Page 77 of Daddy Sees Snakes

Rosa slips inside, her dark eyes watchful as she shuts the door behind her. "Hey, Iris. Got a minute?"

"For you, always." I gesture for her to take a seat. "What's up? Something going on with Diego?"

Diego is Rosa’s brother, and the cop who gave us a heads up the police were watching Satin Dreams.

She shakes her head as she settles into the chair across from me, her long dark hair swishing. "Nah, just more of the same. They've got 'bigger fish to fry' apparently." Her perfectly arched brows rise as she air-quotes her brother's words.

I nod, trying to tamp down the unease swirling in my gut.

Diego's in vice, and I trust his info, but I don't like feeling exposed. Vulnerable. "Well, just keep me posted if anything changes, yeah? I’ll need to let Viper know and we can't be too careful."

"You got it, boss." Rosa's lips quirk.

She tilts her head toward the door just as another knock sounds, more urgent this time.

"Come in," I call again, curiosity piqued.

It's not like my girls to interrupt when I'm holed up back here.

The door cracks open and Melody peeks her head in, her blue eyes rimmed with red. "Sorry, I don't mean to barge in, but..." She bites her lip. "It's my dad. He had a massive heart attack. I need to get to Philly like, now."

"Oh shit, Mel." I rise and cross to her, pulling her into a hug.

She feels so tiny and fragile in my arms. "Of course, do what you need to do. Family first, always."

She sniffles against my shoulder. "Thanks, I just... I'm freaking out. The doctors don't know if he'll..." She trails off, voice cracking.

I rub her back, letting her collect herself.

Melody's dad is her rock, the one person who's always been there for her.

I can't imagine what she's feeling right now.

After a moment, she pulls back, wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry, I just barged in here blubbering. Some dominatrix I am, huh?"

"Hey, none of that." I squeeze her shoulders. "You're human. We all are, even if we play goddess in the dungeon sometimes."

That earns me a watery laugh.

I take it as a win. "Do you have any sessions booked that we need to juggle?"

Melody presses her fingers to her temples. "Um, yeah. Charles tonight for some impact play. And Killian tomorrow for his usual HUCOW deal."

I feel my brows creep up at that.

Killian's not shy about his kinks.

Something about adult breastfeeding and him being a human cow.

Melody catches my look and laughs. "I know, I know. Don't kink shame."

I hold up my hands. "No shame. Just impressed by your range."

"Oh, and Marty's booked the night after that for cuckolding. But I can call them, or have Rosa..."

"I've got it handled," I assure her. "Don't even stress. We’ll move some ladies around and make sure the clients are satisfied. Just get yourself to Philly and take care of your dad. Let me know if you need anything else."

Relief washes over her face. "Thank you. Really. I don't know what I'd do..."