Page 40 of The Tiger's Secret Baby (Savage Shifters Special Ops 4)

Then, she started asking me questions. I felt like I was going through the third degree. If she ever decided to not be a teacher, she would be great as an interrogator.

She found out my birthday, my favorite color, whether I believed in Santa Clause, and what I wanted to be when I grew up.

Then, we started talking about what was weighing heavy on my mind.

“Mama told me how angry and upset that you are because you didn’t know about me. I was mad, too. I always wanted a daddy,” she said. “Until now, I was just happy that I knew my real mom, because most of my brothers and sisters don’t.”

I nodded. “I am upset. I missed out on so much. I wish I could turn back time.”

She propped her elbows up on the table, cupped her hands, and rested her chin in her hands.

“I watchedDoctor Who, and changing the past always makes things worse. Lots of kids have a safe place to live, but they wouldn’t have if things had been different. Mr. Lucian is still alive, and he might not have been if it weren’t for you. I’m sad that I didn’t know you before. But we have a hundred years left to hang out.”

I smiled at her. “I’m not so sure about a hundred years, but we do have a lot of years.”

“And just think, you missed poopy diapers, throwing up down your back, and being woke up every three hours in the middle of the night,” she said.

I laughed. “I wouldn’t have minded that so much if I got to hold my baby girl.”

“You say that now. You’ve never smelled baby poop. I’ve helped Mama with some of the babies.”

“Has anyone ever told you how smart you are?” I asked her.

“Mama tells me all the time. She says that sometimes I’m too smart for my own good.” She cocked her head. “I haven’t figured out what that means yet. I’m still thinking about it, though.”

“You’ll figure it out soon enough.”

All too soon, my night with my daughter was over. I took her home and hugged her tight. I told her that I would see her Saturday.

I loved every second of my time with her. I knew that I wanted to have a greater part of her life. I didn’t want to be the dad that just took the kid out to eat a couple nights a week. I wanted to help her with homework, teach her right from wrong, how to be a good shifter, and to scare the Beetlejuice out of any prospective boyfriends.

Apparently, I was grouchier than ever at the office. I spent most of my time pacing and growling. There were also the occasional roars of frustration. I felt as though I couldn’t capture a single thought.

Finally, the guys in the office had enough. Gage, Jared, Lucian, and several others cornered me.

Gage, being the leader of our group, had been elected spokesman.

“Stop being an idiot. You have your daughter. Yes, you would have liked knowing her ten years ago. You made mistakes. Ember made mistakes. Now, you need to pull your head out of your butt, before you lose even more time with them. You love Ember. That’s obvious. You love Rose and all of your other children you have out there. Stop being an idiot and go after what you love before you lose everything.”

I turned around sharply and growled. My hackles were raised. I was certain that a couple of the guys were ready to shift and fight.

Then, the truth of his words hit me like a ton of bricks. He was right. I was being an idiot and I needed to go be with the woman and children I loved.

“Can I have a week off, Boss?” I asked him.

“Please. Just get out of here,” he said.

I headed for the jewelry store. I knew exactly what I wanted.

19

Ember

My heart shattered into a million pieces when he left. I knew he was angry, and I was certain that I had lost him forever. He didn’t have to say a word. I could tell by the look on his face that he was beyond furious. I didn’t doubt that he hated me. I didn’t blame him.

My fear that he hated me was reinforced when he called to ask if he could take Rose out for dinner.

His tone was very brusque and cold. He said, “I would like to take Rose to dinner on Wednesday. Can I pick her up at five?”

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