Page 8 of Dagger

“Pretending that Dani isn’t struggling won’t make it true, Dagger.” I used the name he clearly preferred in hopes of getting through to him. “She’s young for you to worry about whatever it is you’re worried about.”

He snorted. “That’s easy for you to say.”

Nowmyjaw clenched. “I’m not a child psychologist, but Dani does seem to be displaying signs of anxiety. She feels there are uncertainties in her life and it’s when we feel like we have no control, that we can start to get anxious.”

“Uncertainties?” he asked. “She’s well taken care of, and her life is stable.” His gruff voice was so sure.

“From your perspective, maybe. But she’s lost her mother at a young age, which is impossible to deal with at any age, more so when you don’t even remember her.” I remembered my mother, I had nine great years with her and losing her was still a fresh wound. “Combine that with the fact that she doesn’t feel secure in her relationship with you and that’s a recipe for anxiety.”

“I’ve been there for her since the day she was born. I make sure she has everything she needs.” His voice was firm. His tone filled with anger. I understood completely, but he needed to face the truth.

“You make sure she has everythingyou’rewilling to give her. She has a nanny to take care of her. A housekeeper to feed her. But she doesn’t think she has you. Can you understand how that might make her feel?” He was a macho man, masculine down to his very core, and he couldn’t possibly get it. “Life happens to all of us. How we deal with it will determine our path in life. Right now, Dani is having trouble processing her emotions, but we can help her with that.”

Something flashed in his gaze. “You mean like a shrink?” He said the word as if it was poison.

“Yes, like a therapist. She needs someone she can talk to who won’t judge her, who can give her tools to cope when things feel out of her control.”

“That’s just going to feed her belief that something is wrong with her.”

“No,” I insisted. “I’ve spoken to her and let her know that nothing at all is wrong with her. She understands that now, but she needs to believe it, and that takes time.”

He sat up, leaning on his forearms until just a few inches separated us. “Do you have a therapist in mind?”

“I’m new to Steel City, so I don’t, but Dani mentioned that you know a few people in the medical field, so I’m sure you can get recommendations on a few therapists who specialize in dealing with children experiencing grief and anxiety.”

“I don’t like this shit.”

I inhaled deeply and reached for all the patience I could find before I exhaled. “This is about getting Dani the help she needs. Reaching out, or admitting you need specialist input is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s when you ignore these things that problems can happen.”

He leaned forward and laid his palms flat on my desk, pushing to his feet. His strong forearms, covered in ink, were on full display and it was damn near erotic.

“Fine, Miss Bronson, I still think it’s something she’ll grow out of, but if you think she needs to speak to someone then I’ll do it. But if it doesn’t work, if my daughter ends up worse, I’m coming for you.”

I ignored the flare of desire that shot through me and flashed a sweet, professional smile. “She won’t. I promise.”

“She better not,” he muttered, and stormed off in a beautiful wake of anger.

Chapter 6

Dagger

“Dad, look, it’s Miss Bronson!” Dani took off into the park towards the woman who had dominated my thoughts ever since I walked out of her office two days ago.

I bit back a groan, suddenly wishing my little girl was like other nine-year-olds and was easily distracted by sweet treats and pretty dresses. “Dani, hold up.” This was what I got for even listening to Sinclair. I decided Dani and I needed to spend more time together, which meant actually spending time together.

She stopped and let out a sharp breath before turning to me. “I just want to say hi, Dad.” She didn’t have to roll her eyes for me to hear it.

“I know, but this is her time off work,” I began. I doubted Sinclair was the kind of teacher to ignore students or brush them off when she encountered them in the wild, but that didn’t change the fact that she wasn’t working.

“She said anytime I wanted to talk to her, I could.” Dani’s voice was loaded with authority, and she’d already turned away from me, making a determined beeline for the pretty brunette. “Miss Bronson, hey!”

I froze at the sound of Dani’s voice, soft and quiet but also comfortable. Who was this version of her and where had she been hiding?

Sinclair looked up and her smile was just as wide and just as bright as my daughter’s. “Dani, hey!” She set her book aside and her face lit up with joy. “What are you doing out here?”

Did she have to sound so damn happy to see my daughter? What was her deal, anyway? Nobody was that selfless, that willing to help.

Dani shrugged. “I’m just out, hanging with my dad.” She leaned in close and said something I couldn’t hear.

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