Page 33 of Accidental Irish Daddy

He chuckles. “What makes you think that I couldn’t do just that if I wanted?”

I open my mouth to snap back at him, but I can’t. I’m a little floored by that comment. All I can say is, “What?”

“I already told you I work at a publicly traded security company that’s also franchised all across the U.K. and about to be expanding to the states,” he says. “What you don’t know yet is that I actually own it. So, besides the fact that it would be a massive embarrassment if I couldn’t protect my own home, building my empire has made me averyrich man. I could have an army of armed guards in this kitchen in seconds with a single phone call.”

I turn my head to conceal the smile on my face. That was reallyhot.

“You’re safe, Aisling,” he says as he starts walking away. “Both of you.”

When I turn back around, he’s already gone.

Forget the tea. I’m going to need a cold shower now.

***

Getting out of the house to go to the club has been a challenge, but I’ve managed to get it done so far. It’s a good thing that Mr. Duncan’s schedule is predictable. He gets home at seven, we have dinner, and then I set Mrs. Duncan up in her room while he goes and does work or whatever he does at night in his study.From there, I spend time with Bridget—which, by the way, is so much better now that we don’t have to hide behind a locked door—then I get my things ready and sneak out the back door.

Mr. Duncan never checks in on me once I’ve gone to my room at the end of the evening, so the only thing I have to worry about is sneaking back in. He almost caught me coming in two nights ago. He came walking into the kitchen when I started to walk in. I had to hide and wait until he left.

Tonight, I decided to up my game and pack my nightshirt in with my stripper clothes. I plan on changing into them when I sneak back in just in case I run into him on the way up to my room.

I don’t know how long I can keep this up, though.

The night wasn’t bad and I’m counting my money in the back room, getting ready to leave.

Mr. Duncan is just too strait-laced to accept that I’m stripping on the side. He’s liable to kick me out on the streets if he ever finds out.

I shove the money in my jean pockets and grab my bag.

“Goodnight!” I call out to the other girls in the dressing room. I’m met with several goodnights as I walk out the back door.

On slow nights, we can usually ask one of the bouncers to walk us out to our cars, but it is quite busy tonight. I made out like a bandit for once. I’ll be able to get that ninety-day supply of medication for Bridget this month.

The second I step out into the parking lot, a familiar voice comes from behind me. “So, there you are.”

A cold shiver skitters down my spine when I turn and see Uncle Liam leaning against the building, smoking a cigarette. He steps into the light and flicks the cigarette off into the parking lot. It flies off in a dozen red sparks into the night.

“I figured I’d find you here still slinging your tail for the old pervy bastards,” he says with a menacing grin. “Once a little slut—”

“Leave me alone, or I’ll scream,” I warn, stepping away from him.

“You scream and I’ll tear your throat out with my bare hands,” he growls at me. “You can’t run from me, little girl. You’re my responsibility.”

“I’m an adult, Liam. I can do whatever I like,” I retort.

“You just keep telling yourself that lie, little girl,” he sneers. “You’re my niece and that means you do what I say when I say it. The both of you are in my custody.”

He’s drunk. I can smell his breath from here. My skin goes cold as he closes the distance between us.

“I’m over eighteen, Liam,” I remind him. My voice is shaking like the rest of me, making me sound just as terrified as I am. “You can’t stop me from leaving.”

He pauses. Maybe I’m getting through to him. The moment only lasts a second when he grimaces at me.

“You might be able to leave, but your thief of a sister is still a minor. I ought to call the guards on you, have them take you away for kidnapping.”

“She’s my sister,” I hiss, scowling at him.

“And I’m her guardian!” he yells. “You bring her back or I’ll hang you out to dry so fast your head will spin.”

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