Page 46 of Daddy's Heart

Ryder nodded, leaving it alone. He could only tackle one problem at a time, and right now, the pressing matter was behind the closed door.

“I know she’s a bit of a handful right now, but she’s really not so full of drama.” George came to her defense. “I’ll understand if you want her to find somewhere else to stay, though. You’ve been more than generous so far—”

“She’s not going anywhere,” Ryder growled. “I just told you we were involved. Why would I toss her out?” Ryder stepped toward him.

“I know.” George smiled. “Just wanted to be sure how you felt about her.”

Ryder scrubbed his hand over his face. “Right now, I feel a twitch in my palm. I’m going to get her and go home.”

Done with this conversation, he threw open the door to the office.

Samantha sat at the desk, her cell phone cradled in one hand, her expression sheepish and concerned. Maybe she’d heard him and George talking about her through the door.

“Samantha.”

Her gaze lifted to him. No. That wasn’t trepidation. That was fear.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, getting to her side in five quick strides.

“N-Nothing,” she lied through her perfectly white teeth.

“Sam, you got through a good amount. Thanks.” George walked over to the desk and starting shuffling papers.

“I think it’s time we go home,” Ryder said, his eyes fixed on her in a steely grip. She’d been hiding things, and now, right to his face, she lied. That bedtime story was going to have to wait.

“Ryder?” she murmured as she unfolded her legs from beneath her on the chair.

“Let’s go, Sam.” He lifted her phone from her hand and pocketed it in the back of his jeans. “This is mine for the time being.” He raised a brow, almost daring her to argue with him.

Her senses must have kicked in, and she lowered her gaze.

“He told you,” she whispered, looking down at her lap.

George stopped moving around. “I told you I would, Sam.”

“This isn’t on him, Samantha. This is on you. Let’s go.” He put his hand out for her to take, but she shook her head.

“You’re upset.”

“I am.” He wouldn’t lie. Making her scared wasn’t his intention either, so he softened his glare until some of the worry eased from her brow.

“Maybe I should stay here until you’re not upset?” she asked, throwing on a playful smile. Teasing wasn’t going to get her anywhere, but he couldn’t completely blame her for trying.

“Don’t push me, little girl. Get up and let’s go.” He wiggled his fingers at her to let her know he wasn’t going to be patient much longer. If she didn’t want to get her ass bared right in front of George, she better get going.

She slid her gentle hand into his and rose from the chair.

“I can come back tomorrow, George, and finish organizing this stuff if you’d like. I don’t—”

“You’re busy tomorrow.” Ryder tugged her hand.

“Don’t worry about this mess, Sam. You’ve got your own to straighten out,” George said flatly. Ryder gave George a curt nod and pulled Samantha to the door.

“Ryder, I can explain everything,” she said hurriedly once they were outside the club and making their way down the long stretch of stairs.

“And you will,” he agreed, not loosening his hand on hers even a fraction. His little girl was going to learn a big lesson once they got back to his apartment.

“It’s not as bad as George made it out to be,” she tried again to sound reasonable once they were at the car.

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