Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“The spoon is our way of keeping up with each other, Zara. It’s just a fun way to report what’s going on, and everyone listens. You can always ask questions,” Rocco assured her as Kestrel wrapped an arm around her.
“Zara, we’re alert for any type of threat. Anything that seems out of the norm,” Kestrel shared. “The team is working together to make sure you’re safe.”
“Here, Kestrel,” Rocco handed over the ladle.
“Lots of families on the sightseeing trips. Everyone takes photos, but I noticed that the single guy on one trip was taking specific photos of the roads into the estate and the sea access. It was like he was scouting the area. Here, Little Swan. Tell us about your day.”
“I’m scared now,” she started, looking into the faces of these people she didn’t know but who seemed dedicated to saving her. “The rest of my day was great. I got moved into a new room up on the fifth floor. I haven’t slept well, so someone made me nap.” The response from the Daddies made her smile.
“Good job.”
“Of course!”
“You needed it.”
“Sleep is good for you.”
“Great!”
“Did it help?” Kestrel asked softly.
Zara cleared her throat and admitted. “Yes. I had enough brain power to work with Celeste in the lab. I enjoyed it so much.”
“And you did an amazing job,” Celeste said with a smile.
The sharing continued through the remainder of the people, and soon, everyone dived into the delicious meal. It felt almost like home. Zara was amazed that this group had become a family with traditions and rituals. She’d learned so much about the entire team.
Kestrel wrapped his left hand around her thigh and squeezed just a bit. She smiled up at him, trying not to worry about what the future would bring. Automatically, she opened her mouth as he lifted his spoon to offer her a bite. Then, feeling funny as he fed her, she looked around the table. No one watched. They were all chatting and having a good time. Sadie had even moved from her chair to sit on Rocco’s lap.
“It’s really okay here, isn’t it?” she whispered into Kestrel’s ear.
“Yes, Little Swan. Your heart is safe here.”
As soon as dinner was over, the men took over and shooed the Littles from the table. Unable to help, the women gathered in the living space. Zara felt awkward. Her family had employed a staff over the years to handle everything in the house. Here, she felt that she should do something.
“Don’t worry about it, Zara,” Celeste said when she caught her new friend looking over her shoulder repeatedly to where the men joked around in the dining room as they cleaned and organized the dishes back on the cart to go upstairs.
“They like hanging together as much as we do,” Sadie mentioned with a laugh as Rocco popped Hawking on the butt with a kitchen towel. “Daddy’s going to be in trouble.”
Kestrel threw himself between the two men as they tried to get at each other. Zara couldn’t help but laugh at their antics. “They’ve been a group for a long time,” she stated.
“Oh, not too long. They’re all ex-military, so they like working with others they know have their backs,” Sadie pointed out. “They’d all do anything for each other or us.”
Zara covered her mouth as she yawned. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be tired.”
“That’s it for you tonight,” Kestrel said, holding his hand out for hers. “We’re going to have an early night.”
“But…” Zara began before a huge yawn interrupted her statement. “Okay,” she conceded. She felt dead on her feet. “Night, everyone.”
Waves and wishes for a good night’s sleep answered her as Kestrel guided her to the elevator.
Chapter Nine
Leaning against her Daddy’s hard body on the way up to their floor, she stared at the numbers going past. “Daddy, why doesn’t the elevator stop for other people? We’re always the only ones in here.”
“There’s a magic fairy controlling the doors.”
“I’m going to tell Magnus you called him a magic fairy,” Zara teased, quickly figuring out who he was talking about.
“Go ahead. I’m pretty sure he has a magic wand.”
“Daddy, he has his computer.”
“Computer…wand…same difference,” Kestrel suggested with a shrug as he steered her out of the elevator.
Feeling nervous and excited to be alone with him, Zara tried to keep her mind busy as they entered his apartment. “What do you do in the evenings?”
“I paint rocks.”
“Rocks?” she repeated.
“Yes. Here, I have one for you.” Kestrel left her side to walk to an end table with a single drawer. Opening it, he pulled out a small object which he hid in his hand.
“What is it?” Zara asked, holding her hand out as he returned.
Kestrel set a smooth rock about two inches across on her palm. It was vaguely shaped like a heart, and he had accentuated this by painting the entire surface pink and adding a large red heart placed to match the contours. In the middle was written Daddy’s Girl.