Page 115

“Daddy loves you.” I finish and click off as she waves and smiles.

I hit the button to start the computer, trying to find a comfortable position for working where my hard-on isn’t trying to poke me in the face. How am I supposed to concentrate on figuring out the media nightmare the company is in right now when all I can think about is what I just saw on my phone?

I want to call her back and order her to do it all over again. Or get my driver to run me home so I can bend her over the kitchen table and fuck her so hard she’ll feel it for the rest of her life.

As I start to open my email, my phone buzzes again. I almost don’t answer it because, shit, whoever it is, they can wait. But when I look at the screen and see that it’s another message from her, all work is forgotten.

Lennie:There’s way too much food here. The cook said she had strict orders to make it for me as soon as I came down, but it’s too much.

Me:There’s the right amount of food. You have to eat a decent breakfast. Avocado toast is great, and you’ve got some right there, but I want you to drink the orange juice, eat the eggs and bacon, and take your vitamins and meds. You’ll be starting your period in a couple of days so there’s extra iron caps there.

I left her vitamins out on the counter, with her usual meds and the ibuprofen next to a glass of water. Lennie always thought it was her mom’s idea for her to start the vitamins, but it was me. It was all me. From the moment she became my daughter, I knew I had to protect her from everything, make her life as easy as possible, and ensure she’s taken care of every second of every day.

Lennie:You track my periods better than I do.

Me:Damn right. But that might be the last period you have for a while.

Lennie:Huh?

I hesitate, hovering over the keyboard. How much should I tell her? How much of a shock can she take right now?

If I’ve done my job right, she won’t be having any periods for the next nine months.

Me:Never mind. When you’re done eating, I want you to come to the office. Mark and the driver are waiting outside. We need a debrief from last night.

Lennie:What? Are you sure I need to be there? What will people think?

Me:I’m the only person you need to worry about. You do as Daddy says and be a good girl. You know I’ll always look after you.

Lennie:But I don’t need to be there. I’m not even really an agent, am I?

Me:You’ll be here, baby. We have nothing to hide. I want you here. Mark will bring you in from the back entrance, so you won’t have to see anyone else until you’re with me. Then you’ll sit next to me and nobody will so much as look at you the wrong way. You trust me?

Lennie:Yes, I trust you.

Me:Good girl. Finish up and get your hot little ass in the car. See you soon.

From the second she walked in the conference room door, I’ve been on edge. I know I have to let her pass by other people and get herself a coffee. But she’s been in the room now for a whole minute, and I don’t have her by my side.

I’m clenching and unclenching my fists, but it’s not helping.

She smiles at the barista as he makes her latte, and I want to punch him just for seeing that smile. Every smile belongs to me from now on.

When he smiles back, it’s all I can do to clutch the edge of the table like it’s a fucking anchor.

“Shall we start?” Davis murmurs from beside me. “I think everyone’s here.”

I growl. “Not everyone is seated.”

“It’s your call, brother, but I don’t see why Lennie had to be here. This is a company issue.”

“And she’s a part of this company.”

“I get that, but—”

“Just let her get her fucking coffee. Then we’ll…”

I trail off as I watch the barista turn while she’s distracted by something out of the window. And I don’t miss the way his eyes lock onto her ass.