Page 56 of The More the Merrier

“I’m glad you’re so excited to see me, love. But you need to be more careful. You’re very important to me. And I’m happy to hear you like your surprise.” He gives me a kiss on the tip of my nose, letting me know we’re good before carrying on. “But I have another one for you. Andre is inside the main house with Johannes. I had to beat him at a game of rock-paper-scissors to be the one to meet you outside.”

“Another surprise?”

“Yup, a good one, too. I think you’ll like this one best of all.”

Instead of putting me down and leading me in, he keeps hold of me and heads into the house. When we get to Andre’s office, he places another kiss on my head before gently lowering me to the floor.

Opening the door, he gestures for me to walk in first. And when I do, I stop dead in my tracks, barely two steps in.

There, on a plastic chair, is my uncle Albert. Tied up.

Johannes is standing just behind him, his hand on his shoulder, and Andre is sitting at his desk with a bored expression on his face.

I look to Johannes before questioning, “What’s this?”

“We finally found all the evidence we needed.” He clears his throat, steps away from my uncle and holds his arms out to me. Without thinking, I rush into them, accepting the hug I’m in desperate need of. I haven’t really dealt with the feelings of betrayal yet, and being faced with him is a shock.

“You needed for what, Jo?”

“To get you the revenge you want.”

With furrowed brows, I pull out of his arms and look up at him.

“What do you mean?”

Cameron answers, “You can choose what happens to him, Kitty Cat. You live in our world now. You’re under our protection and part of the family. And in this family, we take care of our own. Part of that is letting you choose what happens to the person that wronged you.”

My heart beat picks up, and not in a nice way. Wiping my suddenly clammy hands on my tights, I look at first Cameron and then Johannes. Finally, I look at the person who will probably always have the final say.

“Do I have to choose now?”

Andre shakes his head before answering. “Take the time you need. He’ll be kept in a guest room under guard until you’ve figured out what you want. I’ll let Johannes and Cameron take you to the cottage to discuss your options.”

Johannes leads me out of the office and to the front door, but I’m stopped by a concerned looking Amanda. In my excitement at seeing Cameron and rushing into the house, I’d forgotten all about her.

“You okay, honey?” she asks, pulling me into a brief hug.

I tighten my arms around her and whisper softly, “I will be”.

Chapter 16

Zanya

Daddy Jo is cute when he’s nervous. His brows are drawn down close to his nose, and he’s concentrating hard on what he’s doing. The running water is making all the pink bubbles he let me pour in go all fluffy and white, and I can’t wait to get in. It’s ahugetub, big enough for both of us to fit together if we wanted.

When we walked back into the cottage, I’d asked both of them if I could have some time to process before we talked about my options. They were quick to agree.

Now I’m watching as he swirls around the water with his big, strong hands, and I’m jumping up and down with impatience.

“Little imp, you’re going to have to stop that or you’ll slip on the bathroom floor. Be a good girl now.” I turn around quickly at Daddy Cam’s voice coming from the bathroom door.

“But I have crayons! For the bath!”

He chuckles at my joy, and before he can say anything else I hear Daddy Jo close the taps. A squeal of excitement escapes me as I turn around to face the bath again.

“It’s ready!”

“Cam, mate, just check the temp for me, will ya?” His nerves are endearing and I rush to his side to give him a cuddle.

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