Page 29

Danny

“Gotta say, brother.” Nav smirked, leaning back in a chair as we sat in the kitchen while Dante had his session with Haizley. “I’ll be fucking happy when you are back at the helm. How you deal with everything on a daily basis boggles my mind. I can’t catch a breath.”

I nodded. “It’s not easy, that’s for sure. So, I take it the underworld is still oblivious?”

“All but Reaper and Montana. They don’t know it’s me, but they know it’s someone close. Which reminds me, when they learn it was me that helped you, I expect you to protect me. Montana has already threatened to scalp me bald.”

I chuckled. “He’s all talk. It’s Reaper you need to be worried about.”

Nav grimaced.

“How are things with Harbor Security?”

Sighing, Nav leaned forward. “About as you suspected. Law and Alpha Team have stepped off the radar. Without the Microdrive, they can’t do much. Bravo and Charlie Teams are still overseas, and Delta Team finalized the purchase of the land in Montana. They have already started construction on the new compound and should have it up and running within a few months.”

“And the mole?”

“Gone to ground,” Nav stated, then added, “As for the rest, you’ll be happy to know FIRE completed their assignments. No one is the wiser. Logic and Emma are in the wind. I was able to get word to Luc before the table learned of her existence. It was close, but they got her out fast. Cesar Vitale assured me that Massimo has eyes on Miranda. She is still blissfully unaware, as are the Vitale Brothers. Fedorov and his crew have decided to sit this war out, as their past is catching up with them fast.”

“That’s good,” I muttered. “And the Brotherhood?”

“Gone silent. Take that as you will.”

Leaning back in my chair I asked, “Anything else of importance?”

“Well, not that you need to be concerned with this, but shit hit the fan in Virginia.”

I groaned. “The wedding?”

Nav threw his head back and roared with laughter, nodding. “The wedding.”

“Do I even want to know?”

“Let’s just say that the South rose again and Rosewood will never be the same. Oh, and before I forget. Carnage sent you a message.”

I smirked, thinking about the little brat and the chaos surrounding him.

“Apparently, the little shit overheard you were hurt. He said get well soon.”

Shaking my head, I muttered, “That kid is going to rule the fucking world one day, Nav. Mark my words. He’s gonna be worse than Reaper.”

“God help us all, then.”

“Okay, you two. I would like to talk about your daughter. Danika.”

Smiling, I looked over at Dante, who, like me, had a beautiful grin on his face. Just thinking about our little girl—the fragile perfection of her, the way her smile could chase away the shadows—it was enough to almost make me forget.

Almost.

But the knot in my stomach tightened, a familiar ache of guilt.

“She’s so beautiful.” Dante smiled, his eyes lighting up. “She looks just like me.”

I had to agree. Danika was the spitting image of her father. Right down to her curly blonde hair and warm chocolate eyes. She was going to be stunning when she got older. The thought should have filled me with joy, but instead, it sharpened the edge of my deception.

“How did you learn you had a daughter?”

And just like that, Dante’s smile faded. The vulnerability in his eyes, the raw hope... it hit me harder than I expected. My hand trembled as I reached for his, the simple act feeling like a betrayal.

“It was a... a calculated dick move, really,” I began, my voice barely a whisper.

The word “calculated” felt too cold, too clinical for what I’d done.

The truth was, I had been desperate. A desperate gamble fueled by fear. Fear of losing him, fear of losing her.

“We weren’t together at the time. Dante was still furious with me for investigating the Trick Pony—a justified anger, I admit. I had to find a way to reach him, to make him see. So, I... I used the information about Danika. I put it on a thumb drive and gave it to one of his club brothers. Forced his hand.”

Each word was a stone in my gut.

Haizley lifted an eyebrow, her silence more damning than any judgment.

“I knew he’d want answers. I deliberately omitted some details, just enough to pull him back to me. I needed him to ask for my help, to need me. I had already started the process of getting Danika back, but he didn’t know that. All I cared about... all I could think about... was securing him. Sealing him to me,” I admitted.

“So, you manipulated him?” Haizley’s question, though whispered, held the air captive.

I nodded, the weight of my actions crushing me. “Yes. I did. And it wasn’t just about the information; it was... I knew his anger stemmed from a broken trust and I exploited that. I knew if I could get him in the same room with me, I could explain everything, and he’d understand.” My lie choked me.

Did he understand? Or did he just forgive me because of the sex?

“And did he?” Haizley’s gaze was unwavering.

Smirking a brittle, unconvincing mask, I looked at Dante, who sighed, his shoulders slumping.

“Afterwards, he did.”

“After what?” Haizley pressed, her eyes piercing through my carefully constructed facade.

“After... after I claimed him. After I... showed him who was in control.” My words felt hollow, devoid of the confidence they were meant to project. It had been about control, yes, but control born of desperation, not strength. A desperate need for his love that I sabotaged with my own actions.

“I see.” Haizley cleared her throat, shifting in her seat. “Do you often use sex to get your way, Danny?”

Her question wasn’t accusatory, but it laid bare the brutal truth.

I hadn’t just manipulated him; I had used him. I had used my sexuality—a part of myself that I had always valued—to secure him. A part of myself that had been twisted by my own fear. “It wasn’t like that, Doc,” I began, but the words felt weak, unconvincing, even to me. The truth was far more complex, far more damaging. I had sacrificed a part of myself, a part of my integrity, all for a love I was terrified of losing. And the fear was that even now, with Danika safe, he might still slip away. The weight of my actions, the hollowness of my victory, threatened to consume me.

“Then explain it to me, because from what you just said, you used sex to manipulate Dante into doing what you wanted. You coerced him, giving him no choice but to comply. I’m not judging you, Danny. I’m trying to understand the dynamics of your relationship. It’s clear you both care deeply for each other and your daughter. I need to know these things to help you both effectively.” Haizley’s tone was gentle, and I could see she was trying to put Dante at ease.

“I get that, Doc. It’s just... it was a complicated time. We were both dealing with a lot, and I knew Dante well enough to know how to get through to him. It wasn’t just about the sex. It was about reconnecting and showing him I was committed to him and our family.” I paused, considering my words carefully. “I guess I just wanted to make sure he knew we were in it together.”

Haizley nodded, her expression softening. “Love can make us do crazy things, and it seems like you two have a strong bond. I think it’s important to remember that effective communication is key. Now tell me about the first time you met Danika.”

“I got to her first,” Dante began. “She was so small. Her body was shaking. The people she was with didn’t give a damn about her well-being, only doing the bare minimum needed to keep her alive. She was starved for affection. When we got her out of there, she clung to us. Well, Danny mostly. She wasn’t speaking. She barely cried. She always wanted to be held.”

“Children who are neglected and unloved often crave what they’ve never had.”

“Well, we tried to give her everything she’d been missing. Even found her the best child therapist around. Everything was going well until it didn’t.”

“How so?”

Sighing, I muttered, “I left.”

“Club business?” Haizley guessed.

Nodding, I looked away. “Yeah.”

“How long were the three of you together before club business took you away?”

“A week and a half,” I echoed, my voice heavy with regret. “That’s all the time I had before everything fell apart again.” I closed my eyes, the memory of that day still fresh in my mind. “I had to leave. It was important club business, and I thought I’d be back in a few days. I never imagined it would take me away from them for so long.”

Haizley’s gaze shifted between us, and her eyes filled with understanding. “And during this time, Danika formed an even stronger bond with you, Dante. She must have been confused and scared when Danny left so suddenly.”

“She didn’t understand. Neither did I, but therapy helped.”

“How long has it been since you’ve seen Danika?”

“Almost two months now,” Dante whispered.

“And who is taking care of Danika now?”

“Her therapist,” Dante admitted. “Danika was comfortable with her. Danny thought of everything. Before he left, he gave me some documents, just in case shit went sideways. Documents to protect our daughter. I never thought I’d have to use them, but I did.”

“I can’t imagine how difficult that must’ve been for you both,” Haizley said, her voice filled with empathy. “Danika is a brave little girl, and it’s clear you two are dedicated parents. Now, Dante, I want to understand your perspective on all of this. Danny has shared his version of events, and I’d like to give you the space to share yours.”

Dante’s gaze shifted to me, his eyes searching for reassurance. I gave him a small smile, hoping to convey that it was safe for him to open up.

“It’s not easy, talking about this stuff,” Dante began, his voice steady as his hands clenched and unclenched in his lap. “When Danny left, I was worried sick. Not just about him, but about Danika, too. I knew that if something happened to Danny, I’d lose them both. It was a constant fear in the back of my mind, eating away at me. I tried to be strong for Danika, but there were days when I felt like I was falling apart.” He paused, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Then, when I found out Danny was hurt, I had to make a choice. A choice no parent should ever have to make. Do I stay with my daughter or do I go to the love of my life? I chose Danny, and I’ve questioned that decision every day since.”

Haizley listened intently, her eyes reflecting the pain in Dante’s words. “It’s clear you made a difficult choice, Dante, and one that you believed was best for your family. Parenting often involves making tough decisions, and it sounds like you were faced with an impossible situation. It’s understandable that you feel conflicted. Your love for Danika and your commitment to Danny are evident, and I can only imagine the weight of your responsibilities as a father and a partner.”

Haizley’s words hung in the air, heavy with understanding and compassion. Dante’s eyes, glistening with unshed tears, met mine, seeking the reassurance I longed to give.

“I know it was a tough choice, Dante. And I understand the weight of your decision.” Haizley’s gentle tone provided a momentary solace in the midst of our turmoil.

Dante’s voice, steady but laden with emotion, filled the room once more. “I appreciate that, Haizley. But it doesn’t change the fact that I feel like I failed them both. I chose Danny and I would do it again, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Every day I worry about Danika, about the impact of our choices on her young life.” His hands clenched in his lap, reflecting the tension within him, a tension I knew all too well.

“The choices we make out of love are never easy,” Haizley said, her eyes holding a wisdom that spoke of experiences untold. “But they are choices made with the best of intentions. Children are resilient, and Danika has two loving parents who would do anything for her. Remember that and know that your love and commitment will always be what she needs most.”