Daddy’s Little Sunshine

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

L ainey

Lainey watched her cloud rain into the bowl, smiling at the tiny rainbow that appeared. Daddy seemed perfectly content to let her keep this one. And since it didn’t seem attached to any deep, impractical feelings this time, so was she.

“That was incredible, sunshine. I’m proud of you.”

“Yeah?” Turning her head, she smiled up at him. “Maybe he wasn’t such an asshole after all.”

“I’m flattered,” he said dryly, raising an eyebrow at her.

“What?”

“You said maybe I’m not such an asshole after all.”

Her eyes widened and she clapped a hand over her mouth. “I didn’t say that out loud!”

“Yes, you did.” Laughing, he patted her bottom. “You can let go of the cloud now.”

“Awww.” She turned her attention back to the cloud. “But it’s so cute.”

“It is, but I don’t want you getting too worn out. I’m sure it takes a lot of effort to focus like that.”

Her head was starting to feel a little foggy. With a sigh, she let the cloud slowly disappear. “Bye, cloud.”

“You can make another one later. How do you feel?”

Sore. Exhausted. Thoroughly used. “I’m fine.”

If he knew she was lying, he didn’t comment. “Good. I’m starving. Did you eat anything?”

“Ice cream.”

“Seriously? You really do need a daddy. Up.” He punctuated the command with a sharp swat to her bottom.

“I don’t need a daddy. I have a – oh shit!” Guilt and panic churned in her stomach.

“What?” He was instantly on alert, running his hands over her like he was checking for injuries. “What happened?”

Slapping at his hands, she explained in a rush. “My parents. My friends. I lost my phone yesterday, everyone is probably losing their minds!”

“Oh.” Sitting back, he frowned up at her. “Jesus, you scared me.”

She yanked her shorts back up and blinked against the threatening tears. “I’m a horrible person. I didn’t even think about anyone else. They must be worried sick!”

“You’re not a horrible person, sunshine. Shit, I should have thought of it, too. But yesterday was a bit crazy.”

“Can I use your phone to call my parents? Please?”

He almost said no. She could see it on his face. But she watched him soften, enough to jerk his head up and down before reaching into his pocket. “Five minutes,” he said, unlocking his phone and handing it to her.

Growling, she stomped a foot. “I can’t tell them what’s going on in five minutes!”

“Sorry, sunshine. We can’t risk a longer call. Someone might be listening on their end. And you can’t tell them where you are or who you’re with.”

She snatched the phone out of his hand, no longer bothering to fight the tears. “Fine. I’m going to the bedroom.” Without giving him a chance to respond, she stomped to the bedroom and slammed the door. With trembling hands, she dialed her mother’s cell number.

“Hello? Lainey?” Her mother’s panicked voice twisted her stomach into knots.

“It’s me, Mom. I’m okay. I’m sorry it took me so long to call.”

“What’s going on? Where are you? I called your phone and some drunk man answered and then it just kept going to voicemail.”

“I’m…” She paused. How much should she say? Was it better for her parents if they didn’t know what was going on? “I’m safe.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Safe from what? Lainey, where are you?”

Her heart cracked right down the middle at the fear in her mother’s voice. “I can’t tell you. I’m sorry. Is Dad there?”

“Why can’t you tell me? Frank! Lainey’s on the phone, but she won’t tell me what’s going on!”

There was some muffled shuffling and then the sound of her father’s deep, soothing voice. “Lainey? Where are you? Why aren’t you answering your phone?”

“I’m safe. I lost my phone. Dad, some things happened, and I can’t tell you what, but I wanted you to know I’m okay. I-I don’t know when I’ll get to call again.” There was a long pause and she worried she’d lost the signal. “Dad?”

“I’m here, sweetheart. You’re safe? You’re with someone who can help?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” Another long pause. “Heard on the news Baltimore has had some freak storms lately. Be careful, Lainey. You never know where lightning will strike.”

It hit her like a wave crashing on the shore. “You knew,” she whispered.

“Stay safe and call us when you can.”

“I…” She swallowed hard against the sob welling up in her throat. “I will. I love you.”

“I love you too, Lainey-bug.”

The call disconnected and she stared at the black screen. Her father had known the truth about her all this time and never told her. Did he know about the people out to get her? It sounded like he did. But how? Had they come to the house? Were her parents in danger, all because she could make it rain a little?

It was too much. The powers, the people out to kill her, her savior/captor Daddy, and now being cut off from her parents with no way to let them know she was safe after today. No way to know if they were safe. Tossing the phone on the bed, she curled up, facing the window. She waited for the tears, or at least the rain, but nothing came. The door to the bedroom creaked open and the bed dipped beside her. She didn’t protest when he pulled her into his arms, but she didn’t embrace him, either.

“You okay, sunshine?”

“He knew.”

A hand rubbed her arm. “Who knew what?”

Lainey closed her eyes. “My dad. He knew about my powers.”

“How much did you tell him?”

“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head against his chest. “He just knew. He said he’d heard Baltimore had been having lots of freak storms and to be careful. And something about not knowing where lightning will strike.”

The hand on her arm stilled. “Smart man.”

She lifted her head and opened her eyes, meeting his clear gaze. “Will I ever see them again? Don’t lie to me, please. I need to know.”

The answer was written all over his face. “I’m sorry, sunshine. But probably not.”

“I hate this. I just want to live my life in peace.”

“I know.”

No platitudes or empty promises. Somehow, his quiet acceptance helped ease the ache inside of her. “What do we do now?”

“You are going to work on controlling your powers. I’m going out tonight to meet with someone about getting you out of here.”

Yet another slice to her bleeding heart. “You’re sending me away.”

“It’s not about sending you away, sunshine. It’s about keeping you safe. It has been since I met you.”

“By sending me away,” she pressed.

His expression was unreadable. “If that’s the only way to protect you, then yes.”

God, she couldn’t take much more. “I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to be alone.”

“I’m right here, sunshine. I will be for as long as I can.”

Sighing, she snuggled into his embrace. If that was all he could offer, she was going to take every last bit of comfort she could. “It’s not fair.”

“I know. I know, baby.” He gave her a gentle squeeze. “You should eat. You used a lot of energy this morning.”

She blushed at the memory of his talented fingers before she realized he probably meant the cloud he’d helped her make. “Okay.”

They rolled off the bed and he took her hand to lead her out to the kitchen. Stopping by the bedroom door, he stopped to look at her, his eyes serious, but kinder than usual. “It’s going to be okay, sunshine. It won’t ever be like it was before, and it may hurt a hell of a lot, but it’s going to be okay. I promise.”

The ache in her chest eased a fraction more, and she gave him a wobbly smile. “Okay, Daddy.”