Reign of Brayshaw (Brayshaw High 3)

Speaking of basketball courts, once we get a little farther down the road, a mini court with little toy hoops placed on each side comes into view.

My chest tightens when I see the wolf’s logo painted in the center of it as if it’s the Brayshaw home court.

Like it’s her daddy’s home court.

I look to Cap in the mirror, finding a small smile on his lips.

I glance at Maddoc.

He sits tight and tense, glaring straight ahead, like he can’t bring himself to look around.

I slide my hand in his and his eyes cut to mine, the edges contracting even more.

Cool air hits me then and I look to Royce.

He’s rolled his window down, his head practically stuck outside as he takes in every inch he can get his eyes on.

“You been here before, brother?” Royce asks him.

Cap shakes his head. “Pictures and video from our PI.” He places the SUV in park, sitting still a moment.

“Is it what you imagined?” I ask him.

He glances around, meeting my eyes again. “Better.”

Right then a big burly man in a suit steps from the right side of the wrap-around porch, and a second from the left.

“Security. Nice.” Royce nods.

“Guessing they didn’t know we were coming?” Maddoc asks.

Captain unbuckles his seat belt. “I will never ask to see my own daughter again.”

With that, he pushes open his door and climbs out, but the three of us have the same idea and don’t move an inch.

Cap only gets a few steps before the front door flies open and Maria’s wide eyes hit his.

She glares and takes a half step forward.

I dart for the door handle, but Maddoc’s quick, and his hand covers mine.

I slice my glare to him, but he’s not looking at me. His eyes are on the porch.

I look back just in time to see a little hand grip around Maria’s thigh. Her eyes shoot wide, her head dropping to the contact.

Maddoc’s grip tightens on mine and Royce shifts to the edge of his seat.

Her little head pokes out next, blonde hair as curly as I remember it and sitting high on her head, a purple bow locking it in.

Her head tilts up to Maria first, but when Cap takes another step, it cuts his way.

Instant, full, and the most precious thing I have ever seen – she smiles wide.

Royce lets out a sharp exhale, a soft chuckle following as she wedges her little shoulders between the frame and Maria’s body and bounds forward.

She gets so excited she pauses to stomp her little feet, her hands extended as if he’s close enough to grab her.

I look to Captain, and of course he gives his baby girl what she wants. He jogs to her, getting to her faster. Not bothering to hit the porch steps at all, he holds his hands out and she doesn’t hesitate.

She jumps.

He catches her, lifts her up high for a moment before pulling her to his chest.

“She understands who he is,” Maddoc rasps.

My eyes cut to him in question, but he doesn’t take his eyes off them. “I wondered, but...”

But he couldn’t ask. It makes sense. Zoey didn’t get to see Captain much and for someone so young, just shy of three, it could be hard for them to grasp, especially when she goes to bed without him every night. There’s no question, though. She knows exactly who her daddy is.

Zoey looks over Cap’s shoulders right then and her back shoots straight. She pats Cap’s and points to the SUV.

“I think she sees me,” Royce whispers like she might hear him.

Cap says something to her that has her nodding, and then tickles her, and she laughs with her whole body, making the three of us follow suit.

He starts this way and our amusement halts, our bodies going stiff.

My eyes move to the porch where Maria raises a hand as if she’s going to stop him, but then her fingers fly to her lips. She takes a step back.

My eyes narrow.

She’s nervous.

Maddoc grips his handle and Royce’s eyes quickly find his. “Yeah?” he asks a little hopeful, a little nervy.

I grin. “Go.”

Royce frowns. “You too.”

I shake my head, sitting back in my seat and pulling my hand from Maddoc’s. “No. This is your time. Go.”

They hesitate a moment, and as if sensing it, Cap pauses a few feet from the hood.

The boys open their doors and exit.

Zoey’s head bobs one way to the next, and she clings to Cap’s neck more but she’s not afraid. A little nervous maybe, but she only drops her chin to her shoulder and watches them.

Both pause right in front of her and she looks to Captain.

I find myself chuckling. I’m pretty damn sure little Zoey is blushing.

Royce steps up to her first and lifts his hand for a high five.

Zoey smiles, but instead of high fiving she puts out her knuckles, making the brothers laugh together.