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Ian rockedhis girl back and forth.
Fuck, he hated the sound of her tears. Of her pain.
But Jameson had been right. Someone needed to break her out of the shield she’d pulled around herself. She had been slowly fading away before their eyes.
He’d listened to everything Jameson said. Knew it had cost the other man to do that. He was doing what a good friend should. A brother. And the last of the anger Ian help toward him disappeared.
“Let it all out, Little girl. That’s it. All the fear and anger. You need to let it all go.”
“I don’t . . . I don’t like feeling like this.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know what to do. I feel so out of control. Like I’m not safe. I have nightmares . . . I can’t sleep . . . eating makes me feel sick. It’s safer to hide. Why won’t you let me hide?” Maggie wailed.
“Because I don’t want to lose you.” He drew her back, cupping her face and wiping away her tears. “Because you’re hurting yourself and that’s unacceptable.”
He reached over for a tissue, cleaning her up and wiping her nose.
“I’m so tired, Ian.”
“Then let me help you,” he said, knowing she didn’t mean just physically. “If you need me to take over, I will. If you need me as your man, your Dom, your Daddy. I’m here for you. Just don’t push me away anymore.”
“Do you love me?”
He sighed. “I had planned on telling you myself. Jameson always has to one-up me.”
She just stared at him.
“I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my life. I would do anything for you. Hurt anyone. Protect you with my life. You’re my sweet girl and I can’t live without you. So please let me help you.”
For what felt like forever, she just studied him.
“I love you too, Ian.” She sniffled. “And I . . . I’ll try. I’ll try to let you help.”
He gathered her close again. She tucked her face into his chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to withdraw from you. It was just easier.”
“I get it, Little girl. But I can’t let you hurt yourself.”
“I didn’t mean to. Really.”
She didn’t wantto hurt herself or them. It had just seemed easier to draw into herself. To try not to feel anything.
“What does all this mean for the future?” With Jameson? With her leaving soon?
“We can work all that out later. We just need to focus on you at the moment.”
“Ian, where is Uncle Willy?” she asked.
She’d asked about Uncle Willy when she first got home, but Ian and Jack had brushed away her questions, saying he was busy. But now that she had a clearer head, she realized that something was wrong.
Ian’s face closed up.
Monkeyballs.
“I’ll tell you soon, all right? Right now, we need to look after you.”
Did he not think she could handle what he had to say? Maybe she couldn’t, though.
