Page 30 of Daddy's Little 1
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m more than happy to fuck your face up for you again if you ever hurt my daughter.”
I grin. “Eejit.”
His mouth twitches. “Asshole.” He sighs heavily. “I can’t believe I’m entrusting you with my daughter, you Scottish fucker. Hurt her, and I’ll kill you myself. Slowly.”
My grin widens. “You can try, old man.” I hold out my hand. “Thanks.”
James quirks an eyebrow. “Why are you thanking me? I’ve just threatened to kill you.”
“Because you’re putting her first.”
James opens and closes his mouth before finally grasping my outstretched hand and jerking a nod. He turns and leaves me standing at the open door. I frown, wondering what the fuck he’s up to. He comes stomping back from somewhere inside the house and chucks a small box at me.
I catch it and open the lid, staring at it blankly. It’s a pure gold band with a pink heart diamond and several tiny diamonds surrounding it.
I know this ring.
I look at him, confused.
James’ eyes flash with a challenge. “If you love her the way you say, prove it.”
* * *
“I’m still mad. If you’re taking me shopping or something, it won’t work.”
It’s the day after my conversation with James, and Brenna is blindfolded as I pull her out of the car. I took the long route so she’d have no idea where we were going.
“Don’t worry. It’s much better than that.” I pat the ring in my pocket for the hundredth time and guide her up the steps of her da’s house.
James still isn’t thrilled by any means, but he gets it. He called my bluff, and I didn’t back down. When it comes to Brenna, I never will.
James is at the door and takes her hand, though she still can’t see. My heart aches as it dawns on her that someone else is holding her hand. She tenses and touches the blindfold.
“No, not yet,” James says softly, realizing she knows he’s here.
“Dad?”
Her broken cry breaks my fucking heart. This is what she needed. I did the right thing for once.
James leads her to the couch and sits her down. The room is covered in candles and pictures of all of us together through the various stages of her life—the one with her mother front and center.
“Okay,” I tell her. “You can take it off now.”
Brenna slides the blindfold over her head. She takes in the candles… the pictures… “What—” Then she sees her da, and her face crumples.
James opens his arms, his eyes shiny.
Brenna throws herself at him with a sob. “Oh, God. I missed you so much. So much!”
“I missed you too, Bumble,” he says roughly, stroking her hair. “I read your letter. I’m so sorry for the way I handled things. It was a shock finding out that way, but I’ve been a fool this last month. You’ll have to blame a father’s love for my shitty behaviour. I’m a stubborn, obstinate old bastard, especially where you’re concerned.”
I shake my head. “You’re not old.”
James shoots me a look that should have me six feet under. I shrug, smothering a smile. The truth is, what’s unfolding in front of my eyes warms every part of me.
“I’m sorry too, Dad. I never meant for you to find out like—”
James places a finger over her mouth. “No more apologies. No more wasted time. Can you forgive your old man?”