Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45605 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45605 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Cora flinches.
Realization dawns. I pull my girl closer, wrapping my arms around her as I settle her chest against mine. I stroke her hair. “After your mom died…” I say out loud. It’s not a question.
“Mmm hmm.”
“He made you drop out, isolated you, and turned you into a servant.”
“Yes,” she breathes against my chest.
“How often have you left the house since then, Little doll?” I want to know how isolated she’s been and how furious I should be with Vincent Jones.
“Only a few times. I don’t know why he brought me today. I think he was afraid if he left me alone, I would run away this time.”
I lean her back so I can look her in the eyes. “It’s over, Little doll. He’s never going to terrorize you again.”
“Okay.”
I bring my lips to hers. I need to taste her. I’m gentle. She’s so innocent. First, I start with a light peck and then another before flattening my lips to hers and really kissing her.
Cora grabs my bicep, fisting my flannel shirt with her left hand. She holds my bicep with her injured arm, too, but not as forcefully.
I love the sweet whimper she makes.
I don’t want to rush her, so I pull back.
“Orion…” she murmurs.
“You’ll call me Daddy, Little doll.”
Her brow furrows. “Daddy?”
“It’s an endearment. Lion shifters take care of their mates in every way. You will be coddled and worshipped by me. You will learn to accept my care and realize that Daddy is a fitting term.”
“I’m not a child.”
“Certainly not. I’m clear that you’re a grown woman. I wouldn’t be drawn to you otherwise. I believe Fate put you in my path today. She doesn’t make mistakes. Regardless of your lack of knowledge about the ways of my pride, She believed we would be suited for each other.”
“I’m scared.”
“I know you are, Little doll.” I squeeze her neck. She’s stiff. Stress will do that.
I move my hands to her waist and lift her up, turning as I do so I can settle her across my lap.
“What happens when Vincent shows up here?”
“I send him away. I’ll text my pride brothers now so everyone is aware that I have claimed you. Several of them will come here to back me up. Meanwhile, I’d like to send one of my brothers to your homestead immediately so they can pick up some of your things. We don’t want to risk Vincent returning in a rage and destroying your belongings. Do you think you can make me a list?”
She nods. “I can try.”
“I don’t care about clothes, Little doll. Those are replaceable. A list of things that are special to you, perhaps things you have from your mother. Photos, gifts, mementoes.”
“Okay.”
Chapter Four
Cora
I’m pacing Orion’s kitchen as he prepares lunch. He won’t let me help. In fact, he says I will never cook for him. It’s impossible for me to wrap my head around that. I’ve been cooking for a long time. Even before my mother died, I had taken over many of the household chores.
I’m nervous. That’s an understatement.
One of Orion’s brothers, Sylas, has gone to my home to retrieve the things I listed. Orion helped me by making suggestions. I’m grateful. Sylas will be in and out before Vincent arrives. I don’t care that he’s going to break into the house to do so. Apparently he has a lock pick. Vincent might not even realize it happened.
He’s retrieving special things from my childhood, from when it was just me and my mom before she married Vincent. Pictures, a few pieces of my mother’s jewelry, her journals from when she was pregnant with me.
I was beyond shocked when Orion asked me if I had any toys I wanted. I hesitated and felt ridiculous asking for the china doll my mother bought me on my fifth birthday. I also added the stuffed puppy she got me as a baby and the other dolls I’ve been keeping in a box in the closet.
Orion didn’t even flinch. In fact, he seemed pleased. We made this list at the kitchen table, and I sat on his lap the entire time.
It’s not as if it’s been hours. I’ve been here less than one hour. Navin has been stalling Vincent because Orion texted him and asked him to do so, but they will be here soon.
I laughed when Orion told me he had no intention of preparing anything for Vincent at all. That had been a ruse to get me away from my stepfather.
When I hear a vehicle arriving outside, I spin around to face Orion. “This is a bad idea. He’s going to be livid.”
Orion pulls me into his arms. “I want you to go into the bedroom and lock it behind you. Stay in there until you hear me through the door. Okay?”
I nod, but I’m scared out of my head.