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"And my Little side?" I asked hesitantly. "What if that happens again, like for days?"
Daddy's expression softened. "Then I'll be your Daddy for as long as you need me to be. No judgment, no expectations. Just care."
Something warm unfurled in my chest at his words. "You'd do that? Even if I decided we shouldn't be... together romantically?"
"Yes," he said without hesitation. "That part of you deserves protection and nurturing, regardless of what happens between us as adults."
I nodded, oddly comforted by his certainty. "Can we just... stay like this for a while? I need time to think."
"Of course," Daddy agreed, settling back against the headboard and drawing me closer. "Take all the time you need."
As I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart, I felt strangely calm despite everything. "I guess it's karma in a way."
"Karma?" Daddy queried.
"I was a grade-A bitch to any submissive I thought was a threat, especially a Little, in the club in Charlotte. Rowan was a sweetheart and I was a bully. I wanted the Dom he eventually ended up with. So I suppose I deserve everything." And it was true, and I knew in my heart eventually Daddy would realize that as well.
Chapter fourteen
Novo
I froze at Matty'sconfession, my heart clenching at the self-loathing in his voice. "That's not how karma works," I said firmly. "No one deserves to have someone try to kill them. No one."
Matty shrugged against my chest, not meeting my eyes. "I was horrible to Rowan. Just because I wanted his Dom to notice me instead."
"And now?" I asked carefully. "Would you do the same thing today?"
He shook his head immediately. "God, no. I was insecure and jealous. I didn't understand... I didn't know what it was like."
"Then you've already changed," I pointed out, tilting his chin up so he'd look at me. "We've all done things we regret. That doesn't mean we deserve punishment."
Matty's eyes searched mine, looking for judgment he wouldn't find. "How can you be so understanding?"
"Because I see you," I said simply. "Not just who you were, but who you are. And who you're becoming."
A small, hesitant smile touched his lips, then his belly rumbled loudly and I grinned. “Seems like someone needs feeding.”
Matty flushed. "I suppose I need a shower."
I nodded, releasing him reluctantly. I wanted to help, but this Matty was independent. He wouldn’t want me washing his hair and soaping him.
As Matty disappeared into the bathroom, I pulled on a shirt and headed to the kitchen, my mind racing with everything that had happened. I'd finally told him the truth about my connection to Coombes, and instead of the anger or betrayal I'd expected, he'd responded with a kind of understanding I wasn't sure I deserved.
And then there was that moment of vulnerability—his confession about bullying another Little. The self-recrimination in his voice had hit me hard. Matty carried wounds that went deeper than I'd realized.
I was pulling ingredients from the refrigerator when my phone buzzed. Jono.
"Yeah?" I answered, keeping my voice low.
"We've got movement," Jono said without preamble. "Coombes made three calls after leaving you. One to a burner phone we can't trace, one to his lawyer, and one to the bank."
My grip tightened on the phone. "He's moving money."
"Looks that way," Jono confirmed. "Digger's watching the accounts we have access to. So far, nothing unusual, but we're on alert."
"He's planning something," I said, glancing toward the hallway where I could still hear the shower running. "Keep eyes on him."
"Already done. How's Matty?"