Page 50 of Zale's Little Girl
“Am I going to have to testify in court?” Pippa asked a few days later when the news stations still featured details about the crimes.
“Probably not. You got away. The others that didn’t will be much stronger witnesses to the atrocities that the Scroggins family executed. If so, I’ll be there to support you,” Zale promised.
“I know. You’re always there for me.”
Detectives Wilcox and Moore had stopped by earlier to give them an update on what was happening. The Feds had taken over the case so the amount of information they knew was limited, but they’d wanted to let Pippa know that both father and son would go away for a long time and the judge hadn’t approved bail fearing they were a flight risk.
Pippa cuddled on her daddy’s chest as they watched the evening news. Each day, the bruises faded a bit more, and Pippa had more strength. She planned to go in to work in the office tomorrow. Random moments of panic flooded through her like she was still in danger, but those were infrequent now and lesssevere. Seeing the coverage of the men appearing in court and being led to jail helped.
Zale had walked her down to talk to the neighbor who’d called the police. The sweet lady who navigated with the help of a walker had tried to apologize for not coming out to help. Both she and Zale had assured her they were glad she’d called in the experts.
“What would you like to do this weekend, kitten?”
“Could we have another barbecue? I’d like to thank the team for helping us,” Pippa asked.
“Of course we can. My team would never have not come to our aid. Just as we will always be there for them,” Zale told her.
“I know. You all are bonded. I wish the other guys would find their Littles. I love getting together with Aspen. She’s my best friend now.”
“I’m glad. Aspen’s pretty awesome. Finding a Little is tough. You all like to hide,” Zale teased.
“We do. I’m going to send all sorts of good vibes out into the world for everyone to find their Littles.”
“I think that’s the nicest way you could thank them.” Zale pulled her in for a kiss. “I’m very glad I found you, but I’m going to wrap you in bubble wrap to keep you from getting hurt again.”
“My bruises are all fading. They’re turning green around the edges.” She drew a caressing hand down his chest. “Want to check them out?”
“Yes. I think a nice hot bath with some Epsom salts would do you a world of good,” Zale said.
“Um. That’s not what I meant, Daddy.”
“Come on, kitten. Let’s soak the soreness out of those bruises.” He looped an arm under her knees as he stood and carried Pippa from the room.
She couldn’t believe he wasn’t picking up on her clues. Her daddy had treated her like she was wrapped in cotton since she’d been released from the hospital. She was ready for him to make love to her.
He set her feet down on the bathroom tile and made sure she was steady. “Let me get the water on,” he instructed.
A moment later, liquid gushed into the tub. He poured in a healthy amount of Epsom salts before grabbing something from the vanity. She smiled as he returned with a large hair clip he’d purchased to tether her hair on top of her head. He took such good care of her.
By the time he’d stripped off her clothes and secured her hair, the tub was halfway full. “In you go, kitten.” He lifted her into the tub and helped her settle down on her bottom.
“Um, Daddy. I could use some more water,” she told him.
Zale reached over his shoulders to pull his T-shirt off. “Let me give you a science lesson. Mass displaces water.”
“What?” Pippa watched him unfasten his pants as he stepped out his shoes. Distracted as more skin appeared, she forgot completely about his ‘science’ lesson.
“Put a finger on the tub where the water is now.” Zale pushed his pants over his hips and down to the floor.
When he stepped away from the pile of clothes to approach the side of the tub, she squeaked, “You’re going to take a bath with me?”
“We haven’t tried to squeeze into this big tub together. Do you think there’s room, kitten?”
“Yes! Where do you want to sit?”
“How about if you scoot up a bit and I’ll settle right behind you?”
Immediately, she moved toward the faucet, leaving a big space behind her. “Come on, Daddy.”
