I tilt my head, confused. Bash didn’t speak, so why did Declan give him that cryptic answer?
Killian and Declan kiss their women goodbye and disappear, leaving the four of us alone. Bash grabs the remote and turns on the TV.
“What do you Little girls want to watch?”
The three of us look at each other and smile. “Beauty and the Beast,” we answer at the same time.
“Jesus, fuck,” Bash mutters under his breath as he turns on the movie. “You know there are other movies in the world, right?”
We shrug and settle against the pillows. It doesn’t take long before my eyes feel heavy again, and I find myself leaning my head against Cali’s shoulder before I drift off to sleep.
It’s nearly six in the morning by the time Declan and Killian return to collect their girls. Scarlet doesn’t even open her eyes as she’s lifted into her Daddy’s arms. Bash seems wide awake, and when I crawl out from under the covers, he reaches for me and pulls me onto his lap.
“Did everything go okay?” he asks.
Declan shrugs. “We’ve captured a dozen Red Dragon members. None who want to tell us where their boss Smoke is. Some of Cage’s men intercepted a cargo ship about thirty miles offshore outside of Colombia and found a container ship of Colombian women. They’re working with the Cartel right now to get the women back to land.”
As I listen, instead of feeling scared, my anger rises. How could people kidnap women like that? Like they mean nothing. I glance at Cali who’s sitting on the edge of the bed with the same expression.
“Did you kill them, Daddy? You can feed them to my piranhas if you want to,” Cali says as she crosses her arms over her chest.
Declan pins her with a stern look. “We’re handling it. What did I say about you and your piranhas?”
Her shoulders drop. “That I could only keep them if I agree that the only food they get is fish food.”
I giggle and bury my face against Bash’s chest. Watching Declan and Cali together is the cutest thing. She’s so spunky, and I love it. She reminds me of Paisley sometimes. Sassy and badass.
“Right now, all the syndicates are on high alert in their home countries. Cage and his team plan to keep searching for Smoke,” Declan says before he tilts his head to Bash. “I do have someone special for you to visit at the warehouse whenever you can get there.”
Bash nods. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Come on, Little one. You need a few more hours of sleep, otherwise, you’re going to be naughtier than usual all day,” Declan says as he picks Cali up.
She buries her face in his neck and sighs. “You like it when I’m naughty.”
Declan chuckles. “I love it when you’re naughty because then I have a reason to spank your cute butt.”
I wave at Cali as she’s carried out of the room, and when the door closes, I sit up to look at Bash. “What did he mean when he said he has someone special for you to visit at the warehouse?”
Bash stares at me for several seconds like he’s unsure if he wants to answer, but I know he won’t lie to me.
“It means they have the man who was planning to meet up with your dad and trade your life for his freedom.”
A cold wave of goosebumps runs over my skin. “Are you going to kill him?” I ask quietly.
“Yes,” he answers without missing a beat. “First, I’m going to torture him, though, and then I’m going to kill him. No one hurts or tries to hurt what’s mine and gets away with it. Not ever.”
A whoosh of air rushes out of my lungs as I wrap my arms around his neck and cling to him. “Thank you, Daddy. Can we go home?”
He tenses under me, and when I lift my face to his, I realize he’s wondering what I meant by home.
“To our house. The one we’re going to share together,” I whisper.
His muscles relax, and the corners of his eyes crinkle slightly as he smiles. “Of course we can. Grab Quackers and let’s go.”
Even though his house is only a short walk from Declan’s, Bash loads me into a warm SUV, and we’re driven across the estate.
“I’ve been thinking about Paisley.”