Hunter’s face fell.“Well, that’s rude.”
“You know what’s rude?Treating a woman like she’s a childin need of guidance, especially when she’s been through way more shit thanyou,” Daisy pointed out.“I’d like to see you handle some of the things I’vebeen through.And Gabe…”
His lips curled up like he thought he’d won.“Yeah?”
“If you had wanted me, you would have been man enough tostand up to my father and my brother.I suspect one day you’ll meet the womanwho inspires that kind of courage in you, and I’ll wish you both well.Now, Ihave a Dom, and we’ll be playing at The Hideout as soon as my da gets the drugcartel off my ass.You’ll be able to watch me and wonder what could have beenbecause my player stage is done, boys.I found a man, and I’m sticking withhim.”
A slow clap came from Daisy’s right, and she glanced over.
Her da was standing there with Nate and Nate’s dad.Theytook up so much space.She was going to have the biggest babies ever.
Lucas winced.“Hey, Uncle Li.Uhm, how’s it going?”
“Well, I’m thinking about how you’re going to cook withbroken hands, son,” her da said with a chuckle.“Oh, don’t you worry.It won’tbe me.My Daisy’s found a keeper.Do you need an introduction?”
Nate moved in beside her.“We’ve met.But perhaps I shouldmake myself plain.She’s mine, and before someone asks how it’s different, I’llexplain it to you.Her da and brother were wrong to treat her like she couldn’tmake a decision.”
“Well, in my defense, I did have to save her from a cultonce,” her da said, but his eyes were warm on her.
“I thought it was a self-help group, but it turned out to bea sex cult,” Daisy admitted.“There’s a Netflix documentary coming out.I lookgood in it.”
“You do, me darling girl.”Her father nodded Nate’s way.“Continue, Nathan.You should explain what you’ll do to anyone who even looksyour girl’s way.”
A big arm caught her around her waist and hauled her backagainst Nate’s chest.She felt him kiss the top of her head.
“They can look all they like,” Nate began.
She glanced her father’s way.“Da, Nate’s about to say sexythings.”
Her father winced and covered his ears.“Tell me when it’sover, Brody.Or at least when he gets to the threats of violence.”
Nate’s dad snorted.“I’ll be sure to let you know.”
If Nate was thrown off by the banter, he didn’t show it.“Like I said, I’ll show my gorgeous sub off in the club.I won’t get pissed ifsome guy does a double take as she walks by because she’s so beautiful, howcould they help themselves?But I will take apart anyone who thinks to touchher.She’s mine.I’m giving her everything she needs, and honestly, I don’tthink the three of you put together could handle her.Stamina.A man needsserious stamina to keep up with Daisy O’Donnell.”
Her father started to hum.
“You missed your shot with her and now she’s with me, andI’m not letting her go,” Nate explained, and his arm tightened around her.“Soif you don’t like your insides on the outside, you’ll heed the one and onlywarning I’m going to give you.Otherwise, you’ll be a science project for thesekiddos.”
“Like anatomy?”Rani asked, her eyes wide.
When had she snuck up?Daisy gently disentangled herself andgot to one knee.“The guys are just playing around, sweetie.”
Rani shook her head.“No, I think your boyfriend is having acome to Jesus with the other guys who want to be your boyfriend.That’s what mymom would call it.She’s going to think this is funny.”
Gabe reached out a hand to Nate.“Message received, man.”
Nate shook it.“Just respect my rights and we’ll be fine.”
Daisy picked up Rani, who was starting to yawn.It wasalmost eleven o’clock, and it was definitely time to start getting these kiddosto bed.
Her da was here, and he wasn’t looking at her like he wasashamed.
“You can listen in now, Da.He’s threatened them all withevisceration,” she said.
Her da frowned and brought his hands down.“I wanted to hearthat part.”
Lucas let out a long sigh.“Well, it was very threatening.”
