Page 18 of A Daddy for Maddy

I wasn’t about to move. I wanted this date more than anything now.

Finally, we were on our way.

Colin drove a brand-new BMW. Black, of course. I still held tightly to Kornie as I seat-belted myself in.

But Colin didn’t start the car right away. Instead, he stared at his phone.

I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I said nothing.

Colin looked at me. “I’m sorry, but I need to make a phone call.”

“Okay. Do you want me to get out so I don’t hear?”

“No. It’s fine. But anything you do hear is between us, okay? I have a little problem, that’s all. It’s going to be taken care of.”

This sounded exciting. Not only was Colin big, handsome and sexy, and someone who made me feel little and yet protected, he had problems and I was going to hear one of them. He was including me in his personal life already.

“All right. Thank you for being patient.”

“I’m patient,” I quickly replied. It might have been a little fib. I wasn’t sure I was all that patient, not when I was angry or feeling unseen. When I was feeling little, I could stomp my foot a lot. But that was always in private. I hid a lot of myself from the world. Until—maybe—tonight.

Colin tapped his phone a few times. I heard it ringing. He had it on speaker?

Then a live picture of a handsome guy with slicked back dark hair filled his phone screen. He looked like he was wearing a suit. I could only see from the side, but the guy exuded charisma even from the other side of the screen.

I didn’t want to listen or intrude, but of course I heard every word. I wondered why Colin was including me in this.

“Hey, Mr. Winterbourne. Thanks for taking my call so late,” Colin said.

“Mr. Greenleaf. I got your message and updated file. You’re still being harassed, I see. I want you to know this is of no small concern to me.”

“Yes. I wondered if there were any updates on the investigation.”

“Not so far, but I have my people on it. I know a lot of time has passed and I’m sorry for that. Do you feel you need security outside the job?”

“No, sir. I’m okay.”

“I’m sorry I can’t tell you better news. Keep up the files. I’ve read some. I don’t like what I’m seeing. You need to feel one hundred percent safe working for me. I want you to know I’m treating this as if it were happening to me. You’re family. All right?”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Report anything suspicious and cc everything new to me as well. I’ll be back in the city in a day. Maybe I’ll have better news.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Keep vigilant. Do not hesitate to call me if you need anything. No need to go through my assistant. He knows to send your calls straight to me. I’m making this top priority.”

“Yes, sir.”

“All right, then. I’ll let you go.”

Colin tapped the red button, then turned to me. “Thanks for being patient. I needed to make that call.”

I nodded, not sure what to say. I was worried about what I’d heard, but it wasn’t my business, either. Finally, I burst out, “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” He actually smiled. “That was Trent Winterbourne, the owner of the club. He’s trying to help me solve a little mystery.”

“But it’s a secret?”

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