Max is my Daddy, my hero, and if Luke and Richie believe in their Daddies, I can believe in mine.
Still, the waiting’s driving me nuts, and I need something to distract me.
I glance at the kitchen, a mischievous idea bubbling up.
“You know what I really want right now?” I say, my voice perking up, a grin spreading across my face. “Ice cream. Like, a ton of it. Who’s with me?”
Luke’s eyes light up, his quiet energy replaced by excitement.
“Oh my gosh, yes! Let’s raid the fridge!” Richie claps his hands, his grin matching mine, and we’re all giggling, our Little sides taking over.
“The Evil Daddies can’t stop us!” I declare, echoing our Little Guard game from last night.
Before I know it, we scramble to our feet, tiptoeing to the kitchen like we’re on a secret mission, our stuffies tucked under our arms.
The fridge is a treasure trove—boxes of sumptuous ice cream in chocolate fudge, strawberry swirl, and cookies and cream. We grab them all, piling bowls high with scoops, giggling as we add rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream from a can Richie finds in the pantry.
“This is the best!” I say, licking a drip of strawberry off my spoon, the cold sweetness bursting on my tongue.
The three of us huddle at the counter, our bowls a mess of colors, and I feel like I’m at the world’s best sleepover, surrounded by friends who get me. It’s so different from my pop star life, always alone, always under Trent’s thumb.
With Luke and Richie, I’m just Billie, and it’sperfect.
We’re halfway through our bowls, giggling over how we’re totally defying our Daddies’ bedtime rules from last night, when a loud banging at the penthouse door makes us freeze.
My spoon clatters to the counter, my heart leaping into my throat.
“What was that?” I whisper, my voice shaking, Felix clutched tight.
The fear I’d pushed down surges back—those men with guns at the cabin… what if it’s them?
What if Max didn’t stop them?
Luke and Richie look just as spooked, their eyes wide, their stuffies hugged close.
“Stay here,” I say, my voice barely steady, trying to channel Max’s courage.
I creep toward the door, my heart pounding, every bang echoing like a gunshot.
I’m terrified, but I’m not alone—Luke and Richie are right behind me, their presence giving me a little bravery.
I reach for the peephole, praying it’s Max, Cole, and Connor, safe and back to us.
My heart’s pounding as I inch toward the penthouse door, Felix clutched tight against my chest, Luke and Richie right behind me, their stuffies hugged just as close.
The banging echoes again, loud and insistent, and I’m shaking.
I take a deep breath, trying to summon the bravery I felt sneaking ice cream with the boys and peek through the peephole.
My breath catches, then releases in a rush of joy—Max, Cole, and Connor, their faces tired but alive, standing in the hallway.
“It’s them!” I squeal, flinging the door open, my fear melting into pure delight. Max steps inside first, his blue eyes finding mine, and before I can say anything, he wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. His jacket smells of gunpowder and cold air, but his embrace is warm, solid, everything I need. “Daddy, you’re back!” I say, my voice muffled against his chest, Felix squished between us.
“It’s over, Little One,” Max murmurs, his voice low and steady, his hand stroking my hair. “The mission’s complete. Trent’s gone—he’s not your manager anymore. You’re safe.”
My Daddy’s words hit me like a wave, and I pull back to look at him, my eyes stinging with tears.
“Really? He’s…gone?” I ask, my voice trembling, hardly daring to believe it.
