Page 37 of Controlled Drift
“Daddy!”Poppy shrieked, launching herself at him.
Ethan caught her easily, lifting her up and pressing a kiss to her cheek.“What have you got there?”
“Bee,” she declared seriously.“He flies.”
“Yes, he does,” Ethan said solemnly.
Kael glanced up at Ethan.“You training her early or what?”
Ethan snorted.“She already outranks all of you.”
Niko watched it all, something tight and tender winding through him.
Ethan turned then, one arm still around Poppy.“Pop-pop, this is Niko.”
Poppy studied him with the seriousness of someone deciding whether he was acceptable.
“He’s big,” she announced.
Niko laughed.“I’ve been told.”
She smiled at that, wide and bright.“You can sit with me.”
Ethan shot him a knowing look.
Niko sat, heart already lost.“Hey, Poppy.I like your bee.”
“He’s brave,” she said.“But not scary.”
“I think that’s the best kind of brave,” Niko replied.
She nodded, satisfied.
Ethan leaned close.“You’re done for.”
Niko smiled, soft and certain.“Yeah.I’d die for her.”
Ethan’s expression gentled.He knew.
Breakfast unfolded easily after that.Plates passed.Coffee poured.Poppy perched between Kael and Luca, stealing bites and giggling like she’d known them forever.
“So,” Drew said eventually, glancing around.“This place.”
Ethan lifted a brow.“What about it?”
“The house.The hangar.The toys,” Kael said lightly.“Impressive.”
Niko felt his spine straighten.“Let’s be clear,” he said mildly.“We’re not here to recruit him.Or steal his shit.”
Tane grinned.“Admit it, you want to fly that jet.”
Ethan shot Niko a look.“In your dreams.”
Niko grinned back.“We’ll see.”
Conversation turned more serious then—Gregory, assets, pressure points.
Kael leaned back in his chair, gaze sharpening.“So, let’s talk scope.What’s he still got his hands in?”
