Page 10 of Zade (Den of Sin)

“Yes,” she breathes.

Opening the door, I grab the towel and hand it to her, “Dry off, get dressed, and come downstairs.”

I get out and strip out of my drenched suit but leave my boxers on. I don’t miss the way her eyes travel over my body, but nothing will ever happen between us.Step-daughter.No matter how many times I have to remind myself, I’ll keep my filthy fucking hands off her body. Even if she wasn’t my ex-wife’s daughter, I still wouldn’t go there with her. This girl has been damaged enough without an asshole like me causing more harm. Amira deserves far more in this world than she’s been given. If her mother weren’t already dead I’d fucking kill her myself. It only shows the type of person Amira is, that she is even mourning her mother. If I were her, I’d be fucking glad that cunt is dead but the fact that this sweet girl is sad her mother is gone speaks volumes. Her capacity to love despite what was done to her is astonishing.

I walk to my bedroom and grab dry boxers and a pair of black sweatpants and get changed before heading downstairs. When I walk into my living room, I find Amira sitting on my black leather sectional wearing a tiny pair of white shorts, and a matching tank top, her perfect round nipples press against the fabric and make my body feel things I shouldn’t be feeling. Fuck she’s gorgeous.Seventeen. Step-Daughter.I remind myself once again. Age of consent is sixteen in the state of Nevada but it doesn’t make it appropriate just because she’s not technically jailbait. I’d be a fucking liar if I said I didn’t notice how stunning she is. Any man would notice her. I have a feeling I’m going to be chasing my share of fuckboys away. She can plan on leaving as much as she wants but it won’t happen. I walked out of her life once before and look at the end result. Even if it kills me I’m going to keep her safe. Amira is seventeen, she has no clue what she needs but I do. I clear my throat and sit beside her on the sofa, as I try to clear my thoughts. I need to get to Den of Sin soon. It’s not her that I want, that’s disgusting, I’m just keyed up because it’s been too long.

Her arms and chest are still red from what she did to herself in the shower. It concerns me.

“I’d like you to talk to me about the bleach.”

She shrugs so I continue, “How long have you been doing that to yourself?”

Glancing away from me she answers quietly, “Years but not all the time. When it gets so bad, I can’t handle it. Sometimes, I need to wash them off me, and soap doesn’t do it. I can still feel them touching me.”

Jesus Christ. I can’t fucking take this. I pull her into my arms, and hold her tight, “I’m so fucking sorry, Amira. Fuck. If I had known I would’ve kidnapped you if I had to.”

The truth is, if I had known I’d be in prison for murder because I would’ve choked the life out of her fucking mother. Who traffics their own daughter for drugs? As a defense lawyer I’ve seen some crazy shit in the name of drugs but this tops the fucking cake.

“No more bleach, baby girl. No more. If you need someone to talk to, come to me. Scrubbing your skin with chemicals is dangerous.”

I touch her head, “It’s all in here. You are not dirty. You are fucking perfect the way you are. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she whispers.

“Tell me how I can help you. What brought this on tonight?”

Her eyes snap to mine like the answer is obvious before she finally speaks, “You did. I told you and you walked away like I was nothing. Like I disgusted you.”

I pull her against my chest, the guilt gnaws at me, I want to take the pain away instead I’m only adding to it, “Jesus, baby girl. No. Never. I was furious, and I didn’t want you to see me like that. I didn’t want to scare you.”

Her hot breath on my skin, and those pebbled little nipples pressing against me are doing things to my cock they shouldn’t be. I pull away from her, “You’re going to need to wear more clothes around the house. This skimpy shit isn’t going to work.”

Amira arches an eyebrow playfully, “Can’t take the heat, Daddy?”

Hearing Daddy fall from her lips is nearly too much for me, I scowl, “Fucking brat.”

She giggles, and it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. I might not get to touch her, but I want to make her happy. I’ll give anything to keep a smile on her face even though I know I’m about to wipe it away.

“I have to decide tomorrow on the funeral.”

As predicted her smile fades fast, “I still don’t understand why you’re paying for it.”

I take her hand in mine, “Let me tell you a story. I’ll try to give you the short version.”

She nods, “Okay.”

“I have paid for everything since the day I left. I didn’t trust her enough to just give her money, so I paid the mortgage. I had my assistant deliver groceries every month. I paid the dance studio for your classes. I did everything other than give her cash. I will pay for this too. Not for her, but for you. I will never not take care of you, baby girl. Never.”

Amira sits there, staring at me, like I’ve grown two heads, “Why? Why would you do that?”

“You. You’ve always been the reason, the only reason.”

Her eyes well with tears, “The electric?”

I nod, “That too.”

She shakes her head, “She took all my money from my job because she said she needed help with the utilities.”

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