Page 26 of Property of Scythe
“Shit,” he curses low enough no one hears but me. “Thanks for taking care of her.”
“Of course.” I clear my throat, knowing the conversation I need to have is sensitive. “Mila mentioned something today. I want to talk to you about it.”
Scythe pulls his gaze from his daughter and locks it onto me. It’s almost unnerving. “What did she say?”
“That she doesn’t have a mom, and she left her.”
Scythe spears a hand through his hair and is clearly distressed by the news. “She did. Sarah left when Mila was a baby.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. I’d rather her gone before she could mess up my daughter.” I sense bitterness there and can understand how he feels.
“She said something else. I think you should know.”
He frowns. “Okay.”
“She said she wishes I were her Mommy.”
Scythe tries to hide his surprise, but I notice it.
“I’ve not done anything to encourage that,” I assure him, “but I think she might want to talk about it with you.”
He nods. “I’d like to know how you responded.”
“I told her that her mom is the one missing out because she’sa special girl. I hope that’s okay.”
“It is.” He reaches into his leather vest and pulls out his phone. “I’d like to exchange numbers in case something like this happens again. If Mila gets hurt or upset, I want to know.”
“That’s fine.” I type my information into his phone, and he dials my number.
“There. Now you’ve got mine. Text or call whenever you want.”
The offer doesn’t seem to only include information about Mila. I don’t say that aloud, but I think it.
“I saw the bikers outside my apartment the last few nights.”
“For your protection.”
“I don’t want to cause any problems for your club.”
Scythe glances around the room, noting that the three of us are all that’s left. All the other parents and children have gone home. “Lottie, I’m concerned for your safety. Until I know there’s no longer any threat, I’ll have someone outside your building at night.”
“Why?” I boldly ask. “I’m just a teacher and new in town.”
“Because this ismytown, sweetheart.”
Fine.
“And also, because keeping you safe is a priority for me.”
“Because of Mila?” I ask, afraid he’ll say yes.
“Not only because of Mila.”
I blink, processing what he means. “Scythe.”
“We take this slow, Lottie. But make no mistake,” he clarifies in that gritty, sexy timbre, “we’re figuring this out. In case that’s too cryptic, I’m sayin’ you and me, baby.”
