Always You (Adair Family 3)

Her face clouded over. “I’m not uprooting my schedule for this shit. If you need to be somewhere, you be there, and I’ll be here.”

“Not so I can keep an eye on you,” I answered with more patience than I felt, “but to train. It’s time you learned how to defend yourself.”

This seemed to shock her into silence for a few seconds before she replied, “Well, I’d rather train with Robyn. I’ve been meaning to, anyway, since last year.”

Robyn pushed away from the jamb, looking between us with that same intelligent gaze that seemed determined to uncover our secrets. Whatever she saw in my eyes caused her to reply, “Nah, you’re better off with Dad. He knows what he’s doing.”

Arro looked like she’d been betrayed. “But … Regan said if it weren’t for your training, she’d never have gotten away from Austin.”

“Yeah, but that was defensive groundwork stuff, and a lot of that comes from jujitsu,” Robyn explained. “Which Dad teaches. Specifically to beginners. Besides, he’s trained in RBSD—reality-based self-defense. Close combat. It’s what you’re looking for.”

“I don’t think so,” Arro answered mulishly.

Robyn opened her mouth to respond, but I beat her to it. “Do you want to feel in control right now or rely on other people to protect you?”

“Fuck you,” she snapped.

“Whoa.” Robyn stepped outside to stand in front of me like a shield. “I don’t know what’s going on between you, but one, you don’t talk to him like that—”

“Robbie—”

“No, Dad.” She shook her head, glowering at Arro. “I know you’re having a hard time, but just no. You don’t talk to him like that. And two, take the damn lessons. For all our peace of mind. It would be good for us all to know you can handle yourself.”

Arro stared blankly at Robyn and replied tonelessly, “One, I’ve been in Mac’s life for a long time and you have no idea about our relationship, so I’ll talk to him however I damn well please, and two, I do want to train but not with him. Can’t someone else do it?”

“No.” Robyn lifted her chin stubbornly. “You’ll train with Dad every Thursday. Maybe it’ll help you work out whatever problem you have with him.”

“You’re not the boss of me, Robyn Adair. I’m technically your elder, you know.”

“Then act like it and take up an offer that could save your life.”

The grim reality of the truth in that statement made my heart lurch. When a flicker of fear crossed Arro’s gaze, even more so, I wanted to reach out and hold her.

“Fine,” Arro snapped angrily, then looked up at me. “You can’t come in. ’Night, Robyn.” She slammed the door in our faces.

We were silent a moment and then I let out a long exhale as I squeezed Robyn’s shoulders. “You don’t need to stick up for me, wee birdie. I can handle myself, and I don’t want to come between you two.”

Robyn looked up at me. “You’re my dad. I don’t like anyone hurting your feelings, no matter who they are.”

God, what the hell did I do to deserve her?

I pulled her into my arms, kissed the top of her head, and then set her back gently before I slipped and broke down about everything. “Let’s get you home.” I walked to her car and waited as she strolled after me.

Robyn didn’t get in. She leaned against the driver’s door and studied me thoughtfully. “What’s going on, Dad?” she asked in soft concern.

“I …” I looked back at Arro’s house, that familiar ache growing sharper and more jagged in my chest every day. “I … let’s just say I hurt her feelings. Badly.”

“Dad …” Robyn frowned sympathetically. “You know I know. And Lachlan does too.”

“You know nothing,” I said gently.

A flicker of something like hurt crossed her face, and I bit back a curse.

And then blurted out, “I saw a therapist today.”

Her head jerked back in surprise. “What? Really?”

I instantly regretted telling her. What if I couldn’t return to the sessions? What if I couldn’t endure putting myself through that again? Would Robyn see that as a failure?