Page 38 of Oathbreaker

“I knew it.” Frankie’s lips tighten and she puts her fork down with a little thud. “So where were you? Did you not want to be my daddy?”

Oh, hell.

I’d definitely rather get another prison beating than let her think I didn’t want to be her father. It’s all I’ve thought about since yesterday morning.

“No, sweetie. That’s not it at all. Not even close.”

“Then why?” The look she gives me reminds me of Briar when she’s really upset. Cheeks a little flushed, eyes wide, lips pressed together tightly.

It would be adorable if it didn’t break my heart into a million pieces.

“It was work,” I say slowly, scrambling to figure out how to explain being a spy to a four-year-old. “I have a very special kind of job and?—”

“Work? For four and three-quarter years?”

Technically, more than that, but I’m not going to point that out.

“Sweetie, it’s complicated,” I begin.

“Grown-ups always say that when they don’t want to tell me the truth,” she says, staring me down. “And Mommy always says that work is never more important than family. Never ever. So, I don’t believe you.”

With that, she climbs down off the stool and walks out of the kitchen.

“Briar, what do we do?” I ask quietly.

“Let her cool off. She has my temper,” she admits, resting her elbows on the counter. “Normally, I wouldn’t let her get away with being rude to a guest or getting up in the middle of breakfast, but I think she gets a pass today. This is a lot for her to take in. She’s incredibly bright, and very mature for her age, but this turns her life upside down.”

“Has she…asked about me? I mean, in general?”

Briar nods. “Not a lot, but once she started Pre-K this year, and she saw all the other daddies, she asked me about hers.”

“What did you tell her?”

“That he loved her very much, but he died.”

That explains how she knew.

Neither of us say anything for a while.

“Should I go after her?” I ask finally.

“I don't know if she’s ready for that. She’s processing a lot of emotions.”

“What should I do?”

“The thing with kids is consistency. Showing up. Letting her know you’re not going to leave her. They have to feel safe, wanted, and secure. And security is something that takes time. You’re going to have to earn her trust.”

The way she looks at me when she says the last part is telling—she’s letting me know that I’m going to have to earn her trust too.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I promise, reaching out to lay one of my hands on hers. “I swear it, Briar. I’m back for good, done with the spy game. I can’t explain that part to her, though.”

“No.” Briar is thoughtful. “When the time is right, and she’s a little more open to listening, we’ll talk about the marines. She knows Uncle Dash is super proud to have been a marine, and we can give her a watered down version of being in prison.”

“Okay. You’ll have to guide me, Briar. I’ve been a dad for a day and I’m a little lost.”

“Well, the first thing you’re going to have to learn is that you can’t sleep naked.” Her eyes twinkle with mirth and I chuckle.

“Normally, I don’t do that when I’m a guest at someone’s home. It’s just been tough to bend and twist in the middle of the night. I’ll make the effort, though.”