Page 96 of The Commander

My mouth falls open. “You thought Noah had...is that why you didn’t like him training me?”

“I was told there was an attraction between you and...well, I thought he was the man involved in the incident. I saw how you looked at him and was concerned. I wasn’t able to divulge the private information at the time.” Dad circles his desk and points to the chairs.

Noah looks at me for direction. I give him a small, reassuring smile, and he leads me to the chairs.

“I heard everything. All the rumors about you rising up the ranks fast, and how that might be happening,” Dad adds.

“On her own merit, sir. I would never promote a soldier for any other reason,” Noah says firmly.

I love him for that a little bit more.

“It appears we have a case of mistaken identity. I thought you were the man who had roughed up that woman, and the police were unable to prove it.” Dad shakes his head.

I can’t believe this.

“David Jenkins was discharged six months later,” Noah shares. “From memory. I didn’t know him well. We share a surname, that is all. I don’t hang out with assholes like that.”

I reach for his hand, and Noah gazes into my eyes, his own filled with love. But I also see the frustration, and that he blames this mishap for keeping us apart.

I’m not sure it was.

I did that.

“And for the record, Colonel, I don’t want to marry your daughter. I am. If things had been different, if you hadn’t confused me with David, perhaps I would’ve asked for her hand.” He glances at me. “But I think we both know she’s the only one with the permission to give that to me.”

Dad lets out a sigh. “On that, son, we agree.”

I smile at my father, unsure where we go from here, but hope lingers in the air.

“You’ve chosen a dangerous career, Quinn, and I will always be worried about you because of it. If the country goes to war, you’ll be sent off to fight.”

“I know.”

“Then I can only hope your future husband gets you pregnant, so you end up on a different path. I’m not sorry about that. I am your father and love you.”

“I wanted your support.” I lower my eyes as Noah lets out a groan next to me.

“It was my job to protect you,” Dad replies gruffly, and when I look back at him, I see a glimpse of something I’ve not seen in years: affection and love. “You’re an accomplished soldier; I can’t deny that. Pride is hard to feel when I worry every day that my little girl will be shipped overseas.”

Emotion overwhelms me. I almost break down but draw in breath after breath, instead, not wanting him to see me cry.

He’s hurt me too much for too long.

I don’t know if we will ever get our relationship back, but I know we both have to try.

“None of us want that. But you should know,” Noah says to my father. “This beautiful daughter of yours is the one who saved me in California when the cartel attacked.”

“That was you?” His eyes widen.

I shrug, feeling pretty damn proud of myself.

“I mean, sometimes it takes a woman to fix things, you know.”

Dad shakes his head. “I don’t want to know. Come on, let’s get to the table before your mother bites my head off.”

Noah stands and lifts me to my feet, kissing my forehead.

Dad walks over, shakes his hand as I step back, giving them space. “Welcome to the family, Noah.”