Page 28 of Protect Me Daddy

Without hesitation, Dwight met the attack head on, deflecting the blade with a swift parry. The two men circled each other warily, sizing each other up like two predators in a deadly dance.

But Dwight was no ordinary man. With astonishing speed and strength, he launched himself at the guard, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks that left him reeling. The guard fought back, his knife flashing dangerously as he tried to find an opening in Dwight's defense.

I held my breath as they continued to exchange blows, each one more brutal than the last. But it was clear that Dwight had the upper hand. His movements were fluid and effortless, while the guard's were becoming slower and more desperate.

Finally, with one final powerful strike, Dwight sent the guard crashing to the ground. The knife skittered away from his grasp as he lay there gasping for air.

Dwight stood over him triumphantly, chest heaving with exertion. Then he turned to me, his eyes softening as he saw how shaken I was by the violent display.

"We need to get out of here," he said grimly. “All of you.”

But before he could take a step toward me, a rough hand clamped around my arm, yanking me backward. I stumbled, nearly losing my grip on Lily.

"Not so fast, princess," Earl's hot breath hit my ear, his voice dripping with venom. "You're my ticket outta here."

Time slowed. My heart pounded, but beneath the fear, I felt something else. Determination. My own words echoed in my mind: "Sometimes princesses need to slay their own dragons."

I took a deep breath, remembering our practice sessions. The gentle firmness of Daddy's hands as he guided me through the motions. The pride in his eyes when I got it right.

"Now, baby girl," I whispered to myself.

I crushed Earl's instep with all my might, driving my heel down. He grunted in pain, his grip loosening just enough. In that split second, I drove my elbow back, just as we'd practiced.

"You little bi—" Earl's curse was cut short as I wrenched free, stumbling forward.

"Daddy!" I cried out, my voice raw with emotion.

Dwight's head snapped towards us, his eyes blazing with a fury I'd never seen before. He moved like a force of nature, closing the distance in seconds.

"Get away from her," he growled, low and dangerous.

Earl sneered, reaching for me again. "What're you gonna do about it, cop?"

The first punch landed with a sickening crunch. I watched, heart pounding, as Dwight unleashed tons of pent-up rage. Each blow seemed to carry the weight of every threat, every moment of fear Earl had inflicted on me.

"This is for stalking her," Dwight snarled, landing a vicious uppercut. "For ruining our night." A knee to the stomach. "For every nightmare you've given her."

I should have looked away, but I couldn't. This was personal, visceral. Dwight wasn't just fighting Earl—he was systematically dismantling the monster who'd haunted my dreams.

"Tilly," Lily whimpered, burying her face against me.

I held her close, whispering, "It's okay, sweetie. Daddy's here now. We're safe."

And as I watched Dwight deliver the final, devastating blow that sent Earl crumpling to the ground, I knew it was true. We were safe. My Daddy had come for me, just like he promised.

Suddenly, the air filled with shouts and the thunder of boots. SWAT teams poured in from every entrance.

Finally, Dwight was there with me. He wrapped me up in his strong arms and I felt myself melting into him. "Baby girl,” he said, tenderly, “are you hurt?"

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "Daddy," I whimpered, collapsing into his arms. He held me and Lily close, his body shielding us from the chaos around us.

"I've got you, baby girl," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "Daddy's here. You're safe now."

I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his scent—gunpowder, sweat, and that underlying warmth that was uniquely Dwight. We were safe. We were together.

Around us, the warehouse buzzed with activity. Female officers gently led other girls out, draping blankets over thin shoulders. Their vacant eyes haunted me. How close had I come to that fate?

A commotion drew my attention. Earl, broken and bloody, was being hauled towards a police van. His eyes found mine, filled with impotent rage.

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