Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 72561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Which I’d neglected to do. For quite a long time, now.
“Whatever you do...tell him we just met. Okay?” I pleaded.
By the look on Loki’s face, I knew he wouldn’t be going along with my little plan; but a girl could hope.
Chapter 13
Autocorrect can go straight to he’ll.
-E-card
Loki
“At least don’t volunteer that we’ve known each other for nearly nine months now...okay?” She pleaded, eyes glancing warily from me to the red semi-truck sans trailer pulling up.
I looked over at her worried green eyes. “I’ll do the best I can, but I’m not promising anything,” I agreed reluctantly.
She nodded once. “Just, humor him. He’s going to be really pissed. And he’s going to try to intimidate you. Don’t let him. And don’t hurt him.”
I don’t know what, exactly, I was expecting to happen. However, the man stepping out of the truck was about the size of Channing. In height and build. He also looked a lot like her, only he had flaming red hair, and a beard that could rival Silas.
The look that landed on me when he caught sight of my arm around Channing’s hip wasn’t a nice one, but I’d be damned if I moved it.
“Be nice,” she said in warning.
“I’ll try,” I said again.
At my assurance, she took off at a run and barreled into her father.
He caught her easily, strong and steady, wrapping his hands around his girl and burying his bushy beard into the crook of her neck.
“I missed you, girly girl,” he said gruffly.
The man was obviously a smoker. He sounded like he smoked no less than a pack a day.
But to each their own.
“I missed you more, daddy. I’m glad you made it back for Christmas,” she exclaimed.
“I wouldn’t have missed Christmas with you for the world. You know that.”
They both got quiet after that, and I noticed a change in both of their demeanors, as if they were remembering what used to be.
They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms for long moments before Channing disengaged from her father and walked back towards me.
My arms went from across my chest to around her waist.
“You Bryce?” he asked as he eyed my hands.
I reluctantly let her go, and offered my hand to him.
“Bryce Rector. Friends call me Loki,” I confirmed.
“His name is Colton,” Channing blurted.
He glared at me ignoring his daughter’s introduction. “Well, Loki, looks like you have some catching up to do. Let’s take a walk.”
Giving Channing a small peck on the cheek, I looked back at the window where I could clearly see every single one of the men and women inside watching the show, and gestured to Channing with my head.
Sebastian met my eyes and nodded.
Walking around the side of the house, I moved in the direction of the lake.
Channing’s father stepped in beside me, and we both stayed silent until we were well away from the house.
“What do you do for a living?” He asked.
Looking at the rolling waves of the lake, I answered. “I’m a detective with the Benton Police Department.”
I hadn’t noticed he’d stopped until I was nearly at the peer.
Turning, I found him staring at me open mouthed.
“You’ve got to be shitting me,” he said loudly.
I shook my head, and then pointed down to the badge that had somehow fallen behind my cut. Then I moved the cut upwards and turned so he could see the gun at my kidney.
“I know what you’re thinking, but we’ve already had our melt downs, and we’re working on getting through it. She doesn’t necessarily have a problem with me anymore, but my best friend, who’s the K-9 officer for BPD, she still has trouble with,” I said quietly.
He started walking forward until he was standing directly in front of me.
I looked down at him, watching him survey me for long seconds, before he finally came to a decision.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for a man like you to show up. Maybe now she can stop being so scared all the time,” he said roughly before holding out his hand for me to shake.
I took it.
“Thanks,” I shook his hand. “I’d give my life for her.”
“She deserves that and more, my boy,” he noted. “I can tell you’re a good man, though. You’ve been honest with me, and I appreciate that in a man.”
I agreed. She did. Wholeheartedly. Channing deserved more than me, but I knew a good thing when I had it.
Which was why the subject of our next topic wasn’t going to be a pleasant one, and I wasn’t sure he was going to take it all that well.
I had to tell him Channing’s life was in danger all because of me, and I just knew he was going to serve me his fist once I was done. He would be mad, and I wouldn’t blame him one bit.
However, I wasn’t going anywhere, and he’d have to pry my dead fingers out of hers before I ever let her go again.
“So let me catch you up to speed on how your daughter and I met. Maybe you can offer me some insight on your daughter. What you think I should do,” I said tiredly.
So I explained all that had gone on up until this point.
I told him about the undercover operation. I told him about how I met his daughter. I told him about finishing the operation, and the subpoena to testify. I told him about the death threats, and how I left for three months to try to get away from said threats.
But I also told him how much I cared for Channing. How much I wanted to keep her safe.
I asked for advice on what he thought I should do when it came to her, and surprisingly, it was good.
“Talk to her. She’s got a smart head on her shoulders. She also knows when to cut and run. Which she would’ve done a very long time ago if you hadn’t somehow gained her trust. Confide in her. She needs to be needed. And by the sound of it, you do too,” he told me sagely.