Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 20948 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20948 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
“I got this, sweetheart. Promise,” Rhodes says to me, hand still holding Dad’s away from his chest.
“Then this is for the man acting like a child.” I look from Rhodes to my father. “The heart wants what the heart fucking wants. If you hurt him, I will never forgive you, and if you so much as give Rhodes an ultimatum, I’ll choose him. It’ll hurt like hell, so either you accept it, or you lose a relationship with your daughter.” I go to the tips of my toes, kiss Rhodes' cheek, and then skirt around the two in their lockdown to do similar to my dad, except I give him a side hug, too.
“Kyra.” Worry is laced through Rhodes' voice.
“I’m okay.” I look from him to my dad and state the obvious, “I love you. Please don’t make me choose. I really do want you in my life.” My dad doesn’t say a word. A subtle nod is only my answer.
“Love you, Ky.” Dad and Grandpa are the only ones who call me Ky; everyone else calls me Kyra. I guess one syllable is easier to say than two. Who knew?
“When you’re done with your powwow and you’ve got nothing else to do, stick around for a little while. I’ll make a quick lunch and give you the book I just finished. You’ll really like it.” My statement does the trick, defusing the situation, and Rhodes lets Dad’s fist go. I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Get outta here, hellcat,” Rhodes says.
“Ky, there’s no way I’ll read anything you do. That shit will give me nightmares for weeks.” Dad never understood why I liked to read about serial killers or psychological thrillers.
“You don’t know what you’re missing,” I reply.
“Yes, he does,” Rhodes says at the same time Dad says, “Yes, I do. A good night’s sleep.” This time, I leave the two of them alone. My fingers are crossed that there will be no more hitting and definitely no bloodshed. I want the two guys in my life to get along even with the curveball we just threw.
14. Rhodes
“You hit me once. I won’t give you a second chance. I get she’s your baby girl, but you know me, man. I’ve been single a lot of fucking years. There’s a reason for that.”
Diego is standing in front of me seething, rightfully so. Finding your baby girl nearly fuck drunk with a man nearly twice her age would have anyone behaving similarly. I had let him hit me. I deserve more, and I’m a selfish prick. She’s younger, could do a fuck of a lot better than me. The fucking list of how amazing Kyra is would be a mile long.
“Still doesn’t make it any damn easier.” He crosses his arms over his chest and widens his stance. This is Diego the father right now, not Diego the military man. I’m not in his shoes, haven’t walked close to a goddamn mile with what he’s been through. All I know are the small tidbits Diego told me overseas and a few conversations Kyra’s given me during the earlier days of physical training. The two of them have been put through the fucking wringer. How Kyra made it to the amazing person she is, well, it’s a testament to how Diego and his parents raised her.
“I imagine it doesn’t.” My eyes swing to the living room. Kyra is walking back and forth, pacing the entire area. The usual tell that her nerves are getting the best of her, Kyra’s thumbnail is going to be decimated after this week, and this isn’t helping much. I watched as she flew apart right before Diego interrupted us. I’m sure she’s embarrassed, but fuck if I give two shits. Her dad can use the front door like normal people. Not even Kade comes over without shooting off a text or calling. None of us lost power judging from the last text we shot off to one another earlier this morning. He could have at least given me a fair warning.
Which makes me think he must have had a feeling Kyra and I are together. I wouldn’t be surprised either way. All of us guys, in one form of the other, have a good sense of what’s not being said. Kade can hear every damn thing a hundred miles away from where we were in a hidey hole, waiting for the next time we had to fire our weapons. I’ve got the eyes, perfect vision, and behind a scope it’s even better. And Diego, well, he’s got the Spidey senses to feel when something is off.
“You’ve got no fuckin’ idea.”
“Probably not. One day I might, if Kyra’s the woman to give me children. Though I want boys, so I’m thinking she’s going to have to make that happen.” Diego’s eyes sharpen. I probably pissed him off again. Oh, fucking well.