Page 61 of Keeping Katie
“I fell asleep,” she mumbles.
I chuckle and kneel to pull off her shoes. “You did. You were snoring like a bear.”
Her face scrunches up into a scowl as she narrows her eyes. “Nuh-uh. I don’t snore.”
Fuck, she’s so cute. So innocent and sweet. She’s also strong and fiery. I was shocked when she went after Sharleen today, but I was also painfully turned on. My girl didn’t hold back, and it was hot.
“I never got to ask you how your meeting with Marie went today?”
I pull her leggings off, followed by her top and bra, loving that she doesn’t try to cover her lush body from me. I’m going to spend the rest of my life worshipping her beautiful softness. Hopefully, one day, I’ll watch her tummy swell with our child, and I’ll love every bit of her then, too. My cock twitches at the thought.
Ignoring my dick, I go to the dresser to find one of my T-shirts for her to sleep in.
“It went so well. The money will be wired into my account by tomorrow. I can’t believe it’s finally sold, and I can pay off the insurance company. It’s a huge relief, honestly.”
When I pull the bedding back, she crawls underneath and takes Pancake from me when I offer her the bunny. She looks at the soft toy and then moves her gaze to me.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah, baby girl?”
“Do you think we could start doing Pancake Saturday together? I think I want it to become our tradition.”
My heart soars to the heavens to thank her parents for giving me such a wonderful gift. I hate that they’re not here anymore, but I hope they know I’m going to take the best care of her and give her the best life.
“I would love that, baby,” I say tightly, barely able to speak past the lump in my throat.
She smiles softly and closes her eyes. “Me too, Daddy.”
Katie is sleeping when I slip out of bed. She still hasn’t moved when I emerge from the bathroom after my shower. I quietly scribble her a note, letting her know I’ll be back with breakfast. It’s not a lie. I just have another stop to make first.
It’s a few minutes after seven when I walk into Tom’s hospital room. He’s already wide awake with a cup of steaming coffee, though I imagine it tastes like shit compared to the stuff he gets from Twisted Bean.
“Good morning,” I say.
He studies me for a second, then grunts. “Katie still sleeping?”
I nod. “Yes. I came to talk to you privately.”
“You gonna tell me to stay away from her?” he asks. “Because I won’t. She’s like a daughter to me.”
Smiling, I lean back in my chair. The more I get to know this guy, the more I like him. Anyone who loves my girl and wants what’s best for her is okay in my book.
“No. Actually, I came because I want to offer you a job and a place to live.”
That seems to surprise him because he sets his coffee down and gives me his full attention. “A job? I’m an old man.”
“An old man who needs to have a purpose in life. Like watching out for my girl. We have a handful of girls in our family that we keep surrounded with constant protection. I’d like to add you to the team of men.”
He scoffs at that. “I saw the guy you had protecting her yesterday. I’m not in that kind of shape anymore.”
I shrug. “It’s not always the shape that matters. It’s the heart. I know you’d die trying to protect Katie. Besides, I’ve researched your military career. You have skills that never leave a man, no matter how old they are. We have some of the best men in our organization, but they’re young, and you can teach them things only experience provides.”
Tom is a man of honor. He served his country, and he served it well. I don’t give a shit if he’s Irish or not, he’s qualified for the position I’m offering, and Declan backed up the idea immediately. Loyalty is the most important thing in this life, and Tom has been nothing but that to Katie and her family.
He strokes his ragged beard a few times, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes moving as he shifts his gaze around the room.
“This organization you work for. It’s mafia? I’m Italian, and I’m pretty sure by the lull of your accent, you’re Irish,” he says carefully.