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“Or we should learn from history and understand what can happen when you don’t protect your daughter,” her father said, a frown on his face.
“She ends up happily married for over twenty years with two kids she loves?” Nate asked.
Uncle Ian stood, shaking his head. “O’Donnells, this is where I leave you to handle all your family shit. Daisy, please stay close to Nate. Nate, let me know when you need someone to take a shift or two. We’ll arrange for some days off.”
“Don’t need ’em,” Nate said. “I won’t be leaving her.”
Uncle Ian sighed and took Aunt Charlotte’s hand. She was giving Daisy a grin.
“I’ll let Erin and Devi know what’s going on,” Aunt Charlotte promised. “And I’ll work on finding you something to do while you’re there. If you don’t mind, you could take the Saturday night kid’s club. We’re kind of low on subs willing to hang with the kiddos.”
“I would love to.” It was something she used to adore doing. During high school and college, she’d made a lot of money by handling the kiddos on Friday and Saturday nights. It was probably her favorite job ever.
“I’ll see you then, sweetie.” Charlotte followed Ian out, and she was left alone with her family.
It might have been the longest three hours of her life, and it looked like it wasn’t over. Although maybe she could get out of this. “I think I’m supposed to be taking over the phones this afternoon so the receptionist can have her break.”
Her father’s brows rose. “You think I’m going to let you sit in the lobby? The whole front of the place is glass, girl. There’s a bounty on your head.”
“Liam,” her mother said.
“He’s right in this case.” Nate sat back as though settling in. “The glass is bulletproof, but I don’t want anyone getting a look at her. I’m considering how I’ll get her out of the building in the safest manner possible.”
“The safest manner possible would be putting her on a bloody plane with her family,” her da muttered.
She’d argued for staying at The Hideout, but there had been so many eyerolls she’d known she was going down in defeat.
At least her father wasn’t screaming at Nate anymore. They’d gotten down to growls and dirty looks and some Irish she was grateful Nate didn’t speak.
“Liam, we’re not going to London. Let it go. Daisy, are you okay?” Her mom stared at her from across the conference table.
Daisy simply nodded and forced a bright smile on her face. “I’m good. I can use some time to myself.”
She wasn’t about to tell her mom how useless she felt. Fake it until you make it. It was her motto.
“You won’t be by yourself,” her da complained.
Her mom sighed and stared at her da for a moment. “Are we doing this now?”
The big family talk. The one where everyone cried and said how worried they were about her, and did she know what she was doing? Nope. She didn’t want to do that at all. She rather wanted to run to Sanctum and lock herself in with Nate and enjoy what little time she would have with him.
“Nathan, I think you should go back to your desk so I can talk with my family,” her da said. “Ian’s right. We should get our shit together as a family.”
Nate turned her way. “You want me to leave?”
That was an easy question. “No.”
Nate turned back to her da and shrugged. “Sorry. If she wants me here, I’m staying. Besides I kind of think she needs someone to protect her.”
“From her own da?” Her father was getting red in the face again.
“Nathan, could you go into the break room and grab the sandwiches I sent with Li this morning? Daisy hasn’t eaten all day,” her mother began. “She’s pale.”
Nate obviously wasn’t used to her mother manipulating situations. Or he didn’t notice because he bought her mom’s request immediately. “Of course. I’ll get something for you, too, Mrs. O’Donnell.”
“I don’t suppose you’re going to call me Aunt Avery,” she said wistfully.
“I can’t,” Nate replied. “I know your husband doesn’t believe me, but I’m serious. Do you want some coffee, love?”
