Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
“Good. We’ll monitor for anyone hanging around. Did you see anything on your way home?”
“Nothing. But there was a lot of traffic. It would be easy to hide,” Steele noted.
“They’d be stupid to come here.”
“They were stupid to take her. Mistreating her doomed them,” Steele pointed out.
The men exchanged a look, promising retribution for the kidnappers’ actions. Steele added, “She’s mine, Storm.”
“Yours?”
“My Little girl.”
“Damn. I’m glad you found her, but…” Storm put a hand on Steele’s shoulder and squeezed before changing the subject. “We’ll try to keep the noise down so she can sleep.”
“Thanks. I think she’s out for the night. No one sleeps well in the hospital.”
“Eat. You’ll need your strength.”
Closing the door behind Storm, Steele placed the tray on the counter and explored the contents. Bear had smoked a brisket. After living on the food he’d ordered brought with Ivy’s meals in the hospital, the slices of tender meat demanded his attention. Steele quickly wolfed down a large portion of it and all the extras before placing the rest in the fridge for Ivy when she woke up.
He returned to the bedroom and tucked the covers under Ivy’s chin before sitting in the chair. Steele divided his attention between Ivy and catching up with the messages and emails that had clogged his mailbox. Storm had handled everything urgent. He owed his second-in-command.
When darkness settled, Steele took a quick shower and climbed into bed next to Ivy. Almost immediately, she gravitated to his warmth and cuddled against his chest. Tamping down his body’s response, Steele wrapped an arm around her and closed his eyes.
She needs rest.
He dozed between her movements. Totally attuned to her breathing and motions, Steele woke each time she wiggled. Each time, she got a bit closer to him until she plastered herself against his skin.
“No! NO!” Her frightened shout jerked him to attention.
“Ivy, you’re safe.”
“Don’t! I don’t want to be in that sack! No! Let me out! Where are you taking me? Let me go!”
“Wake up, Little girl,” he urged, rubbing his hands over her back to drag her from the nightmare assault replaying in her mind.
“Where am I? Did you throw me in the trash?” she whimpered.
“Ivy, open your eyes!” he ordered, thundering into the quiet of the darkness.
“What?” she mumbled. “Where am I?”
“You’re safe, Little girl. You’re here with me at the Shadowridge Guardians’ compound,” Steele replied, intentionally giving her information to focus on.
“Steele?”
“That’s right, Emerald Eyes. You’re safe now.”
“Why did they do that to me?” she wailed.
“Because they’re bad people. They won’t bother you again.”
“You can’t know that for sure. I can’t hide here with you forever,” she said miserably.
“Why not?”
Even in the darkness, he watched her search his face to see if he was telling the truth. He stroked a hand over her rumpled hair. “We need to talk, Little girl, but I think you’re mine. I don’t let go of things that are mine.”
“You think you’re my Daddy?” she whispered.
He knew it was easier for her to hide in the darkness and ask. “I know I’m your Daddy. Let me take care of you.”
Feeling her nod slowly, Steele stroked over her spine to reassure her. “Are you hungry?”
“No. I’m so tired.”
“Go back to sleep, Ivy. I’ll watch over you.”
Rubbing her back in slow sweeps of his hand, Steele felt the tension ease from her body as she relaxed against him.
“Daddy,” she mumbled against his chest, making his heart skip a beat as he watched over her.
Steele pressed a light kiss to her hair and squeezed her a bit tighter as a reward. He didn’t know how this had happened, but he wouldn’t question it. Ever.
A stuffie bonked into his face, jolting Steele from his sleep. Dismissing the threat, Steele checked on the precious woman lying draped over his chest. She still snoozed deeply. He eased himself from under her as she grumbled at his movement. Retaking his seat on the chair, he made plans.
An hour later, he watched her hand search for him. “I’m here, Ivy.” To his delight, she crawled from under the covers to clamber onto his lap and wrap her arms around his neck.
“I dreamed I was alone.”
“I’m here.” Steele brushed the hair from her face. “How do you feel?”
“My head hurts,” she confessed. “I should take some medicine.”
“Let’s go get it.”
Standing with her in his arms, Steele carried her into the bathroom and stood her next to the vanity. He opened the medicine cabinet to reveal the over-the-counter tablets the doctor had prescribed for the pain. When he turned on the water, she squirmed.
“Go potty, Little girl.”
Instantly, she fled to the toilet and returned a few minutes later with a red face. Steele didn’t comment but turned on the water for her to wash her hands. When she had finished, he handed her the tablets and watched her take them.