Chapter Twenty
Annika had left the other girls to the movie a few minutes before.
She’d felt guilty about the breakdown she’d had earlier in the kitchen. It wasn’t that it had happened. It was that she felt she owed Daddy an explanation.
She’d made it downstairs and to the hallway just outside the den in time to hear someone say the name Edward Marlot.
Oh crap!
Did some of his people somehow find her? It probably wouldn’t be hard. If they had gotten a picture of Matteo when he’d rescued her, they could easily trace him to the mansion. With all the technology at their disposal, Edward could find anyone at any time!
So much raced through her mind all at once that it was hard to sort through her thoughts and emotions.
Should she run? The thought of leaving Daddy and her new friends was dreadful! But by staying she was putting them all in danger. If Edward really was coming after her, it was best she leave to draw the attention away from everyone else.
Or maybe she’d even surrender.
Edward would kill her for sure. Or maybe even worse. But if it would spare those people she’d already grown to love, then it was worth it.
A moment later, though, the visitors stepped into the hallway. She’d been so lost in thought she hadn’t even realized the conversation inside the den was wrapping up.
She realized it was two police officers.
Whew. That had been a close one. Though they might still work for Edward. With all his billions of dollars, he had people everywhere.
The thought made her want to run out the front door so she could disappear into the night. What kept her from it was Daddy. She knew he’d never sell her out.
He’d always protect her.
The officers smiled and greeted her. They both then gave Matteo a look that said something to the effect of, “You sly dog, you,” before leaving the mansion.
Once Matteo returned from walking them out, he took Annika by the hand.
“Sweet girl, I think we need to talk.”
She agreed and followed Daddy into the den.
While Matteo, Jack, Isaiah, Ace, and Kendrick sat down, Annika stood in the center of the room so she could explain things.
Daddy had tried to keep her on his lap, but she couldn’t bring herself to sit still. She needed to move and maybe even pace as she laid it all out for them.
“Okay, cutie. Just go slow. Take your time. Tell us what’s going on,” Matteo encouraged. “And remember—you are absolutely safe with us. I’ll never let anyone get to you.”
“I know, Daddy,” she said.
Gosh, it felt so good to call him that!
After drawing a deep breath, she began to walk back and forth in the center of the room. Her feet sank into the soft, plush rug. It felt a lot better than the hard pavement she was used to.
“I told you I grew up in Nebraska.”
“Yeah,” Matteo said with a nod.
“Well… you know I went to technical school for computer stuff.”
“Yeah. You told us that, too,” he said.
“My skills drew some attention. I won a big contest and secured an internship at Edward Marlowe’s company. Or one of his companies. He owns like a dozen or more. I took it because it got me out of Nebraska and out here to L.A. I really wanted to work in the movies, but… well, it never worked out.”
