Page 86 of Daddy's Arms

“How could she not know? We had no less than five meetings about how a deranged killer was after you.”

“Yes, but, how was she supposed to know he was the killer? And it wasn’t like he said ‘Hey let’s get your boss here so I can strangle her to death’. She thought we were just going to talk.”

“Be that as it may, she will most likely spend some time in prison. Even if I was inclined to keep her on, we can’t hold her position open for an indefinite amount of time, Livvy.”

Pulling away, she frowned up at him. “She doesn’t belong in prison, James.”

“That may not be up to us.”

“But it’s not fair. She saved my life!”

“I know.” When he sighed, she knew she was winning the battle. “I’ll have Bryant find us a lawyer for her. He’s bound to know someone who can help.”

“Thank you, Daddy!”

“I’m not promising anything, little one. Just that we’ll do what we can to help her.”

“That’s enough.” Her tummy chose that moment to loudly protest the lack of food it had received in the last twenty-four hours. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Waffles.” Slipping an arm around her waist, he led her from the room.

“Waffles! And ice cream?”

“Absolutely.”

“Wait, really?”

“If anyone deserves ice cream for breakfast today, it’s you.”

The excitement she felt over the ice cream quickly gave way to guilt. Tears filled her eyes and she shook her head. “I don’t deserve ice cream.”

Stopping at the top of the stairs, he turned to her. “Why not?”

“I broke the rules. And I got hurt and you got arrested and MaryAnn shot someone!”

“That’s all true.” Lifting a hand, he feathered his fingers over her cheek. “But this seems like punishment enough.”

“Oh.”

“You seem disappointed, little one.”

As always, she struggled with how much to tell him and exactly how to say it. “I guess I am. I broke your rules, even though I knew better. When MaryAnn called, I knew you were going to spank me but I did it anyway because I wanted to.”

“Well, I think it’s safe to say I won’t be spanking you for anything until your cheek is healed.”

“But Daddy, I can’t wait that long,” she whined.

“Then I’ll have to think of something else.” He nudged her forward and they started down the stairs again. “Since you broke the rule because of a phone call, I think a week without phone privileges sounds about right.”

“A week? I can’t go a week without my phone! What about work?”

“You’re taking at least that long off to heal. Patty is covering for you in the meantime.”

“You can’t really expect me to give up my phone for an entire week, James.”

They’d reached the bottom of the stairs, and he once again stopped to face her. Only now, disapproval was etched into every line of his handsome face. “I do expect it. Do you know why, little one?”

Her heart nearly beat out of her chest at the serious, stern tone. “Because you’re my Daddy?”

---