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.”

and tears trickle down

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

sipping at the coffee, “Who are they, Dad? Why did

it wasn’t

Where to start? Explaining

sit on the edge of the bed, lay my hands on my lap… “… and it wasn’t really aimed at me either. The target was one of the other men you saw me with, the older one. He has enemies and they

teary eyes. “Sounds

Can’t argue with that…

believe me. They don’t come weirder

“Where is he now?”

fully recovered. But what I will

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

Ahhh…

you and

bring… your wife… along too. So I could meet her

pleasant to Charlotte the last time you met her…” Georgie’s face falls. “… In fact, you

bites another mouthful of her croissant, chewing and chewing,

Charlotte is my wife. And I’m not going to introduce you again to her, and certainly not to Cara, if I can’t be certain of your good behaviour. Or at least, your

forehead wrinkles.

Oh, for fuck’s sake…

I lean forward…

away, her head drooping.

She fidgets and looks away… “… In any case, I think

she whispers. “Dad, aren't I welcome at all in your home? I thought that… after a few days…” She bites her

Ah, crap…

for a moment, I

have thought it