As if summoned to ruin the fun of my dirty thoughts, Nick comes through the clubhouse, hands in his pockets, his usually playful expression gone, offering nothing but stern nods to the players calling out to say hello.
Last time he was in here was to douse his now wife in buckets of sangria, but now he seems like a man on a mission, and I hope that this next pep talk doesn’t take time away from the woman I haven’t laid eyes on for the past three hours.
“Coach.” He nods, moving us over to a quiet corner away from the guys in various stages of undress. “Since apparently you’re the guy I’m supposed to call…”
I pause before leaping into action. “Where is she? Is she hurt? What happened?” I don’t realize I’ve grabbed Nick by theforearm and basically dragged him toward the elevators that’ll lead us to the executive offices until we’re halfway down the hall.
He pushes me off discreetly while continuing to lead me to where I assume Daisy is. “She’s fine. Fucking hell, you’ve got quite the grip strength. Were you a pitcher or catcher before coaching? I forget.”
“Nick. What happened?” I punch the elevator button with more force than necessary.
“I said she’s fine, Luke. Take a breather.” He ushers me into the empty elevator, waiting for the doors to close before speaking. “My father was waiting for her in her office.”
“How the hell—”
He lifts his hand. “I’ve already spoken to my head of security and settled it. He’s been officially banned and is not allowed to set foot onto Monarchs property. But it seems with all the media frenzy surrounding Daisy, he was able to sweet talk his way inside, saying he was told to enter through the private entrance to meet her. It was an honest mistake, but one that I’ve made sure will never happen. Not on my watch.”
“Or mine.” I grab the elevator railing, guilt tearing me up inside. I should have walked her to her office instead of making filthy promises. We are no longer in our bubble up in the mountains, and I have to do a better job of protecting Daisy from not only the potential internet trolls, but the very real men in her life who will stop at nothing to tear her down.
“Twenty-five to life, Weston.”
“What?”
“The mandatory sentencing for premeditated murder. Keep that in mind if you truly see a future with my sister. Because the way you’re about two seconds from ripping that railing clean off the wall tells me you need the reminder. No worries. I’ve learned to recite that fun fact in my mind every time my father pulls a stunt like this. It gets easier to remember with time.”
“Oh yeah? Then what do you suggest if another man blasted to the entire world that he still plans on marrying your girlfriend in two weeks’ time, even though she left his sorry ass at the altar? What fun fact do you have left for that scenario?”
“Luke. We’ll handle it. Leave that to me. In the meantime, your job is to make sure my sister isn’t subjected to conjugal visits at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Think you can do that for me?”
The elevator doors open and I burst through them before I start making promises I can’t keep. And I don’t stop until I’m pushing open Daisy’s office door, allowing myself a moment to fully take in the scene.
Three grown women sit on the floor, long serving spoons in hand with multiple to-go containers filled with cake and ice cream.
“Hi.” Daisy waves at me with her spoon, and the tightness in my chest loosens.
I keep walking until I’m stepping between containers and swooping down low to scoop her into my arms. I bring her to the small couch in her office and sit, placing her sideways on my lap so I can get a good look at her. My hands trace up and down her arms, searching for any physical signs of harm her father may have done to her, even though I’m well aware his preferred method of pain is emotional warfare.
“Nick told you, didn’t he?” She sounds exhausted. It’s the only reason I’m not saying that she should have been the one to tell me, regardless of whether I was on the field. Because when it comes to her, everything else is secondary.
“Are you okay? What did he say? Nick banned him from the stadium, and he doesn’t know where you live now. And I know for a fact that your building is heavily secured, so you’ll be safe there.”
She groans as she leans into my chest, words muffled as she speaks. “Guys, he’s not a hitman. Just your run-of-the-mill shitty father. I’m sure I’ll survive.”
I run a hand over her back in soothing circles, relishing the feel of her dropping more of her weight onto me. “You still haven’t answered my question, Daisy girl.”
“Daisy girl, swoon.” Luisa elbows Isa.
I force my attention to stay on my Daisy, who is now sporting a dopey smile of her own. “Better now. How about we head out and check out my new place? I’m dying to see it and would love nothing more than to test out that massive bathtub that overlooks the city.”
“Sounds like a perfect plan to me.” I lean down and kiss her. I mean to keep it sweet, but at the taste of her lips, my body acts on instinct. I didn’t have to censor myself while we were at the cabin, and it seems as though it’s going to take a minute to train my body to react appropriately while we’re out with our friends.
At the moment I realize we need to reel it in, Daisy wiggles her ass over my hard-on. Fuck, this is going to be awkward. There’s no hiding the effect this woman has on me.
“Let’s go before I have to bleach my eyeballs. Wife, come feel my forehead. I think I’m coming down with something.” Nick fake coughs.
Luisa rolls her eyes as she helps Isa up. “I’m not falling for your fake illnesses anymore, big guy. You want some TLC, you’re going to have to beg for it.”
“Okay, I’m off to find my man because these damn Stonehaven siblings have an engaged woman feeling lonely as hell.” Isa complains
