Page 2 of Bad Daddy

I think I liked him more when he was all dark and gloomy. When he didn’t give a flying fuck about anyone.

“You can leave,” I snarl as the bell rings, and I stub out my cigarette.

“See you at her party.”

He’s gone before I can correct him. I don’t do parties. Haven’t in a long-ass time. They’re a waste of time and money.

I don’t stand until I see Cece exit the school, her bookbag hugged tightly to her chest, head down, and hair covering her face as she rushes down the front steps and starts speed-walking up the sidewalk to the subway station.

I keep my distance, not wanting to spook her but needing to keep her in my line of sight so nothing happens to her. This has been a ritual for a few months now, and I just can’t bring myself to stop.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I reach for it to find my assistant, Kimbell Rigsby, texting me to call him.

“What?” I snap before he even says a word.

“Sorry, man, I know this is your quiet time. I just wanted to let you know that Alvin Lisbon is on his way here now. I think it’s a power move on his part. The fool doesn’t realize that he’s meeting on your turf.” Kim has been with me for almost eight years now and loves it when I make a show of force or throw someone off guard. He gets a weird kick out of how people relent to my demands.

“Make him wait in the den. Only him, none of his men. Have Yelena offer the worst coffee she can make.” He chuckles at my suggestion because she can be mean with her beverages when she’s unhappy. “Is Della home?” I might have to change plans if she is.

“She and Holy just left for the cabin for the weekend.”

Malice and Holy have a cabin they like to get away when they can. It’s somehow become Della’s safe haven since her first visit last summer. Despite being abducted from there, she loves the clean air, the lack of population, and having no one to answer to.

“Good. I don’t want her there.”

Following Cece down the stairs to the subway, I keep her in my line of sight while talking with Kimbell about the plans for Alvin. When I hang up with him, I pocket my phone and stay near the stairs as I watch Cece sit on a bench waiting for the next train. She’s tense and keeps looking around, almost like she’s anticipating an attack.

A few rowdy teenage boys enter the platform, and I notice her turn away so her back faces them. It’s a blatant attempt to conceal her identity.

I hold back and watch as they shout and jump around, being menaces to the other passengers before they spot her. They stop a few feet away, and I slowly begin moving towards them as the tallest boy approaches Cece. She shakes her head and scoots away when he sits next to her.

A hand curls around her back to bring her closer to his side, and that’s when I move. Gripping the two other boys by the sides of their heads, I bash them together, and they collapse in front of me.

Sitting behind the boy who is touching Cece, I grip the hand he has on her waist. He turns to glare at me, opening his mouth to spout off, when I bend his hand backwards until I hear his wrist snap.

“Make another sound, and I’ll keep breaking bones until I reach your neck,” I warn. Cece’s wide brown eyes meet mine. They’re filled with a mix of fear and relief as she subtly moves away from him and closer to me. “Cece Brown is off limits. Spread the word.” I release him as he cries out and runs off, ignoring his confused friends on the ground.

“What are you doing here?” The screeching of the approaching train nearly drowns out her voice.

“I came to take you home,” I respond, leading her out to the street and my parked car, a few blocks from her school. She doesn’t protest, which is a relief as we get in and drive off.

CHAPTER 2

Cece

At the moment, I can’t seem to form words. I’m unsure if it’s because I’m in Carter O’Neill’s hands or because Sam Bones tried to snuggle up to me. Sam doesn’t give a shit about anyone but himself, so when he sat next to me with the contrived intent to escort me home, I knew he was lying out of his ass. Carter, on the other hand, has had my attention since our first meeting a year ago. He’s intimidating and calculating, always mindful of the people around him for any kind of betrayal, but in those same eyes, I recognize a loneliness that matches my own.

“Where are we going?” I ask quietly as he drives across the Brooklyn Bridge.

“Home” is the only response I receive.

I nibble my lip, wanting to ask more questions, but he’s obviously angry, and I don’t wish to end up on the receiving end of it. I get enough hatred from my mom at home; I don’t need any more from someone else I care about.

Leaning my head against the cool window, I stare at the water as we drive until my eyes get drowsy. I’m not sure how long it is before we arrive, but I’m startled awake by the sound of slamming doors and Carter’s raised voice.

I blink slowly, taking in my surroundings before getting out. I realize I don’t have much choice right now. He brought me here, and until he decides I can leave, I’m stuck. I’ve been here a few times, given my friendship with Della, but never without her.

“Della has gone to the cabin with Holy.” Carter seems to read my mind. Nodding, I prefer not to speak. I’ve been like that my entire life–mostly just observing the world around me. For the most part, staying quiet keeps me off the radar. “I have a meeting inside. I’d like you to join me.”

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