Page 99 of Her Daddies' Everything

Her stomach tied itself up in a knot, making it harder to breathe. What was she doing? Why did she say that?

It was so mean.

And Immy was never mean. Not unless someone was nasty to her friends.

Cupcakes!

She took off after Tobias, her cloak swirling around her as she ran. Where was he?

Darn it.

Why did he have to move so fast?

It was unnatural.

Or maybe you should just work on your cardio. Because you’re huffing and puffing something crazy.

She headed toward the back door. Had he gone to the guest house?

Shoot.

It was dark out there. And she really didn’t want to go out there on her own.

But she had to apologize.

She’d hurt him. She had to say sorry. And she couldn’t wait.

Opening the door, she stared out into the darkness. There were plenty of lights around. The yard was actually well lit.

But there were dark patches.

Was there anything out there?

Don’t be silly, Immy. This isn’t really your fear anyway. You don’t like to be in dark, enclosed spaces.

Like the naughty cupboard.

Don’t think about that. Don’t think about that.

She stepped outside, glancing around. Something caught her eye. Was that movement? Was someone there?

Fear clogged her throat as she fought for breath.

Breathe, Immy.

There’s no one there. It’s just your imagination.

But she couldn’t seem to breathe and the world around her grew hazy. She could barely see where she was going. What was she doing? This was crazy.

“Immy! Immy, what are you doing?”

She spun and tried to scream. Who was that? Her eyes were so blurred that all she knew was that there was someone looming over her.

Then. Nothing.

19

Immy opened her eyes, grumbling in displeasure as bright light tried to stab her eyeballs. “Turn the lights off. I wanna go back to sleep.”

---