Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
“You won’t be by yourself,” her da complained.
Her mom sighed and stared at her da for a moment. “Are we doing this now?”
The big family talk. The one where everyone cried and said how worried they were about her, and did she know what she was doing? Nope. She didn’t want to do that at all. She rather wanted to run to Sanctum and lock herself in with Nate and enjoy what little time she would have with him.
“Nathan, I think you should go back to your desk so I can talk with my family,” her da said. “Ian’s right. We should get our shit together as a family.”
Nate turned her way. “You want me to leave?”
That was an easy question. “No.”
Nate turned back to her da and shrugged. “Sorry. If she wants me here, I’m staying. Besides I kind of think she needs someone to protect her.”
“From her own da?” Her father was getting red in the face again.
“Nathan, could you go into the break room and grab the sandwiches I sent with Li this morning? Daisy hasn’t eaten all day,” her mother began. “She’s pale.”
Nate obviously wasn’t used to her mother manipulating situations. Or he didn’t notice because he bought her mom’s request immediately. “Of course. I’ll get something for you, too, Mrs. O’Donnell.”
“I don’t suppose you’re going to call me Aunt Avery,” she said wistfully.
“I can’t,” Nate replied. “I know your husband doesn’t believe me, but I’m serious. Do you want some coffee, love?”
The last question had been directed at her. Well, her mother obviously wanted to get her alone, so she might as well get something out of it. “I would rather have a soda. Whatever they have in the vending machines is okay,”
“I’ll take a coffee, if you don’t mind,” her mom said.
Nate looked to her da, but his eyes stayed steady on Daisy.
Nate finally walked out, promising to be back soon.
“Daisy, I know Nathan has convinced you he’s interested, but you have to understand no one will protect you the way your family will.” Her da barely waited until the door closed.
“He is family, Liam.” Her mother looked at a loss for words. “I don’t understand what’s happening.”
“Well I do, and he’s not the sweet boy you remember. He’s a man, and he’s doing what men do to innocent young women,” her da said. “Daisy, I know you don’t have a lot of experience with men.”
Her mother groaned.
“Which is why you have to understand I’m only looking out for you,” her da continued.
“But I like Nate.”
“You don’t know him.” Her da stood and paced.
“I do,” her mom argued.
A familiar figure raced by. Aidan. He wore green scrubs, and he hadn’t bothered to take off his cap. Carys followed after him, stopping when she saw they were in the conference room. She pushed through the door. “Daisy. We just heard what happened. Are you all right?”
Aidan had turned back, following her in. “I’m so sorry. I was in surgery. I came as soon as I could. Da said someone tried to kill you.”
At least her brother loved her. Sometimes she worried he viewed her as a burden. “I’m fine. Nate took care of the situation.”
Aidan’s eyes went hard. “Yeah, I heard about that, too. I’m going to be having a talk with him.”
She was about to challenge him when her mother’s eyes narrowed.
“Why would you have a talk with him? Beyond saying you hope he treats her well, son?” Her mom didn’t usually sound so cold.
“He’s going to do what needs to be done.” Da stood next to Aidan, putting a hand on his shoulder. “He’s going to let Nate know she’s not without protection.”
“I thought Nate was her protection,” Carys said, looking at Daisy and then the men, seeming to understand something was going on beyond a simple assassination attempt.
“Nate is her bodyguard, but it appears he is also her boyfriend,” her mother explained. “Why don’t you sit down, sweetie? It looks like we’re having a family meeting, and this could take a while. Aidan, I’d like to know what your father is talking about when he says you’ll do what needs to be done. What needs to be done, son?”
Aidan stopped, seeming to realize he was in a trap of some kind. “Uh, look, Mom, all I know is Da called and told me Daisy’s in trouble again. She got freaking shot at and now there’s a bounty on her head, and apparently my friend tricked her into bed with him. So yeah, I’m going to talk to him.”
Carys looked Daisy’s way. “I don’t think that’s what happened.”
Poor Carys. She didn’t want to give her up. “Mom and Da know, Carys. They know I spent last night with Nate and he didn’t know who I was at the time. Apparently, though, my super-secret disguise didn’t work, and he recognized me as Dee this morning.”