do when I got hurt as a child. “No, Sloane. I didn’t know a thing about her. It brings me great pain to know I fathered a child I’ll never meet in person,” he confessed, and I could tell his words were sincere.
I tilted my head toward the ceiling and closed my eyes, knowing he would eventually find out but thinking it could wait a bit longer. There was no need to rush things.
“I know that look. What is it?”
I pulled the blanket over my head to hide my face. “Nothing.”
“Have you not learned anything from the last fifteen minutes? Talk to me, child of mine!”
“Heidi had a baby. Congratulations, Grandpa, it’s a girl. And I’m in love with the baby’s father,” I blabbed as great big tears streamed down my face. “And I don’t care what you or anybody else thinks about it.”
“That’s my girl,” he said as a proud smile took over his face. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. “For the record, I know you’re in love with Bronze Black, and while little Blue’s relation to our family is news to me, I still don’t have a problem with it as long as he makes you happy.”
“Who are you? Where’s my father? No, wait. I know. It’s got to be the pain meds.”
He chuckled. “You shouldn’t be surprised by my approval. He understands this lifestyle. Though, I’m sure you know, we have to come to an agreement about his boxing.”
I held my hands up to stop him from saying any more. “That involves him, not me.”
“Yes, that’s why I plan to discuss it with him. Telling you was a courtesy.”
I rolled my eyes dramatically. “There’s the dad I know.”
“Are you hungry? I can send one of my guards to get something to eat.”
“I’m allowed to be cranky or mad without being hungry!” I shouted.
“Yes, I know, but I was simply asking if you’d like something to eat. I haven’t had breakfast yet, and I’m starving.”
“Oh,” I said sheepishly. “In that case, I want a biscuit and gravy with an extra biscuit. No, wait, make it two orders of biscuits and gravy, an order of their version of hash brown, and a coffee. I want them to put a medium-sized coffee in a large cup and fill the rest with cream and sugar.”
After typing something into his phone, he glanced up at me with a smile. “Sean’s leaving now to pick up our breakfast.”
“Dad! I didn’t ask Bronze if he wanted anything! And what about the boys?”
He chuckled. “Sloane, they’re all out in the hall. I told Sean to get their orders before he left. I’m going to have to work on my image. I didn’t realize everyone thought I was such an asshole,” he teased.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I’ve been given a lot to process in the last twenty-four hours,” I explained.
“It’s all right, lass. You’re okay, and that’s all that matters,” he said and gently squeezed my hand. “Now, shall we invite your man in by himself before Sean gets back with our food?”
“Why?” I asked suspiciously.
“Have a little faith, child,” he said and tapped out another text on his phone.
Moments later, Bronze returned and resumed his seat in the recliner. “You wanted to see me?”
“I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced,” my father said and rose to his feet, extending his hand to Bronze. “I’m Sloane’s father, Lorcan O’Shea.”
“Bronze Black, but you already know that,” he returned and shook my dad’s hand.
“You fought one of my sons, and you’re dating my daughter. Of course, I already knew that. You’ll do the same when Blue starts dating.”
Bronze’s entire body stiffened while a look of horror, mixed with surprise, washed over his face. Confused by his reaction, I leaned toward him and whispered, “You okay?”
“Yep,” he replied, keeping his eyes on my dad.
“Bronze,” I said, trying to get him to look at me.
“What does he know about Blue?” he asked, and I knew exactly what he meant by the tone of his voice.
My father answered before I could. “I know she’s my granddaughter. I give you my word that I have no intention of trying to disrupt your life. However, I would like the chance to get to know her.”
“I don’t have a problem with that as long as we don’t have any trouble,” Bronze said like the protective father he was.
“We won’t,” he assured. “Well, there is one thing we need to discuss, but I’m certain we can come to an agreement that suits us both.”
“What