Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
The thought of Kingsley digging so deeply into Rocco’s life was unsettling, but knowing he’d done so for every one of the guys was kind of reassuring.
“I know you didn’t call just to chat about furniture or your team members.”
Rocco cleared his throat. “No. I wanted to make you aware of the fact that Sadie won’t just be a job for me. She’s—”
“Your Little,” Kingsley supplied, cutting Rocco off.
“Yes.”
“I assumed that would happen. I won’t be standing in your way.”
Rocco opened his mouth, hesitated, and then spoke. “Please tell me you’re not some sort of matchmaker.”
Kingsley chuckled again. “Not exactly. All I did was pick the man I thought best suited for the job of protecting her. The rest is up to you. Surely, you didn’t call to get my permission. You don’t seem like the sort of man who would ask anyone to grant you permission to claim a Little girl.”
“Not at all. I’m calling for Sadie. She’s concerned about her job, and I want to be certain you don’t have some sort of fraternization policy that would make her feel like her job was in jeopardy.”
“Nope. You can reassure Sadie her job is secure. I hired her for two reasons, Rocco. I’m sure you’ve speculated about my intentions. So before you ask, yes, I knew her life was in danger. As you know, I’m in the business of protecting the innocent. Sadie falls within that category. However, I didn’t put her in charge of the front end of things simply out of kindness. She’s a hard worker with a good head on her shoulders. She has past hotel experience. She’s only been there a few days, and already the operation is running smoother. I would hate to lose her.”
Rocco smiled. He agreed with Kingsley’s assessment. Sadie was sharp and on the ball. Nothing would get by her.
“However,” Kingsley continued, “whether or not she remains in my employment is up to you and her. I won’t penalize either of you if the two of you decide it’s not in her best interest to continue working for the resort. She will always remain welcome.”
Rocco hesitated, once again surprised by his benefactor’s words. Was Kingsley suggesting that if Sadie and Rocco entered into a more permanent relationship, Kingsley would understand if she stopped working altogether? That was the only possible inference.
Rocco cleared his throat. “I doubt you’ll have to worry about that. Sadie is incredibly conscientious. She isn’t likely to want to quit her job and become a full-time Little. I appreciate the sentiment though. I would never get in the way of whatever she decides about her employment. That’s up to her. As long as she’s healthy, safe, and happy, she will have my support either way—working full-time or not.”
It shook Rocco to the core to realize how incredibly serious he was about Sadie and the words he’d just spoken. Saying all of that out loud and knowing he had the support of his boss eased his mind considerably. It also drove home just how invested he was in her.
Sadie Miller was his Little girl in every way. From this day forward, he would do whatever it took to ensure precisely what he’d just promised Kingsley. His top priority was now her health, safety, and happiness.
“Anything else you need to discuss?” Kingsley asked.
“Not at this time.”
“Okay. Take care of that Little girl, then. I’ll be in touch.”
“Thank you.”
The call ended, and Rocco inhaled long and slow. That had gone much better than he’d expected. After dinner, he would meet up with Sadie and take her on a walk through the gardens. He would let her know about his conversation with Kingsley, and he hoped she would be able to open up about her problems. He understood perfectly why she had yet to mention a word of her recent past, but tonight, he wanted to lay all the cards on the table.
Rocco suspected part of the reason Sadie hadn’t said anything yet was because she had no idea just how much danger she was in. He needed to let her in on that detail. In fact, as unsettled as he was about leaving her in her room on the fourth floor each night, he just might insist she sleep in the playroom he’d spent the day setting up. It wasn’t as though it was still an empty room. There were finishing touches to be made, but Rocco wanted Sadie’s input for some of the final purchases.
It was with a smile on his face and released tension in his chest that he left his apartment to join the team in the kitchen. He wondered what Sadie was eating for dinner, and part of him wished he’d simply swooped in and demanded she join him and the rest of the team, starting with this meal.