Page 27 of Daddy’s Pursuit (The Daddy Guard #1)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Iris watched Elena and Macy take a running jump and then splash into the pool.

Some of the other Littles around cheered but then went back to their conversations and drinks.

“Hey, Iris,” Elena said. “You gonna get in?”

“Coming,” she replied.

She glanced around, curious if anyone was watching. She wasn’t a strong swimmer, as her upbringing hadn’t lent itself to many opportunities to be around pools and such.

But she could hold her own. She just didn’t want a lot of people watching. What she did was more akin to “dog-paddling” than actual swimming.

The thought made her smile as she thought of Benson. He would probably love this, being a golden retriever and all.

She wished he was there.

She wished Daddy was there.

It wasn’t just because she wanted to see him, either. Though she wanted to be with him every second now.

No, it was because two of the men she’d seen in that room were on the patio now, leaning against the house, their eyes trained on her.

Maybe they think I’m pretty or something.

She quickly dismissed that possibility. Daddy thought she was pretty, sure, but she didn’t know why. Love was blind, perhaps.

It seemed like something else with these two, as well. They were whispering to each other, their eyes piercing her, making it evident they were clearly discussing her.

She was very eager to jump in the water. At least then most of her body would be submerged and away from their prying eyes.

“Come on!” Elena encouraged.

“Yeah. The water is perfect!” Macy yelled.

It didn’t matter who was watching now. Iris was just eager to get away from those guys’ gazes and around her friends.

But when she wound up to run toward the pool, a hand took hold of her arm. Turning as much as she could in the grip, she saw the man who’d spoken to her had ahold of her.

“You look familiar,” he said. “Like someone I saw on TV yesterday.”

“I’ve never been on—” That’s when it hit her.

The helicopter chase and the various news broadcasts. There’d been so many reporters there! She’d thought it was cool at the time. Now, though, she wondered why this guy cared.

“So you’re Jack’s girl,” he growled. A menacing look cast in his predatory eyes.

Iris gasped. “Frank!”

He laughed, and in that moment, Iris swore he had fangs.

“In the flesh, honey. Now why don’t you come with me?” He yanked her roughly toward the house as he continued to speak. “It’s time we get nice and acquainted.”