Page 79 of Double Daddies (Dirty Daddies Anthologies #8)

Chapter Thirteen

Nora

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, looking down at my hands. “I’m really trying. I have been. It’s not you, it’s definitely me.”

Scarlett has tried to get me to leave the living room, but I can’t. I know it’s been hours since Papa and Daddy left, but I keep looking at the door, waiting for them to walk through it.

Tears pool in my eyes as I start to feel worse. “I didn’t mean to ruin the day,” I wail.

“Shhh, Nora,” Scarlett gently says. “You’re okay.”

I shake my head. “I’ve just been so worried about them and what could happen to them. What job are they going on? Are they safe? Who do they work for, and why did they look nervous? And all those things have ruined today with you.”

“It’s really okay. I would be the same way if Daddy told me that. I know we haven’t known each other long, but you’re okay. We’ll have another day when we can play together. This isn’t the only time,” Scarlett explains. “Pinky-promise. They’re sacred.”

She grabs hold of my pinky with hers, locking the promise in place.

“I just can’t stop worrying.” I wipe away the tears. “I am constantly worrying, waiting for them to come back through the doors, but they haven’t yet. What if something has happened?”

“They would have texted Daddy. They would have texted the group chat to get reinforcements,” Scarlett says.

“But they are who knows how far away from me! I can’t have anything happen to Papa and Daddy. I love them,” I confess. “I love them so much. If anything happened to them, I don’t know what I would do with myself.”

“We love you, too.” Papa’s voice fills the room.

“And now I’m hearing Papa’s voice. I’m going crazy,” I whisper, my eyes wide as I stare at her. “I think I need to get checked out. See if I’m really okay or if I’m dying.”

“Uhh, Nora.” She points behind me.

I turn around and make eye contact with Papa. My mouth hangs open as I stare at them before tears run down my face.

“Aww, little bit,” Daddy gently says, walking up to me.

He picks me up with ease, and I snuggle into his chest, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding him tight. Papa comes up behind me, rubbing my back.

“Shhh, you’re okay,” Papa whispers. “We’re right here, and we’re not going anywhere. We’ve got you.”

I push my face into Daddy’s neck, crying as I let everything out. He holds me for what seems like forever, Papa rubbing my back to calm me down.

“We’re going to go home,” Daddy says to Thorin and Scarlett. “We’ll see you later.”

“Bye, Nora!” Scarlett yells.

I don’t have the energy to say anything right now, so I don’t. Scarlett has to understand. She saw me freaking out the whole time they were gone.

“We’re back, and we aren’t going anywhere.” Papa holds my hand.

I stay in Daddy’s arms as they walk back to the cabin. I’m calmer by the time we get to the cabin, Daddy sits me on the couch before squatting in front of me and holding my hand.

“I’m sorry we had to leave so suddenly and leave you with Thorin and Scarlett.” Daddy squeezes my hand.

“We didn’t want to, but it was the only opportunity we had,” Papa explains.

“For what?” I whisper. “What was so important?”

“Showing Mateo that he can’t mess with you anymore.” Papa sits beside me.

I blink several times. “What did you do?”

“Showed him and Lainey we are your men and aren’t going anywhere. Told them not to message you anymore or say anything.” Daddy smiles.

“You hurt both of them?” I whisper.

“Just Mateo, but we did threaten Lainey, so she won't do anything.” Papa runs his hand up and down my thigh.

“Who do you work for?” I ask.

They look at each other for several seconds, not saying anything.

“I need to know,” I desperately say. “I need to know who else you work for.”

“We’re part of the Ricci Crime Family based in New York,” Papa says, looking directly into my eyes. “Almost all of us who work at Whiskey River Mountain Lodge are part of it.”

My mouth hangs open. I have heard about that group several times when researching for blog posts. I never dared interview them since they are a criminal organization. I never wanted to get on their bad side and make my life difficult or end up dead.

“Rogan wanted us here to have a presence. This is also one of his legitimate companies, so if people sniff around, they will find something legal,” Daddy explains.

“Wh-what?” I whisper, trying to wrap my brain around everything.

“ Almost everything we do is legal,” Papa gently says. “Every once in a while, Rogan will need us to do something that isn’t necessarily legal.”

“Illegal,” I murmur.

“Yes, illegal. But it’s not often.” Daddy gives me a small smile.

“And Mateo and Lainey?” I ask, looking between them both.

For some reason, I’m not screaming or running for the hills. Maybe it’s because I’m in shock… or maybe it’s because, deep down, I find it hot that they do things like this.

I’m sick.

Something is wrong with me.

“Revenge. He should have never messed with our girl,” Papa deadpans. “Both of them needed to know who they were messing with, so they won't’ do it again.”

Heat fills me as he says those words. They were doing it for me.

Me .

Their girl .

“You like that?” Daddy asks.

I nod.

“Words, little bit,” Daddy purrs.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Such a good girl.” Papa kisses the side of my head.

“How do you feel about everything?” Daddy asks.

“I don’t know,” I reply honestly.

“Talk it out,” Papa suggested. “Give us the unfiltered version.”

I take a deep breath and nod. “I know I should be afraid and running in the opposite direction of you. I’ve heard about the Ricci Crime Family.

I know most rumors are exaggerated to make it worse than it is, but sometimes it isn’t.

I was getting to know you guys before I found out that you were part of it.

I got to see the real you before it clouded my vision.

” I suck in a breath and continue, “If you would have told me the first day, I would have left, no matter what. But now, I can’t help but not care.

Sure, I don’t particularly like it, but you guys have treated me like a princess, like yours.

I have fallen in love with the real you.

I don’t know if any of this makes any sense, but I’m happy with you two.

You being in the Ricci Crime Family isn’t going to change it. ”

I look between both of them, trying to search their faces for something. I know they were asking my opinion, but what if they told me they were part of the Ricci Crime Family to make me want to leave?

“Good,” Daddy says. “We weren’t going to give you an option if you wanted to leave, but knowing you don’t makes it easier on us.”

I giggle and lean forward, placing my head on his chest. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he whispers, kissing the top of my head.

“What about me?” Papa asks.

I turn my head, holding my hand out as he grabs it. “I love you too, I guess.”

“Brat,” he mumbles. “I love you.”