“No, I don’t suppose you do. You seem like a man who takes control and holds on to it.”
I didn’t know if I liked or trusted the viper in front of me, but as she was my employer, I bit my tongue and stayed silent. Beside me, Cheryl glared at her mother while defiantly holding my hand.
“Gabriel, as you know, we had a mole in my husband’s office and were able to track his movements. But he kept everything above board, and it was difficult to catch him doing anything incriminating. Going after Jacki, my daughter’s friend, was a last-ditch attempt to get to Cheryl. We finally caught him, and not just for kidnapping, but extortion and prostitution. It all fell into our laps when he divided his forces to go after my daughter and her friend.”
“You used your daughter and her friends as bait. You truly are Senator Johnson’s wife.” It was hard to hide the sneer in my voice.
“Well, I never felt like either of the girls were at risk. After all, I did hire the best protection.” She looked smug, and I felt a sudden urge to wipe it off her face. I’d never been violent with a woman and certainly had never slapped one, but I really wanted to break my own rule.
“Anyway, there will be a big rescue photo op. As the woman who spearheaded my daughter’s rescue, I will, of course, be stepping into my husband’s shoes. I will make sure he spends the rest of his life in jail.” The venom with which she spat those words was unmistakable; she hated the man.
“So, it’s over, then my job is done.” I stood, looking forward to going home. Cheryl stood, ready to leave with me, and I felt a small sense of satisfaction when her mother narrowed her eyes at her daughter’s hand tucked safely in mine.
“Mrs. Johnson, I expect the final payment in my bank account by midnight tonight. Come on, baby, let’s go home.”
“Uh, and where do you think you’re going, missy?”
“With Gabriel, Mother. You didn’t think I would go with you back to some fake bullshit you call a politician’s life? Never! And I will be dropping out of college. I suddenly don’t care for my major anymore. Don’t worry, Mother, I don’t need your money, your connections, or anything else.”
I wanted to crow, “Atta girl,” but I kept my face impassive.
“So, that’s my reward for being a good mother and rescuing you? I see you’re still as selfish as you were when you left home two years ago.”
I was about to tell the horrid woman where she could go, but my feisty brat beat me to it.
“You never rescued me, Mother. Gabriel did when he showed me what my life could be, when he showed me true freedom at the risk of losing everything. You never did a thing for me; it was always for yourself.”
She squeezed my hand, and just this once, I let her lead. Once we were far enough away from her odious mother, I congratulated Cheryl for standing up for herself.
“Oh, I have no problem showing my bitch side when I need to, but it’s all bravado. I only did it because I knew you would protect me.” I jerked her hand, halting her breakneck pace to get away from that place.
“Always, baby, I will always have your back and protect you, even when it’s your fault—especially when you are to blame.” I tipped her chin up so I could see directly into her eyes. “But you’ve given yourself to me, and there is no protection from Daddy.”
As I’d hoped, her pupils dilated, and her breathing hitched.
“You promise, Daddy?”
“I promise you. I’m not going anywhere, baby. You will always be Daddy’s naughty brat.”
Epilogue
An infinite universe rewards those who do not fear its vastness.
Cheryl – 3 months later
“Cheryl, what’s taking so long? Do you really want to be late to your best friend’s birthday?”
I couldn’t hold back the peal of giggles. Did I want to piss him off, or… “I’ll be there in a moment, Daddy. I’m doing five-minute lips.”
I almost peed myself from laughing when I heard Gabriel cursing and thumping. I struck my pose and waited for him to find me.
“Cheryl, do you really want a—” He stopped short, his jaw practically hitting the floor. “Why you little minx. What made you decide on that outfit for tonight?”
I blew the bond bangs off my forehead and licked my ruby red lips. “Why Daddy, what do you mean?”
His eyes narrowed. “Cheryl, tell me why you're dressed as Madonna from the Papa don’t Preach video for your best friend’s party?”
In response, I cued the music and popped up on my ballet flats. When the words “Papa don’t preach, I’m in trouble deep,” played, I pulled the stick out of my back pocket and handed it to him. It took a minute for him to process what he was looking at.
