Page 39 of Losing Faith

“Stop them all together.”

She studies me for a beat before leaning against my desk with her arms crossed. “If I don’t stop, will this count as sexual harassment?”

“What?”

“Well, you’re telling me to stop, but I can’t tell if youreallywant me to stop because I’m making you uncomfortable or if you want me to stop because it’s simply inappropriate.”

I almost tell her they’re making me uncomfortable to put an end to this, but I don’t want her to stop. Her comments get more creative each day and they’re harmless, but it’s messing with my head and making me see her as more than Sire’s little sister.

“It’s not sexual harassment.”

She nods once before opening her mouth, but the sound of something loud falling has us both going still. I wait for a beat, but when I don’t hear anything, I race out of my office.

“Belle?” My heart is fighting to get out of my chest as I search for her because the house isstillsilent, which is scarier than hearing cries after a crash that loud.

“Isabelle!” I call out to her, and when I don’t see her in the living room, I turn on my heels.

“I’m okay,” she voices and I let out a breath of relief when I see her in the kitchen unharmed.

“JesusChrist, kid.” Lisette holds her chest as she walks into the kitchen. “You gave me a damn heart attack. What the hell are you doing?” She helps Isabelle stand from where she is on the floor before looking at her head and a smile touches my lips at her worry for my kid.

“So youareserious about things.” I pick up the two chairs Belle managed to knock over and Lisette turns to me with her brows pulled together.

“Well, your petrified face scared me more than she did, but yes, I take some things seriously.” She rolls her eyes at me and I bite back a laugh before turning to Belle for an explanation.

“I fell and the other chair fell with me when I grabbed it.” She rubs her head and I move her hand to examine it, but she’s fine. “We should get new chairs, those aren’t safe.”

“What were you doing to fall?” Lisette asks for me, and I keep my gaze on Belle, but she doesn’t answer.

“Right,” I start. “The chairs are safe. Please don’t do whatever it was that made you fall.” I kiss her head before scooping her into my arms.

“Daddy, you don’t have to carry me. I’m fine.”

“Well, you scared me, so let me carry you.” I hold her tighter and she doesn’t fight me on it as we settle on the living room couch. She’s in my lap for half a second before she’s crawling away.

“I’m not ababy.”

I scoop her into my lap again. “You’remybaby.”

“I’m a big girl,” she counters as she pushes me away harder and I let her go this time.

“You look like a baby to me,” Lisette voices from beside us and Isabelle turns to her slowly before staring at her like she’s a terrorist.

“You must not know what a baby looks like.”

I break into a laugh.

“Whatever.” Lisette flops beside me on the couch. “I’m not arguing with ababy.”

“You’renot. I’m a big girl.” She raises a brow, and when Lisette doesn’t have anything else to say, triumph covers Belle’s face.

“Your kid’s a brat,” Lisette mumbles as Isabelle turns to her worksheet.

“You know she’s not,” I counter before turning to Isabelle. “You were red carded today?” I watch her carefully, but her brows furrow.

“No, I had such a great day. We’re having a pizza party next Friday. I also think it’s Sofie’s birthday. Wehaveto get her a present.”

I have no clue who Sofie is, but I grab her folder and when I pull out the card she genuinely looks confused. “Did you not get a warning?”

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