Total pages in book: 209
Estimated words: 196085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 980(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 654(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 980(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 654(@300wpm)
“Come in.” Stas answers, keeping his eyes on me. I feel the color drain from my face and fear takes over. Daddy reaches down and takes my hands in his. “Baby, keep your eyes on me, okay? I’m your rock.”
CHAPTER 22
STAS
“Thanks, Doc.” I shake Doctor Shoemaker’s hand and close the door behind him.
He’s a friend in the business and gave her a clean bill of health, but also gave me a referral for an OB/GYN and he made a call and got her an appointment for tomorrow.
“I’m proud of you, Babybear.”
Her cheeks are pink again and she took the needle like a big girl. My heart is full of pride at how brave she was as I lay down next to her and prop my head up, leaning on my elbow.
“Thank you. I’m proud of me too.”
I smile because she brings me such joy.
“But, we need to talk.”
Her smile flattens. “I know.”
“You have a punishment coming. You understand, don’t you?”
“Me?” Her eyes go wide. “You do too.”
“Careful, Babygirl. Yes, I bent the truth, but there will be times—and I’m sorry—but there will be times that Daddy needs to keep you safe. And if that means keeping something from you, so be it. You are going to have to trust me. I’ll never lie to you just to protect myself, but I will do what it takes to protect you and I will make no apologies for that. On the other hand, this may sound like a double standard, but it’s just how it’s going to be. You will not lie to me. Never again. Is that clear?”
“That’s not fair.” She pulls her lips to the side and crosses her arms.
“This is not a democracy, babygirl. Sorry, but Daddy is in charge. You get that? That is how this works. You put your trust in me and I take that position seriously. I’ve made mistakes too, I understand that, but you also have to understand that I am in charge. I will do as I deem necessary. Will I screw up sometimes? Sure, but I’ll always try to do better. Will I hurt people without cause? No. But if it protects you, you can be damn sure I’ll do what is necessary.” She sticks out her bottom lip and narrows her eyes but I see the wheels turning in her head, so I add, “My number one job in this world is to keep you safe. To keep our family safe. Period.”
As much as I want to give her everything she asks for in this life, sometimes that is not what is best. I should have taken care of Calfus that day in the cabin, but I went against my instincts and it almost cost me everything in this world.
“I know I have rules, Daddybear. But, you have responsibilities. I think it’s fair that you have your list too. Like I have mine. You say we are a team, I know I give you the power to be in charge, but that’s fair right? I have rules you have responsibilities.”
I think for a moment but she’s right.
“Babybear.” I kiss the end of her nose, which she crinkles in response. “You are absolutely correct. Tonight, when we are done here and you are sleeping, I will come up with my own list for me. Then we will talk about it and if you have something to add, or any comments, we will discuss it. How does that sound?”
She nods, and pride swells in me at how wise a person she is.
But what happened is still fresh. My priority is still her and going against my initial instincts almost cost Ginger her life. And our baby. There’s no one I wouldn’t deal with to be sure that never happens again.
“What about your job?” She asks, and I pause thinking of how much to tell her.
“My job is changing, Babybear. I was tied to that because it was dangerous to get out, but I’ve made a deal. They owe me because of a screw up and some information leaked about me. I made a deal which gets me, gets us, out. I won’t ever be away from you again like I was. Our life has to change.” I take a breath. This isn’t going to be an easy pill to swallow, but it’s necessary. “For a start, we’re going to have to move.” I see the look of confusion on her face, but she doesn’t question me and that’s a good start. “Far away. You’re not too attached to this house, are you? Attached to this state, this place?”
I made a deal with Malcolm during the night while she slept. It was his fucking fault Calfus found us. No one is going to know where we are going, that was part of the agreement and I’m fine with that. We can start over together. Become new people together. We have to disappear and never come back to the U.S. Malcolm is going to smooth it over with anyone that might get nervous. He’ll say there was an ‘accident’. In our world, that’s code for no longer a threat.