“Of course she knew you.”Her da was unrelenting.“Do youthink she would get into the car with a stranger?”
“I mean she’s done it a couple of times.”Devi wasn’thelping.
She’d had reasons for that.
“I think he means in a biblical way, not an ‘I called anUber’ way,” Uncle Ian snarked.
Nate moved into her space.“Did you know?”
She had to nod but she suddenly couldn’t breathe.He washere and he was staring down at her and he knew.He knew what she’d done.Theyall would know she’d taken something from him.Something he likely wouldn’thave shared had he known it was her.And then she’d gotten him shot.And no onewanted to protect her because she was trouble.But there was only one answer.“Yes.”
“Then you’ve made your choice and you’ll have to deal withit,” he said in a tone that brooked no disobedience.
Her father said something about not laying a hand on her andher uncle said hands had totally already been lain and her aunt asked if shewas okay.She wasn’t.The world kind of went fuzzy and she felt a wash of utterdefeat come over her system as her knees gave way.
Right before the darkness took her, Nate caught her, and shewas in his arms as the world faded to black.
* * * *
Liam O’Donnell was going to be the worst father-in-lawimaginable.
“You let my daughter down this minute, Nathan Carter.”Hefollowed Nate as he carried Daisy to the conference room.
“I’m not dropping my sub,” Nate replied.
“No blood on the carpet, Liam O’Donnell,” Charlotte Taggartsaid, pointing to Li.She moved in beside Nate.“Are you trying to push himover the edge?”
“Nope.I’m only being honest.It’s a thing he should try.”He was starting to wonder about the real reason none of the Doms at The Hideoutwould play with Daisy.He had a hunch and it had to do with her father.MaybeAidan, too, and if he found out Aidan had been warning men off Daisy, theywould have a long talk.“Devi, would you get some water for Daisy?Maybe put ona kettle.”
“What would I put a kettle on?”Devi asked.“Also, do wehave a kettle?And what would I put in it?”
Americans.
“I’ll help her,” Erin said.“Come on, sweetie.You can fillme in on what’s happening and we’ll get some tea started.”
“We should call an ambulance,” Liam declared as Nate walkedinto the conference room.“It’s obvious she’s been injured.She’s probably gota concussion.”
Nate was almost sure she was conscious again.She’d had abit of a panic attack likely because she was about to have to face the music,and it was obvious she hadn’t been forced to deal with consequences before.Itwould be different between them.
She’d had every chance to save herself.She could havecontinued to pretend like she wasn’t Dee.He’d pushed and prodded her, gettinga feel for who this woman really was.Anger hadn’t spurred her to make aconfession.When he’d told her the night was just okay, he’d seen the hurt onher face.Her own pain hadn’t forced her to drop the act.
It had been his pain.
It was me.
Three words that would prove to be fateful for the littlebrat because he wasn’t about to let her go now.
“She doesn’t have a concussion.”Nate settled himself intoone of the big conference chairs.He cuddled her close and couldn’t miss theway she curled against him.“She’s got a big case of doesn’t want to behere-itis.”
And her lips quirked up slightly.
She was so much fucking trouble, and his dick did not care.
He was pretty sure his heart didn’t either.Falling madlyfor his friend’s sister hadn’t been the plan, but he was going with it.Hecould have walked away if he thought she’d truly only wanted him for sex, butshe’d clung to him.She’d wanted him as much for the personal connection they’dformed as the sexual one.
His father had told him sometimes a man’s purpose wasn’t ajob.Sometimes it was keeping one gorgeous bombshell alive and happy.
“Nathan Carter, you’re fired.Get your things and get thehell out of my office,” her father said.
