Page 10 of Possessive Bodyguard Summer

Notthe change in conversation I was going for. Shit.

Clay pulled into the parking lot in front of Kaleigh’s preschool and parked before he turned and looked at me. “She left after Kaleigh was born. Not something I really want to get into. I’m not proud of how it all happened, but that mistake gave me Kaleigh, and I could never regret that.”

My hand drifted to my stomach on instinct. A lump formed in my throat.

I wasn't a mother yet. But every decision I made, every mile I'd driven to get here, had been for the tiny life growing inside me. Whatever happened next, I'd spend the rest of my life making sure my baby never questioned whether they were wanted.

“She doesn’t remember her or ask about her.” Clay cleared his throat and looked out the windshield for a long moment before speaking again. “One last thing… Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” his voice changes from soft and doting father to hardened Marine. “If you tell her you’re coming back…”

I swallowed hard. “Come back.”

His eyes met mine. He gave me a single, sharp nod. “Yeah.”

CHAPTER

FIVE

CLAY

“Wilder!” Miss Rosa smiled at me the moment I stepped inside Sunbreak Preschool with Monroe, and Maverick, by my side. She glances at Monroe and raises a brow. “I see you brought a friend. Who do we have here?”

“I’m Monroe. Monroe Hayes,” she offers Rosa her hand without hesitation.

"It's lovely to meet you." Rosa extended her hand before leaning closer to me with a teasing smile. "You finally found someone brave enough to put up with the two of you?"

I groan. “Rosa. Monroe is here to meet Kaleigh. Potential nanny.”

Miss Rosa's smile only grew. "Mmm-hmm. I see."

“Daddy!” Kaleigh squealed and ran full force in my direction. The minute she was within arms reach, I leaned down and scooped her up in my arms.

She snuggled into my neck and smothered me in kisses like she always does before even noticing Monroe.

“Who are you?” she asked, her tiny face scrunched up in confusion.

So much for social niceties.

Monroe doesn’t even flinch. In fact, she just laughs and kneels down to Kaleigh’s height as I set her feet back on the floor.

“My name is Monroe. Your Daddy was hoping that you and I could be friends.”

Kaleigh studied her, really studied her.

I knew that look on her face. It was the same one she gave vegetables, new shoes, and anything else she wasn't immediately convinced she needed. At least she wasn’t hiding behind my legs this time.

Maverick walked over and shoved his nose against Monroe’s hand.

As much as I wanted to call him a traitor, I couldn't ignore what I was seeing. Maverick didn't trust easily. He never had. That dog had followed me into places most people wouldn't survive, and I trusted his instincts with my life. If he thought Monroe Hayes was safe...then maybe I needed to pay attention.

“Aww. Mavy likes you,” Kaleigh announced.

Monroe glanced at the dog, then back at her. “Does he?”

Kaleigh nodded her little head. “He doesn’t like lots of people.”

“Hm. How about that?” Monroe scratched Mav behind the ears.

“Do you like dinosaurs Monwoah?”