Page 35 of Badges
When he turns the corner, he pauses, pinning me with a caramel colored stare.
Holding out my offering, his cheek twitches as he accepts. “Thanks.” His russet brows raise. “Bacon, too?”
“Not quite five pounds worth. That’d be overkill on your salt.” My palm drifts down to my hip. “You do all that work to stay fit, your diet should match.”
A tiny muscle under his left eye spasms. “You’re not eating too?”
“I will. I just like to sit at the table like a civilized person.” I let a smirk play over my lips.
His broad shoulders slump. “Ah. I suppose I haven’t been a very good host.”
“Can we look at those? I want to get started.” Pointing towards the pile of folders, his gaze follows my finger.
His jaw clenches and he gives me a curt nod. Sliding his food onto the end of the table, he takes the closest seat.
Finally. I don’t have to eat by myself tonight.
My sister used to always hang near me every meal. When she was taken after Mom died, it became so hard to enjoy a meal alone.
Except when I was in jail. That part sucked to have someone watching me.
Wade waits until I sit with my own salad and pulls the top envelope off the stack.
“It took a while going through old files. These are the mug shots of the ones we know associated with your father. Take your time and see if they look familiar.” He stabs a few leaves and a big hunk of meat, then chews slowly. “This is really tasty, by the way. I didn’t know chicken could actually have flavor.” A small smile flickers over his lips.
“I’ve had a lot of practice. Mom worked so much, I pretty much took over the kitchen since I was twelve.” I take a bite, then turn the cover open to a frowning picture over a set of fingerprints. “Well, he’s ugly,” I snort.
Wade coughs and reaches for his water. “Not many people give their good side for those shots.”
I try to concentrate while flipping through the photos, but none of them look familiar. “These are all so formal.” I squint at the date on my current page. “And this is recent. Wouldn’t they have been different twelve years ago?”
Glancing at the mountain of documents, I have a feeling I know what I’ll be doing the next few days.
“Hmm. That’s a good point.” He chews, focusing on some random point on the wall. “I might have to dig further for some older pics. There’s a bunch of surveillance footage stills in there from a drone. I think it’s linked to whoever hired you. Might see a connection I’m not?”
“Yea. Sure. I’ll start going through them.” I drag the last few bits of lettuce out of the bottom of my bowl and notice he’s done too.
Standing, I brush his knee with mine when I lean over to pick up his empty dish.
He jerks his leg away from me like he’s been burned.
“Easy, daddy.” I flash a smile before flaunting away. I know how much it irritates him when I call him that.
The growl that rumbles in his chest widens my grin as I turn away to the sink.
“You gotta stop with that.” He shifts so his feet splay out on the opposite side.
“Why? You’re taking care of me, keeping me safe, and you’re old enough.” My tongue pokes out while I tuck my ankle under my butt to sit back in the hard chair. “I think it fits nicely.” Propping my chin on the heel of my hand, I flutter my eyelashes at him. “Besides, I know it gets under your skin. Win. Win.”
I reach out to poke his arm, but he snags my wrist in mid air, wrapping it in the heat of his palm.
“Does that mean I get to spank you when you misbehave?” His jaw tics as fire smoulders in his stare.
Well, holy shit.
My belly tightens as we both freeze. Electricity arcs through my limbs.
Chewing on my bottom lip, I lock his gaze. “Yes, daddy,” I whisper.
