Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 73(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 73(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
A small, broken sound eased from her throat. “He didn’t accept our relationship. I told him I love you—you and Joseph. And he… He rejected me. I should’ve known. I did know. But I hoped…” She trailed off, her voice going too high and thin.
A shudder rolled through her, and she tucked her face against my chest, hiding from me. “I’ve been such a coward, waiting all this time. And now, I hurt you. It was awful. I feel awful. I love you so much, Daddy. You have to know that.” Her small fingers curved into my back, drawing me impossibly closer.
I cupped her nape and held her firmly but gently, making sure she felt my love and support. “I love you too, babygirl,” I vowed. “I love you, and I accept you just as you are. I’m okay. I was upset, but I’m okay now.” I owed her the truth that I’d been refusing to acknowledge.
That pain in my chest had everything to do with the fact that her father hadn’t known about me, about us. But I wasn’t upset with Ashlyn. She’d been hurt far more that I was, and it was my job to take care of her. Instead, I’d left her alone to face her father’s censure and judgment.
“I’m sorry I left you to deal with that on your own,” I rumbled, rubbing her back in soothing strokes. “I’ve got you now.”
Her breath hitched on a little gasp, and she squeezed me tighter. “Thank you, Daddy,” she whispered. “I love you.”
She leaned back, gazing up at me but not breaking our fierce embrace. Her lovely eyes flashed with defiance. “I’m glad I finally told him about us—about our family. Even if…” she sniffled but continued on, “Even if my father doesn’t understand, that doesn’t change anything. You are the most important thing in my life. You and Joseph are everything to me.”
I brushed a lock of hair back from her tear-streaked cheek. “I understand why you were scared to tell him about us. I was hurt in the moment, but I’m not anymore.” She had to know the truth, and I was past the days of hiding my more vulnerable emotions from my family. I tried to stem the flow of her tears with my thumbs once again. “I’m sorry your father made you cry. I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you.”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what he thinks. I was stupid to get so caught up in worrying about his reaction when you’re all that matters to me: your happiness, Marco. That’s what matters.”
“You do make me happy,” I swore. “Happier than I ever would’ve thought possible.”
Before my sweet girl came into my life—before I kidnapped her and dragged her into it—I’d been a shell of a man. I’d barely let myself feel anything at all, and the only person I allowed close to my heart was Joseph. He’d needed my protection, and he was the only one in our criminal world I’d given a shit about.
Now, Ashlyn needed my protection. I would always keep her safe and content. That was my purpose in life.
Her brows drew together. “You’re really not upset with me?” she asked with such tentative hope that it made my heart squeeze.
Clearly, my words weren’t enough to ease her worry and pain. I’d have to show her how happy she made me. My babygirl needed her Daddy to make her feel good.
I grasped her waist and lifted her up, loving her softness beneath my hands. Her shocked, delighted giggle as she settled over my shoulder helped soothe the last twinge in my chest. I drew in a deep breath and strode toward the dining room.
She hadn’t truly heard me when I’d promised that I wasn’t upset anymore. My girl would get a little discipline to ensure she paid closer attention to what I said. Then I could feast on her sweet pussy and make her scream my name.
I set her down on her feet and swiftly turned her away from me before pressing my palm to her lower back. She released a relieved sigh as she obediently bent over, bracing her small hands on the polished dining table. She knew what was coming, and already the prospect of my correction began to calm her.
“Such a sweet girl,” I praised, earning another shuddering sigh from her.
She rested her cheek meekly on the table and arched her back, offering her ass to me.
“I know what I did was wrong, Daddy,” she murmured. “I shouldn’t have lied to you.”
I flipped up her skirt and delivered a sharp, punitive stroke to her sensitive upper thigh. She squealed at the sting, but my good girl didn’t shift away from the blow.
“That’s not what you did wrong, babygirl,” I reprimanded with another harsh slap, leaving a twin red handprint on her opposite thigh. “I already told you that you didn’t lie to me. I told you that I’m not upset. You’re not listening to me. That’s very naughty.”