Page 64 of Daddy Sees Snakes

"I don't care. You're buying something," I insist. "For me to look at, and for someone else."

"Okay, okay. Well, I guess you can buy something for me, too."

"Deal."

"Wait, where are we going?"

"It's a surprise. Close your eyes."

"Are you serious?"

"Deadly."

"Okay." She closes her eyes, and our driver proceeds to take us to the mall. "Okay, you can open your eyes now."

"Where are we?"

"The mall." I grin. "But not just any mall. The biggest and best in the whole damn country."

"Really?"

"Yep. Get ready to do some serious shopping," I mutter as I help her out of the limo.

"I haven't done this for a while," she confesses, and her eyes widen when she sees the inside of the mall. "Holy shit, this is beautiful."

"It's gorgeous," I whisper, but my gaze is on her.

She points to a shop. "I want to start here."

"Lead the way."

"You don't have to come with me."

"I want to," I assure her. "Now, go on."

She walks into the shop and picks up a few things. "So, who are these for?"

"Oh, some girls in the house," she mutters, showing off a Louis Vuitton handbag.

"Nice." I nod. "And how much do they like you?"

"Oh, they're going to love this. But they'd die for one of these."

"I think they're cute."

"Yeah." She nods. "You don't have to be a part of this."

"No," I hiss. "I'm enjoying this. You're shopping, and I get to spend time with you. It's perfect."

"Perfect," she says, blowing me a kiss. "This is for Rosa. These first ones are easy. Finding one for Allegra will be hard."

Fuck.

I stiffen at the mention of my daughter.

She's not ready to know, and I'm not ready for her to.

At least, not yet.

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