Chapter 20
Camden
My girl is so happy. I like to think I have something to do with it. After all, I managed to make her eyes roll back several times last night in the bath and then in our bed. I also woke her with my mouth between her legs once again.
I love watching her come. I love how uninhibited she is. How she grips the bedding. How her head tips back. How her mouth drops open. I especially like the way she cries out so loudly that the pictures on the wall are probably crooked now.
Seeing my girl with her sister makes me smile, too. The two of them are sitting at the table coloring while I clean up the kitchen after feeding them breakfast.
They’re giggling, and it’s musical. I don’t think Simone realized how much she missed her sister until Lillian showed up yesterday.
Simone had done what she needed to do to get out of a toxic situation in her childhood home.
She left her sister behind and never looked back.
But I suspect in the back of her mind, it weighed on her, and now that Lillian is here, a huge pressure has lifted off her shoulders.
“Does he hang your pictures on the fridge?” Lillian asks. She thinks she’s whispering quietly enough for me not to hear, but she’s wrong. I’m grinning, glad I’m facing the sink so they can’t see me.
“Yes.”
Lillian sighs. “That’s so swoon-worthy.”
Simone giggles. “I don’t think swoon-worthy is a word.”
“It is now. I think you should take me to the club you belong to so I can find a Daddy like Camden and Jameson.”
I come to the table. “We can go to Surrender soon. Not right away, though. Simone needs some more time to recover first.”
I have no idea why I say this. It’s probably not true. Simone has done a one-eighty since she met with Quinten. I don’t know every detail of what they talked about, but the result has helped my girl climb out of her shell. I’m grateful, but I’m not quite ready to take her out of the house.
Part of me is just plain greedy. I don’t want to share her with the world yet.
This dynamic is so new for us. I don’t want to upset the status quo.
On top of that is the fact that I’m worried her attacker followed her home from Surrender.
That unnerves me so deeply that I can’t stand the thought of going near the club just yet.
I don’t care if he saw her inside the club and stalked her or perhaps waited for her in the parking lot.
It’s possible neither of those things happened. It’s more likely she was a victim of a random act of violence from someone who saw her and took an opportunity.
Nevertheless, I’m not ready to take her to Surrender yet. I like having her in our home where she’s safe at all times. I can see her. I don’t have to worry. Surrender is so…peopley.
I’m not being reasonable, but I like the way Simone looks at me and nods. She doesn’t question my judgment on this. At least not in front of Lillian.
My phone rings on the counter, and I turn to grab it. I’m surprised to see Blade’s name on the screen, and I answer, “Hey, Blade.”
“Hi. Are you sitting down?”
“No.” I lean against the counter, keeping an eye on the girls.
Simone lifts her gaze to me, but she doesn’t say anything.
“They’ve caught Simone’s attacker,” Blade continues.
“Seriously?” I push off the counter and head for the table. I need to touch my Little girl. I’m drawn to her magnetically. This will be huge for her, and I want my hand on her to steady her.
“Yes. Unfortunately, he attacked another woman last night. It was in front of a different apartment building a few blocks from where Simone was assaulted. That woman got pretty banged up, but she’s going to be okay.
She also gouged his face, which provided the police with DNA that matched the skin under Simone’s fingernails. ”
I drop onto the chair next to Simone and reach for her.
She slides off her chair and comes to me, not questioning why I lift her onto my lap and snuggle her close.
Blade continues, “The police need Simone to come down to the station and ID the guy.”
I bury my face in her hair and inhale deeply. I hate this, but it’s necessary. I bring my mouth back to the phone. “Okay. Let me talk to Simone.”
“I’ll come pick you up so you can ride in the back with her. She might be rattled afterward.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate that. Her sister is staying with us, though. I’ll see if Jameson and Natasha can come over while we’re gone.”
“Good. I’ll see you in a few.”
When Blade disconnects, Simone cups my face. “Did they get him?”
“Yes, Baby girl.” I send a quick text to Jameson.
“Are they sure?” Her lips are trembling.
“Yes, Little one.”
Tears well in her eyes. “He attacked someone else, didn’t he?”
“Yes, baby, but she’s going to survive just like you. She fought back. This time, the police got him.”
“How do they know it’s the same man?”
“His DNA was under her nails, too, my brave girl.” I lift her hand and kiss her fingertips.
Simone sniffles. “Where do we have to go? Why did you say Jameson should come over and be with Lillian?”
I tip her head back and hold her gaze. “You need to identify the guy, Little one. Can you do that? Can you be very brave for a while?”
“Yes, Daddy.” She’s crying silently, but she doesn’t falter. “I can do it. I don’t want him to be able to attack anyone else ever again.”
“That’s my girl.” I kiss her forehead. “Let’s go upstairs and get you changed into something warmer and more adult. It’s cold out.”
I turn to find Lillian wiping her eyes, too. “I’ll be fine here by myself. You don’t have to get anyone to come stay with me.”
“I know, but I’m sure you’re shaken up, too. I bet you’ll be able to pass the time better if Natasha is here with you. You girls can play a game or do a puzzle.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
I stand Simone on her feet and rise. I pause before we leave the room. “I realize I’m incorporating you into our lifestyle. It’s not really appropriate. Please tell me if I’m overstepping.”
Lillian shakes her head. “I’m fine. Thank you. You’re very kind. I can see why my sister loves you so much. I don’t mind hovering on the edges of your world. It’s fascinating.”
I smile at her. My chest tightens at the thought of Simone loving me. I certainly love her. We just haven’t said so out loud yet. “Okay. Let me know if I make you uncomfortable. That will never be my intention.”
I take Simone’s hand and lead her up the stairs and into the closet in our bedroom. “Do you want to wear jeans maybe?”
She shakes her head. “No, Daddy. Can I just add leggings under my dress and then wear a cardigan over the top?”
I pull her into my arms. “If you think you’ll be comfortable like that, yes. Are you sure?”
“Yes, Daddy. No one will think anything of a woman wearing a dress with leggings. Plus, I’ll be more comfortable than in jeans.” She scrunches up her cute nose. “Jeans aren’t really comfortable.”
I tap her nose. “Okay, Little one. Let’s add some layers.”
My heart is throbbing as I help my girl into leggings, socks, and tennis shoes.
I grab a white cardigan and help her put it on next.
We didn’t have a chance to put her hair up this morning, so it’s still around her shoulders.
A quick trip to the bathroom to comb it is all we need and then she’s ready.
Am I ready? This is going to be stressful for my girl, and I don’t like it. She doesn’t deserve this, but it’s happening. Plus, the alternative is worse. I want her to feel safe. As long as her attacker was free, she wasn’t fully safe.