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“One bite, then eggs.”

“No.”

“Danika,” Danny said firmly, and I snapped my eyes to his. Before I could say a word, Haizley stepped in.

“Danny, we talked about this.”

“She’s my daughter,” he argued.

“And she has been with Melissa for two months. You need to be patient with the transition, for Dani. The three of you will need to sit down and talk about everything that has happened. You all have things to share with each other.”

Dante sat on the other side of Dani, trying to coax her into eating her eggs. When she shoved his hand away, I couldn’t help the smile. Despite the tears that welled up in my eyes.

“Missy, why are you smiling?” Dante asked.

“Because Dani is on the verge of a temper tantrum. She has been learning how to push her boundaries. And this is a huge step for her. And for you both.”

“What do you mean?” Dante asked, confused about how this could be a good thing.

“Dani hasn’t said no often. She pushes her boundaries with actions, not words. When she wants to get down, she squirms. When she doesn’t want to eat, she pushes the plate away. But today she said no.”

I looked up at Danny, my heart breaking with the truth of what I was about to say.

“Dani has her fathers home. She is comfortable and secure with you both, despite the time apart. So, she will push back more with you both here.”

“How does being comfortable with us make her push back more?” Danny asked.

“She knows she’s safe. Children inherently know who they can push back against.” Standing up, needing the space from Dani in order to slip back into therapist mode, I added, “Children who are afraid of their parents are quiet in their presence. They don’t draw attention to themselves. Whereas children who live in homes where they know they can push back without fear will do so often as they learn the differences between right and wrong. Excuse me.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Ghost

Melissa walked outside just as I made it back to the table with a plate for each of us. I didn’t know what had happened, but I set the plates down and turned to glare at Sypher.

“What the fuck did you say to her?”

“Ghost, it wasn’t Danny,” Haizley quickly said.

“Bullshit. Don’t think that because I kept my mouth shut, I didn’t hear the way you questioned how she cared for your daughter. That woman loves that little girl like she is her own. She gave up everything to keep her safe. She’s fucking happy you are both here and alive. But she’s also fucking devastated that she’s gonna lose her.”

“Why would she lose her?” Dante asked.

I looked at Danny and raised a brow. Wondering if he would confess.

“Haizley is right; we have some things to discuss,” Danny said with a sigh.

Shaking my head, I turned to follow Melissa out the door.

“Ghost, wait,” Haizley called. “Eat your breakfast. Let me go out there. Missy and I haven’t had a chance to talk. Let me help her.”

Growling under my breath, I knew she was right. Melissa required someone to talk to who would help her work through her feelings. I could be there to listen, but I couldn’t offer advice on how to work through the shit she was dealing with.

“Thank you,” I said, kissing her head. “Where’s Gunner?”

The light in her eyes went out when I asked about my brother.

“He’s in the gym.” With a heavy sigh, she continued, “He’s been in there most of the night.” She smiled up at me and said, “Go help my old man, and I’ll help your old lady.”