Commando (Rogue Rebels MC 1)

“Do you remember when you asked me about your daddy?” I asked.

“Yes,” Lili nodded. “You said he was a brave soldier. You said he was busy fighting for our country.”

“He was,” I nodded. “He did that for a long time, but now he’s done. He’s retired and he’s here to meet you. Is that something you want?”

Lili thought about it for a second and frowned. She took a step backward and looked down at her shoes. I could see the wheels of thought turning in her five-year-old mind.

“Am I going to live with him now?” she asked.

“No,” I shook my head. “You’ll stay with me. I promise.”

“Is he nice?” she asked.

“You’ll love him,” I told her with a smile. “He’s really nice.”

“Okay,” she nodded. “Then, I want to meet him.”

Twenty- Four

Piper

Logan walked up the stairs slowly. He looked like he was heading for trial. I could see his hands shaking as he stuffed them nervously in his pockets.

“She doesn’t bite,” I promised. “You don’t have anything to be afraid of.”

“If she’s anything like you, I do,” he said softly.

“Ha. Ha.” I said.

Logan reached the top step and turned into the playroom. I walked up behind him and waited until Lili turned around to face us. When she did, her eyes went straight to Logan’s face.

“Lili,” I said. “This is Logan. This is your dad.”

“Were you really a soldier?” she asked immediately. I chuckled.

“Something like that,” he nodded. “I was what you call a Navy SEAL.”

“A seal?” Lili laughed. “Like the animal?”

“Not exactly,” Logan laughed.

“Where did you live?” Lili asked.

“All over,” Logan answered. He took a step closer to her. She kept staring at him with wide, thoughtful eyes.

“How come you never came to see me?”

Lili’s question made my stomach tighten. I waited with bated breath for Logan to answer. He didn’t owe me anything, he didn’t have to protect me. I knew I only had myself to blame if Lili got angry with me.

“I wish I could have,” he said. “But, I was so busy being a SEAL that I didn’t have enough time. That’s why I retired. So, I could spend time with you.”

“Really?” Lili asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

“I didn’t know it at the time,” Logan said. “But, that’s exactly why I left. It was time for me to meet you.”

“That’s cool,” Lili smiled.

Logan glanced back at me with a kind look in his eyes. I had tears falling down my cheeks as I mouthed a “thank you” to him. He nodded slightly and turned his attention back to Lili.