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Of course he had.
“I’m in the shower, I don’t have my phone.”
“Rule nine is health. You will not do anything to put your health at risk. Living in a mold and rodent-infested basement with no working window is a health issue.”
“I didn’t have much choice when I moved here.” That wasn’t quite true, though, was it?
She could have moved in with her cousin like her mom had wanted her to . . .
“I just . . . I was saving up to move out. To get my own place. But I just needed a bit more money.”
“And now you don’t.” He reached over and turned the water on, turning it down cooler. “You won’t ever go back there.”
She nodded. No, she wouldn’t.
“Just to make things clear, you are in trouble for not telling me. Even though I’m not going to punish you tonight.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
Truthfully, she didn’t really have the energy to care.
“And your friend can’t stay for long.”
“But she?—”
“No buts. She put you in a basement. She defended him tonight. I get that she’s likely been abused, and that’s why I won’t retaliate for what she did to you. But it also doesn’t mean that I can give her sanctuary.”
“I can’t just cut her off. She . . . she could go back to him.”
“That won’t happen,” he said as he squirted some of her shampoo into his hand. Then he grabbed her hand with his free one, pulling her up.
Drawing her under the water, he ran the shampoo through her hair, massaging her scalp.
“Lean against me,” he murmured.
Pressing her forehead to his chest, she let him wash her hair. She was practically asleep by the time he moved to the conditioner.
When he was finished washing her hair, he had her sit on the bench again.
“I need to clean myself,” she protested as he grabbed her razor and kneeled in front of her.
“You’ve already cleaned yourself. You’re not dirty, baby.” The words were said with a firmness she couldn’t ignore.
He ran a finger along her stomach. “How is your tummy?”
“It’s fine.”
“Tell me straight away if you’re in a lot of pain. If there’s any cramping or blood in your pee.”
She nodded. No one could deny him when he used that tone of voice.
Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“Baby, the fact that you’re asking that means I’m not doing my job right. I’m here to take care of you.”
“I’m here for you too. I can take care of you.” She cupped his face between her hands.
