Page 62 of His Kingdom

I walk around the counter and bend so I’m at the little girl’s height. “Hi, I’m Louie. What’s your name, sweetheart?”

“My name’s Jazzy. It’s short for Jasmine, like the princess,” she says.

“Well, Jazzy, it’s nice to meet you. Why don’t you sit up here? I’m about to make breakfast.” I pick her up and sit her on a stool next to Charlotte. “This is my wife, Charlotte.”

“Hi, you’re very pretty,” Jazzy comments.

“Thank you. So are you, sweetie,” Charlotte replies.

I grab a bowl of precut fruit salad from the fridge and place it in front of the girls. “I have some paperwork for Carlo. I forgot to give it to him yesterday,” I tell Charlotte. “Be right back.”

I kiss her cheek before walking out of the kitchen with my very-silent friend following me. Once we’re closed inside the office, I turn to Carlo.

“What the fuck?”

“I don’t know, man. She was left at reception with a note.” He pulls a piece of paper from his pocket. “I freaked. I didn’t know what to do.”

I snatch the note from his hand, read it, and give it back. “First, you need a DNA test. She might not even be yours. Second, if she is yours, then I guess we have a new addition to the family.” I shrug.

“I don’t know the first thing about kids. Or being a father.” Carlo scratches his head.

“I don’t think there’s a manual. Just… feed her, keep her clean and safe. It can’t be that hard,” I tell him.

“Right. I can do that.” Carlo nods in agreement. “She’s tiny. How hard can it be?”

“Exactly,” I say. “What does she know about her mother?”

“I don’t know,” he says. “I came straight here.”

“Ask her. Find out whatever you can, so we can track the woman down,” I tell him.

When I walk back out to the kitchen, Charlotte is at the stove. The smell of bacon fills the air.

I close my arms around her waist and tug her back to my chest. “You don’t need to do that.”

“I like cooking, and I know you need to eat,” she says. “Is it always this… busy around here?”

“No,” I tell her. “I’ll revoke everyone’s access to this floor.”

“Don’t do that. They’re your friends. But seriously, did Carlo really not know he had a daughter?” she whispers.

“He wouldn’t abandon a kid he knew about.” None of us would. We might not know how to be parents, but we sure as shit know whatnotto do.

“What’s he gonna do?” Charlotte asks.

I glance over my shoulder. Where Carlo is sitting next to Jazzy, a look of wonder on his face. “I think he’s going to be fine. You know, once the shock wears off.”

Charlotte nods before adding, “I need to go and check on Evie.”

“I’ll come with you after we eat,” I tell her.

* * *

Carlo took Jazzy to his penthouse at Aces High. He looked like he was on the verge of a panic attack, but I know he’s going to do the right thing by this kid. We’re all products of shitty parents. If I thought for one minute that little girl wasn’t safe or her well-being wasn’t going to become my friend’s top priority, I would have made him leave her here. I will never be the person who sits by and lets a child become a victim.

Charlotte is waiting in the living room when I walk out. She smiles, then pinches her arm. “Ouch.” She frowns.

My steps quicken as I approach her. I pick up her arm and bring it to my mouth, kissing over the small red mark she left there. “Why would you hurt yourself?”

---