Page 37 of Dagger

“Yeah, Dad, I’m gonna gnaw my arm too!” Dani appeared in my line of sight wearing a teasing smile.

“Yeah, yeah.” I turned my back on them and cut the heat under the beef and onions. “Fine, it’s time to eat. How about I set up the projector in the backyard?”

“You have a projector?” Sinclair’s stunned expression was adorable as she turned to Dani. “Do you watch movies in the backyard all the time?”

Dani’s smile fell. “No. Dad’s busy and Callie doesn’t know how to work it.”

My heart hammered in my chest, guilt washing over me and reminding me that I was failing in my job as a dad. I wanted to explain or apologize, but Sinclair hopped in before I could.

“Then you get to pick what we watch tonight. What kind of movies do you like?”

Dani thought about it for a long minute while I loaded the ingredients onto the kitchen table. “I like funny movies and fantasy movies. What do you like?”

“I like funny movies too, but I’m more of a romance or a thriller girl myself. I think, though, that you are too young for thrillers.” She laughed, keeping it light as her stomach growled. “And I think I need to eat before I pass out from hunger.”

Dani laughed and stood beside Sinclair at the table, fixing her nachos the same way her teacher did. “Cheese on the top and the bottom?”

“Yeah, cheese is the glue that holds the nachos together.” She stacked her nachos meticulously and Dani followed suit. “Now the real question is, sour cream last or jalapenos?”

“Sour cream! That way it cools off the jalapeno peppers.”

“Smart,” she answered simply, and plopped sour cream on top of her nacho mountain last.

We settled in the backyard for a kids’ movie that held absolutely zero appeal to me, but Dani was riveted. I don’t even think she blinked or looked away from the screen as she devoured her nachos. She was oblivious when I walked my fingers across the blanket and laid my hand on top of Sinclair’s.

She smiled and flipped her hand over, but only for a second before she pulled away and finished off her nachos. And not before I noticed the blush on her cheeks.

Dani fell asleep before the movie ended and I scooped her up, loving the warmth of her small body in my arms. Dani was my entire world and holding her like this reminded me that she was small and vulnerable and I needed her to know I would always be there for her, no matter our past. No matter what.

I found Sinclair in the kitchen eating more nachos. Her eyes closed as she slid the chip into her mouth with a moan.

My cock sprang to life, and I bit back a groan, but not quick enough before she froze and opened her eyes, sliding a gaze my way. “Need a moment?”

She grinned around the chip and nodded. “A moment or five.” She finished chewing and then laughed. “You make damn good nachos, anyone ever tell you that?”

“Not anyone. Ever.” But it was nice to hear that she appreciated my limited culinary skills.

“Then let me be the first to tell you that they were absolutely delicious. Probably the best nachos I’ve ever had,” she said with a sincere smile.

“Thank you, Sinclair.”

“No, thankyou.” She went through my drawers and cabinets until she found plastic containers, quickly storing all the leftovers.

“I thought about what you said about being there for Dani when she wakes up in the morning, and you’re right.”

She nodded. “I wasn’t trying to lecture you, just sharing it from the perspective of a girl who only wants her dad.”

“Believe it or not, I understand completely. The only difference is that I wasn’t allowed to be hurt when my old man wasn’t around in the morning. He was out bustin’ heads, sellin’ dope, and livin’ that life. I wasn’t allowed to miss him or say I missed him. Shit, I wasn’t allowed to say or do anything that might make anybody think I was soft.”

“Sounds like a real gem,” she said sarcastically.

“He was your classic tough guy. Thought feelings made you soft and being soft made you an easier target.” I didn’t know why I told her all of that. “I don’t want Dani growing up like that, cold and without feelings, so I’m trying to do better, and according to you that means being here in the morning for her.”

Sinclair nodded.

I smiled because the trap was set. “Which is why the best thing for you and me and Dani is for you to stay here. My place is secure,” I added before she could argue.

Her eyes darted around for a second, something she did when she was thinking, probably for another reason to go home.

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