Page 121 of Daddy's Little Surprise

“Test me.”

Sighing, she dropped her arms. “Sorry. Why are you here? Why did you want to talk to me?”

“I wanted to come and say sorry in person for sending you the picture of Pete. I forget not everyone grew up like me.”

Her eyes went wide once again, and her jaw dropped open. He saw dead people all the time when he was growing up?

“Are you okay? Have you been talking to someone about that? I’m pretty sure you should if you aren’t. It’s not healthy to hold all that in.”

Deccan blinked several times before he laughed.

“You shouldn’t be laughing,” she whispered.

“Enough about me. I’m sorry for sending pictures to you. I shouldn’t have.”

“It’s okay. I forgive you.”

He shook his head. “You shouldn’t forgive me so easily.”

“But you came here to apologize to me?” she questioned.

“Yes, but you are supposed to be mad and make me work for it. I see you as a little sister. I lost my little sister years ago, and you remind me of her. I don’t want to hurt your feelings or make you scared.”

If only he knew he didn’t have to do anything; she was scared of him. Just from the way he walked around like he owned everything and would hurt anyone who got in his way.

“Ummm.”

“You don’t have to be afraid of me. I would never hurt you.”

“Rainey?” Daddy called out.

“Ah, I figured he would be watching and come down when we were talking.”

She looked over at her Daddy. He was casually walking toward them, but she could see his eyes trained on her, making sure she was okay.

“I’m okay, Daddy. We were just talking. I still love you and will always love you.”

Daddy wrapped his arm around her. “I know.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m not worried about that.”

“Marco.”

“Deccan.”

She sighed.

“I still forgive you,” she told Deccan. “You can’t change my mind. I won’t.”

Deccan looked at Daddy. “Protect her. She is too trusting and forgiving.”

“Of course. You don’t need to tell me.”

Daddy’s body was stiff as he held her close to him. Deccan turned toward Echo and Tucker.

“Yes?” Echo snarked.

“Watch your tone, young lady.”

Echo didn’t back down, though, and Rainey wanted to give her a round of applause. She would not be able to do that if it were Deccan or her Daddy. Okay, maybe to Daddy, if she was exhausted and wanted something he wasn’t giving her.

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