Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kelsey had tried to help the other girls clean up around the warehouse, but the entire time she’d been so worried about Marco that she hadn’t accomplished much.
Was he all right? That was a truly nasty blow on the head and back he’d taken from all that discarded lumber.
And what was this conversation about? Had Breaker reached his limit? Was he going to forget the plan and turn Marco in to the cops now?
That thought made her stomach churn. Tomorrow would be heartbreaking when she dropped Breaker off at the police station or the jail or wherever he’d surrender. All those unknowns would eat at her. The next few weeks and months—hopefully not years—would be awful.
But that was a tomorrow problem. These last remaining hours of a perfect life with Marco and her friends here at the Guard compound were all that kept her going.
“Are you okay?” Trixie asked her as they finished putting away some dishes in the kitchen.
“Yeah. Sorry. Just sort of lost in my thoughts.”
“No reason to apologize. I’m sorry I got you two in trouble.”
Stephanie sprayed cleaner on the counter and started wiping it down as she said, “That was all of us. We were kind of naughty. And I guess we’re going to get spankings.”
“I’m not sure my Daddy will be around long enough to deliver,” Kelsey told them, barely getting the words out before she began to sob.
“Oh, Kelsey!” Trixie said, wrapping her arms around her friend.
Stephanie joined in, too, and it felt wonderful to have them hugging her. But Kelsey’s heart still hurt. And she wasn’t sure it would ever heal until Daddy was home for good.
“Hey, what’s all this crying about?” Marco asked.
Kelsey wondered if she should tell him the truth and bring the mood down or just make up something. It would be so easy to say it was about the incident at the loading dock.
Before she could say anything, Daddy spoke again. “I have bad news and good news. The bad news is we’re going to have to change the schedule today. I’m afraid it can’t just be all fun and games.”
Her heart sank even more as she waited for him to explain.
“But the good news is, it looks like I—thanks to Breaker and John—have a way to avoid jail and finally be free of the Family. We just need to go pick some stuff up and then have some meetings—probably long meetings—at the DA’s office. Are you okay with that?”
Kelsey first answered by launching onto Marco for an intense hug.
Laughing, he stumbled back a little but managed to hold onto her. “Easy, honey. I already hit my head once today. We don’t need to try a second time.”
“Sorry, Daddy. I’m just so freaking excited! When do we leave? Let’s go get that stuff and then we can?—”
He placed her feet carefully back on the floor. “No, honey. The Daddy Guard is going to take care of this. You ladies will stay here where it’s safe.”
“Are you going with them or is it just a Guard thing?” Kelsey asked.
“It’s a Guard thing,” Breaker answered, coming into the kitchen. “Which means your Daddy is coming. Everyone, meet our newest member: Marco Ruggieri.”
The women cheered and Kelsey’s heart felt so full it might burst.
“It’s really happening? This is going to be our life?”
“Yes, babygirl. There are just a few things left to do before we can make it official. I’m not saying it’s all going to be easy. But it’ll be worth it.”
Joy swept over Kelsey. For a moment, she feared the whole morning was a dream and that she’d be torn from it any time now.
But this was real. And her life was about to change drastically.
No more hiding. No more fear. No more crime. She and Marco would be safe. He’d even be helping people instead of hurting them!
Now, all that was left was to support him during whatever was about to happen.
And pray the Daddy Guard successfully completed this next mission.