Page 28 of Demon Daddy's Little Girl

"Very well, little flower. But you have to eat all your vegetables."

"Even the purple ones?"

"Especially the purple ones."

Ada comes in then, holding a platter, and she stops when she sees me and Rose. I wait to see if her eyes narrow, but her expression softens, and she smiles at me. "Home for lunch?"

I nod, hesitant to set her off. "If that's alright."

She shrugs as she sets down the platter and takes a seat. "It isyourhome."

I try to ignore the way my heart sinks at that response. It's progress, I know. But I want to hear that she wants me here.

Rose chatters through lunch about her morning adventures with a little suru she saw in the garden, but my attention keepsdrifting to the windows. Mine and Rolfo's conversation burns in my mind.

I don't live far from my sister. And now kids are going missing just a few streets away…

I shift in my chair, angling myself between Rose and the large bay window. The movement catches her attention.

"Are you looking for birds again?" She peers over her shoulder. "I saw a big blue one earlier!"

"Just keeping watch, little one." I scan the tree line beyond my property. Nothing moves except shadows cast by branches.

"For bad guys?" Her voice drops to a whisper, violet eyes wide.

"Something like that." I tap her plate. "Finish your meal."

I don't leave after lunch. Ada takes Rose for her nap, and I consider seeking her out. But I don't want to worry her. I'll find whoever is taking these children before anyone gets too close to Rose.

Through my study window, movement in the garden catches my eye. The setting sun casts long shadows across the flower beds where Ada kneels beside Rose, demonstrating how to break free from a grip on her wrist.

"Remember, sweetheart - twist toward the thumb. That's the weak point." Ada's voice carries clearly in the evening air. She gently holds Rose's tiny wrist, showing her the motion.

"Like this?" Rose twists with more force than necessary, nearly toppling herself.

"Careful." Ada steadies her. "You don't need that much power. It's about the direction, not strength."

I slip outside, my footsteps silent on the garden path. Ada's showing Rose how to stomp on an attacker's foot when I speak. "Aim for the arch, not the toes."

Ada startles, but Rose beams. "Cappy Dez! Will you help teach me too?"

Instead of the wariness I expect, Ada meets my gaze with determined focus. "You probably know more effective techniques than I do."

"Some." I crouch beside them, my ceremonial guard markings catching the fading light. "But you've got the basics right. Show me that wrist escape again, Rose."

Rose demonstrates, her honey-blonde curls bouncing with concentration. Her grip is clumsy but the movement is correct.

"Good." I glance at Ada. "Have you shown her pressure points?"

"Not yet. I wasn't sure which ones would be safe to practice."

I hold out my arm. "Here. The nerve cluster in the forearm is perfect for small hands." I guide Rose's fingers to the spot. "Press here, little flower. Not too hard."

Rose giggles when my fingers twitch involuntarily. "It made your hand jump!"

"Exactly." I shift to show Ada the precise location. "Even a child's strength can be effective there."

Our fingers brush as she finds the pressure point. Her touch is hesitant but precise, betraying years of careful movement around demons. But there's steel in her warm brown eyes when she meets mine.

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