Page 7 of Paying Daddy's Debt Collector

We’re saved from the awkward situation when the doorbell rings. Moments later, the housekeeper enters the room with another woman. She’s a tall, thin blonde, wearing a black pantsuit and high-heeled boots. She’s covered in makeup and jewelry but very attractive and sophisticated-looking—exactly the type of woman I expect Chris to be involved with.

My ego and self-esteem completely deflate when I see her.

“Morning, boss,” she says.

I swing my head to her and grin. Boss? Not a lover? That works for me.

“Good morning. Sarah, this is Cassidy. She’s the one I was telling you about.”

Sarah starts eyeing me up and down, assessing and judging. “You need me to help her shop?”

“I know how to shop,” I whine.

“No offense, baby, but based on what I see, you don’t.”

Her words sting a bit and I sink in my chair, hating all this attention.

“I need you to assist her. She’ll have my card, and I want you to get her anything she wants or needs.”

“Sure.”

“Sarah?”

“Yeah, boss?”

“Get her whatever she wants or needs. Your input isn’t required unless she asks for it.”

Her expression is pinched as she nods. “Okay, I’ve got it.”

I can’t take it anymore so I rise from my seat and wipe my mouth with the napkin. “Thank you for the breakfast and for taking the dogs out.”

“You have to eat and you know why I let the dogs out. Now, go with Sarah. Make sure you’re back in time to feed the dogs dinner.”

I nod and follow the long-legged blonde out the front door to where the limo is waiting for us.

“Fancy, fancy.” Sarah laughs and slaps the driver on the butt. “I never get to ride in the big car.”

We get into the car, and I break the silence by turning to her. “What do you do for Chris? Are you like a stylist or a consultant?”

The driver looks at us in the rearview mirror and chuckles.

Sarah gives me a lopsided grin. “No, baby. I’m a dealer.”

“You mean…drugs?” I whisper.

She bursts out laughing and waves a hand in my direction. “No, blackjack. I guess the boss just thinks being a woman makes me more qualified than him to go shopping with you. So, what’s your story?”

The driver interrupts, “The boss told you. Her story is none of your concern.”

Really? Why is he hiding me like that? Is he embarrassed about the deal he made? Or will it tarnish Chris the Collector’s reputation if people find out he traded someone’s debt for the gambler’s daughter?

The limo pulls into a shopping plaza with several high-end stores. I’ve heard of them but never set foot in them before. We start at the more casual clothing store where I pick up some jeans, shorts, and a few tops. After I fill my basket, I look down at some of the price tags, the numbers almost giving me a heart attack, and consider putting a few things back.

Sarah notices and taps my hand. “Anything you need or want, remember? If you’re done here, we can check out and move to the next place.”

“Next place?”

“Are you going to wear one pair of panties forever?” she winks.

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