He brought Elena

He brought Elena
VINCE

Reaching for the doorknob, I lost courage and dropped my hand again.

“I really can't do it.” I groaned, dejectedly, itching to run off.

“What? Man, shut your ass up and go talk to your daughter.” Leo seemed like he was exhausted by my hesitation. He wasn't even trying to be nice anymore.

I am exhausted too. I hate how much I'm overthinking this. She's my daughter. Talking to her should be one of the easiest things for me to do. But here I am, feeling too dirty and unworthy to go close to her.

“She's such a beautiful thing. I don't wanna taint her.” God, I sound like a fucking rogue. Which I am. Which I fucking am.

“Are you being serious right now? You're her father. She loves you. She's been asking for you. Don't keep her waiting any longer than you already have.”

“She's gonna ask why I've been gone for so long.”

“Then lie to her. It's not your first time.”

I hate how casual he is about this. But it isn't such a deep-ass issue either. I'm the one overthinking this. If I can only convince myself not to feel too guilty.

“Vince, you're gonna regret it if you don't get in there and talk to her. C'mon. Go talk to her already."

I sized up the door as if it were a monster challenging me to a brawl, and I was looking for its weak points.

I'm not sure how many minutes passed before I took the courage to pull the knob again. The door creaked open and I slowly stepped inside, shutting the door behind me.

She's at home now. In my house. In a big and suitable bedroom for a Walker princess.

She's already tucked in, and she's backing me so I can't tell if she's asleep or not. It'd be great if she were asleep—

“Daddy?” She turned around and beamed.

“Baby girl.” I didn't know where the excitement in my voice came from. It wasn't there ten seconds ago.

She quickly got on her feet and jumped into my arms, squealing so hard.

“Daddy! I missed you so much!”

God, I should have come sooner. I'm so stupid.

These tiny arms wrapped around my neck were more therapeutic than any real therapy session could be. It's caressing my aching heart, whispering a little ray of happiness into it.

Her good vibes are contagious. I suddenly feel so alive.

“I missed you more, baby.” I kissed her full, curled hair. She's such a beauty, it hurts. How can such a girl be of mixed blood? She's everything a rogue isn't. I wanna think it's possible she didn't inherit my rogue blood.

“What took you so long?” She pouted, staring at my face.

I went to sit on the couch, steadying her on my thigh as I thought of the perfect lie. Leo's advice.

“I had to meet with some men.”

“Why?”

“Uh, we had business. Good business.”

“So you weren't going to bring Mummy back?” Her eyes were beginning to take a sad form.

“Why, of course I did.” I blurted out just so she wouldn't get upset. “Your Mummy will be here soon. She's just attending to something in a neighboring Pack. Like a good Luna would.”

I was yapping now and it was working because she seemed relaxed.

She nodded with a smile and rested her head on my chest.

“I wanna go home.” She sounded sad again.

“Home? This is your home, baby.”

She shook her head. “No. I wanna go back home.”

“Switzerland?”

“Yes, Daddy. Why don't we go back already? I hate it here.”

I caressed her little, fragile body, as her words sank into my heart.

Same, baby. I hate it here too. After so much agony and loss, I'd give anything to leave and never return.

“Let's go back home, Daddy. You, me, and Mummy. We'll be happier there. I promise.” She leaned up, smiling. Her hand was raised like she was taking an oath.

It sounds kinda crazy, but I'm tempted to take her up on that offer. Moving permanently to Switzerland away from this mess. It doesn't sound so bad.

And she says we'll be happy. She'd know that because she's a happy child who radiates happy, positive energy. So she knows exactly where those energies are.

“I really hope so.” I smiled and kissed her puffy, rosy cheek. She giggled. God, she's just like Elena. I got the prettiest woman for real. But she's still in Declan's custody and I need to get her back.
I keep reminding myself of that every day.

“So we're going?” Her eyes were wide and hopeful. I'd be a demon to crush that.

“Sure. When your Mummy comes, we'll go there. All three of us.”

Hopefully, there's gonna be something for me there. Something that's gonna help me forget and start life anew.

“Just three of us, Daddy? What about Grandpa and Aunty Tracy?”

“They'll visit. Occasionally. But wouldn't it be nice if it's just all three of us, as one big, happy family?”

I’ve lived my life with friends, and I hate to admit it, but I've grown tired and exhausted by it.

What I want now is to be alone with my family. Away from the drama, from the chaos. From the constant need to put my ass at risk in the course of saving theirs.

I need a break from them. As ugly as that sounds, I really do need a break. I'm sure they'll be fine without me. They gotta be. Because I'm not gonna come running to save them all the way from Switzerland. I'm not gonna do that.

I don't care how selfish that sounds. It's about time I became selfish. It's long overdue. I'm fucking drained.

“I’d love that so much!” Claire admitted, grinning ear to ear.

“Really?”

“Yup. Thank you, Daddy. I love you!” She pulled me into a hug. I held her tightly, basking in the warmth her tiny hug gave me. It's better than nothing. It's a million times better than locking myself up in my study and sulking all day.

“Psst!” The irritating sound was coming from my mind-link. Leo. Vince, can you hear me?

What do you want? Didn't you ask me to come spend time with my daughter?

Sure. But you need to come see who's here.

Who?

Declan.

What?

And he's not alone. He brought Elena.

I jerked out of the couch like I'd experienced a sharp spasm. Good thing I didn't drop my daughter.

“Where are you going, Daddy?”

“Outside. Go to bed.” I carried her bridal style to her bed and kissed her forehead. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you, Daddy.” She said in a singsong tone.

Brisk steps took me out of the room. I met Leo waiting a few feet away from the door.

“Tell me you're not kidding.” But then again, it's already too late for him to tell me that. I'm already disorganised by the news. My heart is thumping really hard. I'm all shades of excited.

If he tells me he's kidding, I might be tempted to behead him.

“I'm not kidding. He's on the front porch.”

We hurried outside, and he was really here. Alone. With no army. In his arms was an unconscious Elena. My heart caved in at the sight of her. All the emotions I've been struggling to bottle down came kicking in instantly.

“What did you do to her?” I growled out, ready to tear him into shreds.