Page 46 of Surrender (Angels Halo MC Next Gen)

“It’s all part of my wicked plan to keep you in Creswell Springs,” I teased. “If you go back to New York, I get to keep custody of Daisy. You won’t break our fur baby’s heart by abandoning her, will you?”

She was quiet for a long while as she stroked the kitten’s fur. “No,” she whispered a few minutes later. “I won’t ever abandon her.”

* * *

“It’s only for a few weeks,” Samara muttered as she placed Daisy’s litter box by the window in her office. “When she’s older, we can leave her home.”

“Of course it is, baby girl,” I agreed as I set up the cat tree with the castle-style condo on the third tier.

“The doctor said we need to give her lots of attention because she’s so tiny. And we have to make sure she’s eating often enough.”

I hid my grin as I attached the next tier. “It only makes sense to keep her in the office with us. Otherwise, one of us would be driving home every few hours to check in on her.”

“Exactly!”

Fuck, she was adorable.

* * *

“Don’t cry,” Samara whispered as the vet administered the first shot. “Be brave. It’s okay. Everything will be over soon.”

I wasn’t sure who she was giving the pep talk to—Daisy or herself. Hearing the quaver in her voice, my heart broke. Shot one didn’t seem to bother the kitten, but the second one had her letting out a very displeased mewl.

My body tensed, unsure how the next minute would unfold. Samara was in protective momma mode, which could have meant anything. I didn’t know if she would take the hypodermic from the doctor and make a kabob with her eyes, or hug Daisy.

Two huge tears dripped from Samara’s eyes, and I couldn’t have cared less if she killed every member of the vet’s staff then and there. As long as she didn’t cry anymore. Her tears killed me. I would burn the world to nothing but ash to keep her eyes dry.

“Be brave,” she repeated with a sniffle, still holding Daisy tight so the vet could finish up.

As soon as the vet stepped away from them, I pulled Samara into my arms. “You both did great,” I praised. “My girls were so brave.”

“I hate this,” she sobbed, burying her face in my chest.

“I know, baby. But you were so strong. Daisy wasn’t scared at all. Just mad. She knows she’s safe with us.” I touched my lips to her brow. “With you.”

Dr. Beamer disposed of the hypodermic. “All done, folks. We’ll see you again in three to four weeks for the next round.”

I nodded my thanks and waited for the door to close behind her before leaning back so I could see Samara’s face. Her chin wobbled, but her tears had receded. “We’re going home. I’m going to make you tomato soup and cheese quesadillas, and we’re going to cuddle on the couch all night with Daisy on our lap.”

Tipping her chin up, I brushed my nose over hers. “Will that make my princess feel better?”

She searched my eyes for a moment, the blue gems melting me like a blowtorch to an ice cube. Finally, she nodded.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, I nipped playfully at her lobe. “And then we will tuck our little fur baby in, and I’ll spend the rest of the night licking up the cream my baby girl makes just for me.”

“Yes, please, Daddy.”

* * *

Mom shut the door to my office with a grunt. “Okay, it’s done. I have a new receptionist starting on Monday.”

I leaned back in my chair as she took the seat in front of my desk. “Only took a month. Have you told the current one?”

“She knows I’ve been interviewing candidates for the position, but she’s not aware I hired someone. Her smug ass thinks she’s irreplaceable.” Mom pressed her lips into a grim line. “I was starting to think the same thing. The few people I interviewed in the past few weeks were okay on paper, but in person, they were worse than Crystal. I was about to give up when the résumé for this woman landed in my email. She’s thirty. Has experience. And a personality.”

“Downside?”

“Maybe she has more thanonepersonality?” Mom sighed when I burst out laughing. “She will be a better fit than Crystal. I made the offer, and she accepted.”

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