Harlow handled the rough stuff while Ruby was the kickasshacker who no firewall could keep out.
An all-women private investigation firm.Yes, this was rightwhere she belonged.After all, her beloved Da was one of the world’s bestinvestigators, so it was probably in her genes.
“I think I got it.”She sat down behind the desk.Her desk.The small space consisted of a reception area, two offices for the founders, ababy break room, and a single bathroom she was apparently responsible for aswell.
She could handle it.Her mother had always kept a neathouse.That was in her genes, too.
Harlow was roughly the same age as Daisy, though she seemedolder since she was tough as nails and had some way cool scars Daisy had onlyseen because she played at The Hideout, a club Daisy belonged to.Although shehadn’t had any fun there lately.It was tough when all the Doms considered hera little sister.
“Are you sure?It can be tricky,” Harlow said, tucking backa strand of electric blue hair.
“It’s not tricky.”Ruby walked out of her office.“You’reterrible with tech.Daisy, the right button puts the call on hold, and then yousend the caller to either of our offices.I’m one and Harlow’s two.When you goto lunch, you put the whole thing inawaymode which sends the callerto our voice mail box.When you get back, check the voice mail and send us anymessages we need to reply to.When the system is inanswer, the buttongoes red.Easy-peasy.”
Totally easy.“I can handle it.I’m so grateful to you bothfor this opportunity.I was surprised when the boutique I was working at wentunder so quickly.I appreciate the job.The last thing I want to do is moveback in with my parents.I love them, but my da can be a lot to handle.He hasan unrealistic vision of me.”
Her sweet da firmly believed she could do no wrong.Nottrue.She could fuck up majorly—re: that time she was helping a friend with ademo of her condo and accidently took down a load-bearing wall…and then thecondo—but everyone got out and insurance paid for some of it.Also, he didn’tthink she understood the word fuck or its many uses.Despite actually using theword around him.
Her mom had asked her to clean up the potty mouth, but wheredid her mom think she’d first heard the word from?
“As a woman whose dad is up my ass twenty-four seven, I’mhappy to save you from a terrible fate.”Harlow looked down at her watch.“Speaking of, he usually comes around right before lunch.You want to grabsomething before we meet with the client?”
Ruby was slightly older, but she fit right in with thetwenty-somethings in her chicly ripped jeans and a concert T-shirt.Sheobviously hadn’t gotten the memo explaining she must look professional at alltimes.Daisy’s da still wore a suit and tie when meeting with clients.
Ruby looked way more comfy.
“Let’s do it,” Ruby said.“Daisy, feel free to take a nicelong lunch.We won’t be back this afternoon.Close up when you leave, and makesure the security system is on.I put the code and instructions on your desk.Call if you have any questions, but seriously, this shouldn’t be hard for you.Unless you’re here when her dad comes by.Then you’ll get a full dose ofparanoid.”
“Only one of them,” Harlow corrected.“Dad One is great.DadTwo got a double dose of weirdo.”
Harlow came from an alternative-lifestyle family, but Daisywas used to that.She’d figured out pretty early on her da and mom’s Fridaynight meetings weren’t about playing canasta but doing the nasty.Actually, shestill wasn’t sure what canasta was, but she did understand BDSM.Not in Da’sversion of reality, though.
And wasn’t that kind of sexist?He’d sent Aidan to a clubfor training, but had anyone thought to get her a corset and heels and teachher how to submit to a Dominant partner in exchange for a bunch of orgasms anda deeply intimate relationship?No.She’d had to wait until after college andtake the course The Hideout offered.
“It’s in the eyes,” Ruby was saying.“That’s how you know.Ben Dawson has normal dad eyes.You can totally see the rage of paranoia inChase’s.”
Because Harlow’s dads were twins who shared her mom.
Maybe she should consider a threesome.It would make renteasier.
“So you know what you’re doing?”Harlow didn’t seem entirelycertain.
The good news was, Daisy always looked on the positive side.She would figure it out.“Absolutely.I’m ready to handle this.You have agreat afternoon.”
Ruby slung her big bag over her shoulder.“Come on.We cangrab a sandwich at the café.It’s close to the meeting spot.Daisy, we’ll seeyou in the morning.”
Harlow still looked reluctant but followed her businesspartner out.
Thus began her first day as a private investigator.Well,receptionist to a private investigation firm, but this was it.This was goingto be her calling.
She managed to answer the phones and deal with Harlow’s DadTwo—because she was right.The man was intense.It was easy because she’d toldhim they were grabbing sandwiches at a café.She’d learned it was important tostick as close to the truth as possible when lying.It threw the person she waslying to off.Dad Two had totally bought it because it was super true.Surelythere were a lot of cafés around.The man couldn’t check all of them.
Right before she was about to head to lunch, a chiming soundrang through the office as the door opened and a young woman walked in.She waspetite, with long blonde hair and tears in her eyes.
Daisy’s heart immediately melted.There was a woman introuble.This was what her new firm did.They helped.“Welcome to theDawson-Lockwood Agency.We’re here for you.”
She should write that down.It might be a good slogan.Ithad more heart than the current:New investigations for a new age.
“Hi, I need a private investigator.I think…” She sniffled.“I think my boyfriend is cheating on me, but I’m too scared to go check all bymyself.It’s happening right now, I think.Once a month he goes to thisbuilding, and I’m sure he’s seeing someone there.It’s like clockwork.Heshould be there now.I’m supposed to marry him in six weeks.I don’t know whatto do.”
