Page 28 of My Daddy Is An Ex-Con

I totally agree.

"She should at least make an effort," I continue. "As it stands, she’s ticking me off."

Ryder removes her from my hand and places her on a stuffed panda. "Maybe she didn’t want to walk."

I suppress a snort. "She can’t ride a panda."

"I dare you to tell me why."

"Pandas are sensitive creatures. They’ll feel bad if humans try to ride them instead of cuddle them."

Ryder glares at me. "Well, this is a panda who’s always wanted to be a horse."

I bring my fingers to my chin. "No, it’s not."

"Yes, it is."

"Prove it."

"I don’t have to." Ryder sticks out his tongue. "It’s what’s in her heart."

This isn’t a terrible explanation. Welp—I’m tongue-tied. Ryder beat me.

"I think I have to give up my dreams of becoming a lawyer," I drawl. "You outargued me."

"I’m older than you, bud. I have decades of experience with bratting off to Daddies—arguing comes easy to me."

I shake my head in amusement. "Not a bad point."

"Hey." Ryder turns to me. "Tell me thereal teawith Medici."

A breath escapes me as a wonderful dreamy sensation swells in my chest. Christ—I don't know where to start.

Medici is tall. Sexy. Mysterious. Deadly as fuck.

Yet his gruff exterior contains a sweet side underneath. I’m still working on accessing it, but I adore the few glimpses I’ve received.

"I think Medici wants to be my Daddy," I say after I finish telling Ryder about everything else—such as our trip to Popeyes, the clothes Medici gave me, and the olive oil massage.

Ryder waggles his eyebrows. "Hell yeah."

"I’m nervous." It’s tough to admit this. "He’s everything I’ve wanted—but I’ve never been in a Daddy relationship before."

Ryder nods. "I know."

"What if I screw up? I bratted off too much when he rescued me. I’m a sweet boy inside, Ryder. Not a jerk who likes to talk back. I want to play with stuffies, wear onesies, and curl up on Daddy’s lap. None of the dates I’ve ever been on have resulted in a commitment from a Daddy. The only people who typically show interest in me are other boys—Medici is the first Daddy to seem to want me."

Ryder holds my hand. "Can I tell you a story?"

"Sure."

"A friend of a friend told me about a boy from Wisconsin named Jordan. Jordan didn’t have a very easy life—his Dad was a major drug trafficker who smuggled drugs in cows. One day, Jordan was kidnapped and brought to a Prussian drug lord’s hideout—and locked in a golden cage."

"Shit!"

"A man named Vladimir X mowed down the door. He saved Jordan and brought him to his estate in France. However, Jordan was the biggest brat-a-tat-tat whoever did brat. He talked back, put up a fight, and acted like he was too good for Vladimir. He didn’t get put in his place until Vladimir spanked him."

I squirm. "Holy crap."

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