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“Are you ready?” Cassandra interrupted us. “Johnny is pulling the Rover around front.”
I dropped my hands and then moved out of Emmie’s way. She wasted no time creating some distance between us as she hurried toward my daughter.
“Cassie,” I said as the two girls walked down the hall. “Take care of her.”
“Sure, Daddy.” She was sweet when she wanted to be, but her motives weren’t cheap. I had created that monster, and I couldn’t do anything about it now. But I had also taught her street smarts and how to handle herself.
Emmie’s wild, curious eyes were imprinted in my mind as I waited for them to exit the foyer. Allowing her to leave this house on her own would cause her a lifetime of hurt and trauma. Caleb wouldn’t go easy on her. Neither would the bastard who bought her at that auction.
She might not understand it, but I was her only hope. Of course, I was no saint. Helping her would come at a price. Would she be willing to pay it?
She would have no choice. I would see to that.
Chapter 5
Emmie
I sat in the secluded corner of the department store as Cassie tried on everything in the place. I was afraid to touch anything because I didn’t want to chip my newly polished pink nails. I had never had my nails done in a salon before, and it had been a long time since I had a haircut. I kept bringing the ends of my hair to my nose to take in the fresh-smelling rosemary mint shampoo.
Cassie came out of the dressing room in a sheer black shirt, and charcoal gray, faux leather leggings. She was a stunning girl who looked more mature than a senior in high school. Her makeup was flawless, and her eyelashes couldn’t possibly be natural. They were long, dark, and fanned out. They complimented the unique almond shape of her green eyes. The same vibrant shade as her dad’s.
“What do you think?” She spun around in a slow circle in front of me, showing off her toned backside.
“You look fantastic.”
“You should get a pair too. My dad would love them on you.”
I shook my head and looked down at my lap.
“You obviously need some clothes,” she said. “If my dad wants you to have new things, you’re getting them whether you want them or not.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “You might as well have fun with the shopping experience, because if you don’t, he’ll just send Luke out to get what you need.”
“He would?”
“I don’t know about you, but I think you’d rather have me help you pick out your panties and bras. You don’t want Luke to pick out what my dad sees you in, do you?”
“He doesn’t, I mean, we don’t, we’re not…” I didn’t feel comfortable discussing this with Jude’s daughter.
“You are with him, right?” She sat down on the velvet, pink sofa with me. “You didn’t just show up in the middle of the night out of nowhere.”
“I kind of did.”
“Are you kidding?” She pulled her knees into her chest. “Where did my dad find you?”
“In the stables.”
“What were you doing in the stables?”
“Sleeping.” I shrugged. “Hiding.”
“Is someone after you?” She glanced at Johnny, standing in the corner. He had discreetly stuck with us all day. “That’s why he’s here.”
“I guess.”
“I don’t get involved in my dad’s business, but if you need someone to protect you, he’s the right person to be with.”
“What is your dad’s business?”
“Like I said, I don’t involve myself in it. He makes a shit-ton of money, and he takes care of the people who are loyal to him.” She hopped off the sofa and checked herself in the large mirror. “I do look hot, don’t I?”
