“And?” Daddy prompted quietly.
“And then he… he started talking about you,” I whispered.
I felt Daddy go very still.
I pushed on anyway, my heart starting to ache. “He said you were… controlling. That you have too much power over me. That you’re taking advantage of me because I’m—” My voice cracked. “—because I’m vulnerable.” My eyes burned again, and I scrubbed at them with the heel of my hand, embarrassed by how fast the tears came back. “He said it wasn’t normal. The way you take care of me. The way I rely on you. He kept saying I should be more independent, like that would just…fixeverything.”
Daddy let out a low grunt.
I shook my head hard, looking up at him. “I told him he was wrong. I told him you saved me. That you’re kind. That you listen to me. I told him Ilikewhen you take care of things, that it makes me feel safe.” My voice got small. “But he wouldn’t stop.”
Daddy’s hand came up to hold my jaw, his thumb brushing gently under my eye, wiping away a tear. “What else did he say?”
I hesitated, shame prickling hot under my skin. “He… he said the Daddy thing wasn’t okay. That because it’s a kink, it was wrong for you to—” I couldn’t even finish the sentence. My throat closed up completely.
Daddy’s eyes darkened, something fierce flashing there before he forced it down. His voice, when he spoke, was very controlled. “Did he say you didn’t get to choose that?”
I nodded miserably.
“That motherfucker,” Daddy muttered under his breath.
I flinched a little at the anger in his tone, and he immediately softened, pressing a kiss to my hair. “Sorry, cherub, sorry. Keep going, please?”
I sagged back into him, my fingers twisting in his shirt. “I didn’t like the way he talked about you,” I admitted. “Or about me. It made me feel like a kid—and—and dumb.”
Daddy stroked my hair, holding me firmly against his chest. “He’s the dumb one,” he said slowly, like he needed me to hear every word. “You don’t owe anyone explanations for what makes you feel safe.”
My lip trembled. “But what if he’s right? What if I’mjust… replacing one set of rules with another?”
Daddy leaned back slightly so I had to look at him. His gaze was intense but steady. “Listen to me, Elior. Honestly, you are.”
“What? No—”
“Shhh,” he cooed, stroking my hair. “He’s right about a lot of it. I’m not a good man, baby. I lie and cheat to get what I want. I’m possessive. I want to pluck his eyes out every time he looks at you.”
My mouth dropped open in shock. “Daddy!”
“It’s true, and you know it.”
I shook my head, tears slipping down my cheeks again. “It’s not! You are a good man. The best.”
Daddy chuckled softly, using his thumb to catch my tears.
Hewasa good man.
How could he not be when he looked at me like I was something to worship?
I saw the love in his eyes. I saw the longing, the desire, the affection.
If he were a bad man, then I would just have to be a sinner.
“I love you, Daddy,” I whispered.
Daddy pulled me back in close, his arms wrapping around me like a shield. “I’m not sure if love is a strong enough word to describe what I feel for you.”
“See? How can you be bad if you say such romantic things like that?” I asked, a small smile on my lips.
“Okay, cherub. I’ll be good for you. How’s that?”
