Page 51 of Protected By Her Daddy

“Even if it means Wren’s safety?”

I stare at Ed, my mind wrestling with the idea. Bribing them to disappear feels like feeding beasts that might come back stronger and hungrier. It’s a temporary fix, a bandage on a wound festering beneath the surface. But Ed’s words linger—Wren’s safety. That’s the priority, the only thing that truly matters. If a bribe could guarantee her safety, isn’t that worth the cost?

But the idea of paying off a man like Gregory grates against everything in me. “What’s to stop him from taking the money and still coming after her?” I challenge, my voice tight with the frustration I’m barely holding in check.

Ed leans back in his chair, considering. “You’re right. There’s no guarantee. But it could buy us time, give us the upper hand to take him down on our terms.”

I pace the room, my mind racing. Time. That’s what we need—time to figure out Gregory and Jerry’s next move, time to ensure Wren’s safety, time to put an end to this once and for all. But paying him off feels like giving him the power, like admitting we’re afraid of what he might do next. And I’m not afraid of Gregory Sanchez or Jerry Prescott. But I am afraid of losing Wren, of what he might do if he gets his hands on her.

“We need to consider all the angles,” Ed continues, pulling me from my thoughts. “What’s more important—proving a point to Gregory and Jerry or keeping Wren safe?”

My mind races. As much as it rankles, I can’t deny the truth in Ed’s words. This is about her, about our child, about the future we’re trying to create—a future that doesn’t include men like Gregory Sanchez and Jerry Prescott.

I stop pacing, turning to face him. “I don’t like it. But I’ll consider it.” The words taste bitter on my tongue. “And if we do this, it has to be on our terms. We make it clear that if they come back, there’s no more money. Only consequences.”

Ed nods, understanding the gravity of the situation. “I have an underground contact. He can put the word out, see if he bites.”

I frown. “Who?”

“Abe.”

My eyebrows rise in surprise. “Abraham Clements? Now there’s a name I haven’t heard in a while. I thought he bought a goat farm somewhere in the back of beyond when he left the military.”

Ed laughs. “He did. He was one of the best. Never thought I’d see him running around with a herd of goats.”

I take a deep breath, letting the weight of the decision settle over me. “Get him on it, Ed. Pay him whatever he wants.”

Ed nods. “You still going to the charity auction tonight?”

“Yeah, a lot of our clients will be there tonight. I need to put in an appearance, show our faces, introduce Wren.”

“We’ll have security at every entrance and exit, a team inside, and Luther and Ethan will have eyes on Wren at all times. And we’ll have a car at the emergency exit ready to go if needed.”

“Good,” I say, a familiar tightness in my chest. The thought of anyone hurting Wren ignites a protective fury. But right now, she’s safe. She’s here, and she’s mine to care for.

“Keep me updated,” I tell Ed before standing. I need to check on Wren.

I find her asleep, curled up like a kitten among the sheets, her breaths soft and even. For a moment, I stand there, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest, the way her blonde hair fans across the pillow. Moments like these, quiet and unguarded, remind me how much she means to me, more than just my little one in the bedroom.

A few hours pass, and when I return, she’s awake, blinking sleepily and looking up at me with those big blue eyes. “I’m starving,” she mumbles, a hand resting gently on her stomach, an unconscious habit since she found out about the baby.

“Let’s get you something to eat before we head out,” I suggest, helping her sit up.

She nods enthusiastically and slides out of bed. I can’t help but smile as she wobbles to the bathroom, her body still asleep. She’s wearing one of my shirts, which hangs off her like a tent, and a surge of affection nearly knocks me off my feet for this woman who’s upended my world.

I feed my wife, and we shower together before dressing for the charity auction.

“Ready to be the belle of the ball?” I ask, shrugging into my suit jacket.

“Only if you’re my beast,” she teases, slipping into a fabulous dress that makes my heart skip a beat. It hugs her body in all the right places, but my eyes are glued to her belly, still flat but maybe a little fuller than I remember.

I take her by the hand, leading her out to the car. Every step she takes, every breath, I’m aware of how fragile and precious she is and how fiercely I’ll fight to keep her safe. Not just from the threats lurking outside but from the doubts and fears within me, too.

“Look at you,” I say as she buckles herself into the passenger seat, “my stunning wife and the future mother of my child.”

“Sounds so official.” She giggles, color blooming in her cheeks.

“Official and beautiful,” I affirm, closing her door with a soft click and heading around to the driver’s side. Tonight is about making memories, showing her off to the world, and drowning out the shadows with light and laughter.

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