Page 197 of Rogue Daddy (Montana Daddies 12)

“Out of the question.”

“Damn it, Zander. Maybe I’ll just leave then. What do you think of that?”

He frowned, unable to understand why she was threatening to leave. “Is someone being mean to you?”

“No! No one is being mean, and I’m not ill. Zander, I want to see you. I’m scared.”

“Scared?” Alarm filled him. What was he missing? “Of what?”

“Losing you,” she whispered. She slumped back against the sofa, looking utterly exhausted and alone.

“You’re not going to lose me. I promise. I’m fine. Did Webb not tell you that?”

“Yes, he did. But I couldn’t talk to you, couldn’t see you . . . I don’t know why, I was just so scared that everyone was lying to me.” She rubbed her chest as though it ached.

“You’re feeling anxious being away from me.” Fuck. She was so strong in some ways, but fragile in others. “Baby girl, I know you’re worried about me. But I’m strong. I’m going to be just fine. I wouldn’t lie to you about that.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“Webb said that some doctor flew in to take care of you?”

“Yep. Doc works for JSI. I completely trust him. He’s stitched me up. And I should be able to head home tomorrow or the day after.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, baby girl.”

“I don’t want you to come here unless you’re up to it, though. I’m all right.”

She wasn’t. That was easy to tell.

He glanced at the clock. It was early evening. “Have you had dinner?”

“Webb brought me in some stuff before.”

“And did you eat it?”

She shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”

He frowned, not liking that. But he’d take care of it once he got home. “Why don’t you go potty, get into your PJs, and brush your teeth?”

“But it’s really early,” she whined.

“Baby girl, do as Daddy says,” he warned.

She pouted. “I don’t think I should have to follow the rules when you’re not around, Daddy. I mean, what are you going to do if I don’t?”

He sensed she needed some time in Little headspace. She’d obviously been really worried, and he cursed himself for getting shot.

“I’ll be back soon, though, won’t I? And then there will be a reckoning for every naughty thing you gotten up to.”

“But how will you know what I did?” she asked. Her voice sounded lighter, but there were still lines of stress in her face that he didn’t like one bit.

“I’ll know,” he promised.

“And you’re injured, so you won’t be able to spank me.” This time she grinned, wriggling around in excitement.

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