Shenanigans (Complete)

Daddy Issues

Marc's POV

I watched her whole body language fall at the mention of her father. I was a bit disturbed by it. The passionate, and hot-tempered girl went. A shell of a woman exposed for all to see. I didn't like it. "Luca, that happens all the time?" I throw my head where Holly had been.

"Yep, that is the one person you can mention that will make her crash hard." Luca shakes his head. "I use to hear the things he would tell her as I helped her get him in the car. No one should hear them." Luca shook a bit.

"How pissed would she be if I showed up to help her?" I asked him glancing at the door.

"Her dad in the mix, she will fight but, know that it won't be like normal. She may even cry." Luca stood casting a questioning glance. "Why would you want to?"

"She has gotten under my skin," I grunt finishing my beer. I needed to run something past Ben and Clint.

"I guessed that," Luca leaned forwarded. "But you're not here very long, so why?"

"I hate seeing what he does to her." Standing I eye the Sheriffs. "See you later." I nod to Luca.

************

The next morning I make the drive on my bike up the main road to the side gate that leads down to her place. I drive up to her gate to see her big white dog barking and growling. Turning the engine off, I call the dog over as I wait for her to show up.

"Well, that is new." I hear her voice as she walks up to the gate chainsaw in hand as she watching her dog getting scratches.

"Never had a dog that didn't like me," I smirk.

"Why are you here?" She shoots back. I can see she is hiding her upset and frustration.

"Came out to help with dear old dad." I swing off the bike. Taking steps toward her. The closer I get the more I know she can't fight it.

"Why?" She sighs, her eyes tell me everything. She doesn't want to do it alone but she knows he is mean.

"Think of it as another layer of protection." Giving her my best smile.

"Until you leave." She mumbles turning around and going the way she came.

Grabbing her wrist, I pull her back. Taking control of the chainsaw, "We will get to that bridge eventually for now let's get through today." There is a soft force in my words that seems to settle in her eyes. She wants to fight me on this but just doesn't have it.

"Fine," her body sags, pulling in closer I wrap the arm I had around her. I can feel her lean into my warmth. "A crutch for now." leaning her head on my chest a few moments. My chest tightens. This woman is getting under my skin. I know I am in trouble of catching feelings. I needed to stay away. But I keep getting sucked in. "Where is the wood that needs loading?" Looking at the top of her head.

************

A few cussing sessions with the chainsaw and a truck bed of wood later, I am sitting in her work truck as we drive the dusty road toward her father's place. She has been silent. When I came to tell her the wood was done she was making fry bread. It smelled delicious. She made me a sandwich and packed up all that yummy into big Ziploc bags. We had been driving an hour silently. I had no reason to talk and it seemed she didn't want to either.

"My father is mean, he may even try to hit you." She broke the silence as we got onto a smaller road.

"Eh, no biggie." I shrug looking out the window. "Was in prison long enough to not care what people say." Giving her a wink.

"What were you in prison for?" Her voice is soft. But you can see the curiosity in her eyes.

"Stupid kid issues, and beating a man I thought took advantage of my woman. " Glancing at her to make sure she knew it was the truth.

"Your woman must be waiting." She seemed choked at this.

"Nope," I look back at her, "she chose him not me," I smirk.

"People are stupid," She huffs to no one.

"Indeed they are." Agreeing with her.

"Around this corner, your gonna see my biggest fear." I see tears in her eyes. "Please don't tell anyone." A few tears spill over her cheeks. She wipes them away quickly. Shaking her head and body, taking a deep breath I see her put on a mask to hide behind.

That did it, she is officially under my skin good. Damn it, I should have kept my space. But my moth to trouble just found something new to play with. I shook my head, glancing up I seen a run-down shack near a well and a few outbuildings.

Holly pulled the truck near the side of the house. Effectively placing her next to the house and me to the outside.

"About time you show up." I hear the male voice say.

"Dad I brought you some fry bread." She replies. Closing the door I walk around to see an older man, tall, wide in the shoulders but hollowed out.

"Who the hell is this?" The frail-looking man puffs trying to intimidate.

"Hired hand," I grunt. "Where does the wood go?" Glancing at Holly.

"The shed near your side of the truck." Her voice was soft and almost weak.

Not using words, I walk to the tailgate, drop it and yank the wheelbarrow out. Loading it, listening all the time to what he says.

"This fry bread is awful." He growls. "How hard is it to make it right." Complaining but yet still eating it I notice.

"Sorry dad," she says as she passes him with another load of groceries.

"You are just as worthless as any other woman." Still eating, another piece of fry bread. "Did you bring my Alcohol?" He snaps out of the blue.

"No dad, they check my bags when I drove in." She sighs, her eyes I notice not even meeting his.

"Likely because you have that young buck there with you." Throwing his mixed black and grey hair my way.

"No dad, they know I am your daughter." She grabs more food to bring inside.

"Bullshit, you just don't want to admit to me you are a f**k up." He huffs grabbing another piece of fry bread.

My anger is slowly building. Taking everything in my power to not go over there and slap the old man around. I would hurt him. He is withering away. Mostly just bones and skin where muscle had been. I can see him for the sad and angry man he has become. I was the same first few years I landed in prison. This was a broke man. A woman had ripped his heart out and left it to rot. You could see he was taking it out on his daughter. Not fair at all. I was mad for Holly. It wasn't her fault.