Page 46 of Oathbreaker

While I hate the thought of another man touching her, I hate the thought of anyone not treating her like the goddess she is even more. Weren’t the boys looking out for her?

We settle at the end of the island again, just like yesterday, and dig in.

“These are so good,” Briar moans. “I’d forgotten about your dad’s waffle recipe.”

I grin. “Right?”

“You have a daddy?” Frankie asks.

“Of course. Everyone has a daddy. But mine died when I was nine.”

“You died when I was zero,” she says flatly.

“I was a prisoner of war,” I correct gently. “I don’t know if you understand what that means.”

She shakes her head, but her eyes are on mine, curious. Interested. Trying to understand.

And that’s a great start.

“It means that there was an enemy when I was in the marines, and during a fight, they caught me. They kept me prisoner for four years and wouldn’t let me write letters or call home.”

Her eyes are wide and filled with confusion.

God, I hate that. But what else can I say? She’s four. I think using words like spy or black ops or military intelligence would just confuse her.

“That’s mean,” she finally whispers.

“It is. But then a friend came and rescued me—and now I’m back.”

There’s a long, awkward silence as she studies my face, as if searching for answers to all the questions she has.

“Are you going to leave again?”

I flick a quick glance in Briar’s direction and note she’s stopped eating, watching me carefully.

I don’t think I’ve ever been more afraid to answer a question in my life.

But I can’t let my girls down.

Not now, not ever again.

I won’t.

“I guess that depends on if you guys want me to stick around.”

Fifteen

Briar

I suck in a breath and try to calm myself as I walk into the Sapphire Room.

Funny story, it doesn’t work.

Mostly because I’m shitting myself.

I dropped Frankie at Aspen’s place after work, stopped by the house to change and tell Colt I had something to do.

And now I’m here.