He was despicable. Like her father, the worst of the worst.

Thank goodness he wasn’t in Jax’s life. Logan couldn’t even imagine the kind of father he’d be. Far better to raise Jax on her own than have Jax growing up with a father who couldn’t, wouldn’t, love her.

And now, facing Rowan on the tarmac, Logan knew she’d made the right decision. Rowan might be a military hero—deadly in battle, formidable in a combat zone—but he was insensitive to the point of abusive and she’d never allow him near her daughter.

“You’re a mother?” he said.

She heard the bewildered note in his voice and liked it. She’d shocked him. Good. “Yes.”

His brow furrowed. “Where is she now?”

“At home.” Logan glanced at her watch. “Her sitter will leave at five. I need to be back by then.”

“You won’t be. You’re not going back.”

“And what about Jax? We’ll just leave her in a crib until you decide you’ll return me?”

His jaw worked, the small muscle near his ear pulling tight. “Drakon never mentioned a baby.”

Her heart did a double beat and her stomach heaved. “They don’t know.”

“What?”

“No one knows.”

“How can that be?”

“It might surprise you, but we don’t do big family reunions anymore.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “Who is her father?”

She laughed coolly. “I don’t think that’s any of your business, do you?”

He sighed. “What I meant is, can’t her father take her while you’re gone?”

“No.”

“I think you need to ask—”

“No.”

“Not a good relationship?”

She felt her lip curl. This would be funny if one enjoyed dark comedy. “An understatement if I ever heard one.”

“Can her sitter keep her?”

“No.” The very idea of anyone keeping Jax made Logan’s heart constrict. “I’ve never been away from her for a night. She’s a toddler...a baby...” Her voice faded and she dug her nails into her palms, waiting for Rowan to say something.

He didn’t. He stared at her hard.

She couldn’t read what he was thinking, but there was definitely something going on in that head, she could see it in his eyes, feel it in his tension. “I need to get home to her.” Her voice sounded rough. She battled to maintain control. “Especially if there are paparazzi at the house. I don’t want them doing anything—trying anything. I don’t want her scared.”

“Logan, I can’t let you anywhere near the house. I’m sorry.” He held up his hand when she started to protest. “I’ll get her. But you must promise to stay here.