Always My Babygirl A Billionaire Romance - Jane Henry Page 0,54
this better. Yeah, baby?”
She nods. “Yes, daddy. I’m so sorry, daddy.”
I kiss her forehead and embrace her. “It’s all over now. Trust me, Miranda. Just do your best to trust me, and we’ll get through this together.”
She looks thoughtful for a moment before she speaks. Finally, she nods. “Yes, daddy. I can do that.”
But I wonder if she can. Will she trust me when she finds out I’ve looked into her past? Will she believe my obsession with her is healthy and normal? Or will she run in fear?
“Keep your phone with you at the meeting,” I tell her. “I want you to stay connected. Do you understand me?”
She nods. “Yes, daddy.” But there’s hesitation in her eyes. She’s pulling away from me, I know she is.
I let her go with reluctance, and we both right ourselves.
Her phone rings, and she takes the call. Her eyes swing to mine, and for a moment I’m afraid she’s hearing something about me she doesn’t want to hear. My body tightens. The next moment, she hangs up the phone and sighs.
“I really wish I could stay here with you all day.” She gives me a genuine smile, and I breathe out in relief. Jesus. I can’t live like this.
Tonight, I’m taking her to dinner and I’m telling her everything. My past. Why I’ve researched her. How dedicated I am to her, and how I’ll be sure she has everything she needs. How she’s my very special girl, and I’ll take the best care of her I know how.
“I’ll walk down with you to the lobby.”
She nods, but her mind is already elsewhere, on her tasks and what needs to be done today.
“I’ll be done with work at lunch,” she says, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “Let’s have lunch together?”
I squeeze her hand. “Absolutely, baby. Now go kick ass. We’ll get lunch.”
She grins at me, nods, and leaves.
Forget dinner. It’ll be lunchtime, then. That’s when I’ll reveal everything. And if I do this right, she’ll understand.
I call her ten minutes later, but it goes to voicemail.
Everything okay, baby?
A text comes back in a moment later. Yes, daddy, of course. I just have to finish my work.
The more she pulls away, the more eager I am to pull her back to me. I pace the lobby, then finally head back upstairs. Soon, I’ll have her again.
Soon, I’ll make her mine for good.
Chapter Sixteen
Miranda
As I leave Vegas, Baby, a complicated blend of emotions swirl through me. I care for him so much, but he’s… too much… but we’re perfect together… no, I’m just his latest obsession…
My phone rings, tearing me out of my string of thoughts. Lexi’s calling me. Crap. I’m so worried about my own life I totally forgot my baby sister is landing today. With everything on my mind, I’d completely forgotten she was coming so soon. When I’d committed to meet Gabriel for lunch, I’d forgotten I was going with Lexi.
Shit, shit, double shit! I plant my palm to my forehead and grab my phone from my purse. I peel the worry from my voice as I answer. “Hey, Lexi! Did you land?”
She doesn't say hello, just bursts into a jumbled monologue of excitement. “Oh. My. God. Miranda—that jet? Are you kidding me? Holy shit, I felt like I was on that old tv show we used to watch with dad. Wasn’t it called Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous? Anyway, when I got onboard, they gave me this little hot towel to wash my face with and there was champagne and then when we landed there was a limo, like waiting for that guy… Shane? And me. Is this seriously the life you’ve become accustomed to with Gabriel? I mean, this is as close to perfect as you’re going to get.”
Perfect. At the sound of the word, a tight knot forms in my stomach and my mouth goes dry. I give a choked laugh. “Yeah. I’m a lucky girl.” So… lucky.
“Shane’s been such a sweetheart. He flew out with the jet so he could keep me company on the flight. Now, we’re on the way to your apartment. We’ll be there in ten. I can’t wait to see you.”
Shoot. Not only have I forgotten she was landing, I’m stuck at work. She’s going to beat me home. “I’m at the office. I still have a few things to wrap up but even if I left this second, you’d be waiting for me for at least half an hour. Can Shane bring