“I really don’t. Like Izzy said, maybe a little bit of fame. But mostly I just wanted a chance to prove I was more than just a gossip columnist. That I had what it took to really make a difference with my writing. I wanted so much more than just peeking in people’s metaphorical windows to feed the masses. This story could have made my career.”
“At our expense.” Now Juliet doesn’t look so much angry as she does… hurt. “You would have gotten the recognition, we would have gotten the scorn. Do you have any idea what the world would say about our Daddies? You would have ripped our lives apart for a shot at a shiny trophy and a bigger office.”
The truth of her words lands hard in my gut. “That wasn’t my intention, at least not at first. But you’re right. I would have done that, without a second thought.”
“See?” Juliet’s smirk is full of smug triumph. “She even admits it!”
“It’s myjobto do that, though. To dig up the truth. And when I first started looking into things, I had no clue what I was going to find here. It was just some weird mystery about you disappearing and the more I started digging the more interesting it got. I’m not going to apologize for doing my job.”
“Of course not. Because all you care about is the fame, like I said.”
I can’t help but laugh. “That’s rich, coming from you, one of the biggest fame chasers I’ve ever known.”
More red floods her cheeks as her eyes narrow dangerously. “So because you didn’t like me, it was okay for you to try and ruin my life?”
“I’m not going to apologize for doing my job.” I hesitate, weighing my next words carefully. “Iwillapologize for making you feel unsafe in what has clearly become your home. As much as I want to write a good story, I would never want to actually ruin someone’s life.”
“That was a very nice apology, kitten.”
Whipping around, I go running straight for Daddy, throwing myself into his arms as he swoops me up, holding me close as I wrap myself around him. “Did you have to cut out Jasper’s tongue?” I whisper.
His chest rumbles with laughter beneath me, and it’s as if the vibrations are able to break apart the rock sitting in my stomach. “Unfortunately, no. He was almost polite. And I think he and Juliet have something to say to you, as well.”
At his gentle nudge, I twist around to stare at Jasper and Juliet. God, they make a striking couple, even with Juliet in his arms, dressed like a Little girl.
I need a picture like that for my article.
But unlike before, the thought doesn’t bring with it the same rush of excitement. Even the idea of a Pulitzer only makes me feel vaguely ill.
I don’t really have any time to wonder about these new feelings before Jasper clears his throat, looking rather uncomfortable as he meets my gaze. “Juliet and I owe you an apology, Natalie. We haven’t been as welcoming to you as we should have been and for that, I’m sorry.”
“I’m not sorry,” Juliet mumbles, earning her a warning look from her stepbrother-turned-Daddy.
“You will apologize, Juliet, or you will be sitting on a welted bottom during dinner.”
“But I’m not sorry! She’s the one who tried to ruin our lives!”
The last thing I want is for Juliet to get in trouble on my part. Especially after getting that glimpse of the vulnerable Little girlbeneath the snarky exterior. “She’s right, Uncle Jasper. I was wrong to want to write about your lives here when you’ve gone through so much trouble to keep them private. I’m really sorry.”
Everything about Uncle Jasper seems to soften at my words. “Apology accepted, sweetheart. But Juliet is still going to apologize for the mean things she said earlier.”
“No I’m not!”
“Juliet, this is your last warning before I bend you over the arm of Uncle Evan’s couch and take my belt to your bare bottom. Is that what you want?”
“Daddy, no!”
“Then apologize. Now.”
Guilt twists in my stomach as Juliet’s expression sets into mutinous lines. “Really, it’s okay, Uncle Jasper. I don’t need an apology.”
The look Uncle Jasper sends me is stern enough to have me feeling very grateful my Daddy is holding me so he doesn’t have access to my bottom. “You may not need one, but you deserve one. But since my little princess is feeling stubborn…”
He bends down to set Juliet on her feet and she immediately backs away, both hands behind her as she dances in place. “I don’t want a spankin’, Daddy!”
“Too late, princess. Little girls who don’t do as they’re told get their naughty bottoms spanked.”
As he reaches for the buckle on his belt, panic flits over Juliet’s face and she whips around to meet my gaze. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said those mean things!”
