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“I know where my daughter is. I didn’t last night, however,” the man reminded sharply, arms crossed over his casual gray V-neck sweater.
And he was squarely to blame for that.
Yeah, this wasn’t going to go well.
One-Mile nodded, doing his best not to let the preacher’s hostility unnerve him. After spending most of the night panicking about his daughter’s safety, he was entitled to be rattled. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry about that. But I’d like to talk through a few things before she arrives. Man to man.”
The reverend considered him, then finally stepped aside with a nod. “Come in. I won’t pretend to be excited that you’re a part of my daughter’s life. You stripped her innocence, used her, disgraced her, left her, put her in danger—”
“None of that was my intention, and I intend to take care of her from here.”
Brea’s father scowled and waved him onto the sofa in the homey living room. As One-Mile sat, the preacher lowered himself into an easy chair a few feet away, then cocked his head. “I’m willing to concede there are two sides to every story. I only know bits and pieces. If you think I’ve got it wrong, tell me yours.”
“Both Brea and I will basically tell you the same story. We met and—”
“I doubt it’s the same. She’s in love with you.”
Did her father think he wasn’t mad about Brea in return? “I’m in love with her more.”
That seemed to take Preacher Bell aback. “Then clearly, I don’t understand what’s happening. But I know what’s troubling me. In today’s day and age, things like tradition, marriage, and the family unit seem old-fashioned and unimportant to many—”
“Not to me. I want those things.” He just needed a chance to prove that he could make Brea happy.
“I’m glad to hear that. I grew up in a house filled with faith, love, and constancy. I tried to give Brea the same after her mother passed away. She deserves that in the future.”
“She does. You did an amazing job, sir. I love everything about her, especially her enormous heart. I’ve never known anyone as kind and compassionate.”
The man’s mouth twisted. “She was always that way—until she met you. Now she’s secretive and willful and—”
“No, she’s private. And with all due respect, she’s not willful; she’s an adult who shouldn’t need your permission to live her life. She’s become so self-aware and strong. After last night, I know she’ll fight when she has to.”
“Before you, she never needed to. She had never been in danger.”
One-Mile couldn’t refute that, so he didn’t try. “I know you’ve always protected her. I respect that. But I promise you, I would lay down my life for her.”
“I heard you tried last night.” The reverend pressed his lips together. “So did you come here to tell me how you see my daughter?”
He didn’t want to make enemies with this man. Brea was the one who would suffer most, and he’d do anything to avoid hurting her. “No. I came to introduce myself, clear the air, and talk about the future.”
“You’re very direct.”
“In my line of work, I have to be.”
“I don’t approve of your line of work. It should be up to God to decide when someone’s time is up.”
One-Mile didn’t want to get in a theological argument with the preacher; he’d lose. But he needed the man to understand his world.
“As a society, we’ve organized for war. We recognize that some enemy combatants target innocents as leverage. When these combatants become an eminent threat, someone with the will and the backbone is tasked with putting down the threat. I’m that someone. It’s a responsibility I take seriously. I have to live with the blood on my hands and the deaths on my conscience. But I can bear it to keep people like you, your fiancée, and Brea unharmed.” He raised a brow at the man. “Could you handle that responsibility?”
Reverend Bell was mute, his expression considering. Then he sighed. “No.”
“Without people like me, how many more lives would we grieve?”
“Even one is too many,” the man admitted, though his tone said he didn’t like the logic or One-Mile’s job.
“You don’t condemn Brea for ending Clara Montilla last night to save me, herself, and our baby, do you?”
“No.” He shook his head. “She did what she had to.”
At least they saw eye-to-eye on something. “I’ve come today because I want you to know that I love Brea more than anything. I never expected someone like her in my life. She stole my heart the moment I laid eyes on her. Nothing and no one has ever been more important to me. It was never my intention to disgrace her, you, or your church. I didn’t intend to get her pregnant, but I won’t say I’m sorry for it. I am sorry, however, that things outside of my control kept me from meeting you sooner and assuring you that I want to make Brea my wife and raise our family together. So I’ve come to ask for your blessing.”
