Page 28 of Her Hero Daddy

“Okay.”

Kane stared at her scared expression, wanting to kiss it all away. Instead, he stroked her cheek gently, trying to distract her. He could see Logan moving out of the corner of his eye, feeling different parts of her stomach.

“Does any of that hurt?” Logan asked, keeping his focus on her midsection.

Haylee shook her head, though Kane could see the wince in her eyes.

“She’s lying. It is hurting her,” he said bluntly.

Haylee glared at him, and he looked at her sternly until she lowered her gaze from him. Logan looked up from his task and studied Haylee.

“Haylee, I need you to be very honest with me about what hurts and what doesn’t. Understood?” Logan asked, his tone much more stern than normal.

Her eyes met Kane’s again, and he nodded. “He asked you a question, little one.”

Closing her eyes, she let out a deep breath. “Yes, it hurts right there. It’s really sore.”

Logan nodded and jotted down notes before warming his stethoscope. “Sit up for me, please.”

Kane helped her into a sitting position, then moved onto the couch next to her, keeping a hold of her hand. Logan reached up under her sweater, using the stethoscope to listen to different areas of her body, asking her to take deep breaths. When he put his stethoscope back in his bag, she let out a deep breath, and Kane could see her visibly relax.

“Kane, do you have a robe that she can use? I need her to undress down to her bra and underwear so I can take a look at all her bruising. Luke sent me a text and asked that I take pictures of her injuries while I’m examining them as well.”

Kane nodded. “Come with me, little one. You can change in my room.”

13

HAYLEE

Her body trembled at the thought of having to undress and show all her bruises. Kane had seen a few, and each time he saw them, his expression turned dark and scary. She didn’t know what he would do when he saw all of them at once. But she wanted him there with her. She needed him there with her. He was like a security blanket that for some reason made her feel safe and secure. Logan was nice and ridiculously hot, and she trusted him too, but she still wanted Kane there. Although it would have been nice if he hadn’t called her out for lying to the doctor.

Big meanie.

She had been surprised when Kane pulled her close to him when Logan made the comment about being the better-looking one. It appeared as though he was making a statement to Logan, without actually making a statement. Not that she minded. She loved having Kane’s arm around her possessively. She found it strange how bossy Kane, Luke, and Logan all seemed to be, but they weren’t bossy in a bad way. It was like they were looking out for her. She’d never met a man that was dominant and overprotective like the three of them.

When Kane held out his hand for her, she took it and followed him up the stairs to his room. She looked around the massive bedroom and noted how clean it was and how it smelled just like Kane. The earth tones made it feel comfortable and inviting. The large four-poster bed was perfectly made and looked plush and cozy.

“You are doing wonderful, baby girl. You are almost done, and then you can lay down for a nap.”

Kane walked to what looked like a walk-in closet and pulled out a navy blue terry cloth robe. He brought it over to her and held it out. When she reached for it, he noticed her hands shaking and frowned.

“Hey, what’s going on, baby?” he asked softly.

Tears pricked her eyes, spilling over down her cheeks. Kane dropped the robe and reached out, wrapping her up in his arms.

“I-I’m j-just s-scared and over-overwhelmed, and I-I hate a-all of t-this,” she sobbed.

How had her neat little life in Pinebrook turned into this disaster? How had she let this happen to herself?

“Sweet girl, look at me.”

She pulled back from him and looked up to meet his gaze. His fingers gently stroked her cheek, wiping the tears away.

“You are not doing this alone. I am here, and I am not going anywhere. I will help you fight through this. I know it’s scary, but I am scarier than any of the things that scare you, so let me slay those fears, okay? And we will figure out something to help you feel less overwhelmed. You are so strong, and you are doing so good.”

His words felt so good to hear, and she actually believed him. He wasn’t the type of man who just talked to hear his own voice. When he spoke, he spoke the truth and said what he meant. She laid her head against his chest again, feeling her body sag in his arms. She was exhausted. Physically, mentally, and emotionally.

“Thank you. I’m just so tired,” she whispered.