“Or we should learn from history and understand what canhappen when you don’t protect your daughter,” her father said, a frown on hisface.
“She ends up happily married for over twenty years with twokids she loves?”Nate asked.
Uncle Ian stood, shaking his head.“O’Donnells, this iswhere I leave you to handle all your family shit.Daisy, please stay close toNate.Nate, let me know when you need someone to take a shift or two.We’llarrange for some days off.”
“Don’t need ’em,” Nate said.“I won’t be leaving her.”
Uncle Ian sighed and took Aunt Charlotte’s hand.She wasgiving Daisy a grin.
“I’ll let Erin and Devi know what’s going on,” AuntCharlotte promised.“And I’ll work on finding you something to do while you’rethere.If you don’t mind, you could take the Saturday night kid’s club.We’rekind of low on subs willing to hang with the kiddos.”
“I would love to.”It was something she used to adore doing.During high school and college, she’d made a lot of money by handling thekiddos on Friday and Saturday nights.It was probably her favorite job ever.
“I’ll see you then, sweetie.”Charlotte followed Ian out,and she was left alone with her family.
It might have been the longest three hours of her life, andit looked like it wasn’t over.Although maybe she could get out of this.“Ithink I’m supposed to be taking over the phones this afternoon so thereceptionist can have her break.”
Her father’s brows rose.“You think I’m going to let you sitin the lobby?The whole front of the place is glass, girl.There’s a bounty onyour head.”
“Liam,” her mother said.
“He’s right in this case.”Nate sat back as though settlingin.“The glass is bulletproof, but I don’t want anyone getting a look at her.I’m considering how I’ll get her out of the building in the safest mannerpossible.”
“The safest manner possible would be putting her on a bloodyplane with her family,” her da muttered.
She’d argued for staying at The Hideout, but there had beenso many eyerolls she’d known she was going down in defeat.
At least her father wasn’t screaming at Nate anymore.They’dgotten down to growls and dirty looks and some Irish she was grateful Natedidn’t speak.
“Liam, we’re not going to London.Let it go.Daisy, are youokay?”Her mom stared at her from across the conference table.
Daisy simply nodded and forced a bright smile on her face.“I’m good.I can use some time to myself.”
She wasn’t about to tell her mom how useless she felt.Fakeit until you make it.It was her motto.
“You won’t be by yourself,” her da complained.
Her mom sighed and stared at her da for a moment.“Are wedoing this now?”
The big family talk.The one where everyone cried and saidhow worried they were about her, and did she know what she was doing?Nope.Shedidn’t want to do that at all.She rather wanted to run to Sanctum and lockherself in with Nate and enjoy what little time she would have with him.
“Nathan, I think you should go back to your desk so I cantalk with my family,” her da said.“Ian’s right.We should get our shittogether as a family.”
Nate turned her way.“You want me to leave?”
That was an easy question.“No.”
Nate turned back to her da and shrugged.“Sorry.If shewants me here, I’m staying.Besides I kind of think she needs someone toprotect her.”
“From her own da?”Her father was getting red in the faceagain.
“Nathan, could you go into the break room and grab thesandwiches I sent with Li this morning?Daisy hasn’t eaten all day,” her motherbegan.“She’s pale.”
Nate obviously wasn’t used to her mother manipulatingsituations.Or he didn’t notice because he bought her mom’s requestimmediately.“Of course.I’ll get something for you, too, Mrs.O’Donnell.”
“I don’t suppose you’re going to call me Aunt Avery,” shesaid wistfully.
“I can’t,” Nate replied.“I know your husband doesn’tbelieve me, but I’m serious.Do you want some coffee, love?”
