sweet.

“So, you can call me Dad, you can call me Dakota, or you can call me backup when you need help. I’m going to be there, and if you’re ever in trouble, I come with some very mean uncles who will break legs for you.”

She laughed and was well aware.

“So I hear that about Uncle Mikey O’. That’s got some street cred.”

He winked at her.

“We good?” he asked.

“Yeah, Dad, we’re good.”

That made his heart happy.

It was funny how life changed so fast, and how he’d been alone. Only, now…he had it all.

Taking her hand, he held it in his as they walked out to the living room. It was clear that they’d been waiting for them to be done.

“All finished,” he said.

“Is everything okay?” Eve asked, worried.

“Yeah, Violet wants to pierce her nose and dye her hair purple. I said it was cool with me.”

Eve stared at him.

“Wait, is that an option?” Violet asked. “Because I’m down for a tattoo if…”

Dakota couldn’t keep a straight face.

“I hope you guys are busting my ass,” Eve said. “No one is piercing anything at sixteen.”

“Well, you do have tattoos, so how’s that?” Violet asked.

Dakota kept the amusement going.

“I say a big one like Mom’s. I mean, what’s good for the goose…”

She realized that they were teaming up and teasing her. It was very family-like, so she joined in.

“Is good for the gander to sleep on the couch,” Eve said, smiling at him.

That changed his mind pretty damn fast.

“No tattoo, Violet. Sorry,” he said, winking at his wife.

“Come on, Dad!” she said.

The second she called him that, it brought tears to Eve’s eyes. Now, she knew what had been going on. Well, that and Stella clued her in.

She’d married a good guy.

“We’ll discuss it later. Maura needs to talk to us about something.”

That she did.