Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
“I think I can take care of myself. And you, little girl. If not, I have an entire team of trained covert-military men who’ll back me up.”
“Hopefully, he’ll decide to go back home now. Things can’t be going well for him. He used to drive a fancy silver sports car. I noticed he was in a bashed-up blue car.”
“It’s hard to keep a job when you’re harassing someone a couple of states away,” Caden said.
“From what I hear from my parents, the word around our small town is that he’s working as a day laborer now and living in that car. Unfortunately, he doesn’t see that his crappy life results are from his decisions. Everything is always my fault. He hates me so much. It’s scary.”
Caden moved back to the griddle and rescued the golden waffle. “Round two. I vote we concentrate on this golden deliciousness and worry about Brent later. He’s affected your life enough.”
“Do you want to butter this one?” she asked, smiling up at him.
“No way. You’re the expert.”
Brooklyn concentrated on her task. Caden smiled as the tip of her tongue appeared at the corner of her mouth. Her life should always be this enchanting. He had to make this end for her. The team would help. They’d consider it a training exercise in handling urban threats.
CHAPTER 11
Brooklyn glanced at Caden as he drove toward Zale’s. She’d woken up from the nap he’d insisted she take about an hour ago. Already, she had more energy than she had in a long time.
Caden reached a large hand over to wrap around her thigh when he noticed her looking at him. “You okay, Brookie?”
“Yes. I’m good. Better than good.”
“Sounds like you need a naptime every day.”
“I’m sure I’ll get caught up on my sleep soon,” she told him.
“Remember when I showed you the camera in that teddy bear on the tall dresser in your nursery? I’m going to check it at two p.m. each day. Your cute bottom better be in that crib or it will be red when I get home.”
“You’re not really going to spank me.”
“Of course I am if you’re naughty. If you don’t fall asleep, you can read or simply relax, but I want you in bed from two to three.”
Brooklyn bristled at his demands. Who was he to order her around? She opened her mouth to argue, “Daddy…” That one word stopped her from arguing. If she wanted him to be her daddy, she should probably let him be one. Brooklyn rubbed her hand over his and smiled as he intertwined their fingers.
“Yes?” Caden asked.
“Never mind. I’ll stretch out and try to nap.”
“Good girl.”
She squeezed his hand at the praise. Those two words did something to her inside.
They drove for a short time in silence until Caden slowed. Brooklyn leaned forward peering through the windshield. “There’s a bunch of trucks there.”
“We may be the last ones to arrive,” Caden said.
“What if they don’t like me?” Brooklyn asked.
“That’s not going to happen. You helped save Giana, remember? Who knows what would have happened if you hadn’t driven her away from that jerk.”
“I don’t want people to like me for that,” Brooklyn admitted as he turned around to park in front of a small home.
“Even without that daring rescue move, everyone would love you. Just be yourself.”
“All of the women with your teammates are Littles? I don’t really know how to be little. What if I do something wrong?”
Turning off the car, Caden shifted in his seat to meet her gaze. “I’m sorry you’re worrying so much. You seemed excited to go earlier. Do we need to leave?”
Brooklyn bit her bottom lip as she fretted over what to do. If they took off, everyone would think she didn’t want to meet them. She did, but she was scared. The more she thought about it, the more her fear escalated.
A knock on the window made her shriek and jump. She scrambled to the side, almost scaling the console that separated Brooklyn from her daddy. Caden scooped her into his arms and pulled her the rest of the way onto his lap.
“Sweetheart, you’re okay. It’s Giana. Look,” he reassured her, pointing to Giana, who stood frozen outside.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you,” Giana shouted through the glass.
“No, it’s okay. I overreacted,” Brooklyn panted, trying to stop shaking as she pressed herself to Caden’s reassuring warmth. She’d forgotten to focus on her surroundings like she normally did.
“Giana, we’ll come inside in a few minutes. Okay?” Caden called.
Giana nodded and appeared crushed. She jogged back inside. Brooklyn watched her go and suspected Giana was upset. Brooklyn’s heart raced in her chest. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to stop it.
“I feel horrible. She shouldn’t blame herself for my being nervous. I shouldn’t have panicked. You wouldn’t let someone attack me.”