Page 223 of Rogue Daddy (Montana Daddies 12)

“Because it’s not what I want,” Keira whispered. She glanced up. “Please, Honey.”

Honey let out a sigh, then walked over to the small sofa to sit. “Aren’t you mad? Upset? Are you sure you don’t want to go kick that bitch’s butt?”

Keira gave her a small smile. “Thanks for the offer, but no. I just . . . I want to go home and forget this ever happened.”

Zander frowned. Was that the best idea? To just forget? Maybe she needed closure?

“She blames me for not helping her. I should have gotten her away from her father before Bartolli even got to her. This is my fault. I don’t blame her for hating me. I keep failing her.”

Nope. Zander didn’t want to hear that. At all. Walking over, he kneeled in front of her. “Listen to me, baby girl. None of that was your fault. You hear me? You didn’t do anything to her. And you tried your best to help her when a lot of other people would have given up.”

“That she doesn’t want anything to do with you is her loss, Keira,” Webb told her gently.

“Yeah, and you don’t need her because you’ve got us now,” Honey said. “We’re your family.”

This time, Keira managed a bigger smile. “Yeah, you are. And I’m yours. I . . . thank you. For coming. For trying to make me feel better.”

“Come on, baby girl. Let’s go watch some cartoons before bed. In the morning, we’ll head back home.”

“All right. That’s where I want to be. Home.”

* * *

Zander slidout of the bed, picking up his gun. He moved out to the living area of the suite. “Who the fuck are you and what are you doing in here?”

“Interesting. You must sleep light. No one ever hears me coming.”

“Well, they mustn’t have ears because you stomp around like an elephant,” Zander told the man who had somehow broken into their motel suite and was sitting on the sofa.

“I can assure you that I don’t.”

“What are you doing in here?” Zander became aware of Honey and Webb moving silently into the room, guns at the ready. “Who are you?”

“I’m not here to harm anyone. Just wanting a chat.”

“Daddy? What’s going on?”

“Stay where you are, Keira!” Zander barked at her. He didn’t look back, but out of the corner of his eye he saw Webb move towards Keira. He knew the other man would guard her.

“Honey, lamp,” he ordered.

She turned on the table lamp rather than the main light so as not to blind any of them. The man revealed was fairly nondescript. Dark sweater, dark jeans. A cap low on his head. He held his hands up. “See, not armed? Just here for a chat. What say you put the guns away?”

“I don’t think so,” Zander told him.

“You don’t break into someone’s motel room to chat,” Honey pointed out. “What do you want?”

“Is he trying to rob us?” Keira asked.

“I doubt you’d have anything I’d want,” the man scoffed. “I’m not a simple thief.”

“Then what are you?” Zander demanded.

“I’m most people’s worst nightmare. But you don’t have to worry. Like I said, I’m not here to harm you. All I want is to talk.”

“About?” Zander asked, not trusting this guy for a moment. There was something in the way he held himself. It almost felt familiar.

Maybe it was because he reminded him of himself. He looked relaxed, but Zander could tell that he was taking in everything and was ready to move at any moment.

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