Page 65 of Double Daddies (Dirty Daddies Anthologies #8)

Chapter One

Nora

“Are you still thinking about having two Daddies?” Lainey asks.

I clench my jaw before looking at her and shake my head. “No, I’m not.”

Lainey’s shoulders drop, and she relaxes into her chair. “Good. I don’t know what you were thinking, bringing that up with Mateo the other day. I was worried he was going to blow up.”

Mateo had blown up when we got home. It wasn’t pretty. All the words he called me behind closed doors should never be repeated. I’d gotten the gist of what he was saying.

Your desires were wrong . You’re disgusting for wanting to be with two people. Everything about you is disgusting.

But, deep down, I know those things aren’t true. I long to belong to two Daddies; I’ve read about them in so many books. It just speaks to my soul.

“I was worried about you. It’s probably just the books you’re reading, which you need to stop, by the way. They aren’t good for you. I mean, having two Daddies? Having a man you call Daddy?” Lainey shivers, looking disgusted.

“Yeah, right?” I force a chuckle, though I don’t agree with her at all.

I never should have said something about wanting a Daddy in front of Lainey and Mateo. It was a mistake, one I wish I could take back, but I can’t.

“How are you and Mateo doing?” Lainey asks. “Do you know when he is going to propose to you?”

Shaking my head, I look away. Mateo and I have been dating for the past year. We’d gotten really close until I spoke about my desires. I mentioned to him before that I wanted this type of relationship, but he’d always brushed it off and said I didn’t really want it.

“Nora?” Lainey places her hand on my shoulder. “You know when he’s going to propose to you? You lucky bitch. Don’t withhold anything. I want all of the details. Now.”

My phone rings before I can say a word, and my shoulders bunch in anticipation. Looking down at the call, I realize it isn’t Mateo, it’s Whiskey Mountain Lodge.

“I need to take this,” I whisper, standing and walking away.

After answering the phone, I place it against my ear as I look over at Lainey. Her eyes are trained on me, narrowed as I pace back and forth.

“Hello, is this Nora Robins?” a deep voice asks through the phone.

I quiver, wrapping my left arm around my stomach. “This is she,” I softly reply.

“Hi, Nora, this is Elijah from Whiskey Mountain Lodge. We have your application to come here later tonight or tomorrow.”

Nerves run through my body as I hold my breath.

People who want to stay at Whiskey Mountain Lodge need to fill out an application form before they are accepted.

From what the website said, it can take up to two weeks for them to go through your application since they also do a background check on everyone who applies.

I put a note on the email saying I really needed to get away, hoping it would help speed up the process.

“Nora, are you there?” Elijah asks.

“Sorry.” I wince. “I am. That is correct. I know it’s very last minute, but?—”

“Can I ask why you need to get away from things? Are you in danger?”

My whole body stills, and I suck in a breath of air. Lainey stands and takes a step toward me, but I shake my head, holding my hand up. “St-stay there. I’m good,” I call out.

Her eyes narrow on me, and I give her a forced smile, hoping it will smoothe things over. I didn’t think I was going to get a call so soon, especially not when I was with Lainey.

Mateo and Lainey are siblings. I was friends with Lainey before I even met or developed feelings for Mateo, but she still teases me about being friends with her to get to her brother.

“Nora, little bit. Are you safe?” Elijah asks.

“Yes, sorry. I was talking to a friend,” I rush out. “Umm, do I have to tell you why I need to go there? It’s a vacation?” It comes out more like a question, and tears pool in my eyes. “Shit. Sorry. I’m not in danger.”

That I know of.

Mateo had gotten really angry the other night when we got home, but he hadn’t physically harmed me. What if I brought it up again or he saw the books I read? Would he do it then?

“I’m pleased that you aren’t in any danger. I do need to know why you need to come so soon. It was one of the questions that you forgot to fill out,” he gently says.

My breathing picks up when he says that. Should I be truthful and tell him that two people close to me are humiliating me and that I need to get away for a little bit?

“Breathe, little bit,” he gently says.

I suck in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper. “I… This …this was a mistake. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t.” His voice is short. “Don’t you dare apologize. You’re okay. Just take your time and tell me why.”

I close my eyes and take several deep breaths before opening them. Lainey is still looking at me, so many different emotions written across her face. I smile and give her a thumbs-up.

“I just need to get away from everything. I… Some things have happened, and I just need a breather from everyone around me,” I whisper honestly, turning my back to Lainey.

Sure, I didn’t tell him why I needed to get away, but he doesn’t need to know that.

“Nora, who are you talking to?” Lainey is standing immediately behind me.

I scream and turn around, placing my hand over my heart as I stare at Lainey.

“Nora?” Elijah asks over the phone.

“Who are you talking to that is so important? Hang up so we can talk. We only have a little time left.” Lainey points to our stuff at the table.

“It’s work,” I lie. “It’s really important and can’t wait. I’ll only be a couple more minutes. You go sit down and order another drink for both of us. Sweet tea for me with a little ice, please.”

Lainey stares at me. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. It’s really important. I might have to leave the country for a couple of weeks,” I say, lying once again.

But I can’t help it. I don’t want her to know where I am planning on going and have her tell my boyfriend, her brother. I don’t want them to show up.

“Leave again?” Lainey asks. “I don’t know how Mateo is going to react to that. You just got back a week ago.”

“I know, but no one else can do it. They know I have a connection with people and they want me to go. It also helps that I’m a girl. Everyone else is a super tall, intimidating guy.”

“Fine. I’ll go get our drinks, but you owe me,” Lainey replies before turning around.

How do I owe her?

“Lying isn’t nice, little bit,” Elijah says.

“Shit. I forgot you were on the phone,” I whisper. “It was necessary.”

“Tell me about it.”

“I can’t.”

“Little bit,” he growls.

“She’s one of the reasons why I’m trying to get away. I can’t have her knowing.” I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

“Oh, little bit. What have you gotten yourself into?”

I choke back a sob. I don’t know the full extent of what I have gotten myself into. Is it just a simple scolding from my friend and boyfriend, or will it to turn into more?

“Everything is going to be okay. Have you read the contract and understood everything in it?” Elijah asks.

“Y-yes,” I reply.

“Can you come tonight?”

I pull my phone away from my face to check the time. Will I be able to get there on my own?

“Umm, I don’t know. Maybe. I need to see if the cab can drop me off there at night since I’m an hour away,” I whisper toward the end.

“Cab?” he asks. “You’re taking a cab?”

“Yes, I am.”

“What about your car?”

“Don’t have one.”

I’ve been saving up for one, but I’ve never really needed it. Not when the building I work in is only a couple blocks away from my house. And whenever I’ve needed to go somewhere farther away, I’ve taken a cab or Lainey or Mateo drive me there.

“No, you aren’t taking a cab,” he declares.

“Then I won’t be able to come. Not unless you want me to walk. That will take days to get there,” I point out.

“I’ll come pick you up.”

My whole body freezes as his words hit my ears.

“Nora?”

“You don’t need to do that. Just let me call to the cab company, and I’ll let you know if I can make it tonight or tomorrow.”

“No. Unacceptable. I’m picking you up. Send me your address, and I’ll be there in an hour. Does that give you enough time?”

My mouth drops open.

“Does it give you enough time, little bit? It might be closer to an hour and a half, but I’ll be there soon. Send me your address. Understand?”

“Yes,” I whisper before I can stop myself.

“Good girl. Now, go have the drink with the person you’re with and then go home and pack for the week. We have laundry stuff here,” he explains. “I’ll be in contact with you.”

Before I can say anything, he hangs up, and I’m left staring at my phone.

“Come on, Nora! The drinks just got here,” Lainey yells.

Shaking off the feeling of want for Elijah, I walk over to the table and sit down. “Sorry about that. I need to get back to my apartment and pack. I’m leaving in about an hour.”

Lainey groans. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. You need to find a new job. One where you aren’t traveling as much so you can spend more time with me and Mateo.”

“I love this job. I’m not changing it.” I stand my ground.

When I started at the company, it was a small online blog, which was getting more popular as the days went by.

Now, we travel around the world and meet up with different people, documenting their stories.

My most recent trip was to North Carolina to interview a family who went from nothing to owning their own farm and providing for their family and others.

“Mateo will want you to quit once you guys get married,” Lainey announces, taking a sip of her drink.

“I’ve got to go pack. Here’s the money for my drinks. I’ll see you when I get back.” I place the money on the table and walk away without turning back to look at Lainey.

I haul my backpack over my shoulder and grab my smaller duffel bag. My phone lights up with a message from Elijah.

E.

Be there in fifteen minutes.

After opening my door, I step out of my apartment and lock it. I told Elijah to meet me at a small gas station a couple of minutes away from my apartment so Lainey wouldn’t be able to see who was picking me up and tell Mateo.

“There you are. Lainey told me you were leaving soon. Where are you going?” Mateo asks.

My whole body freezes, and my heart lurches into my mouth. “Shit,” I whisper. I was hoping to get away before Mateo found out.

“I’m going on a work trip,” I say, plastering a smile on my face as I turn toward him.

“To where? For how long?” he asks.

How have I not realized how controlling he is before this? How have I not realized he wants me to tell him everything, but he won’t tell me much himself?

“Just to Missouri. There is a farm that I am going to visit since it is an attraction and becoming more popular. It might take me a week or two. My boss told me to pack for a week,” I explain.

At some point, I do need to go to Missouri and interview Gene, the owner of The Little Farm. It’s been on my list for the past several months, but I just haven’t figured out a good time to visit or even asked him if it’s okay.

“No, you aren’t going,” Mateo growls.

I step toward the stairs and away from him. “Sorry, but it’s my job.”

Mateo grabs my wrist, squeezing before I can get away from him. “You aren’t going. You just got back. I’ll tell your boss you aren’t going.”

I yank my wrist out of his hand, wincing as it throbs. “No, you can’t and won’t do that.”

I rush down the stairs, praying I can make it outside before he says anything else. My hands touch the door before I hear Mateo right behind me.

“You aren’t going anywhere, bitch!” he yells. “You’re staying here with me where I know you won’t be fucking two men at once.”

I turn, rage coursing through my body. “I would never cheat on you. You know that.”

I walk out of the building and make my way toward the gas station. I don’t know how much time I have left, and I don’t want them asking me any questions.

“You could have been sleeping with men on all your trips,” Mateo shouts.

I place my bag on the ground and turn around, prodding my finger into his chest. “I have never, and I would never. But just so you don’t have to worry about it, I’m breaking up with you. We’re done. I no longer want to be with you. We’re over.”

I don’t give him time to say anything before I grab my bag and run toward the gas station, hoping and praying that Elijah is there.

“Nora?” someone calls out.

When I look to my left, there’s a man getting out of the passenger side of an older truck.

“Nora Robins? I’m Elijah,” he says.

I rush over to him, turning my head to see if Mateo is anywhere, but I don’t see him. “I… Please…” I gasp for breath.

He grabs my duffel bag, pulling my backpack off before helping me into the truck. I slide to the middle of the bench as Elijah gets in after me.

“Breathe,” another deep voice croons.

Screaming, I push my body toward Elijah’s and look at a broad, muscular man in the driver's seat.

“Hello, darling.” His voice fills the cab.