“Nobody’s taking me anywhere, sweetheart. We haven’t done anything wrong.”
But his eyes were already calculating exits. Watching the officers’ hands.
The lead officer approached slowly. “Sir, we’ve received some concerns—”
“I have legal documentation,” Bear interrupted, reaching carefully for his wallet, moving slow so nobody got nervous. He pulled out a laminated court document and handed it over.
What that document said would explain why this dangerous-looking biker and this innocent little girl met at McDonald’s every single Saturday without fail, why she called him Uncle Bear despite sharing no blood, and why he’d die before letting anyone stop these meetings…
The officer read the document. His expression changed. He looked at Bear, then at Lily, then back at the paper.
“You’re her father’s brother from the Marines?”
Bear nodded. “We served three tours together in Afghanistan. He saved my life twice. I saved his once. When he was dying, I made him a promise.”
The manager had crept closer, trying to hear. Other customers pretended to eat while obviously listening.
“Her father was killed in action?” the officer asked softly.
