He pushes the button near his steering wheel, turning in his chair to face me. “Never. But let me lay down some rules to you both being here. One, stay away from my daughter.” Tsk. I don’t bother telling him that I’m not interested. He continues. “And two? I’m never your enemy.” He pushes open his driver’s side door and I shuffle out the back, tucking Poppy beneath my arm. I don’t know what the fuck is happening, but right now all I care about is keeping Poppy safe, and to keep Poppy safe, I need time to think. Worst-case scenario, I’d go to prison. I could live with that knowing that that piece of shit can’t touch her.

Stairs lead to twin doors, and little lantern lights leading the way give a warm entrance into what I’m guessing is probably an equally warm home. I can already hear laughter flowing from the kitchen. I don’t know what I expected when he said he was taking us to his home, but this isn’t it.

The front door opens, and a woman stands on the other side holding a spatula in one hand. Her blonde hair is up in a tight knot on the top of her head, where a white bandana ties to the front. She’s in loose jeans and a blouse slightly unbuttoned at the front, and fuck, but she’s beautiful. Her skin glows against the setting sun behind us, and when her wide hazel eyes meet mine, I feel it in my gut.

“Where’s your mother?” the cop asks, tucking her beneath his arm and kissing her on her head.

She looks between her—I’m guessing father—and me. “Um, she’s in the kitchen. Papa, what?” I realize I still don’t even know his name, but he looks down at me and smiles.

“Don’t you worry about that. How about you go show them the guest rooms so I can handle your mother, and then you can all come down for dinner.” The girl’s cheeks blush when she gives her dad the spatula, closing the door behind us.

“Sure.” She flashes him a wide grin as he disappears through the foyer. I squeeze Poppy tighter beneath my arm. We must look a fucking mess. Blood still clings to my clothes, and I know that if I look down at Pop, she’ll be wearing a blank expression.