Boss Daddy, page 15
Never. Again.
He wanted to wrap her up in cotton wool and keep her safely ensconced in his compound. Where no harm would ever come to her.
* * *
Dahlia was so exhausted she could barely keep her eyes open.
It surprised her how she kept nodding off when she wasn’t in a safe place. That wasn’t like her at all. And the only reason she could think of was that he was with her.
Mr. Markovich.
The sheriff had come through and found a female doctor who’d been soft-spoken and gentle. She’d warned her every time before she touched her. She wasn’t sure if the other woman was always like that or if the sheriff had said something.
Either way, she was grateful.
After some x-rays and an examination, she’d been cleared to leave. Thankfully, her ribs weren’t broken, just bruised.
She hadn’t told anyone about that asshole hitting and kicking her. She had the feeling that Mr. Markovich wouldn’t take it well, and it hardly mattered.
She really wished she could have Ricky Rhino with her. But he’d had to wait in the car.
She knew that soon everything was going to hit her. And she really wanted to be on her own when that happened.
“Come on, L’venok. Let’s get you out of here.” Mr. Markovich gently helped her into the wheelchair the nurse held. He hadn’t left her. Not once. Well, except during the x-ray, and then she’d started to freak out, so the technician had been as quick as possible.
It was pitch black when they walked out. Gray walked just behind them. A car sat idling next to the curb. She was surprised they were allowed to park there. Gray moved forward and opened the door. He didn’t look down at her as Mr. Markovich helped her into the back of the car then followed her.
Ricky Rhino was there and she immediately grabbed him, not caring what anyone thought.
“Let’s get this over you.” Mr. Markovich reached over to grab the seatbelt.
“No, please,” she said, holding up a hand. “I don’t think I can deal with feeling it against my chest.”
“Of course, L’venok. I should have thought.”
“It’s okay,” she told him with a small smile. “The seatbelt in Lady Marmalade probably saved my life. But I just can’t . . .”
“It’s not exactly safe though. I’m going to lift you onto my lap. Okay?”
She nodded.
Reaching over, he drew her carefully her into his lap. She was stiff for a moment, but he didn’t try to grope at her or hold her there.
“And we need to keep you warm as well.” He picked up the blanket that Gray had wrapped her in earlier and placed it over her lap, tucking it around her.
“Here, do you want your jacket?” she asked, moving to take it off. He’d put it back on her before they’d left the hospital.
“No, I like you being in it. Keep it over you. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe.”
And she believed him. Gradually, she relaxed into him as the car started up. “Are you sure I’m all right sitting here, though? I’m not too heavy?”
“You barely weigh a thing,” he told her, adjusting her so his arm was around her back. “Now, just rest. I’m going to take care of everything.”
Like where she was going to live?
“Lady Marmalade is wrecked.”
“Yes, baby. Did you have insurance?” He rubbed his arm up and down her back.
“Yes, but it wasn’t a lot.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll sort it.”
“It’s not my safe place anymore.” She hated that. Trembles rocked her body.
“Baby girl, shh. We’ll get you a new safe place.”
“Could it be your lap?”
Oh.
Fuck.
“I just said that out loud, didn’t I?” She cringed. “Too bad my tongue wasn’t injured in that crash.”
“Now, that would be a crime.” He gently tilted her chin back, staring down at her. His face was filled with a mix of tenderness and heat.
Very different from the fury that had filled it when he’d first arrived at the crash scene.
“You were like a dragon before.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“When you arrived at the crash scene. You were angry.”
“Not at you.”
“No, more like a protective anger, I think.”
“You’d be right.”
“And now you’re like a contented cat.”
“A cat?” he asked, sounding incredulous.
“Like, still a scary cat,” she said quickly. “With claws and teeth. Rawr.” She held her fingers up as though she had claws.
A smile flickered across his lips. “Rawr?”
“Uh-huh. Still strong and powerful. But also content. Sorry, I’m rambling. It’s the drugs.”
“Is it?” He cupped the side of her face. Was he going to kiss her?
Did she want that?
Oh, hell yes.
She squirmed on his lap and he hissed.
“Oh my God! Did I hurt you?” She tried to scramble off, ignoring her body’s protests but he put his hand lightly over her lap.
“Hush, you didn’t hurt me. Just stay still, okay?”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to injure you.”
“I’ll be fine if you stay still,” he reassured her.
“I don’t know . . . I probably shouldn’t be sitting on your lap. As you get older, your bones start to get more brittle . . . and you lose muscle . . . mass . . .” She trailed off with a gulp. “Uh-oh.”
“Are you calling me old, little girl?” he grumbled.
“Nope. Not me. Nuh-uh, I would never. Pinky swear.”
“You better not be. Because you’d be in big trouble.”
What would he do? Spank her?
She waited for the threat, her mind conjuring up images of him putting her over his lap. But he simply ran his finger over her lips.
Should that be so hot?
“What do I look like now?”
“Um, maybe a blobfish.”
“Seriously? A blobfish?”
She winced as she realized he might take that badly. “Well, I mean, they’re so grumpy and ugly that they’re cute, you know?”
“I’m not sure I do know. Do you think I’m cute?”
Nope. He wasn’t cute. He was a storm. Beautiful and magnificent yet sometimes cruel and punishing. Something you wanted to touch but knew you shouldn’t.
“Because you are. And anytime you want to use my lap as a safe place, you can.”
She could feel her cheeks growing red and she had to resist squirming again.
“Now, relax. Your body is going to need lots of rest and care.
“Mr. Markovich?” she asked.
“Yes, Dahlia?”
“Are you all right?” she whispered.
He gave her a surprised look. “I’m not actually sure. I always have to be, but right now, I’m not certain how I feel. You could have been hurt. Because of me.”
“We’re not sure of that. It could have been for another reason.” Although what, she had no clue.
“No, this has to do with me. I put you in danger. And I’m going to be the one to keep you safe.”
“How?”
“You’re coming to live with me.”
15
“Um, what?” Dahlia leaned back to look at him.
He hated the dark marks under her eyes. She was pale and wan. And he wanted to tuck her up into bed and order her to stay there until she was glowing with health.
He gave her a determined look. “You’re coming to live with me. At least until this threat is taken care of.”
She frowned. “I can’t live with you.”
“Of course you can,” he replied. “Your current accommodation is now wrecked, you can’t stay there.”
“I’ll have to get her repaired. I guess insurance should cover it. And stay somewhere while that happens. What about all my stuff? And I left some things at the campground.”
“When the sheriff’s office allows us access, we’ll move all your belongings. Sergei got anything you left at the campground.”
So at least her rescues would be all right. But this Sergei is probably wondering about her.
He shot her a look. “I don’t like the idea of you staying somewhere else.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s not safe.”
He felt a tremble rock her. Guilt flooded him. He hated that she’d been in danger because of him.
“L’venok, it’s all right. Don’t be afraid. I’m going to keep you safe. I promise.”
“It’s not . . . it’s not your job.”
“It’s my fault you’re in danger.”
“Not exactly,” she insisted. “I chose to interfere. And if that’s why someone is after me, to get to you, then it’s still not your fault. It’s on them. Bullies. I hate bullies.”
“You’ve mentioned that.” He gave her a small smile. “But I’m certain that all of this is because of me. You didn’t have problems before now, did you?”
“No,” she said honestly.
“You saved me, twice. Let me look after you this time.”
She chewed at her lip. “But it doesn’t feel right to just move in with you. I don’t really know you. I’m not your responsibility.”
But that’s exactly what he wanted her to be.
His.
“You’re not a responsibility. You’d be my guest.”
“It still doesn’t feel right.”
Another idea occurred to him. One he didn’t like nearly as much. But he had to give her the option.
“Or I could send you away.”
“What?” She sat up, wincing as she moved.
He had to clench his teeth together, pull on all of his control so he didn’t show her how fucking, insanely furious he was that she had been harmed. He didn’t even like the idea of her getting a paper cut, and yet she was injured because of him.
“Away?”
“I’d have to send someone to watch over you as well. It would likely be safer for you than coming to live with me. You may have guessed, but my line of work is, ah . . .”
“Less than legal?” she said. “Yeah, I’d heard a few things.”
Fuck. What was he doing? Why would she want to be around him?
“I can’t tell you much about what I do. Just that it’s dangerous and anyone associated with me would also be at risk. I could be making things worse for you by moving you in with me. If I could send you back to your home, I would, but that might be dangerous as well.”
“That’s okay, I don’t have a home to go to.”
He stiffened. “What do you mean?”
She shrugged sadly. “I mean, I have a family. My mom and two older sisters. But my mom sold our family home a while ago and moved into a one-bedroom condo. There’s no room for me there. And I won’t be a burden. Not to them. Or you.”
His heart broke for her. Because even though she was an adult, you always needed to feel like you had a home. Whether that was with family or somewhere on your own. Or with friends.
“I don’t want to be sent away,” she whispered.
Why not? Because she couldn’t leave him? Or some other reason.
“Then you’ll come to my home. You’ll rest and get better, then we’ll discuss where to go.”
She bit her lip, looking thoughtful. “All right. But I don’t want to be a burden or accept charity. If there’s something I can do to be helpful, you’ll tell me.”
What he wanted most from her was for her to rest. But he nodded. “I will.”
“Dahlia, I do not pity you.”
“You probably should.”
“Really? I should pity someone who is so brave that she listens to her gut and attempts to save a stranger from being drugged? I should pity someone who sees something wrong happening and waits around, then puts her life at risk to help save that stranger again? I should pity her? No. Likely spank her butt for putting herself in danger, but pity her? No.”
She blushed, but looked skeptical.
He could tell there were some self-esteem issues there. Something he’d need to gently approach to help her overcome.
If she was yours.
“I’ll stay with you. For now.” She held up her pinky. “Pinky promise that you’ll tell me if I outstay my welcome or if I can help?”
He wrapped his finger around hers. “Pinky promise.”
“I’ll pull my weight too, if you need me to cook or clean.”
That wasn’t happening. “I need you to heal.”
“I’m all right. It’s just a few bruises.”
“Which you’re going to need time to recover from. The doctor said you’re to take it easy for the next two weeks. Nothing strenuous. Lots of rest. No stress. Good food and keep hydrated.” He’d memorized every word she had to say.
“Pfft, that’s probably what she tells everyone. She doesn’t expect people to do that.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Actually, I’m certain she does. What’s more, you will be doing exactly as she says. Understand me?”
She eyed him. “Are you always like this? Do you always get your way?”
“Yes. I do. You’ll be doing as the doctor says.”
He’d make sure of that. He’d take care of her, whether she wanted him to or not.
* * *
They drove through gates monitored by two huge men.
Okay. She supposed she should have expected that. She still wasn’t sure exactly what Mr. Markovich did, but his life was dangerous.
Mr. Hubert called him a criminal.
She swallowed nervously as they drove up to the house.
“Are you part of the mafia?” she blurted out as the car came to a stop.
He stiffened. “Ahh, no.”
“Oh, sorry, it’s just all the men with tattoos and drugs, the big house, the gunfight . . . it just seemed like maybe you were. Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m not part of the mafia, but a lot of what I do isn’t on the right side of the law. I’m not a good man.” He cupped the side of her face, turning her gently so she was looking up at him. The light from the house barely illuminated his face. “But I will take care of you. And I never hurt women and children, understand? I still have morals.”
“O-okay.” She didn’t know why, but she believed him.
A knock sounded on the door, and he knocked back. When the door opened, she expected him to set her down so she could get out. Instead, he got out with her in his arms.
He climbed up the stairs toward the front door. “Has a bedroom been prepared?” he asked as he stepped inside.
“Yes, sir. I put her in the pink room,” a woman said.
She turned her head slightly, wincing in pain. An older woman stood by the door. Housekeeper?
“Thank you, Maria,” he replied and moved with her still in his arms up the stairs.
It was a gorgeous house with wainscoting up the stairs and tile floors.
“You should put me down,” she told him.
“Are you worried my old arms will drop you?” he asked dryly.
“No. I know you wouldn’t drop me.”
“Good.”
“Unless you back gave out.”
He paused at the top of the stairs, staring down at her incredulously. “Are you trying to insult me?”
“Um, I don’t believe I’m trying to,” she said quietly. But it seemed she was. “It’s the drugs. They make me ramble.”
“Those painkillers are likely wearing off by now since you wouldn’t let the doctor give you anything strong.”
She hated feeling out of it and she knew some of the stronger painkillers would do that.
He carried her through an open doorway and into a gorgeous bedroom. It had a huge sleigh bed with a pale pink bedspread and white linen curtains that had already been closed. There was a free-standing mirror and a large sofa sitting against one wall.
Markovich set her next to the bed.
“This bedroom is gorgeous,” she whispered, staring around.
“If there is anything you need, you can tell me or Maria.” He moved to one of two closed doors. He pointed at the first one. “Closet. And this is a bathroom.”
Oh, thank God. Because she really needed a shower. She could still feel that jerk’s touch. And then there was everyone who’d touched her at the hospital. The only reason she’d gotten through it was because of Mr. Markovich. Because he made her feel safe.
“Are you all right?” he asked in concern, glancing at her arms.
Where she was scratching at them.
Shit.
She dropped her hands. “Yep. I just really need a shower.”
He eyed her. And there was too much knowledge in that gaze for her. She needed a distraction.
“Well, thanks. I’m sure you need to get to bed. It’s probably way past your bedtime. What’s your usual bedtime? Like nine? Nine-thirty?”
His eyes widened.
Oh, she was playing a dangerous game. Prodding at the dragon. Or was he a blobfish right now?
Dear Lord.
“Is that a dig at my age, L’venok?”
“Um, would you believe me if I said no?”
“I would not.”
A knock on the open door saved her ,and she glanced over to see Saint standing there.
He held up a bag. “Her drugs, boss.”
Markovich walked over and took the bag. Then shut the door. But he was on the wrong side of it.
Damn it. What did a girl have to do around here to get some privacy so she could freak out?
He pulled a bottle of painkillers from the bag and read the label before setting it down on her bedside table. “It says you’re meant to take these with food. I’m going to get you some water and a snack. I’ll also get you something to wear tonight until we can get your belongings.
“Oh, thanks. I’m just . . . I’m going to take a really long shower.”
He studied her. “All right. I’ll put some clothing on the other side of the bathroom door.”
“Thanks. For everything.”
He just nodded and left.
She moved as quickly as she could into the bathroom. She wished she could climb straight into bed, but she’d never sleep when she was this wound up. While she was sitting in Mr. Markovich’s lap, everything had seemed okay. She’d been able to relax.
