Page 75 of Daddy's Heart

He was a strict Daddy.

And she was falling in love with him.

When he’d wrapped his arms around her to sleep, he’d kissed her behind her ear. A gentle peck, but it had been everything. Comfortable, safe, easy…real. It had been real.

So why was he looking at apartments for her?

She’d been foolish.

She’d let her heart get involved, get too close.

The doorbell rang.

Someone banged on the door.

Samantha dropped the paper on the coffee table and went to answer it. Ryder had told her Kendrick’s team would be stopping by to check out putting in security cameras. She needed to get to the dungeon to help George. Bury her mind in work—anything to keep from analyzing what she’d done wrong to make Ryder want to get rid of her.

She pulled the door open.

“Anderson?” She gasped at the sight of him. Dressed in his usual suit and tie, he stood at the door with a grim expression. “What are you doing here?”

“Gave me a ride.” Randall stepped out from behind Anderson. He had a slight build, easier to hide behind Anderson’s athletic physique.

Samantha’s throat clenched. Words flew through her mind, only to get stuck in her throat.

“Let’s go inside,” Anderson suggested, stepping forward into Samantha’s space.

She retreated backward until both men were in the apartment. Randall took the door from her hand and closed it.

“Randall.” His name choked her.

“Hey, baby. I didn’t think you’d be this excited to see me. The color drained from your face.” He grinned. She’d thought this man had been attractive? With his dirty blond hair slicked to one side and cheap leather jacket drowning his thin frame? Who the hell wore a leather jacket in this heat?

“Sam, I’m sorry I didn’t call, but Randall thought a visit would be better.” Anderson sounded like himself—at least his voice did. But he stood next to Randall, like he knew him, like he was on his side.

“I—I don’t understand.” She settled her stare on Randall. “I told you I wouldn’t go back to Indiana to stop your appeal. I don’t care about that.”

Randall closed the space between them. His aftershave wafted over her, turning her stomach.

“I know…but things have changed, baby.” He tilted his head slightly. Hearing him call her baby sent prickles over her skin.

“Samantha, in order to assure the appeal is granted, that his conviction is overturned, we’re going to need a new statement from you,” Anderson explained. He craned his neck to look down the hall. “Is your boyfriend home? I’d rather not discuss this with him, but if he’s here—”

“Boyfriend,” Randall spit out. “Does he know what a turncoat you are? How fast you run to tattle?”

“Randall, that’s not how it happened,” she said.

“No, no, you’re right,” He nodded. “The cops came to you, but still, you just spilled your guts to them.”

“You nearly killed an old woman in that robbery. They’d already caught you.”

He shrugged. “A good woman keeps her mouth shut.”

“Is he, Sam?” Anderson interjected.

“No. He’s at work,” she answered, keeping her glare on Randall. “What do you need from me?”

“You need to take back your previous statement. Make a new statement saying you lied about Randall being the mastermind of the robbery and he had nothing to do with it. Explain you were heartbroken over your breakup and looking for revenge.”

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