I drop onto my favorite ottoman and pat my lap. “Sit with me, Baby girl.”
She crawls up and surprises me by straddling my thighs.
I’m not complaining. I like her being this close to me, touching so much of me. We’re face-to-face. She won’t easily be able to look away.
After setting my hands on the small of her back, I position her so she’s not quite in contact with my erection.
“You know stuff, don’t you?” she asks as she plants her small hands on my chest.
“Yeah. Not enough yet, but yes.”
“Did my father do something illegal? Is that why someone killed him?”
“No, Baby. Never. But he was a high-ranking captain in the Army. He inevitably pissed some people off. It happens. The drive you gave me contained a list of possible enemies he could have accumulated during his years of service.”
“And?”
“I was surprised to find that several people who might have a beef with him are actually members of our own military.”
She gasps. “That’s insane.”
“Yes. He was obviously concerned enough about his safety to make that list and tell you to bring it directly to me. With the help of some of the guys I work with, we’ve narrowed down the possibilities. A few of the men are dead. Some were easily proven to be out of the country. We’re confident we know who killed your father, sweetheart.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Your father’s security cameras helped. My men sent us hours of footage, going back several days. Two guys in the office went through it all. Tank and Ghost. You’ll meet them soon. A man came to your house when no one was home. He was very well equipped with a high-tech device to pick locks, so no one would know he had done it. He was also able to disarm the alarm.”
Autumn gasps. “And you could see who he is?”
“No. He was completely covered, including a ski mask, but what he didn’t realize was that your father had that list of enemies. It wasn’t hard to pinpoint which of the men on the list he could be, based on his stature, height, and build. We’ll even be able to compare his gait now that we’re confident who it is. One of our men is following him as we speak. He’ll get video evidence so we can compare.”
“That happened so fast.”
“We don’t waste time, sweetheart.”
She starts trembling. “Now what?”
“Now we find him.”
“And then?”
I stroke her back with my fingertips. “Baby, I don’t think you want to hear that part.”
Autumn moves her hands from my chest to my face. She holds my cheeks in her palms. “Mace, you’re all I have left in the world. I know I just got here, and I know you can’t promise things will work out between us, but I hope that, no matter what, we can be friends, and you’ll always be in my life. You can’t do that if you’re dead or in prison.”
I’m not surprised by her thoughts. It’s natural for her to be concerned. She has no full understanding of my abilities or the kind of power behind Black Blade Protection. Granted, I’m not usually a field guy. I work behind the scenes, monitoring computers. But I’m capable of getting my hands dirty when needed, and this is an instance when I will be an active participant.
For one thing, James Burke was one of my best friends and a great man. He didn’t deserve to die the way he did. Even if Autumn didn’t exist, I would hunt down his killer and avenge his death. I wouldn’t send someone else.
But equally important is the fact that Autumn does exist. She’s my girl. She’s been my girl for four years, even though it was never spoken out loud. I will ensure she’s safe for the rest of her life. I will be the one to make sure no one walks this Earth who might decide to harm her.
Sliding my hands up higher in her back, I hold her gaze. “Autumn, you never have to fear being alone. You will always be in my life, in my home, in my bed. I’m so fucking glad you’re here, I can’t contain myself. I hate the circumstances that brought you to me, but never doubt how I feel about you. You’re mine, Baby girl. You will be mine until the end of time. Nothing is going to happen to me, sweetheart. Your father sent you here because he knew you would be safe in my care, and you will.”
“But what about you? Will you be safe?”
“Yes, Baby. You have to trust me. Hunting down bad guys and making them disappear is one of our specialties. We don’t fail.”
“I’m scared,” she whispers.
