Defending Morgan (Mountain Mercenaries #3)(50)

“How dare you both,” Dave hissed at the couple. “Your daughter coming home is a fucking miracle, and you’re standing here bickering at each other like five-year-olds. I don’t care what your history is, you should at least be civil to each other at a time like this.”

“You’re right,” Ellie said, dropping the bitter edge to her voice, her shoulders sagging. “Having Morgan back is a miracle, and I’m more than happy she’s here. I’ve just been so stressed and worried. Nothing is more important than having my baby home.”

“Except maybe missing out on your own five minutes of fame since you weren’t invited to the press conference,” Morgan’s dad said under his breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Enough!” Dave said once more. “For God’s sake! You two are what’s wrong with the world today. Out. Get. Out.”

“But I wanted to talk to Morgan,” Carl argued.

“You had your chance,” Ellie said. “She’s going home with me to Albuquerque tonight. I’ll make sure she’s not left alone for one second. I’ll make sure she’s safe.”

Carl looked over to Morgan then. “Seriously? You need to come home to Atlanta, honey. I’ll put you up in an apartment in my building. There’s a doorman and everything. You’ll be safe there.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t go with either one of you,” Morgan said evenly. “I’m sick of the two of you acting like babies. You got divorced decades ago. You need to start acting like adults and stop pulling at me like two dogs with a bone.”

Dave nodded at Black and Ball and walked to the door of the bar. He opened it as the other two men grabbed hold of Morgan’s parents’ arms.

“Hey, let go of me!” Carl protested.

Ellie turned to her daughter as she was being led to the door. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’ll do better, I promise! I just . . . I’ve missed you so much, and I need to know you’re all right. Please reconsider coming with me. I won’t say anything about your father. I swear.”

“Morgan will be in touch,” Dave told Ellie. “She’s staying the night here in Colorado Springs, and you two can be on your way tomorrow. I suggest you both chill out and think about Morgan for once in your lives. If she decides to stay here, know that she’ll have all the protection she needs. If she decides to go with you to New Mexico, Ms. Jernigan—and that’s a big if—you had better be prepared to be there for her one hundred percent. I recommend you spend your evenings thinking about what your daughter has been through and how you can best help her, rather than what’s most convenient for you.”

And with that, Black and Ball gave both adults a gentle shove out the door, and Dave closed it in their faces. He turned around and walked straight to Morgan.

She was standing next to Arrow with her eyes wide and an embarrassed look on her face.

Dave came up to her and pulled her into his embrace without a word. Arrow didn’t see any fear of the older man, or anything that showed she didn’t want Dave’s hug. She closed her eyes and rested her cheek on his chest.

“I’m sorry about that, hon,” Dave said.

Morgan shrugged in his embrace. “It’s okay. It’s not the first time I’ve seen them fight, and it won’t be the last.”

“They should be there for you,” Dave protested, not ready to give it up.

Morgan pulled back a bit and looked up at the older man. “They’ve been like that my entire life. The more time that went by since they divorced, the worse they got. It’s like they both refuse to give up the anger they have toward each other. I don’t get it, but I’ve learned to deal with it. Besides, they’re not always like that. My mom is generally pretty clingy. Once my dad leaves, she’ll go back to her normal loving self.”

“Still.” Dave sighed. “I’m sorry. And you are a miracle. I know you must’ve gone through hell, but you’re here. You can deal with anything that happened because you’re alive. Remember that.” Then he turned to Arrow. “You guys done?”

“Yeah, we’re done for now.”

“Good. Morgan needs a drink,” Dave announced. Then he transferred Morgan into Arrow’s arms and spun and headed for his bar.

“He’s a little intense,” Morgan noted quietly when he’d taken several steps away.

“Actually, no, he’s not,” Arrow countered. “He’s usually very easygoing.”

“I don’t know how to feel about that,” she admitted.

“Special,” Arrow said. “You should feel special. Now . . . are you okay? I’m sorry about that back there.” He gestured to the back room with his head. “I should’ve realized that talking about your friends that way wasn’t cool.”

She immediately shook her head. “No, it’s okay. I just . . . I was just overwhelmed for a second. It’s not like I haven’t already thought all the things you guys were saying. I’ve had a year to think about my kidnapping and wonder ‘Why me?’ But I never would’ve guessed someone was paying those men to keep me there.”

“Um . . . do you guys know there’s a couple in the parking lot yelling at each other?” Allye asked as she entered the pool hall with Chloe.