Page 58 of Daddy's Rules

“I’m so sorry. I would have fought my father harder on it had I’d known,” I offer genuinely. “And yeah, I was awful to work with because I hated it. I was rebellious because all I really wanted was my father’s attention.”

“I finally figured all that out. I’m such a great investigative vlogger.” She rolls her watery eyes and chuckles, but it’s wet with emotion. “My mom didn’t make it... we went into foster care.” Her eyes well further with tears. “No one would take us together, so I lost my brother, too. I still haven’t found him.” She clears her throat, seeming to pull herself together. “He was only three.”

“I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what you went through.” I pull her into a hug and to my surprise she hugs me back.

“I know things weren’t easy for you now either and I was too blind with vengeance to notice. At least I knew my mom loved and wanted me.” She pulls back and puts her hands on my shoulders. “Your mom left you behind for money and your dad never gave you anything but money.”

I nod, my own emotions heightening.

“But I’m worse than you think, Jordan.” She swallows hard, dropping her arms from me. “I did a really bad thing and I promise as soon as I leave here I’m going straight to the police.”

“Police? Because you stole my dog?” I shake my head. “It’s fine. It all worked out.”

“No, not that. Worse.”

I’m taken aback a moment before I remember my apartment had been broken into. “Were you the one that broke into my apartment?”

“Not me personally, but I asked Greg to.”

“Why?” I ask, hugging my arms around me.

“Denzi paid me to make you look irresponsible. I wanted him to find your credit card statements and any other information we could use. I know so much about you, after following you around for so many years, it was easy to open new accounts in your name and max the cards out.”

“Thank you for telling me,” I say numbly. I understood Kari-Anne, but Denzi’s part in all this was just cruel. She’d let a perfect easy life. She had no reason to hate me.

Kari-Anne lets me go and reaches into her handbag, pulling me from thoughts of my stepmother. She hands me a yellow manila envelope. “It’s the piece I’m going to run this weekend. It’s my story with my official apology for trying to ruin you as well as my confession.”

I take the envelope, my hand trembling. “You don’t have to do this, Kari-Anne. It’s not necessary. We were both victims of my father.”

“I do,” she says and puts her bag over her shoulder. “Please let me know if there’s anything you need.”

I suddenly remember my night of drunken confusion and reach out for Kari-Anne as she turns to the door.

“Wait,” I blurt. Kari-Anne turns around hers eyes lifting from the floor to mine.

“The night I went out clubbing with my friends?” I drop my hand from Kari-Anne’s arm. “Was that you? Did you drug me? I saw Greg there.”

Kari-Anne’s brow furrows and her teeth shift to the side. “I didn’t send him there.” She’s clearly confused so I shrug.

“A coincidence then,” I say distractedly, completely sure now that I was roofied and a little ashamed that I hadn’t realized it earlier.

“Maybe, but doubtful. Greg isn’t the type to go clubbing.” Kari-Anne straightens her shoulders and takes a breath. “I’ll find out.”

I nod and she opens the door with determination. I shut it after her, still shocked over the turn of events that day.

Once she’s gone I release a long breath, setting the envelope on the table by the door. I head to the kitchen for a drink, something strong, and grab the rum out of the liquor cabinet. I’m shaken. I take a long swig, ignoring the fierce burn as I swallow.

I can’t wait for Owen to return. Of course I want to brag about my business savvy with Belinda and I want his opinion. He’s my partner for life and that holds weight with me as a person and as a submissive. But more important I want to tell him about my talk with Kari-Anne. I’m trembling and no one can calm me and help me work through my emotions like Owen.

When I hear the door open, I smile. “Daddy, thank God you’re back...” My words stall in my throat as I see a gun and then the one who’s holding it. Greg. Kari-Anne is next to him, but she looks terrified. Her eyes are wide and fearful and she has a swollen bruise blooming from red to purple across her cheek.

The bottle of rum falls from my hands and shatters on the tiles. My mind whirling with confusion, I ask, “What the hell is going on?”

“Let’s go,” he demands calmly and motions the barrel of the gun further into the house. “We’re going out the back. Fuck with me and I shoot her.” He nods his chin at Kari-Anne.

Kari-Anne squeals as he shoves her and she stumbles toward me. “Go!”

“What the hell are you doing, Greg?” she yells as she falls at my feet. “It’s over. I’ve confessed.” I help her up and Greg further pushes us with his nudging gun out the back door.

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