Page 42 of Daddy's Little Sunshine

“Yeah, yeah.” Releasing her, he swatted her bottom. “Get in the car, brat.”

Laughing, she climbed inside, and Donovan jogged around the side of the car to join her. “So, the whole ‘richer or poorer’ thing. Did you mean that?”

She shrugged. “Sure. I mean, we can find work anywhere.” Frowning, she shifted in her seat to face him. “What do you do for a living, anyway?”

“Little of this, little of that.” He started the car and pulled out of the parking space. “We’ll figure it out, but things might be a little tight until Rico gets the rest of the money transferred.”

“The rest? How much is the rest?”

“Not much,” he said casually. “A couple million.” It took everything he had not to burst into laughter at the shocked look on her face. “Close your mouth, sunshine. You’re catching flies.”

“You’re a millionaire.”

“Something like that.”

“You’re a millionaire and you live in a tiny, grungy apartment in a shitty part of Baltimore. Why?”

“Money attracts attention. I was trying to lay low. But since someone already ruined that plan,” he shot her a sideways glance and she stuck her tongue out at him, “I might be convinced to move up a little.”

Her laughter rang out, the beautiful sound filling the car. He’d meant it when he’d said she was his sunshine. And together, he was certain they could weather any storm.

EPILOGUE

Melissa (Lainey)

The sound of gravel crunching drew Melissa’s attention to the window above the sink. A black SUV was carefully negotiating the twisty driveway up to the cabin.

Heart pounding, she threw down the dish towel she’d been using to clean the counters and ran to the front door. “Daddy! Someone’s here!”

Their food delivery had been made two days ago, and he hadn’t told her to expect anyone else. Her mind raced, trying to come up with another explanation, but only one rang true.

They found us.

Stepping outside, she let the rage and the fear come. Let it darken the clouds above the house. A freak snow storm in the mountains of Colorado in December wouldn’t draw too much attention. At least she hoped it wouldn’t – she didn’t really want a repeat of the paddling she’d gotten a few months ago when she’d lost her temper in Florida and nearly caused a hurricane. The news was still talking about that one.

The winter sun completely disappeared behind the clouds and the wind began to whip through the trees. The cold barely registered, despite her bare feet. One of the perks of her gift, she’d discovered, was her imperviousness to most forms of weather.

“Mel? What the hell are you doing?”

Daddy’s voice was nearly lost in the wind. She turned to face him, and her bottom tingled at the look on his face. “Someone’s here.”

“So you came outside? Alone? You and I are going to have ourselves a nice long talk tonight, little girl.” Raising his voice, he yelled, “Turn the wind off, would you?”

Pouting, she let the wind die down, but the clouds stayed dark. “You never let me play anymore.”

“You can play another time.” Nodding toward the driveway, he smiled. “When we don’t have company.”

“Company?” She turned back to the SUV, which had parked a few feet from the porch. The doors opened and a couple climbed out. Her heart skipped a beat when she recognized them.

“Mom? Dad?”

“Lainey!” Her mother raced for the porch, nearly knocking her over. “Oh, my baby. I’ve missed you so much.”

The clouds disappeared, and the weak winter sun beamed down on them again. “Mom.” Melissa pressed her face against her mother’s neck. The familiar scent and feel of her filled her senses. “Mom. I didn’t know… oh, God.”

“Andrew told us he was going to surprise you.” Her mother pulled away, beaming. “He’s a very resourceful young man. Handsome, too,” she added with a salacious wink.

Melissa turned to the man who’d risked everything to protect her. “You did this?”

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