Page 128 of Daddies' Captive

“Thought it might be,” he said dryly. Damn, she was funny. Usually, she tried to keep her true thoughts and feelings tamped down. But he’d seen her let go of that control a few times.

And he preferred this Effie. The one who felt safe enough to be herself.

“The other good news is that I have a way to fix your eyeball.”

“You do?” She stared at him in wonder.

He wanted that for the rest of his life. Her, staring at him like he could fix everything.

“I do. Close your eyes.”

She eyed him suspiciously. “You’re not gonna do something gross, are you?”

“Never.”

“Okay, I trusts you.”

Surprise filled him and he glanced at Grady. To his shock, Grady was staring at her with something like softness in his face.

She closed her eyes and waited.

Steele leaned forward and lightly kissed her closed eye. “Better, baby girl?”

“All better.” She opened her eyes and stared up at him.

“Good girl. Now, you just rest, understand me? I’m not even sure why you are still here this late.”

“Vanessa bailed,” Grady told him in a grim voice. “Effie decided it was her job to fill in for her.”

“We’ll be making sure she knows better once she feels more like herself,” Steele dictated. What the fuck was she thinking? She’d already worked a full day. She didn’t need to be serving drinks on top of that.

And walking around, carrying drinks with an old back injury that sometimes flared up?

No. Not happening.

She should be home resting.

He had half a mind to make her cut her hours. And he probably would if he thought she’d let him cover her bills.

When Steele wanted something, he tended to bulldoze straight ahead. And he always got what he wanted.

But Grady was right.

Effie would likely run if he went too fast. And while he wouldn’t allow her to run far, things would go smoother if he could go slow.

Grady’s face filled with shock as Effie let out a contented moan as she snuggled her face into his neck.

“What is she doing?”

“Snuggling you.” Steele had to bite back a grin. “Seems our girl is a cuddler.”

Which was fucking great for him. That’s what he missed most about not having a woman of his own. Cuddling. Especially at night. Steele liked to hold on to his woman.

Grady liked to sleep alone. Or he usually did.

“I take it back,” Nate said suddenly.

Fuck, he’d forgotten the other man was even in the room.

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