Nash (Daddies of Justice #3)

Chapter 13

Nash

N ash's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. Parked outside Rosie's building, he stared up at her window, jaw clenched. Protecting her consumed his every thought. Hell, that's what a Daddy Dom was supposed to do. Wasn't it?

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Rosie emerged, blonde hair askew, biting her lip. Worry lined her usually playful features. Nash's stomach twisted. Give her space? Or keep her safe? Instinct won out. He hopped from the car and strode toward her.

"Nash! What are you still doing here?" Rosie crossed her arms over her chest. "I thought you left."

"I know, princess. But leaving you unguarded . . ." He shook his head. "Not an option."

Rosie huffed, but he saw her stifling a smile. "Well, it's very nice of you to be here." She paused. "And I was coming out here to look for you. In the hope that I'd find you were still here."

"Want me to come inside with you?"

Rosie bit her lip. "I . . . No. Thank you, b-but I can take care of myself. I want to prove it to you."

He could see how brave she was being, and it broke his heart. "No doubt. But even badass Littles need their Daddies sometimes." He reached out to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. "Let me help. Please. Anyone would be scared in your situation. There's no shame in having a little backup."

Rosie's lower lip trembled. She stared at her shoes. "I am scared, Nash. Terrified. But I hate feeling so helpless."

"You could never be helpless. You’re doing jujitsu, darling. You’re basically training to be a damn ninja." He tipped her chin up, locking eyes with her. "Needing support doesn't make you weak. It makes you human."

A tear slipped down her cheek. She stepped into his arms, melting against his chest.

Nash held her tight, not wanting to ever let go. Come hell or high water, he would keep his babygirl safe. No matter what.

Rosie sniffled against his shirt, her small frame shaking in his embrace. "I want you to be my Daddy, Nash. More than anything. But this constant danger . . ." She pulled back, gazing up at him with watery eyes. "It's too much. I don't want to live in fear."

Nash's heart clenched. He cupped her face, wiping away a tear with his thumb. "I know, baby girl. I know it's hard. But I promise, I won't let anything happen to you."

She leaned into his touch, a flicker of longing in her eyes. "I believe you. It's just . . . sometimes I wish we could be normal, you know? No bad guys, no bodyguards. Just us. You know, like Jax and Mia. Away from it all, starting again. Living life how it’s meant to be lived."

The wistful note in her voice made Nash's throat tighten. He wanted that for Rosie—a life she could just live . But he wasn’t sure he could live like that himself. He was committed to Paladin. Ever since his sister had been kidnapped, he’d made a vow to dedicate his life to cleaning up these streets. Even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness . . .

"I wish I could give you that, princess. More than anything." He pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering for a moment. "But until we deal with this threat, I need you to trust me. Trust that I'll do whatever it takes to protect you. After that . . . well. After that, I guess we’ll talk about what’s next."

Rosie's fingers curled into his shirt, holding on tight. "I trust you, Nash. With my life. With my heart." She took a shaky breath. "It's just hard not to feel like a burden sometimes."

"Hey." Nash gazed at her intently. "You could never be a burden. Not to me. Not ever. Besides, looking after you is my job."

Shit. The moment he said those words, he realized how wrong they sounded.

“I don’t want to be your job, Nash," she replied, picking up on what he'd said immediately. "I want to be your Little. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Nash's heart clenched as Rosie's words sank in. She wanted him as a Daddy, but like it or not, she needed him to be her shield. Now that he’d become her Dom, well, she didn’t want him to be her bodyguard anymore. He’d fucked up. Just like he fucked up two years ago, when he kissed her.

He took a step back, hands falling to his sides. "I'm sorry, Rosie. I’m letting you down.”

Rosie wrapped her arms around herself, looking small and vulnerable. "I just want to feel normal again."

"I know. And I'll do everything in my power to make that happen." He kept his voice steady and professional. "But until then, I need you to let me keep you safe."

Rosie nodded, sniffling. She glanced back at her apartment building, then met his gaze with pleading eyes. "Kiss me goodnight? Just one, before I go inside?"

Nash took Rosie in his arms, giving her a gentle but loving kiss. God, he adored this girl. He just hoped he could do everything right by her.

“Okay,” said Rosie. “Well, I guess I’ll head back inside, then.”

“I'll ask this one more time: are you sure you don’t want me to come in with you?”

Rosie shook her head. “Nah. I’ll be okay. But . . . I guess you can stay out here if you like. So I know you’re close by.”

Nash nodded. “Sure thing. No way in hell I’d leave you anyway.”

Rosie smiled sadly, turning and walking back into the building, her shoulders hunched. Nash watched her go, guilt and doubt gnawing at his insides. Was he doing the right thing, letting her go in alone? He wanted her to have her freedom, her independence. He didn't want to be overbearing and drive her away. But at the same time, if anyone ever so much as damaged a hair on that girl's head . . .

He walked back to his car, dejected. Even if they got through this, and became nothing more than a happy Daddy Dom and Little together . . . what then? Rosie didn’t want this life, fighting criminals, putting herself in the line of danger. And Nash . . . well, he did , didn’t he?

Nash scrubbed a hand over his face, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on him. He had to stay focused, to keep Rosie safe at all costs.

He climbed back into his car, the leather seat creaking beneath his weight. He pulled out his phone, staring at the screen with bleary eyes. His thumb hovered over the contacts, hesitating for a moment before tapping on the group chat labeled "Brothers."

He typed out a message, his fingers flying across the keyboard.

Rosie's place was ransacked. She's pushing me away. Wants me to be her Daddy, not her bodyguard. I want to be both. Don't know how to balance this. Need your help.

His thumb hit send before he could second-guess himself. He let out a shaky breath, leaning his head back against the headrest. The phone buzzed almost immediately, and he glanced down at the screen.

Blake Holy shit, you finally made a move? I got your back, bro. Whatever you need, lemme know.

Jax Here for you, man. Rosie needs our protection, but she also needs your support as her Daddy. We'll find a way to make it work.

Blake Yeah. Let us be the bodyguards. You focus on being her Daddy.

Jax By the way, great news about being her Daddy, bro! Thought you were gonna be single forever ;)

Nash felt a wave of relief wash over him, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. He wasn't alone in this. His brothers understood the complexity of the situation, the delicate balance he had to strike. Another message from Blake popped up.

Blake Let's regroup at The Den. We can strategize and come up with a plan to keep Rosie safe while still giving her the emotional support she needs.

Jax I'll dig deeper into the background of the perps who broke into her place. See if it’s this Bobby guy.

Nash typed out a quick reply. "Thanks, guys. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Jax Meet you guys at The Den tomorrow morning 8am. I’m coming back to Chicago until this thing gets sorted.

Blake Mia OK with that?

Jax Mia’s on board with it. She's coming too.

Nash’s heart swelled at the support from his brothers. How did he get so lucky to have such an incredible family? And so unlucky, too, having his parents and sister killed before their time?

He tossed the phone onto the passenger seat and started the engine, the powerful hum filling the air. As he pulled away from the curb, he felt a renewed sense of determination. He would find a way to be Rosie's protector and her Daddy. To treat this with utmost professionalism while still giving her the love and support she craved.

He would act like her life depended on it.

Quite possibly, it did.