Page 94 of Fierce-Jax

“Thank you,” Gianna said. “Everyone says I look like my mommy. Right, Jax?”

He cleared his throat. “Yes, you look like your mother. Let’s go see my office quickly and then we’ll get your mother.”

He felt eyes on his back as he walked down the hall toward Tori’s office. She was at her desk so he stepped in.

“Jax,” Tori said, her eyes landing on Gianna. “Oh, they did get you too.”

He knew what Tori was saying. She was referring to the Fierces. “You knew they would,” he said.

“I did, but not this fast. I’m Tori. What’s your name?”

“Gianna. And you’re pretty too. Everyone is pretty here, Jax.”

He rolled his eyes. He couldn’t agree with that statement. It’d be inappropriate. “Do you have anything to occupy her while I bring her down to Dillion’s office? Gianna wanted to see where I worked first.”

“I’ve got lots of things,” Tori said. “Come on, Gianna, let’s go to the storage room and look at the books and toys and you can pick a few out.”

“Yay,” Gianna said, jumping up and making a fist like a superhero ready to launch into space.

He went to his office and texted Dillion what was going on and that he’d bring Gianna when she was ready.

He hadn’t expected a reply but laughed when his girlfriend replied with a shocked face and then a laughing emoji.

“I’m ready,” Gianna said five minutes later as she ran into his office with Tori behind her. Her backpack was open and things were spilling out of it.

“Did she load up?” he asked.

“Lots of things to keep her busy,” Tori said. “Have fun. Want me to deflect for you?”

He knew once he walked back out many were going to run to Tori for answers.

“I’ll take care of it,” he said. “No worries, no secrets.” He put his hand out and Gianna placed her small one against his palm. “Ready to go see Mommy?”

“Let’s go,” Gianna said all but skipping down the hall.

He knew the routine when the elevator doors opened and picked her up, then put her down on the third floor and made his way to Dillion’s office.

He opened the door and saw Dillion’s receptionist, Addy’s face mirrored the same as everyone else had been doing in the past thirty minutes.

“Hi, Gianna,” Addy said. “Mommy told me you were coming in. I just didn’t know who was going to be bringing you.”

“This is Mommy’s friend, Jax,” Gianna said.

“I remember,” Addy said, looking at him with a wide grin.

So much for hoping he had a face that wasn’t remembered.

“Nice to see you again,” he said.

“Gianna,” Addy said. “Come back here with me.”

He pulled the door open for Gianna to go around and Addy got up to open another one to let Gianna in that room.

“Bye, Jax,” Gianna yelled. “See you tonight. Are you cooking?”

He smiled and rolled his eyes.

Yep, it was out there.

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