Page 108 of Daddy Sees Snakes

I arch a brow, "Is that so? Well, I've got her now. Get the fuck out."

"Why should I? Why the hell are you even here?" he says.

"Because this is a private booth. And, my daughter is here," I say.

"You're kidding. This isn't..." Jaxon pales.

"Yes, it is. Now, get the fuck out," I growl.

My fists are shaking, and the urge to wrap my hands around his throat is so strong, I'm worried I might lose control.

"Okay. Fine," Jaxon mutters, and when his eyes land on Allegra, my heart skips a beat. "See you, Allegra."

"Bye," she says, her voice cracking.

The moment Jaxon's gone, she's crying again, and all I want to do is hold her in my arms.

"Allegra," I sigh.

"Don't. Just leave," she sobs.

"Allegra, I can't. Not now. Please. Just get dressed. Let's go," I hiss.

"Why? So you can yell at me more?" she cries.

"I'm sorry, baby. This isn't easy. For either of us. I'm trying," I say, and the way her eyes meet mine makes my heart hurt.

"Trying to ruin my life. Trying to take everything away from me," Allegra hisses, getting up.

At least she's got clothes on now, and as she's staring at me, I'm fighting the urge to drag her home.

"Allegra, listen. It's not that easy," I say, and when Iris joins us, my daughter is crying again.

"Iris, can we have a minute, please?" Allegra whimpers.

"No. Iris stays. She's a part of this," I say.

"Dad, no. Please. This is too much. I can't do this," Allegra cries. "Not in front of her."

"Fine," I say.

"Allegra," Iris starts.

"I can't talk right now," Allegra says. "Especially not to you."

I usher them out of the room and back to the car.

The girls silently get back into the backseat, and the tension in the car is almost too much.

I deliver Iris to the doorstep of the club house, and when she's inside, Allegra turns her attention to me.

"Take me home. Please," she says, and the sadness in her eyes is almost too much to handle.

"Okay, baby," I say.

"Please don't talk," she says.

"Okay," I nod, and the entire ride home, no one speaks.

---