Page 42 of Royal Bite

“Remove your hands from Miss Jaymes,” Desmond growled, placing a hand on the sword at his side.

Everyone within earshot of the table paused and glanced in their direction. Brandi stepped back, fear on her face.

“It’s quite all right, Desmond,” Stormey said. She rested a hand on his forearm. His muscles relaxed, and he glanced at her. “She was just thanking me for buying out her entire table.”

“What’s going on?” Corbin arrived, looking at all of them.

“Nothing. Everything’s fine. I promise.” Stormey didn’t like that they were the center of attention. She had been since she’d arrived, but she didn’t want anyone thinking Brandi was causing issues. She turned back to Brandi and took her hands in hers. “I have a soft spot in my heart for orphans.”

“Really?” Maisie asked. She crawled under the table and joined them. She plainly ignored the big vampire guard and turned her back on him. She stared up at Stormey with wide eyes. “Did you not have a mommy and daddy, too?”

Stormey’s heart lurched. This little girl tugged on her heartstrings. She bent down to where she was eye level with her.

“No, I didn’t have any family, and I spent most of my childhood in an orphanage that I’m sure is similar yours.”

“Wow,” the two older kids breathed.

“What happened to your mommy and daddy?” Maisie asked.

A lump formed in Stormey’s throat. She smiled and took Maisie’s hand in hers.

“Well, my daddy was sent off to war and never came back home, and my mom, she got really sick and died,” Stormey shared.

“And you’re a princess now?” Maisie asked.

The innocence in her eyes just made Stormey want to wrap her up in her arms and take her home with her. Stormey laughed at her question.

“Not officially, but soon, I will be.” She held up her hand, and the little one gave her a high five.

“I’m going to be a princess when I grow up, too!” she shouted, jumping up in place.

“Come on, Maisie. We have to let Stormey go about her day. I’m sure she has more shopping to do,” Brandi said.

“But—”

“No buts. It’s already late, and I promised Miss Emily that I would have you home at a decent time.” Brandi held out her hand to Maisie.

“How are you getting home?” Stormey stood to her full height. She would hate for something to happen to them with it being so late.

“We have a van. The guards here walk us to it to ensure we are safe, then I drive straight to the orphanage.”

It sounded like she had done this plenty of times, but Stormey wanted to ensure they were all right. She’d hate to think of something happening to them on their way back.

“I want a guard to ensure they make it home okay.” Stormey turned to Desmond. She didn’t ask, nor did she hesitate. This was something that she wanted and she’d fight anyone who dared oppose her.

“Yes, ma’am.” Desmond nodded. He presented his back, speaking into the small device on him.

“You don’t have to do that,” Brandi gushed.

“Yes. Just humor me. It will allow me to sleep better knowing that you and the kids arrived home safely,” Stormey said.

The kids had packaged everything up and had it on the table waiting for her.

“Okay.” Brandi’s smile stretched from ear to ear.

“Their escort will be here in ten minutes.” Desmond turned back around and announced. “And someone will be here shortly to take these boxes and load them up in the trucks.”

“Thanks.” She faced Brandi and the kids. “I want to come visit and see how I can help.”