Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
EMILEE
E milee traced the lines of Arrow's tattoo with a fingertip, the digits of the date his comrade fell in combat were etched into his skin like sacred text. “I bet you were the most badass soldier,” she murmured, her voice tinged with playful reverence.
“Airman and badass enough,” Arrow replied, the corner of his mouth tipping up in a half-smile as he watched her exploration. “But I've got a new mission now.”
“Keeping me in line?” Emilee quipped, glancing up at him through thick lashes.
“Something like that,” he chuckled, enveloping her small hand with his. “You know, Daddy's got to make sure his little girl is taken care of.”
“Does Daddy have any special missions for me today?” Her tone was teasing, eyes shining with mischief.
“Maybe later,” Arrow teased back, giving her a gentle squeeze. “But right now, you've got that get-together at Day he simply stood beside her, offering silent strength.
“Talk to me, Kitten,” he finally said, his voice gentle yet firm. “What happened in there?”
“Nothing I can't handle,” she insisted, but her voice cracked like thin ice underfoot.
Arrow shook his head slightly. “That wasn't nothing, Kitten.”
She looked up at him, her defenses crumbling under the weight of his scrutiny. “I just... I don't fit in with them, Daddy,” she admitted, the title slipping out with a mixture of reverence and desperation. “They don’t like me. I don’t think they will ever believe my side of the story.”
“Then maybe it's time to stop trying to tell it,” he responded simply. His thumb brushed against the back of her hand, rubbing it tenderly.
“Easy for you to say,” she huffed, a stubborn streak lighting up her words.
“Never said it was easy,” Arrow countered, “but you've got me. And I'm not going anywhere. You’ve got Trinity, Delilah and Makenzie. You have the entire Watchmen family. Stop chasing girls who don’t matter. If they mattered, they’d listen to your side and get to know you. They don’t want to know the truth, Kitten, and nothing you say will change their minds.”
“Daddy, can we go home? I… remember when you said you would give me a therapeutic spanking if I ever needed it?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Think we could… I need…” She needed release. She needed pain. She needed to not be in control. But, she didn’t want to act out to get it. He nodded as if he could read her thoughts.
“Yes, Kitten. Let’s go home.”