Page 40 of Submitting to Daddy
“He’s going to tear my heart to shreds the moment he learns who I really am.” But I shake my head, bitter tears dripping onto the floor. “He’s going to tearmeto shreds. He’ll never understand.”
The phone falls silent for moment. Then, “Oh, Maddie,” she soothes. “You’re stronger than you think.”
But right now, I don’t feel strong. I feel broken. I curl into myself, clutching the phone in my hand. The weight of my secrets is suffocating, but hearing my mom’s steady voice reminds me of who I am beneath the lies. I’m more than an agent. I’m a daughter, a woman, and capable of love beyond measure, even if it’s the kind of love that could destroy me.
I wipe at my tears, my voice hoarse but determined. “I have to figure out how to fix this… or maybe I just have to live with the mess I made.”
“Whatever happens, Maddie, you’re not alone,” she assures me. “You have people who love you. We’ll get through this.”
I close my eyes, drawing in a shaky breath and remembering Cillian’s words from this afternoon.There isn’t a thing in this world that could change the way I feel about you.I hope to God he meant what he said, because I’m about to put them to the test.
The elevator doors slide open, and I step into the penthouse, expecting silence. Instead, I’m met with the sharp eyes of Enzo and Nikolai. The second I step from the foyer into the kitchen, Enzo barks, “Where the fuck have you been?” His voice is low and sharp, laced with worry and anger. “I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.”
“I was with Madison. At Mom’s grave.” I empty my pockets, dropping my keys and phone on the counter. “I turned my phone off. What’s so urgent?”
Staring at me from across the room, Nikolai says, “Madison.”
“Yes, Madison. What’s the problem?”
“Madison,” he exhales heavily. “Madisonisthe fucking problem.”
My face contorts with confusion as I stare back at him.
Enzo slams a folder on the granite countertop, and the papers inside fan out as it slides toward me. “She’s the man on the inside.” The words hit like a punch in the gut, knocking the air from my lungs. My legs unsteady, I drop onto one of the barstools.
I stare, numb, as I lift the dossier. “Where did you get this?”
“We’ve been digging deeper into all our staff,” Enzo informs me. “And while she might be your girl, Madison is part of our staff.”
When I flip through the pages, I find them full of names, dates, photos—her whole life laid bare.
Born in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Raised in Lolita, Virginia.
Parents James and Kate Roark: Special Agent with the FBI and school teacher
Graduated High School with Honors a year early.
Qualified for Sport Pistol at the Junior Olympics
Paid internship with the FBI.
Her father was killed in a raid when she was twenty-one.
Stripped at Tempting Tassels four nights a week during her senior year of college
Graduated Top of Her Class
Then nothing…
After graduation, she just disappeared, resurfacing about a month ago in New York City and right into my life. I shuffle through the papers, desperate to find the answer to the question I can’t bring myself to ask. And then I find it…
It’s a blurry screenshot of CCTV footage, but I know in my gut it’s her.MyMadison standing beside Agent Frankford, a gun in her hand and determination written across her face.
“Fuck!” The word rips from me—sharp and bitter—as I slam my hands on the counter. I angrily swipe at the papers, sending them raining to the floor. My chest tightens, and every muscle in my body is coiled like a spring ready to snap.
“What does she know?” Enzo asks, his voice heavy as he rises from his seat at the island.
