Page 124 of Oathbreaker

God, I love them.

Dash frowns. “Where’s Colt?”

I exhale, prepare to tell them everything. “He’s gone.”

Dash’s eyes flash and he opens his mouth, but it’s not his voice I hear saying, “No, baby, I’m right here.”

Thirty-Eight

Colt

One look at Briar’s face and I know she’s had a rough week.

And it’s my fucking fault.

But that ends now.

“I’m here, baby,” I say, reaching for her and yanking her into my chest. She melts against me at first but then gently pushes at me.

“Daddy!” Frankie’s voice is filled with excitement, and she vaults herself into my arms the moment I turn.

“Hey, tater tot. Did you miss me?” I lift her up and spin her around.

Her eyes dance with delight. “I did! But you said you weren’t leaving again!”

“I’ll never leave you forever, but sometimes I have to work or travel. It’s a grown-up thing.”

“I don’t like when you travel,” she whispers.

“I know, but I’ll always come back.” I pop a kiss on the tip of her nose as I meet Briar’s eyes.

She’s upset, and I can’t let this fester.

“How about you help get dinner going while Mommy and I talk for a minute?” I say, putting her down.

She frowns. “You’re not going to do that thing where you take your pants off, are you?”

Jade presses a towel against her face to keep from laughing, and Willow hides hers in Dash’s back. Even Briar has a half-smile going, so I take the opportunity to grab her hand and tug her out of the room.

“What the—” Dash yells out.

“Give us five minutes!” I call over my shoulder.

“Colt, what are you doing?” Briar asks in a heated whisper.

“We have to talk.”

“I know, but this isn’t?—”

“Shh.” I press a finger to her lips. “I don’t want to fight. I need you to listen to me.” We stop in front of the guest room. “Stay right here, okay? Give me ten seconds.” I walk into the bathroom and dig the ring out of the back of the cabinet where I hid it. I take the ring out of the box, stuff it in my pocket, and then join her again in the hallway.

“Colt.” Her eyes are filled with confusion, and I hate that I’ve done this to her—again—but it’s truly the last time. I just have to make her believe it.

“Listen to me.” I put my hands on either side of her face. “I love you and I am never leaving you. Do you hear me? Never, ever.”

She blinks, more composed now.

But I’m not giving her a chance to dump me.