Page 40 of Filthy Business

“Ignore him. I’m an utter delight,” his friend said, straightening his tie.

Daddy sat me on his lap while his friend introduced himself.

I already knew who he was.

Eight years of stalking Daddy had paid off.

We’d be married soon.

???

Daddy opened the door to my apartment.

It didn’t feel like home without him. He visited, but the clock was always ticking, and every goodbye scraped a little deeper. He said I needed my own space, but I didn’t want space—I wanted him. I missed his hands on me, his mouth, his scent on the sheets. I missed him telling me I was his good girl. I missed the way he ruined me and held me after.

I stepped inside with Daddy behind me. When I turned around, he was on one knee, holding the largest, most vibrant yellow diamond glittering against the backdrop of black velvet.

“I stole your ring size from your jewellery box. Iris, I know it hasn’t been long, but will you do me the honour of becoming my wife? Let Daddy spoil you forever?”

I nodded because I couldn’t speak again.

He grabbed the ring and tossed the box somewhere. The ring was on my finger before I even heard the box skid to a stop.

Daddy sighed as he admired my ring, tilting it from one side to the other.

“I’m fucking so many babies inside you tonight,” he murmured.

I chortled at the most romantic proposal ever.

Fucked up—just like us.

At least he’d stopped pretending to forget about using a condom.

“How about I patch your hand up first? God knows what you might’ve caught off that leech,” I said as he stood.

“We need a marriage contract drawn up. I won’t survive if I don’t know where you are and who you’re with. I need you to be safe at all times, baby. I can’t lose you,” he said, standing up.

I wiped a stray tear away.

“As long as you never change, Daddy, I will always be by your side,” I whispered, feeling another tear slip free.

“Why would I change?” he asked, slipping his arms around my waist, enveloping me in his warmth.

Because you don’t know who I am—or what I’m here to accomplish.

I shook my head.

I wasn’t supposed to fall for Daddy. He wasn’t supposed to be sweet and caring.

I was here to make them burn.

To ruin them the way they ruined me.

To take away what they took from me.

???

I sat on the kitchen stool, replaying tonight’s events while Daddy washed and dressed his injured hand.