Daddy’s Law by K.C. Crowne

Chapter 28

Theo

“Do…do you need something?” she asked behind a weak laugh.

I wanted to answer her honestly. I needed a million and one things: her lips to kiss, her body to hold, her eyes to stare into.

I needed her to be safe. I needed her to be mine.

And with the way things were playing out, I could only have one or the other.

“I wanted to go over the details of the transfer with you,” I said instead of telling her the truth. “Cory’s babysitter will be here to watch him first thing in the morning. Once she’s here, I’ll drive you to the safe house. You’ll be allowed to call your father once you're there, but you’re not allowed to tell him your location. I’ll contact your art program coordinator and arrange for a replacement to fill your position.” He lifted a hand when I opened my mouth to speak. “And before you ask if that’s necessary, it is. There’s no telling how long you’ll have to hunker down. I’ll come up with an excuse like an extended family emergency or the like.”

Ava nodded silently. She’d pulled her hair back in a braid. My fingers itched to undo all her hard work, craving the chance to run my fingers through her locks one last time.

“After tomorrow,” she said slowly, “when you release me to those other bodyguards, will I ever see you again?”

“I’m not sure.”

She cast her eyes down to stare at the floor. “I see.”

“Ava—”

“No, I… I get it. I understand. You’re just doing your job. I’m just a job.”

I cupped her face, looking her straight in the eye. “That’s not true. That’s not true at all. You mean more to me than I ever could have anticipated.”

“You, too,” she confessed.

My heart would sing were it not already twisting in my chest. She just looked so lovely and so sweet and open and I knew —I knew— there was nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her safe.

“I’m trying to protect you,” I said.

“Then protect me. Don’t send me away.”

“I can’t think straight when I’m with you, Ava. You’re—” I sighed heavily. “This is for the best.”

Ava’s brows knitted together, her eyes watering. “Why are you pushing me away, Theo?”

“I’m not trying to.”

“Well, that’s what it looks like. You’re pushing me away and I think it’s because you’re scared—”

“Scared of losing you,” I snapped. “No matter how I think about it, I’m going to lose you.”

“Why can’t we keep seeing each other after this mess is finished?”

“Because even after this contract is over, we want different things. Don’t you understand? Even if we were together and this plays out how you imagine, you said yourself that you want kids of your own. A huge family. But I don’t.”

“It’s not like I want kids right now. I want those things in the future. Don’t talk like it’s set in stone.”

“Because it is, sweetheart,” I said in a softer tone. “I’m never going to budge on that. And me getting even older isn’t going to change that. After Cassandra died, Cory became my whole world. And I love him with all my heart, and I’d do anything for him, but it’s a lot. Being a parent takes everything out of me, and I don’t know if I’m at an age where I can raise another child.” I looked into her eyes, hoping she understood. “You’re young, Ava. You still have plenty of time to find a man your age who wants the same things; a man who can give you everything you want without conditions. There’s no need to settle for someone like me.”

“Someone like you?”

“Yeah,” I whispered. “Someone like me. You deserve a man who’s going to raise you up, not drag you down. Think about it, Ava, in all seriousness. Do you really want to be with someone who’s already enjoying retirement while you’re still in your forties?”

She stared at me, pained and heartbroken and trembling slightly. “Only if that someone is you.”

I shook my head. “You don’t know what you’re saying, Ava. You’re too young to—”

“If you dare tell me I’m too young to know what I’m talking about, I swear to God I’ll scream.”

“You’re too young to know what you’re talking about,” I said firmly.

Ava scoffed. “So that’s it? We’re done just because you decided you know what’s best?”

“I do know what’s best.”

“Don’t pull that crap with me. You sound just like my—”

“Who? Who do I sound like?”

She set her jaw. She didn’t say it aloud, but I could practically read her mind: my father.

I took a step back and rubbed the back of my neck. “You should go to sleep. We have to move bright and early tomorrow.”

I turned to move away, but she grabbed my hand and held on tight. “Don’t.”

“Listen to me, Ava—”

She slid her fingers up my arm, over the curve of my shoulder, settling her hand on my chest. I leaned into her touch, already missing her warmth. “Please,” she rasped. “This isn’t how I want to say goodbye.”

“Neither do I.”

“Then let’s just pretend. One last time.” She stood up on her toes and pressed a chaste kiss to the corner of my mouth. “Please, Theo.”

It happened in slow motion, every fiber of my being suddenly relinquishing what little control I’d been grasping at. I claimed her mouth with mine and slid my arms around her waist, lifting her with ease and carrying her to the bed, closing the bedroom door behind us.

We moved together slowly, savoring every fleeting touch. We shed our clothes and got lost in the taste of each other, quietly praying for the sun to remain hidden beyond the horizon.

Daylight was our enemy here. Daylight meant we’d have to part. But for now, we had each other. For now, we had the moonlight and the warmth of each other’s skin and the pull of each other’s lips.

She came calling my name, a soft cry in the darkness, clinging to me with all her might. I wasn’t long after, cradling her close while trying to savor the high. She fell asleep before I did, offering me one last glimpse of her peaceful face. I spent that night studying the curl of her lashes, those hidden freckles of hers, the way she seemed to smile naturally even asleep.

What I wouldn’t have done to keep her.