Kade

I wake up with Sophie snuggled against my side, her soft breath on my neck and a leg slung over my thigh almost possessively. A grin tugs at my lips. But as fucking perfect as waking up with her in my arms is, the heaviness of what she told me last night still presses against my chest, because I know what she went through isn’t something she’ll ever get over.

In a heartbeat, life can change drastically, brutally, and unfairly.

I don’t know what happened to her son, but as a parent I can understand the gravity of it.

I’ve had my own scares with Lola over the years. Ear infections and colds that I worried could be something far worse. Little accidents that could have ended badly. Every parent has those moments, when they look away for a split second and their child has wandered a little too far.

When Lola was three, I thought I’d lost her in a Wal-Mart. For two minutes, I couldn’t find her, but it felt like an eternity. She’d hidden in one of the clothing racks, the sound of her giggling finally giving her away. But in those minutes I’d felt my world crashing down around me. It was the same feeling I’d had when Ana had taken off with her.

Losing Lola would have destroyed me. And I’m not sure I would have ever recovered.

That Sophie is here now, fighting for tomorrows, for happiness, proves to me how strong she is. That maybe I was wrong to think she would run if things got hard.

Ana had been cold, selfish, and weak, only caring about filling the void inside herself.

I’d never been enough.

Part of me had foolishly hoped having Lola would change that. Maybe she’d eventually want the family and stability that I offered. That I craved.

She didn’t.

Would Sophie?

I know Lola and I could never replace what she lost, but maybe we could create something new out of the brokeness of our lives.

“Good morning,” she murmurs, her eyes still closed, snuggling closer to me.

“Morning, beautiful.” I brush my knuckles across her cheek. “I have to pick Lola up soon from my parents. I was wondering if you wanted to spend the day with us.”

“I’d like that.” A smile tugs at her lips as she blinks, and those beautiful hazel depths land on me. “But I have to work, and I’m pretty sure my boss wouldn’t believe me if I called in sick.”

I chuckle and shift my weight, trapping her with my thigh. “I think your boss is a little more lenient than you give him credit for. Plus,” I kiss her neck, my cock already growing hard with need. “If there’s something in it for him, he might just give you the night off as well.”

“I don’t think that would be fair to Jenny.” A small frown tugs at her lips and she moves off the bed. “Plus, I need the money.”

Old fears scratch at the back of my mind as I watch her move away from me, finding her discarded clothes. There’s a tension in her shoulders that hadn’t been there when she’d been asleep in my arms. A weight that she always seems to carry, pressing heavily on her. I’m not sure if her walls have gone back up, or if I’m just imagining it, but I hate the distance between us.

With a sigh, I roll out of bed and start to get dressed. “I forgot to tell you that Liam found someone to buy your Volkswagen. And he says there’s a car he thought you might be interested in.”

“Okay,” she says softly, tugging on her jeans, her back to me. “Thanks for letting me know.”

Even though my own defenses are starting to rise, I push them down, willing to fight for what I sensed in her last night. That she wants this. Whatever this is.

She’s scared.

I get it.

I’m a single dad with a lot of baggage of my own. I promised my heart years ago that I’d never open up again to let someone hurt me. But with her, I have no choice. It’s like she’s cracked through all my walls without even trying. And I know I’ve done the same to her.

I drag my hands through my hair, choosing to push a little. “How about breakfast? Lola’s been asking to see you again—”

“Kade.” She wrings her hands together and meets my gaze. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

Grinning, I try to lighten the mood. “I promise I won’t burn the pancakes, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

She gives a small smile, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. “I mean involving Lola. Before we know what this is. I know you want to protect her, and so do I.”

That she’s even worried about my daughter’s feelings makes me care about her even more. But then it hits me, that maybe it’s painful for her to be around Lola. A reminder of what she’s lost. I feel like a complete asshole for not thinking about it sooner.

A surge of protectiveness fills me.

“Hey.” Moving around the bed, I pull her towards me and brush my thumb across her cheek. “I won’t pressure you to spend time with her. If it’s too hard on you—”

“No,” she says quickly. “It’s not that.” Her hands rest on my chest and she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth as if she’s thinking. Finally, she shakes her head. “There are times when I get pulled into my head. When even the simplest reminders hurt. But being with Lola isn’t one of them.”

“Then what is it? Because I feel like you’re pulling away.”

I swear to God, I see all my own fears in her eyes.

“Tell me, Sophie.”

“I guess...” Her brows furrow. “I’m just worried that Charlie...” She glances away. “I’m worried he’ll find me here.”

Anger flashes through me. “You’re afraid of him?”

She doesn’t admit it, but I see the truth. And that primal part of me beats his chest, wanting to protect the woman from the bastard.

“What did he do? Did he hurt you?”

Yes, yes, yes. Her answer is so damn clear, even though she shakes her head.

“He just...he won’t let me go.”

“What does that mean?”

“He still thinks I belong to him.”

“Are you afraid he’ll hurt you?”

“Not physically. But if he found out about you...”

I hear her unsaid words. “I can take care of myself.” I tilt her chin with my thumb, smirking down at her. “You don’t mess with a Savage.”

She cracks a small smile. “I don’t want to cause trouble for you.”

“Just be honest with me. That’s all I ask.”

Something stirs in her eyes, warning me that I still don’t know everything about her, but she nods.

“Just promise me something,” I say.

“What?”

“Don’t leave because you’re scared. Whatever happens, we’ll work it out, together.”

I recognize the emotion that flashes in her eyes — hope.

Take it.

Keep it.

Hold it.

I beg silently, wanting her to trust me.

She gives a small nod, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe I could take the lunch shift off. If my boss doesn’t mind.”

“I think he’d do just about anything you asked if it meant spending more time with you.”

“Anything?”

“Do you have a request?” I flatten my hands on her lower back.

“Jenny said Disney On Ice is playing in Harristown today.”

I grin down at her. “You really do have an obsession with Mickey Mouse.”

“And Simba. I had a bit of a crush on him when I was a kid.”

I raise a brow. “On a cartoon lion?”

“And Aladdin.” She shrugs, and I can’t tell if she’s kidding.

“You’re a little weird, you know that?” I chuckle, brushing my lips across hers. “But I like it. I’ll see if I can get tickets.”

The smile she gives me lights up her whole face. And I know in that moment, if given the chance, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to keep it there.