Hot Revenge Box Set 4

James

I tap and my daughter’s voice replies. “Come in. It’s open.”

Pressing the handle down with an elbow, I nudge the door open with the tray. “Good morning,” I say, injecting into my voice as much cheerfulness as I know how. “Breakfast. I thought we might eat together.”

Georgie smiles from her seat at the dresser where, looking fresh and a little pink from the shower, she is brushing out her long hair. Born in my physical image, her hair as dark as mine: at least, as dark as mine used to be.

Trying not to be obvious about it, I look her over.

Still pale…

… but the dark rings under her eyes are fading…

“Hi, Dad. Yes, I’d love to have breakfast with you.” She’s smiling, but her voice is subdued.

“I brought croissants and coffee. Keep it light. I thought we might have lunch together later? I reserved a table for us by the picture window in the restaurant downstairs.”

“Lunch? Yes, that would be great…” That not-quite-a-smile again.

Masking something…

“How are you feeling now?”

She sucks at a lip. Swallows. “I’m getting better. It’s just… my head… I’m a bit of a mess inside.”

“I can understand that. But Georgie, you’re safe.”

Her eyes well. “They were going to rape me, Dad. Takes turns at me. She was going to watch.”

“But they didn’t. We reached you in time. And now, you’re safe.”

tears trickle down her

from the pot. “Here, have some coffee. It’ll

at the

it wasn’t

Where to start?

me either. The target was one of the other men you saw me with, the older one. He has enemies and they were trying to reach him

swipes hands across teary eyes. “Sounds like you have

Can’t argue with that…

They don’t

“Where is he now?”

woman you saw. Listen, Georgie. I’ll tell you all about it, but not now, while you’re still shaky. I’ll fill you in when you’re calmer. When you’re fully recovered. But what I will say again is, you are safe. There’s not just me here. We have police guards watching too. Also, we have very good reason to believe that the woman responsible is out of

Another sip. Then she munches a mouthful of croissant. “Um…, Dad. That lunch you were talking about. Is

Ahhh…

you and

your wife… along too. So I could meet her

her…” Georgie’s face falls. “… In fact, you were downright hostile. I’m not risking her being upset that way

her croissant, chewing and chewing, but

not going to introduce you again to her, and certainly not to Cara, if I can’t be certain of your good

forehead wrinkles. “Cara? Who’s

Oh, for fuck’s sake…

Charlotte’s daughter. My daughter…” I lean forward… “… My

turns away, her head drooping. “Oh, yes. I

“… Your sister… And you’re going to have to get used to the idea…” She fidgets and looks away… “… In any case,

whispers. “Dad, aren't I welcome at all in your home? I thought that… after a few

Ah, crap…

I consider how

thought it through