Page 55 of Daddy Devious

“I know you are, sweet girl. Let’s get you home so you can hear for yourself that your Daddy isn’t the least bit tired of you.”

I don’t argue. Not because I believe her, but because I’m simply too tired. Auntie Cat carries me out to the car, and I’m asleep before she even buckles me into my car seat.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Maxwell

“Thank you, gentlemen. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

Ending the call I’ve been on for the past two hours, one that seemed to go around in circles endlessly with no solution on the horizon, I lean back in my chair and close my eyes.

Five minutes. I just need five minutes of rest.

But the moment the darkness overtakes me, a sharp rapping at my office door cuts through the blessed silence. “Go away,” I call, not caring who is on the other side of that damn door. Victoria is spending the day with Catharina, and there’s nobody else in this house I care to speak with.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Maxwell.”

Jerking my head up, I open my eyes to stare at Catharina, panic tightening like a vice around my chest. “Where’s Victoria? Did something happen?”

Instead of answering my questions, Cat simply folds her arms, one regal eyebrow arching upward. “Well, at least I know her fears are unfounded.”

“What fears? Why are you talking in riddles, Cat?”

Shutting the door behind her with a decisive click, she storms forward, jabbing her perfectly manicured finger in my face. “The fear your Little girl has that you don’t want her anymore. What have you done to that sweet girl, Maxwell?”

Anger wars with confusion as I stare up at the furious woman before me. “I haven’t done anything to her! I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m talking about the fact that Victoria thinks you want her to go back to New York! Where would she have ever gotten a ridiculous idea like that?”

“I have no idea. I mean, her contract is up soon but?—”

“Contract? What contract?”

Irritated, though I can’t tell if it’s more with myself or Cat, I push up out of my chair and cross the room to the large drink cart along the far wall. “The one she signed after I caught her in my embezzling trap. It says she’s obligated to stay here, with me, for thirty days.” I smirk over my shoulder at Cat as I pour a healthy glass of whiskey for each of us. “Of course, I never intended for her to return to New York. The contract was merely a way to get her to the island.”

“Doessheknow that?” Cat asks, taking the crystal tumbler from my hands.

“We’ve never discussed it.” Jerking my shoulder in an aggravated shrug, I bring the whiskey to my lips and sip. “I was going to explain it to her if she ever brought it up, but so far she hasn’t mentioned going back.”

“Men.” Lip curled up in a sneer, Cat shakes her head. “Were you all born with the emotional range of a bullfrog, or was that reserved for the particularly dull-witted among you?”

It takes more effort than usual not to snarl at her, but I’m tired and my patience is thin. “You can say what you mean without insults, Catharina.”

She accepts the rebuke with a smile, though it’s more like a baring of her teeth, and the gesture reminds me she’s not someone to be trifled with. “This is me showing restraint, Maxwell. I just got back from a rather disastrous outing with a heartbroken Little girl that ended with her sobbing in my arms because she thinks her Daddy doesn’t want her anymore. I think you’ve more than earned a few darts thrown your way.”

My chest tightens at the idea of my sweet Little girl thinking for even one second that I don’t want her. That I don’tneedher here, with me, forever. “How could she possibly think that?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Sarcasm drips like poison from Cat’s words. “Perhaps it’s because she’s signed a goddamn contract and she knows the terms are almost up? Or maybe it’s because her Daddy is too fucking pigheaded to actuallytellher he wants her forever? Those are just a couple wild guesses off the top of my head.”

Guilt pricks at me, smothering the irritation I know I should feel. “You’ve made your point, Catharina. I’ll talk to her.”

“Good. Because if I ever have to hear your sweet Little girl tell me she doesn’t think her Daddy wants her again, I promise there will be hell to pay.”

With that, she drains her whiskey, slams the tumbler on my desk, and strides from the room with her nose in the air.

“Well, I guess that’s me put in my place,” I mutter before following her lead and draining my own glass. Setting the crystal down beside Cat’s, I head for the office door.

Whatever meetings I have can wait until I’ve sorted out this mess with Victoria.

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