Page 37 of The More the Merrier

Soon my belly is full and my eyes are growing heavy. I completely blame that for what I say next.

“You keep this up, I might beg you to be my Daddy.”

Johannes

Her eyes grow wide in surprise as she realizes what she just said to me. If I didn’t have better control over my facial features, mine might have matched hers. As it is, I’m shocked at the warm feeling spreading in my chest at the word “Daddy” leaving that delicate-looking mouth.

Speaking of, it’s about time I put my foot in mine again.

“If I were your Daddy, you wouldn’t be able to sit for a week after the stunt you pulled tonight.”

The cute, shocked eyes quickly turn angry, eyebrows drawing down. And her cheeks redden with the most adorable blush. When she opens her mouth to say something—scathing would be my guess—back at me, I put her last forkful of food in her mouth, very effectively shutting her up.

“There, Little Mouse, that’s the last bite. Now we can get you home and into bed.”

I place the plate in the dishwasher along with the pan and pot, making a mental note to come back tomorrow to clean up the kitchen. I help Zanya from the kitchen counter and softly place her back down on the floor.

The little creature is still fuming as she follows me out the door. I’ll have to be careful with her. The threat of locking her up is only going to keep her in check for so long. Everyone knows Andre has a reputation of never harming women, so she’ll know she’s physically safe from him.

When we reach my car, I put her bag in the boot before opening her door for her. Once she’s settled, I climb in and am about to order her to buckle up when I notice she’s out cold.

So with slow, quiet movements, I reach across, grab the belt and buckle her up.

The drive back to the house is long, quiet, and surprisingly relaxing. The amount of pride I feel in looking after this woman definitely bears some thinking about. It’s about time I phone Xander and ask for advice.

Chapter 5

Zanya

I slowly wake when two large arms lift me from the car. Cradled in his embrace, I just want to close my eyes and carry on sleeping. But I’m going to need my wits about me for what’s coming next.

“You can put me down now, big guy,” I say, pushing against his chest unsuccessfully.

“Be still,” he orders me and a shiver runs down my spine. “I’ll carry you inside and see you to bed.”

Huffing out a breath, I stop struggling and take in my surroundings. We parked in front of a cute little cottage that would have been the gatehouse in an era gone past. Vines climb up against the brick face And little pots of shrubbery line the outside of the house. I’m sure in the summer they would be bright with color, and I kind of wish I could be around to see it then.

The most noticeable thing about the place is the insane amount of Christmas decorations covering the tiny house. Strings upon strings of lights sparkle in the early dawn light. I don’t know what’s more surprising: that this scary man has a home so well decorated for Christmas, or that I can’t wait to stay there with him.

When we step up to the front door, he shuffles me around so I’m cradled in one arm while he unlocks the door. I gasp in shock when I take in the interior. I shouldn’t, considering the outside, but the cute cottage is made up like any elf’s dream house. A cosy fire is still crackling in the fireplace, just barely visible through the large archway leading to a living area. Wreaths are hung on the wall of the entryway, with fairy lights framing the archway.

He carries me into the living area where I can take in the warmth of the fireplace and the beauty of the large, live Christmas tree covered in bright, odd decorations. The only thing missing from the picture is the presents. As we’re still a week away from Christmas, that makes sense.

I’m gently placed on a large comfy couch, and I watch as Johannes takes a step back to look at me.

“Right, so, I have a spare bedroom; it’s nothing fancy but it has a bed and you’ll have your own bathroom. I’ll show you where it is in a minute. First, some rules.”

This is a new feeling. The need to be coddled and looked after warring with the side of me that takes umbrage with him just taking over and bossing me around. My Little side just wants to roll over and let him do what he pleases, but the me that broke into his boss’s place last night, the one that needs to be in charge, is not happy with this man barging into my life and laying down the law.

I find some kind of middle ground and cross my arms in front of me. I know I look like a petulant teenager right now, but I can’t help myself. I’m tempted to stick out my tongue at him but barely manage to suppress the urge.

“While we’re doing this, I need to know you’re safe at all times,” he tells me. “I’m not interested in keeping you trapped here. You’ll be able to go to work and do your thing, but I need you to check in with me. When you’re not at work, we need to be concentrating on your training. I’ll speak with Andre about getting a list together of potential targets and I’ll gather what intel I can on them so we can run through possible plans and scenarios.”

Okay, that isn’t too unreasonable. I nod in answer and encourage him to continue.

“Part of making sure you’re safe is ensuring that you’re cared for. You’ll have at least two decent meals a day and no less than eight hours of sleep every night.” He pauses to glare at me when I start to interrupt him. “That’s non-negotiable, Little Mouse. You will be in no fit state to take on all we’ve got in store if you’re not well fed and rested.”

There’s a knock on the door, and we both turn to look in that direction. Cameron’s head pops into the cottage and Johannes beckons him in with the lift of a chin.

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