Page 81

Angel felt strangely numb. “My mother cheated on Dad.”

“Yes,” he said.

“With you,” she said.

“Yes,” he admitted.

“And I was the result,” she concluded.

Bishop swallowed. “Yes.” Angel looked away. She expected something to break inside her, but it didn't. Maybe there wasn't much left that could.

“Did Dad know?” she asked. Bishop didn't answer quickly enough. “Did Viper know?”

“Yes,” he said. That surprised her. “Elena told him.”

“When?” she asked.

“When she found out she was pregnant,” he said.

Angel stared at him. “He knew I wasn't his?”

“Yes,” Bishop said.

“And he stayed and raised me?” she asked.

Bishop's eyes filled. “He loved Elena.”

Angel's throat tightened. “And me?”

Bishop smiled sadly. “You were his daughter from the second he held you.” Angel looked down at the dirt floor. That hurt because suddenly one truth mattered more than blood. Viper had known that she wasn't biologically his and never once made Angel feel like anything except his little girl.

“My dad chose me,” she whispered.

“Yes.” Bishop's voice broke. “He did.”

Angel wiped her cheek. She hadn't realized she was crying. “Then he's my father.”

Bishop nodded. “I know.”

“And you?” she asked.

He took a breath. “I don't know what I am.”

“Good.” He looked surprised by her comment. “Because I don't either.”

“That seems fair,” he agreed.

“You don't get to walk into my life after all this time and call yourself my dad,” she said.

“I know,” he said.

“You don't get birthdays or Christmases,” she continued.

“I know,” Bishop agreed.

“You sure as hell don't get to threaten any man I date,” she said.

Jackhammer cleared his throat. “Men.” Angel closed her eyes, and Ghost laughed—actually laughed.