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“Ethan! You shouldn’t have spent so much money on me! You’re already on leave without pay and then to buy me all these things.”
He sat on the bed and grasped hold of her chin, tilting her head back.
“How I choose to spend my money is up to me. It is not for you to worry about.” He released her lip from between her teeth. “Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Yes, Daddy,” Cate repeated.
45
Aknock on the bedroom door made Cate tense as she sat on Ethan’s lap.
“It’s probably Rhodes,” he soothed. “He and Seth arrived home a few minutes ago. I sent him a text before to let him know there was an incident with Samantha.” And to ask him to turn off the grill and oven.
“Ethan? Cate?” Rhodes asked. “You guys in there?
“Come in,” she called out.
He walked in, closing the door behind him. Moving toward her, he stopped about a foot away and crouched down.
“Hey, honey. What happened? How are you?”
Lord. She must look bad. Rhodes was speaking to her like he thought she might break at any moment. She swiped at her cheeks.
“Do I look like a mess?” she whispered to Ethan.
“The prettiest mess I’ve ever seen.”
That didn’t make it any better. He reached over and grabbed a few tissues, but when she went to take them from him, he held them back.
“Let me.” He carefully wiped her face clean. It was a bit embarrassing in front of her brother, but it was also so caring.
“What’s happened?” Rhodes asked.
Cate let out a breath before she explained finding Samantha in her bedroom and what she’d said. Rhodes’ face tightened. She knew her brother.
He was angry.
“I’m so sorry that Samantha was in here.” He stood and started to pace. “Did she tell you what she was doing in here?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Ethan said sharply. “She has no business being in here.”
Cate jolted at the sharpness in his tone.
“Sorry, sweetheart. I’m not mad at you. I promise.”
She knew that. She guessed she was feeling more delicate than she’d thought.
“I know. Sorry.”
He lightly squeezed her thigh. “What did I tell you about that word?”
Oh.
Uh-oh.
