Page 99 of Undeniable

My cheeks heated at the implication. But Connor nodded, his expression solemn.

“And how did you two meet?” Dad asked, so I explained how we were paired through the Spines for Soldiers program and our relationship had developed over time. I only wished I’d told Dad about Connor sooner, but how could I have known that I’d fall so hard for him once we’d met?

“So, you don’t live in LA,” Dad said to Connor once I’d finished.

My gut sank at the reminder. At the fact that Connor would already be on a plane headed for New York by now if it weren’t for the attack this morning. That we might have gone back to being “friends” if this hadn’t happened.

“No, sir.” Connor met his gaze, unflinching. “I live in New York.”

“Mm.” Dad rubbed a hand over his mouth, and I wondered what he was thinking. “Okay. Back to this morning. What happened?”

“You sure you’re okay, Goody?” Connor asked me first.

I nodded.

Connor took a deep breath and straightened. “I was getting breakfast for us when Olivia called.” Dad arched an eyebrow, and I cringed. God, talk about awkward. If Dad hadn’t guessed that Connor and I were sleeping together before, there was no doubt about it now.

“She sounded off,” Connor continued. “And when she asked me to add cashews to her order, I knew something was wrong.”

Dad looked impressed, but he quickly schooled his expression into something more neutral. “Then what happened?”

“I ran back to the house, and when I spotted her—” Connor paused and took a shaky breath. “When I spotted her and the assailant, I immediately called for backup. I entered the house and neutralized the threat. Olivia hit her head in the process and briefly lost consciousness. My team arrived and handled the rest of the situation while we came to the hospital.”

“How long was she out?” Dad asked in a clinical voice, and I was grateful that Connor had relayed the important information without making me relive the incident in detail. I hoped it would help allay my dad’s fears as well, even if Connor had vastly downplayed his role in the incident.

“A few minutes.”

“Any other injuries?”

“Mostly minor, thank god,” Connor said under his breath. “But she’ll need to make a statement to law enforcement once she’s up to it.”

I nodded. “I will.”

Dad patted my hand. “Only when you’re ready.” He turned back to Connor. “So back to this disgruntled former client.”

Connor stared at the floor as if the tiles were fascinating. “It’s confidential.”

“The hell it is,” Dad roared, showing emotion for the first time. “When it concerns my daughter, when it lands her in the hospital, I think I have a right to know what you’re really involved with.” I’d rarely ever seen him so angry. He was usually so calm, so Zen.

Connor dragged a hand over his head, regret filling his eyes which focused solely on me. “During one of my previous assignments, I was part of a team that was responsible for protecting an ambassador and his family, including his son, George.”

I shuddered at his name.

“I take it George was your assailant?” Dad asked. I merely nodded.

“Was this the assignment where you injured your knee?” I asked.

Connor nodded. “Yes. And Zeke sprained his wrist.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Because I attacked George.”

“Why would you attack your client’s son?” Dad asked.

I furrowed my brow. What was Connor not telling us? Surely there was more to the story. I didn’t believe for one second that Connor would attack someone without a good reason, especially not the family of a man he’d been working for. He was too honorable. Too noble.

Connor closed his eyes, and I could see that the memory pained him. My heart clenched even as my mind raced with possibilities, none of which I wanted to entertain.

“I attacked him because he was verbally abusive to his wife and daughter, and I suspected he was physically abusive as well. And one night, I just…I snapped.” He shook his head and blew out a breath. “The look of terror in that little girl’s eyes as her father loomed over her, fists clenched, will haunt me for the rest of my life.”

Suddenly George’s words about Connor “defending weak women” made sense. He was talking about his wife and daughter. What a piece of shit.