Page 185 of Undercover Billionaire

Kelly

Adam had been goneabout an hour, and Rylie and I were chatting in the kitchen when a loud series of knocks sounded on the front door.

“Stay here,” she said as she got up.

The knocks stopped, and I heard the door open.

“Can I help you?” Rylie said.

“Is Kelly here?” It was Daddy’s voice.

I jumped up, but stopped short of the hallway. I tugged at the diamond ring on my finger.

“Who’s asking?” Jennifer asked in a less-than-civil tone.

I pocketed the ring before rounding the corner to the hallway. “Daddy.” I started to run.

Jennifer lifted the hand she’d rested on her gun and stepped aside.

Daddy came in, and we collided.

I hugged him with all my might. “What are you doing here?”

“I called and called, but you didn’t answer.”

“My phone died.”

He let me go after another squeeze. “You think I wouldn’t find out my baby girl got attacked?”

I straightened up. “I’m fine.”

Daddy turned to Jennifer and offered his hand. “Lloyd Benson.”

Jennifer shook with him. “Special Agent Rylie Brolin, FBI.”

Daddy added a second hand to his vigorous shake. “I can’t thank you enough for saving my baby girl.”

Rylie retrieved her hand. “That would be Adam you should thank.”

Daddy’s brow raised as he turned to me. “The same Adam?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“I definitely need to meet this Adam now.” He extended his hand toward the kitchen. “It was a long flight. Could I trouble you for a cup of Earl Grey?”

I led the way, and Rylie followed.

I wasn’t prepared for this meeting now.Weweren’t prepared. Adam and I had planned to work out a script, but we hadn’t yet.

“He can join us for dinner tomorrow,” I offered, “if you’re still in town.”

“Nonsense. We can have dinner tonight.” Daddy wasn’t going for it. “I’ll visit with you until he gets back from work or whatever.”

There was no avoiding the meeting now. “Daddy, I have coffee, if you’d prefer.”

“What does Adam drink?” The question wasn’t really about coffee, but confirming that Adam and I were shacking up.

“No idea. Some fancy coffee.”

---