I poked his chest. “You’re in a silly mood today.”
“Silly mood?” He raised his brow and pulled me closer. “I’m happy that you are here.”
I smiled, but his faltered when his eyes trailed down at my arm. I was wearing a full-sleeve top, but the sleeve was raised high and—oh shit, he could see the bruise. The handprint from that man.
I lowered the sleeve and didn’t meet his eyes.
“What the fuck is this?”
30
PREY AND PREDATOR
CHELSEA
“What the fuck is this?” Sean’s voice was harsh, his fingers pushing the sleeve of my shirt to check if I had any more bruises.
“Did you get hurt?” He demanded, holding my other hand and tugging up the sleeve. He seemed exasperated and looked at me. “Remove your top. Let me see.”
He moved to hold the hem of my tee shirt, but I stepped back. Sean clenched his jaw, and he kneeled in front of me, surprising me. “Chelsea, please. I need to know if you’re hurt or not.”
Chelsea. Not Princess.But why was he doing this?
“I’m not.”
“You’re lying,” he said, his eyes pointing to the bruise on my left arm. “Who did this? Who touched you?”
“Can you calm down?” I said, my breathing increasing. “You’re scaring me.”
“Tell me who did this,” he repeated.
I knew I couldn’t face him and confess everything while standing, so I pulled him up and led him to the couch. He sat beside me, thankfully keeping some space in between. I didn’t want to be consoled when I told him the truth.
“Promise me you won’t get mad at me,” I said, keeping my hands on my lap and avoiding meeting his eyes.
“I’ll try not to, Princess.”
I took a deep breath and told him about the loan sharks and how my father fucked up.
“And you didn’t tell me?”
I shook my head, staring at my fidgeting fingers. “I was afraid they would do something to you, threaten you, harm you.”
Sean remained quiet, and I took a peek at his face and sucked a deep breath. His features seemed harsh. “I’m a lawyer, Princess. If I had known earlier, I would have helped you.”
“I was afraid.”
He lifted his hand, but it hovered over my thigh. “Can I hold your hand?”
I nodded and his large palm covering my hand, squeezing it. “It’s my job to keep you safe, sweet girl. If you are scared, I need to know so I can protect you. Understood?”
I nodded, staring at his thumb that rubbed over my knuckles, soothing me.
His other hand gently tucked my chin up to look at him. “Say you understand, Princess.”
“I understand, Daddy.”
He kissed my forehead. “Good girl.”
