Page 74 of The Apprentice

“What ...?” My gaze shot up to him. “That’s me!”

He chuckled. “You are special. You always have been, even all those years ago when I got these tattoos. You’re Fionn, the future of the Company. My boy. My... Fifi.”

“Fifi?” I laughed, but it came out wet. Something like joy prickled behind my eyes. I tried to swipe at the moisture threatening to spill down my cheeks, but Daire caught my wrists to stop me. His lips chased away every tear and something settled in my chest.

“You’re beautiful, boy. You’re mine as much as I’m yours. When you need to be strong for the Company, I will have your back. When it feels like too much, lean on me. Let it out in front of me—I can take it. Let me be your strength. I will catch every tear, push you past any outburst, and I’ll remind you of the incredible, strong, good boy you are.” He cradled my face between his large hands and kissed me roughly, and I returned it with fervor.

“Why did you fight this for so long?” Desperation bled into my words as I whispered against his lips.

“I was an idiot, Fifi. A complete fucking idiot.”

I couldn’t agree more, but he was here now.

As much as I wanted to spend the rest of the day in bed, Daire dragged me out to shower. We got ready as quickly as we could.

He had a few of my suits here from when the boys dropped them off after the club incident, so I chose a dark maroon one. Daire went with a dark navy gray with a subtle plaid, and he looked as delicious as always. I couldn’t help but drag him in for a kiss.

“If you start this, boy, we won’t be leaving this bedroom,” he growled out against my lips.

“Is that a bad thing, Deedee?”

“Deedee?” He pulled back to stare incredulously at me.

“What? You called me Fifi,” I said with a laugh. “Deedee stands for Daddy Daire.”

“No, I’m Daddy Daire and nothing else.” He nipped my bottom lip, and I moaned. “Say it.”

“What’s wrong with Deedee? I’ll let you keep calling me Fifi.”

He chuckled. “Deedee and Fifi sound like a couple of poodles.”

“I won’t tell if you won’t,” I whispered.

He laughed harder and pinched my ass before I could twist away from him.

“You can call me Fifo, then,” I offered with a grin.

He gave methe look—the oneI’d come to know as his Daddy stare. Unimpressed, yet amused, but I’d hear about it later. “Now that definitely sounds like a dog’s name.”

I curled my hands in front of my chest like paws. “Woof. Woof.”

He rolled his eyes and dragged me closer, dropping a quick peck on my forehead this time. “You are my boy, not my puppy. I’m not into pet play.”

“A shame,” I teased, and it earned me an ass smack.

The sound of the door opening downstairs interrupted us, and almost immediately the playfulness on Daire’s face disappeared, leaving behind a clenched jaw and hard eyes. He swept past me, and I followed him as closely as I could. He tookthe steel black stairs two at a time with his long legs to race to the bottom.

Aodhan was sitting at the kitchen island, playing on his phone, when we reached him.

“You.” Daire slapped his hand down on the marble counter next to Aodhan. His brother glanced up lazily, as though he wasn’t surprised that me and Daire put in an appearance.

The dogs came out from the laundry room, eyeing us carefully, but all it took was one flick of Daire’s hand and they retreated.

“Can I help you, little brother?” Aodhan drawled, first glancing at Daire, then me. He raised his eyebrows and grinned. “Well, hello there, little kitty. Looks like you finally got Daire where you want him, huh? Did he declaw you?”

I glared. “You are a piece of work.”

He laid a hand on his chest and pouted. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. Are you sure you don’t have a thing forme?”