Page 75 of Impressing Brett

“Oh, right,” she repeats before pulling the door closed.

It’s the oddest exchange. I wonder if she’s an intern. It’s peculiar that the owner of Golden Alliance has to give directions to an intern or new hire.

When I look back at Mr. Wakefield, his expression is equally interesting. I’m betting he’s ordinarily rather serious, but he’s almost smiling. He winks at me. “Good thing you didn’t ask for coffee. That girl can’t make coffee to save her soul. I’m not sure she could’ve gotten a water bottle correctly, either.”

I giggle before I can stop myself and then cover my mouth.

He likes her. I’m sure of it. I also bet she’s Little. I wonder if Mr. Wakefield is a Daddy. He’d make a great Daddy. Gruff and large with a bit of teddy bear thrown in.

He clears his throat as my Daddy puts his hand on my thigh. “I’ve read through your file. This is a sizable inheritance. I’m glad you’ve come to us to help you invest it. Let’s go through some of your options.”

“I don’t want the money,” I blurt out. “I want you to put it in the name of Black Blade Protection and invest it for them.”

Brett gasps. “Lacy…”

I stare at him. “I told you ten times I don’t want that money. You should use it to help rescue people who can’t afford it. That’s what I want.”

Mr. Wakefield leans forward on his elbows. “I can certainly arrange it. Wouldn’t you at least like it to be an endowment in your name? Something you can control and monitor?”

I shake my head. “No. I don’t ever want to hear about it again. Just do good things with it.”

“It seems like you’ve thought this through,” Mr. Wakefield says.

“Yes.”

Brett is taking deep breaths.

“Why are you acting so surprised?” I ask him. “I hated my father. He wasn’t a good man. I know you’d like me to think he left this money as a way of saying he’s sorry for how he treated me, and that’s fine. Maybe he did. Maybe he didn’t. But it doesn’t change the fact that it makes me cringe. I’d rather make my own money. And I do. And don’t act like I’m making a hasty decision. I’m not. It’s been weeks.”

Brett surprises me by moving his hand to the back of my neck, pulling me close, and kissing me soundly on the lips. “You never cease to amaze me, Little lamb.”

I don’t even care that he called me Little lamb in front of Mr. Wakefield. It’s just a term of endearment.

Mr. Wakefield smiles at me indulgently. “Okay, then. If that’s what you want to do, I’ll set it up. I’ll let you know when it’s ready, and you can come in with Andres Phillips and sign the papers together.”

I glance at Daddy. “Who’s Andres Phillips?”

Both he and Mr. Wakefield chuckle. “Sorry. That’s Blade. Blade is a nickname.”

“Oh, right. I never heard you mention his real name.”

“He goes by Master Andres if you ever see him at Surrender,” Daddy informs me.

My breath hitches, and I glance at Mr. Wakefield, wondering why Daddy would mention something so confidential in front of this stranger. Then it hits me. “Are you a member, too?”

“Yes. Lately, I haven’t been there often, but you might see me there someday.”

“Oh.” It seems like every person I’ve met in the last month is a member of a club named Surrender that I never heard of before a month ago.

Brett reaches across the desk to shake Mr. Wakefield’s hand again. “Thank you for your time.”

“My pleasure.” He shakes my hand next. “And thank you, Little one, for being so kind and giving. I’m sure many, many people will benefit from your generous donation.”

I smile at him. He called me Little one. I bet he’s a Daddy for sure now. I bet Cassandra is either his Little girl or he wants her to be.

As we leave the office and head for the elevator, Cassandra waves at us from the reception area. “Have a nice day. Thanks for stopping by.”

She makes me chuckle inside. She’s awkward and funny and cute, and I’d bet anything she’s Little.

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