“Sounds to me,” Matteo continued, “like we need to somehow get our hands on that data.”
“I think that’s impossible, Sir,” Annika replied.
“Not with the Daddy Guard,” he responded with a cocky grin.
Everyone voiced their agreement.
As improbable as taking Edward Marlot down seemed, for some reason, Annika believed if anyone could, it was Daddy. Somehow, he’d think of a way.
An excitement was building deep within her. It started to rise. A moment later, she could feel it drumming in her fingertips and even tingling in her toes.
For the first time in a long time, she had hope.
Hope that came from Daddy. And her new family.
Chapter Twenty-One
Annika couldn’t believe she’d shared everything with Matteo and the others.
It was the right thing to do, though. They deserved the truth. Plus, they were risking their lives by harboring her. Edward Marlot was a vindictive man. Once crossed, he’d stop at nothing until he exacted revenge.
The rest of the world didn’t see that. They saw a handsome billionaire who frequently captured the imagination of the press and the hearts of the people around the globe.
That was all carefully coordinated.
Clean drinking water initiatives. School funding. STEM program sponsorships. Marlot knew how to project a good image.
What lay behind that façade was a different story.
What was done was done, she told herself, as Matteo carried her upstairs and to her bedroom. He and the others were involved now.
Resting her head on his shoulder, she said, “I’m sorry I brought this to you all. I didn’t mean to put you in danger. I can go now, if you’d like.”
Daddy placed her feet on the floor, kissed her forehead, and said, “You’re not going anywhere, little one. You’re home now. This is where you belong. And I’m not sorry about any of this. You need help. We’re going to get this monkey off your back. One way or another.”
Annika didn’t have to ask what Daddy meant by that last part. She had no doubt he would move heaven and earth for her. And forcefully take down anyone that got in his way.
She hadn’t known Matteo long. But somehow, she just knew Daddy would do anything to protect his babygirl.
She hugged him tightly again.
Still, worry surged through her.
“He has a lot of resources. I mean, he’s the richest man on the planet.”
Matteo chortled. “So, we’re going to see what happens when the richest man in the world clashes with the toughest man in the world. Should be fascinating.”
Annika giggled but quickly realized Daddy wasn’t joking.
She also realized she hadn’t let go of him. Could she?
His muscles felt so good beneath her hands as she gripped his big arms. Her right hand traced his bulging triceps, going up his sleeve and to his shoulders. Working her way to his back, she kneaded the knotty bulges, the sharpness of his jagged body taking her breath away.
“You’re giving me an idea,” he said suggestively. “Something I was meaning to talk to you about anyway.”
“What’s that?” she asked, the words barely registering as her mind focused on the hard-packed landscape she was exploring.
“You’re sleeping with me tonight, sweet girl. And every night from now on.”
