Page 22 of Sawyer (Sabre Security Daddies #6)

H er Daddy’s truck had a classic bench seat. An honest-to-goodness, slide right up next to him, bench seat. She didn’t even know they still made those.

To be honest, she hadn’t cared until now. Now she was very, very grateful because a bench seat meant she could snuggle up against him for the entire drive to his office. She hoped he worked in Alaska or someplace that would take a while to get to.

The ride itself had been fun. So much to look at, so much to ask about, so much to file away for later. But right now, her brain was fixated on one thing. How long had his company been holding office meetings at a bar called Deep Dive ?

Didn’t exactly scream strategic planning.

She had questions. She didn’t want to sound judgy though, since her office meetings were held in a bar every week.

Of course, she worked in a bar. She’d thought her Daddy was a data analyst, but now it occurred to her he’d never actually said that.

So, again. She had questions. Non-judgy, getting to know one another question. Maybe she should wait.

“Has your company always had meetings in a bar?” Sigh. Waiting wasn’t one of her core strengths. Or phraseology, evidently. Her jaw clenched, bracing for some big reaction.

“What?” Saul’s brow knit, like her question had been in another language. He stared at the building as though it had just sprung up on the side of the road. “Oh. The office is on the second floor. Usually, it’s not a problem. The bar’s quiet until we’re done for the day.”

She still thought it was weird, but maybe the rent was cheaper here.

When he cut the ignition, she waited, because last time she’d learned her lesson about trying to get out on her own. Soon enough, he came around, freed her seatbelt, and offered a hand.

He didn’t let go as they walked through the parking lot toward the entrance.

“There’s nothing upstairs you’d find exciting,” he said.

“But I think you’ll like the bar. It’s not a Videotopia, but it has arcade games, pool tables, and a juke box.

I shouldn’t be too long. Remind me, Half-Pint, what are your rules? ”

“Don’t interrupt the meeting unless I’ve chopped my hand off. And don’t open the door for strangers.”

“Good girl. I know the manager of the bar. His name is Hutch, and I’m sure he won’t mind if you grab a drink or a snack.”

Wow. He must be on really good terms with the bar owner. Then again, she could picture Saul being on good terms with just about everyone in town.

The crunch of tires on gravel had them both turning to see who else was pulling in the parking lot. Lele wasn't sure who the man was, but the woman was Georgia. Lele couldn’t hold back a smile. She liked Georgia.

As soon as Georgia got out of the truck, she raced toward Lele and gave her a big hug. Lele froze. People didn’t hug her. Most times, they didn’t even want to walk on the same side of the street as her.

Awkwardly, she put her arms around Georgia and returned the favor. If Georgia noticed, she didn’t say anything. Instead, she hooked her arm through Lele’s and started walking with her into Deep Dive.

“We are going to have the best time while we wait. I’ve had to sit in on Daddy’s meetings before, and they are boring with a capital B.”

Lele stopped. “Oh, I didn’t know our Daddies worked together.”

Georgia froze. Eyes wide, her eyes shot to Hutch, who was evidently her Daddy. “Oh… well…”

“We do,” Hutch said, putting his arm around Georgia and pulling her to him. The smile he gave his Little girl was almost as sweet as the ones Lele got from hers. Almost. “We’ve been working together for a while now.”

He moved to Lele's side. “Are you going to be a good girl while I’m in my meeting?”

She smiled. “I’ll do my best.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I saw the way you drooled when we drove by That’s Italian. We can go eat spaghetti and meatballs once I’m done here, but only if you follow all your rules.”

Lele gasped, "Daddy! I did not drool!" Yeah, she probably had. That place looked amazing.

She'd be as good as gold to eat there. Especially since she planned on being good anyway. But not only for spaghetti. She’d get more kisses from her Daddy if she were good, and those were something she craved more than anything else.

“We’ll be good,” Georgia promised. “Aren’t we always?”

Hutch seemed about to say something but then changed his mind. Shaking his head, he said, “Just don’t head out for the Himalayas before I get back down here.”

“I would never do something like that, Daddy,” she sang back, the picture of innocence and grace .

But Lele stood behind her new friend. Therefore, she could see Georgia had her fingers crossed.

“I gotta pee,” Georgia said. “Don’t make any moves until I get back. I need to know how to get through the next maze.”

Lele grinned. “Will do, but you’d better hurry. Ms. Pac-Man waits for no one.”

Running for the back, Georgia yelled over her shoulder, “I’ll hurry! Don’t let the ghosts get you.”

With a shake of her head, Lele turned back to the game. As if she couldn’t handle a bunch of glowing ghosts. She could handle ghosts. But just to be sure, she parked Ms. Pac-Man in that special safe spot only a few people knew about and turned to lean back on the console, waiting for Georgia.

She needed to check on her own game anyway. The game she’d launched the month before on Steam had been a gamble. But so far, it was doing much better than she had ever dreamed. Daddy’s Little World had started small with only seven followers. Now she was up to two hundred and twenty-three.

Escaping into a world where you can design your own Daddy and then live in a DDlg virtual world was taking off.

Maybe she’d even tell Georgia about it. It was the least she could do for her new friend, since Georgia had given her the idea for her next project.

She would call it Bucket List Bash , or something like that.

It would be a virtual reality game where people could choose from a list of bucket list items and then experience them through VR.

A knock on the door of Deep Dive startled her from her thoughts. Through the door’s window, Lele saw a petite woman with long, chestnut hair and a beautiful smile. The woman was motioning for Lele to let her in.

Lele froze. What was she supposed to do? Her Daddy had said not to open the door for anyone. But the woman didn’t seem like the type to give up easily. And, honestly, she was tiny. Lele could take her in a fight. She was pretty sure.

Georgia saved her from making the decision by returning just in time. “Oh, that’s Gabi! We can let her in. She’s a Musketiara.”

She ran past Lele and opened the door. “Hey, Gabs! What are you doing here? I thought you and Raleigh were busy preparing for the General’s trial.”

“We are. That’s why I’m here. I have a list of things he wants the guys to send him. And I need to find Suzi. I’m hoping Deke can tell me where to look because I’ve tried all her normal hangouts.”

Georgia went stiff, “Oh, right. Well, you should probably go up now and ask him. Before you say anything else.” Georgia grabbed the girl, Gabi, by the arm and led her toward the stairs.

But it was too late.

The world around Lele disappeared. Everything narrowed to a pinpoint of light focused on what Gabi had just said.

The General.

Her mind raced. Maybe there was more than one person who went by that name. But she didn’t think so.

News of the General’s arrest had made all the news outlets and social media. She remembered reading every article multiple times, taking the first baby step toward feeling safe she had in years.

It had to be the same General. But why had Gabi come here? What information could a bunch of data analysts offer a lawyer? That made no sense.

Then again, no analyst she’d ever met carried a gun tucked in the back of his waistband. Or responded with lightning-quick reflexes like Saul had the day someone had shot up the front of her house.

Lele stumbled to a table and sat down, unsure if her legs would hold her up right where she stood. What was Gabi talking about ?

"I'll go upstairs in a minute," Gabi said, pushing past Georgia. "First, I want to meet the new girl." Gabi crossed the room, headed Lele's way.

It was funny the things that caught your attention when your world might be falling apart. Gabi wore gorgeous orange and purple stilettos with butterflies printed on them. The highest stilettos she'd ever seen. She hoped the girl didn't trip and break an ankle.

Her mind in a fog, Lele responded by habit when Gabi extended her hand. The girl’s grasp was firm, but not too firm.

"Hi, my name is Gabi. Have you been in Darling long?"

She couldn’t think of what to say. She simply stared back at Gabi, who was still smiling.

Why was Gabi smiling? Why was anyone smiling? Georgia wasn't smiling. Georgia looked frozen, somewhere between terrified and sick at her stomach.

Snapping back to life, Georgia hurried to join them at the table. "Lele, I think we should go upstairs and talk to Saul." She stepped to Lele's side as if to help her stand.

But Lele had no intention of talking to Saul right now.

“Saul?” Confusion spread across Gabi's expression. “Who is Saul?”

Georgia frowned at Gabi and hissed, “Not now, Gabi.” Turning back to Lele, Georgia said, “Come on, sweetie. Let's get you upstairs to your Daddy.”

Gabi's fist settled on her hips, and her stiletto-clad toe began to tap. “Wait a minute. Did I miss something while I was at Rawhide Ranch? Has Sabre Security hired a new guy? Does Raleigh know? I’ll bet he does. Why am I always the last to know these things?”

Gabi plopped onto the chair opposite Lele at the table.

“Gabi!” Georgia’s tone grew angrier. Anger would feel good about now. Lele tried drumming some up but got nowhere. She couldn’t even reach the level of good old-fashioned righteous indignation.