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Good. A public humiliation will serve as notice to anyone else that we’re not to be fucked with. Especially when it comes to our girl.
At my vehicle, I yank open the back driver side door and set Seraphina on the seat. Little fists clutch my shirt, unwilling to separate from me. “Just for a minute so I can check you over.”
Her narrow chest still heaves from the trauma, yet she slides her hands from my back to my waist, so we’re still connected. The way we should be.
I caress her face, checking for any marks. Her tears infuriate me enough but luckily no bruises or scratches mar her smooth skin.
The rest of her seems fine too except her wrist that still bears the traces of her restraint. I lift her arm and kiss the red skin, needing her to know that bastard will suffer for the damage he caused.
She sniffs, attempting to stop crying. “I…I think I’m o-okay.”
“I’m not though. No one hurts you and survives.”
My guarantee creates the opposite effect from my intentions. Instead of reassuring her, I terrify her, and she sobs again. “Daddy.”
The monster inside me likes her desperate for me and loves that she now understands how this will work going forward. She crumples from my intensity, and I draw her to me again, providing my strength in her terror. I stroke down her silky hair. “I will always take care of you.”
Her body softens from my confirmation, and she snuggles in deeper. I hold her until footsteps pound behind me. I glance back to see my son barreling toward us. He needs to check her over too for his own peace of mind.
I pull back and kiss her forehead. “Let Balthazar in.”
One last sniffle as she nods and slides over, making room for him. He’s in the DBX and on her in a heartbeat. The way it should be.
I slam his door shut and climb in the driver’s seat. I’ve never played chauffeur before, but I don’t mind today. Having Seraphina safe and back with us is another reason for us to flex. She’s worth the change.
While I speed home, Balthazar grills her about what the detective said and did. Everything she explains enrages me more. Basically, she knows the missing people. That’s it. They have zero evidence of any involvement on her part. What fucking idiots.
Unaware, she’s the reason they’re gone rather than the person responsible. Morons for targeting an innocent young woman incapable of making assholes disappear.
At the house, I expect her to question me bringing her here. Instead, she stays quiet as Balthazar guides her inside to the kitchen. The housekeeper’s face falls when she catches sight of our devastated girl. Instead of the cookies I planned for her to bake with her, she has to tend to her chafed wrist and crushed spirit.
Mary engulfs her in a motherly hug. “Oh Miss Snow. Let me get some balm for your arm and then I’ll make you some tea.”
Seraphina absorbs her affection just like she does ours. Even better, in this moment, with no added stress from the uncertainty of her relationship with us. Between them, it’s pure warmth and care.
She settles my little one at the table, puts on the kettle, and grabs a first aid kit from the pantry. Balthazar drops to his haunches in front of Seraphina.
“I have to take care of a few things, and then I’ll be back.”
Worry scrunches her forehead that he’s quick to eliminate with his fingers rubbing away the lines. “Dad will be here.”
Her little shoulders drop back down, and the relief settles in—for both of us. She welcomes my presence.
“Okay. I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
He kisses her softly and rises, nodding to me. Well aware I’ve got this. Our girl is taken care of.
Once he passes by, I stride to her. She looks up to me. Her expression’s twisted with the feelings she doesn’t understand. Unable to resist, I stroke her cheek. “Let Mary fuss over you for a little bit. Then I’ll come for you when our lawyer gets here. I’ll just be in my office, so she’ll let me know if either of you need anything.”
“Okay, Daddy. I’ll miss you too.”
Shock bursts on the housekeepers face as the realization of our relationship hits her. Yet, as expected, she doesn’t comment. Just pats her chest a few times in her nervous habit. She’ll get used to things too.
“Well…then…um…would you like cinnamon or peppermint Ms. Snow?”
Seraphina gives her a timid smile. “Please call me Seraphina.”
