Page 27 of Discovering Daisy

“Oomph,” or a sound like that, filled the beach as the air left the man’s chest.

Wyatt got off the guy and stood. The man tried to, as well, but was having too hard a time. Finally, he managed to stand up and swung the camera around in a fit of desperate rage, now clearly in survival mode and willing to do whatever just to get away.

Even with the paint on his face, Wyatt recognized him.

Evan.

Rage filled Wyatt, causing time to slow down. He saw the camera coming with clarity, stepped aside, and easily dodged the blow. He then swung his own fist, stepping into a right hook, and putting a lot of power behind it.

It connected to Evan’s jaw with a painful crunch.

The man went down hard in the sand. He was out cold.

***

It was forty minutes later when the mess was finally straightened out.

“So that guy is with a website?” Daisy asked, once the island’s small police force had carted Evan away.

“Yes, honey,” her Daddy explained. “Turns out, it’s a site that features pictures of women in diapers and dressed as Littles.” He smiled. “I’m all for such a thing. As long as it’s consensual. But that’s the thing—he saw you and knew you’d be perfect for the site. When he couldn’t get close to you, he decided to get the photos he wanted any way possible.”

“So he didn’t really want to date me, huh?” Daisy said. “He wanted to recruit me.”

“That’s right,” Captain Reagan said. “And I feel partly responsible for this. As the captain of the Little Star, it’s my job to keep my passengers and crew safe. I’m sorry, Daisy.”

“Thank you, sir, but this isn’t your fault,” Daisy said.

“She’s right,” Wyatt said. “That guy went through the vetting process the same as every other passenger. He passed the background check. My guess is he just thought he’d come on the cruise, recruit models, and make some money.” He shook his head. “He’s lucky I only punched him once.”

Reagan smiled. “Well, his troubles aren’t over. You know, had he taken those pics on the ship, he would have been arrested and housed onboard until we returned to Florida, where he would have been handed over to state authorities. Here, though…well, he committed the crime on this island. He’s now entangled intheirjustice system. He’ll be treated fairly. But it’ll be some time before he gets to go back to the U.S.”

“You know,” Wyatt said, “we have a word for guys like him back in Georgia.”

“What’s that?” the captain asked.

“Dumbass,” Wyatt said.

The group laughed.

“Well,” Captain Reagan said as he looked at the Littles, “you all still have a couple of hours before we set sail again. Why don’t you all go play. And this time, you don’t have to worry about that creep.”

The Littles cheered.

Before she ran off to join the others, Daisy hugged Daddy one more time. “I trusted my gut. Just like you told me to.”

“I’m proud of you, baby girl.”

They kissed.

She stood there, tangled in his arms, resting her head on his chest as she looked out over the ocean, listening to the waves lap at the shore.

“You know,” she said, “I was wrong earlier.Thisis actually the perfect spot for a wedding. Right here.”

“Hmm,” Wyatt said. “You never know, baby girl…”

Epilogue

Six Months Later

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