a second thought. “What part of ‘You’re not leaving until it’s safe’ do you not understand?”
“The part where you don’t give me an end date.”
We’re drawing attention to ourselves, right in front of the club—exactly what I don’t want. Leaning in, I whisper into her ear, “Get your ass upstairs now, or I’m going to be lighting it on fire.”
Holding her stance, she gives me a cold stare. “No.”
“Don’t tell your daddy ‘no,’ little girl, unless you want to find yourself over my lap.”
A flash of doubt covers her face, but her jaw tightens, and she doesn’t move.
“Fine. Have it your way.” I bend down, scooping her up and throwing her over my shoulder. “Daddy will carry you home.”
She’s kicking and wiggling but she’s so tiny, I’m easily able to carry her down the sidewalk and open the door to the stairwell. I carry her up the stairs, slapping her ass every time I feel her little fist punch my back. “Don’t get yourself into more trouble than you already are, little lady.”
“Oomph! You put me down, right now!”
We reach my door and I set her down. She’s busy fixing her hair and smoothing her clothes. I watch, enjoying the flush that’s risen in her cheeks.
“Are you going to be a good girl now, and tell me why you want to go home so bad?”
She looks at me as if she wants to slap me. I’d love to see her try.
She crosses her arms over her chest again and pouts an adorable little pout. “It’s just that... it’s just that...”
Her voice is softer, gentler. She’s looking down at her shoes and biting her bottom lip in a way that makes my heart tug.
She needs sweetness right now, not sternness. I smooth a hand over her hair. “Tell me, sweetheart, what’s bothering you?” Stroking her cheek, I wait for her answer.
She won’t meet my eye.
“I guess Daddy will have to kiss the answer from you.” I take her into my arms and she melts against me. I kiss her, long and deep and sweet.
When I pull away, there are tears in her eyes. “What is it, baby girl?”
“It’s so silly—I know I have to stay here for my safety but I just always promised myself I wouldn’t live with a man who wasn’t committed to me.” She peeks up at me from beneath her lashes.
“But I am committed to you—I’ve turned my whole live upside down to protect you.”
“It’s not the same. I mean... I don’t want to live with a man that’s not my... boyfriend.”
Being a Secret Service member, then becoming a Bachman—my career has been my life. I’ve dated girls, slept with girls, had friends that were girls, but it’s been a long time since a relationship made it to girlfriend status.
Taking her in, her pouty lips, her sweet face, her bright blue eyes that are on the brink of tears, I suddenly want nothing more than to make her happy. At any cost. “Tori, will you make me the happiest man in the world and not only be my baby girl, but my girlfriend as well?”
She sniffs. “You mean it?”
“Yes.”
She gives me a smile that makes me feel like I’ve given her the world. We kiss, and as we kiss, I feel a new sense of responsibility for this sweet girl, and I make a promise to myself: I’ll keep her safe and make her as happy as I can.
* * *
A few days later, I get a message from Rockland—it’s time for me to make good on my promise and take care of Theo.
Charlotte, a Bachman Beauty and an old friend of Tori’s, offers to take her shopping for the day. They’ll be trailed by a couple of Brothers for my peace of mind, but hopefully she’ll be able to have a worry-free day between having her friend and my Amex Black Card.
Jet meets me the club. It’s early, still closed. Jet doesn’t know much, except he’s been told to be here.
I greet him with a handshake. “Good to see you, man.”
He’s got a grip on him. I respect that. He says, “Good to see you too. Sorry about the hotel. I didn’t mean to creep up on your girl, I didn’t know how else to get the message to you.”
I say, “It’s in the past. You’ve obviously proven yourself to Rockland, otherwise he wouldn’t have sent you on this mission.”
Jet holds back a grin. “I’m pretty stoked he’s considering the initiation.”
I give him a nod. “He’s