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I shake my head. “No.”
“I admit that I’ve kept you under lock and key because I was worried. Maybe I’ve been a foolish old man, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. You’re all I have.” I see the resolution in his eyes and my anger falters. I can’t be mad at him. He was protecting me.
“I love you, Dad,” I say, knowing that he’ll probably balk.
He surprises me. “All I’ve ever done is because I love you more than life, Aspyn Ashley Huntley. Even if I have been overprotective.”
Just a little, but I don’t argue the point.
“Then you’ll agree to let me live my life when I come back?” I step back, looking down at him pointedly.
He frowns. “Baby steps.”
I sit back in my seat. I’ve never had a real conversation about this. I can’t believe it’s taken this long for him to finally open up.
“Thanks, Dad,” I say. “For loving me so much.”
He smiles, it’s small, but it’s there. “I’ll always love you, Aspyn. No matter what. Everything I’ve ever done is because there is nobody more important in my life. You’re my only child.”
I try not to stare at him in shock. He’s never been this open with me.
“Thank you for your honesty,” I say. “But it’s really time you found yourself a woman.”
He balks. “Let’s not get crazy.” He smiles wistfully, then adds, “Maybe I’ve been waiting for you to tell me that it’s time. My baby is ready to fly. As a father, I realize I can’t be there every time you fall.”
I smile softly. “But you have to let me try to spread my wings.”
He nods. “I’ll try. But I’m an old dog, just remember that.”
We have a lot of work to do, but at least this first hurdle has been overcome. Even talking to him like this is a miracle.
“We can navigate it together,” I say, the tightness in my chest subsiding. “I promise, it isn’t as scary as it sounds.”
He reaches for my hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss my knuckles. “Baby steps, deal?”
I grin. “Deal.”
20
ROCK
Aspyn’s father stays the night, meaning my girl and I don’t get to do anything bad while he’s under the same roof. The following day, I’m summoned to the takedown that’s taking place tonight.
I’m pissed I didn’t get to spend the night wrapped around Aspyn, but we agreed it was too risky. All we’ve shared are stolen glances and the one and only kiss I took from her while her father was in the next room.
He’s none the wiser, of course, and I’m not sure that he likes me all that much.
He trusts Cash, not me. And I’m surprised he didn’t take one look at me and demand someone else watch Aspyn. I know I would if she were my daughter.
If I ever have a daughter one day, I’d be exactly the same. Protect her with my life.
I don’t, however, like him keeping me from seeing her. I haven’t had my fill of her yet, and maybe I never will.
I’m still working on getting more intel on the satellite where the signal came from when those emails were sent from too close to Beth’s office. IP addresses aren’t easy to crack, even for someone in cyber security like myself.
It makes me scratch my head, thinking about what I know so far about Beth.
From what Aspyn has told me, she doesn’t seem like the kind of woman who would stalk somebody. Not that they ever do. But she’s successful already. People in the industry respect her and her enemies are few. Could she really be this obsessed with Aspyn? It’s more likely, it’s someone from her office, or someone who’s been watching closely. I make a note to check out internet cafe’s close to the Burbank office.
