Page 31 of My Fantasy Daddies

But this one was different.It was too important to me not to attend in person, and I wanted Esme beside me for it.The theme was a masquerade ball, and thanks to Astro, Esme’s stylist was able to meet us before the event to give her a few options in her size and do her hair and makeup.I’d been on the fence about keeping Astro and Otto on as our girl’s security, but Malcolm had argued for them to stay.So far, that was turning into a great idea.But it was very early days.

They’d kept her safe from her crazy-ass sister for years, though, so I was going to give them the benefit of the doubt.We didn’t have much to go on when it came to Eloise—or Lizzie, as she went by at Inferno when she’d started stalking Benson—but what little Ghost had found was enough to make me shudder.Her family had kept her off the grid as thoroughly as they had Esme, but once she’d reached adulthood, she wasn’t as careful, and no one had been around to keep her in check.She was making sloppy mistakes that would come back to bite not only her but could harm Esme too if she wasn’t careful.

And we couldn’t allow that shit.

Esme took in the sights all around us.There was a live band, some kind of trapeze acrobats’ performance above us, and a silent auction for a number of invaluable items that were being protected by armed guards.If I didn’t know that all the profits went directly to the women’s shelter, I would have been pissed at the exuberant amount of money spent on the charity event itself.But this was the biggest and most far-reaching organization in the country for battered women and children who’d been victims of domestic violence.

They had a network of safe houses and shelters across the country that helped women get away from abusive situations, find them jobs, educate them, and, if needed, give them an entirely new identity.I donated millions to them in my sister’s name every month, attended every event for this particular charity, sat on the board, and made sure each shelter and every safe house was updated with security cameras as well as other technology.If we could save even one woman or child, it was worth it.

I only wished I’d been able to save Alora.

While Esme was taking in everything around her, all eyes were on her.The red dress she had chosen molded to her curves, the braided straps covering the mark I’d left on her shoulder earlier, but the front plunged low, giving a generous peek of her gorgeous cleavage.Her white Arctic fox mask was bejeweled with opals, with a single large emerald in the center.Perfectly cut and clear, sparkling from the overhead lights.

Her stylist had given me a tie the same shade of crimson as her dress.With it, I’d been handed a black mask with opals and emeralds in an infinity design around the eyes.Behind us, Astro and Otto both wore black masks of their own while blending in with the crowd.They were like fucking ninjas—I’d give them that.

“I’ve always wanted to try aerial dancing,” she murmured, watching the acrobats twirl through the air on little more than ribbons.

“One of the items up for auction is private lessons from the performer,” I told her, nodding to the woman rolled in silk high above us.

Bright eyes glittered up at me with excitement.“Really?I would love a chance to do that.Where can I bid?”

I tucked her arm through mine, and we weaved through the crowd toward one of the tables where the experiences were being auctioned.One option was guitar lessons by the guitarist of the band playing in the background.We were barely halfway through the evening, and there were an exuberant number of bids for that particular experience.For the aerial ribbon lessons, there were only five entries with low bids.

Esme plucked the board from my hands, doing a happy little dance as she scrawled her bid.While she was busy with that, I took aside the attendant who was overseeing the table.By the time Esme was done, I was back, and we were ready to move on.

“I’ve heard of this charity, actually.My parents get an invitation every year to this event, but I don’t think they’ve ever come.At least, not that I’m aware.But I know they donate.And Lia has even mentioned a few times wanting to work with the organization in the future.”

I turned her toward the row of sparkly auction items.“We are always thankful for any assistance offered.”

“We?”she asked, momentarily distracted by one of the necklaces.

“I sit on the board,” I explained, pausing to scrawl a bid before she could.

“I like that humanitarian work is something you’re passionate about.I can definitely get on board with that.I have a very large trust fund that needs spending, Daddy.”

“I am open to any charity you want us to contribute to, little one.Just point and say a number, and it’s done.But this is the only one I’m currently personally involved with.”A passing waiter stopped to offer us glasses of champagne.I took two glasses, slipping one into her hand and carefully moving her on to the next item.

Curiosity flickered in her eyes, but before she could ask her question, someone called my name.Putting my hand on Esme’s hip, I pulled her in closer to me and turned us to face the small group of older women who were the powerhouse behind the charity.“Ladies!You have yet again pulled off a beautifully successful night.As always,” I praised.

“This is all Victoria’s doing.She pretties it up, and we just click okay when she emails us the expense sheet.”

“Why she’s undervaluing herself, I don’t have a single clue,” Victoria dismissed, her amused brown gaze going straight to the other smaller woman at her side.“This one has already handled a thousand random issues without a single drop of champagne or wine, all while keeping her hair perfectly in place.I don’t know how she does it.”

“Is there anything I can do to assist you in some way?”I offered.

“You can put us out of our misery and introduce us to your lovely date.This is a first for you, Parker.We never see you here with someone.”

Esme tilted her head back to look up at me, her thick lashes flickering twice before a smile teased at her lips.“I’m one of your firsts?”

“More than one of them, my love,” I promised her, brushing a kiss over her lips.

Her breath hitched.“Mylove.”

“Little one,” I groaned, ready to throw her over my shoulder and say to hell with the rest of this night, but the women in front of us clearing their throats pulled me back from the edge of complete instability at the last second.Shooting them annoyed glares, I made introductions while Esme laughed lightly.“This beautiful woman is Esme, and you will definitely be seeing more of her.I think she would be a great addition to the charity.She has an incredible mind, a generous heart, and endless access to my money.Let’s see how we can use that to assist those most in need.”

“Ignore him,” Esme told them, shaking each woman’s hand.“I have my own money that I plan on making of use for your worthy endeavors.”

“I think you and I will definitely get along, Esme,” Victoria said with a laugh, but then she turned into the no-bullshit woman she was and started throwing out questions about any previous humanitarian work Esme had done.

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