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Dad was an older, harder version of me. He was solidly built, and I knew he’d happily still lead a squad, if Mom hadn’t asked him to take fewer risks and slow down. There was a scar on his face that a Gizzida raptor had given him in the early days of the invasion. He was scowling. Uncle Shaw was scowling too.

“Jameson.” Shaw crossed his arms. “Where is my daughter?”

“Greer? Well…”

She breezed out of the hallway. “I’m here.”

She’d brushed her hair, but she was still only wearing my T-shirt.

Hell.

Uncle Shaw’s gaze narrowed and swung to me. “You’re sleeping with my daughter?”

Dad frowned. “Jameson.”

Greer came to my side and slid an arm around me. I rested mine over her shoulders.

“Honestly, we haven’t been doing much sleeping,” Greer said.

I winced.

Shaw’s face darkened.

I held up a hand. “I’m falling in love with her.”

Silence fell.

She smiled up at me. “And I feel the same.”

“Hell,” my father said. “I need a drink.”

“It’s nine o’clock in the morning, Dad,” I said.

“So?” he replied.

“Fine.” Shaw shouldered past us. “I need one, too.” Dad followed him.

Greer’s eyes twinkled.

“We haven’t been doing much sleeping? Really? Do you want your father to kill me?”

Her smile widened. “He loves you. He isn’t going to kill you.” She tugged me toward the kitchen.

“You clearly are not a man or a father,” I muttered.

The dads had found my bourbon and glasses, and were pouring themselves generous amounts at the kitchen island. It was the good stuff, too. Pre-invasion. It had cost me a small fortune.

Shaw knocked back the glass. “Damn, that is good.” He lowered his glass and pinned me with a glare.

I straightened. “I know I’m not good enough for her?—”

“You’re not,” he said.

My dad growled. “Baird.”

Greer crossed her arms. “He is. He saved me, he fought for me. He leaped out of a Talon and into the water with a giant monster to save me. He gave me CPR, and fought countless other dangerous creatures to keep me safe.” She gripped my arm. “There is no braver, more courageous man than this one. Add to that, he’s kind and thoughtful.” She looked up at me. “And he’s mine.”

“Beautiful…” I cupped her cheek.