Page 64 of Her Forever Daddies

“Oh, my gosh, this is beautiful. Oh, it’s the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen,” she said.

He smiled down at her and knew she was being genuine. They knew she’d probably seen some of the rarest and most expensive diamonds and gems in the world, but they meant nothing to her because they hadn’t come with love. Ruby didn’t want or need material things. She needed things that came from love.

“Can you put it on me?” she asked, looking up at Zane.

He nodded and pulled the necklace from the box. Once it was secured around her neck, she stood in front of the full-length mirror touching it with a look of wonder.

“I love this so much. It’s the best gift anyone has ever given me,” she said as she turned to both of them.

“And you’re the best gift we’ve ever been given,” Zane answered.

33

RUBY

“Call us the second you’re ready to leave and we’ll be here to get you. And remember, you’re perfect just the way you are, baby girl,” Jace repeated.

He’d said the same thing at least three times on the drive over to her parents’ estate. She knew that both of her Daddies were anxious about not being there with her, but they were trying to keep it together for her sake.

She just knew if she showed up with one of them, her parents would turn their noses up to either one of them and she didn’t want to subject the two people she loved the most to that sort of treatment. The questions that would follow were also something Ruby wanted to avoid.

“I will, Daddy. I promise. I’ll be just fine. You two go do something fun. Go have a beer or something. Let loose for once. But no strip clubs. I’d hate to have to show up and scratch the stripper’s eyes out for looking at you guys,” she said with a grin.

Jace and Zane stared at her in shock before Zane started shaking his head and Jace chuckled.

“Baby girl, you are so fucking precious,” Zane said.

She giggled. Only her Daddies would think that of her after threatening to scratch someone’s eyes out.

“I love you guys. I’ll be fine. Besides, my parents will be so busy chatting with all their snooty rich friends, they’ll just ignore me, which is for the best. Once I’ve made enough of an appearance, I’ll call you to come get me.”

Zane reached back and pulled her hand to his mouth. “I love you, little one. Can’t wait to get you home tonight and get you back into your happy Little headspace.”

Jace got out of the car and opened the back door, helping her out of the back seat. Zane hadn’t been happy about her not riding in her booster seat, but he eventually gave in when she told him that the straps would wrinkle her beautiful dress. Once she was on her feet, she looked up at him and smiled.

“I love you, baby girl. Try to have some fun, okay?” Jace asked.

Fun. Yeah, she wasn’t so sure that fun was on the menu for the night, but she nodded.

“I will, Daddy,” she said, standing up on her tiptoes to kiss him.

“You look absolutely beautiful, Ruby. We’re so damn proud to be your Daddies,” Jace said as he brushed a stray hair away from her face.

“Thank you, Daddy. I’m proud to be your little girl.”

Once Jace pulled his Jeep out of the large circular driveway, Ruby made her way up the steps to the grand entrance of her parents’ mansion. A man with hard hair and dark eyes wearing a tux stood at the doorway with a clipboard in hand.

“What’s your name, please?” he asked politely.

“I’m Ruby Montgomery. I’m Evelyn and George’s daughter.”

The man smiled and nodded. “Thank you. There’s an attendant inside that can take your shawl and purse if you’d like. Have a great time.”

Offering the man a smile, she walked into the enormous foyer and sighed. She knew some people would walk into her parents’ home and wish they could live so lavishly, but it had never been something Ruby had been proud of or wanted. She would have lived in a shack if it meant having love and attention from her parents.

After handing her shawl to the attendant inside, she walked further into the house toward the grand ballroom.

“Ruby?” a deep familiar voice asked.

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