Page 19 of Rayna's Daddy

“What’s wrong?” I hand her a napkin to wipe her face and controlled the urge to wipe it myself. I would have fed her, too. It was the Daddy in me screaming to come out.

“People are afraid of you?” She asked or stated.

“Are you afraid of me?”

She paused a beat. “No.” She nodded once. “You’re not too scary, but why were you at the party?”

“It’s not what you’re thinking.” I signaled to Joan, my assistant, lurking near the kitchen. She grabbed the dishes and put them on the tray.

“Oh, I can get that!” Rayna stood up.

“Sit down, Rayna.”

“I don’t need people to wait on me.” She whined. “I can do it myself.”

“Really.” I leaned back and crossed my arms over my chest. “Where exactly would you take them?”

She blinked.

“I would have asked.” She crossed her arms, mimicking my position.

I drop my arms, leaning in closer.

“Well, don’t you think it would be more productive for the person whose job it is to clear the table, and clean the dishes to be allowed to do her job?” I placed my hand on her forearms. She dropped them.

“And, if you did her job for her, then what would I be paying her for?”

Joan smirked.

“Her job is to clean up after you.” I sensed she wanted to say something else, but she stopped herself. “Not me.”

“But you are my guest and if I asked her to clean up after you, she would do that.”

“That’s so rude.”

“It’s not rude if it is actually her job.” I rubbed my beard. “There’s nothing demeaning about her job. She is one of the most useful and productive people employed by my casino. If she didn’t do her job as well as she does. I wouldn’t be able to do my job as well as I do. Then my casino goes under, and she’s out of the job. In fact, you could say she makes this whole set of building run.”

She tilted her head to the side and pierced her lips.

I waited for her to challenge me, but instead, she relaxed her shoulders and smiled.

“Thank you, Joan.” She leaned toward me. “At least say thank you. People like to hear apleaseandthank you. Even if it is their job.”

I stared at Rayna in shock and amusement. A knock at the door pulled my attention. Chandler and Patrick walked back into the apartment together. Josh took the seat next to Rayna. Chandler next to me.

Agent Stanley trailed behind, sitting at the other end of the table. He rubbed his bald head and adjusted his tie.

“Rayna, this is Agent Stanley.” I motioned in his direction.

Rayna sat back in her chair and placed her hands on her lap.

“Nice to meet you.” Her voice was shy but loud.

“Pleasure.” He gave her a curt nod and pulled a legal pad and pen from his briefcase.

“Ms. Smith.” He steepled his hands together. “I need to ask you a few questions pertaining to the events of last night.”

Rayna’s eyes went wide.

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