And his Daddy senses were telling him he’d do whatever he had to do to protect this sweet girl.
To effectively do that, though, he needed answers.
It didn’t look like he was going to get any right now, because Annika looked away and said, “I don’t really know.”
The wordreallystuck out. Obviously she knew more than she was letting on. But he could tell she wasn’t up for talking about it right now. He wouldn’t press her on it, either. The poor girl had been through enough. Right now, she looked as if she needed a good meal and a long night’s sleep.
“All right, honey. Let’s get you something to eat. Then you need to turn in for the night. You’ve been through a lot today.” He stood, looked down at her, and shook his head while chuckling. “Sorry. I probably should have started by officially introducing myself. I’m Matteo Battista. Nice to meet you, Annika, though I wish it had been under different circumstances.”
She didn’t stand with him. Hugging herself and keeping her eyes cast downward, she said demurely, “Nice to meet you, Sir.Thank you for helping me. Both times. But I’ll just be on my way now.”
“Aren’t you hungry?”
She shrugged. “I have some stuff to eat.”
It was evident she was lying, but he didn’t want to embarrass her, so he didn’t bring it up. Instead, he sat back down, smiled warmly, and waited on her to look into his eyes.
It took a long moment, but she finally did.
“Did you hear me talking to those police officers? I used to be a cop.”
She nodded.
“And I suspect you’ve seen me around Auntie Athena’s. That’s why you were up on the wall, right? Watching the other Littles at the nursery because you wanted to join them?”
He was taking a guess, of course, but his gut told him it was accurate.
That was confirmed when her face lit up. The giggle that escaped her lips was the cutest sound he’d ever heard.
Mmm. If there was a way to bottle it…
“Yes, Sir. I’ve seen you there.”
“Then you know I’m a safe person. Right? I protect Littles. In fact, that’s what I do for a living and I don’t just mean when I work security for Auntie Athena. I’m part of the Daddy Guard.”
Her angelic face scrunched up as a perplexed look shaded her eyes. “What’s the Daddy Guard?”
“It’s a group of Daddies that helps cuties who are in trouble. Like you. I’ll explain the specifics later. But right now, we need to get you to our mansion so you can get something to eat and then go to bed.” He stood again. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, sweetie. I think you’re currently unhoused. Or you were. You have a home now. Come on.”
A tear ran down her cheek and she nodded as she wiped it away.
For another few seconds, he thought she might run again. But finally, she stood up and said, “Yes, Sir. I’ll come with you.”
He smiled. “Good girl.” Taking her by the hand, he led her out of the historic hotel’s lobby, down the long corridor, and to the front door.
“Just wait until you meet the other cuties. You’ll love them,” he said.
He could feel her hand trembling in his, though. She might have been following him, but he guessed it was only because her life on the streets was pretty bad and she was desperate to escape it.
She wouldn’t feel that way for long.
Little Annika was going home. With Daddy.
She’d learn soon enough.
Chapter Ten
Annika couldn’t believe her eyes when the van turned into the drive at the Daddy Guard’s mansion. Leaning forward from the back so she could peer between the two front seats and out the windshield, she surveyed the grand old home.
