Page 17 of Monster: King of Nevada

“Not sure I’m the right guy for that.” Grabbing the cup of water off the counter, she tries to shoo me away, but I refuse to waver. “Just a small sip. Swirl it around in your mouth a little.” She whines but does as I ask. “Can I run a bath for you?”

She whispersyesbut looks like she might pass out.

I help her lean against the wall, then move to the claw-foot tub, turning on the faucet. After adding some Epsom salt and bath oils, I remove Ella’s clothes. When I pick her up, it’s hard not to get turned on by her silky-smooth skin, but I keep the dirty thoughts to myself as I place her in the soothing water.

“Lovely,” she murmurs, her head rolling to the side on the foam pillow.

Reaching for another clean cloth, I soak it and begin gently rubbing her body. Her hair hangs over the tub, remaining dry, but I wash the rest of her, taking extra time between her legs, soothing the pleasurable defilement from this morning as she moans and sighs for more.

“Sshhh, baby, just let Daddy take care of you.”

She whines a bit but does as I ask. Once she’s had some relaxation time, I help her out, wrap her in a towel, and carry her to bed.

Sitting her on the side of the mattress, I remove the towel and admire her rosy body from the heated water. She’s exhausted, but I can’t help staring at her perfection. Lying her down, her reddish-brown hair splayed out on the white lines, she’s like my own angel. One I don’t deserve but won’t let go of.

Before covering her up, I re-enter the bathroom, get the lotion she’s been using, and go back to her. She’s already passed out, but I take the time to warm the lotion between my hands before massaging it into her skin.

My mouth waters for a taste of her, but I keep it to myself. This is about her and earning her trust. Once she’s thoroughly massaged, I pull the blankets over her and watch her slumber for a few minutes before closing the curtains and going downstairs to deal with the shit show that started this entire thing.

“He say what he wanted?” I ask Caleb. He’s helping Owen clean up the bloody mess in my foyer.

“More money after the beating he took the other night.” Caleb scoffs as I roll my eyes.

Tank fucked up. He came to the fight high and fucking lost. After getting a hundred grand out of me, he’s done for in my clubs.

“You set him straight?”

Caleb stands tall and raises a brow at me. “I sent him flying down the fucking stairs is what I did.” Nodding, I go in search of Lucas in the kitchen.

“You didn’t fuck up her bread, did you?” I ask, observing him attempt to shape dough while watching a tutorial.

“She knows we have this in the pantry, right?”

I learned a lot about Ella during dinner, and she’s striving to live a cleaner life. She wants to bake, cook, can…run a house with ingredients that she knows and understands.

“She wants a homestead life.” I just repeat what she told me.

His head flies up, and his eyes widen. “You’re going to buy a fucking farm for this girl.” The accusation isn’t far off. I shrug. “I am not milking fucking cows, Theias. I’ll quit!” That, I doubt.

“You going to tell her no?” He pales slightly at the idea. “That’s what I thought.”

I laugh as I walk away to make some calls.

The first one is to a trusted friend with recommendations for an obstetrician for Ella, and after explaining what I need, there’s a pause on the line. “You sure about this, man? You don’t even know the girl.”

“Charlie,” I growl. “Don’t throw twenty years down the drain.”

Charlie Daniels has been a good friend since I moved to Vegas. We’ve worked together on many occasions, and he knows I’m not an enemy he wants to make.

“Didn’t mean any harm, man. I just didn’t realize you were serious about anyone. I’ll make a few calls, get some names and numbers together, and email you this afternoon.”

“Thanks, Charlie.” I hang up and make another call, this time for the complete opposite reason.

“Hanger, it’s Theias Lorde. We need to talk about Tank. You available around nine tonight?”

Hanger is the manager at Lorde Arena and has been a trusted employee. He organizes most of the fights, and he was the one to point out Tank’s latest indiscretions.

“Anytime you need me, boss.”

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