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“I’ve got Brody looking into both of them further,” Ethan confessed to Rhodes.
“What? Why?”
“Because they hurt my girl and they have to pay,” Ethan replied darkly. “So I’m going to find something to make their lives miserable.”
“Huh. I didn’t think you had that in you. You always seem so calm and in control.”
“Nobody hurts Cate.”
“Hopefully, the cops track down the asshole who tried to run you off the road,” Rhodes said. “And if he’s the stalker, then that would solve most of our problems.”
Ethan grunted. He’d gotten a call from the cops late yesterday afternoon to let him know they had identified the driver of the car that had tried to run them off the road. They’d managed to get a good image from a traffic camera when he’d run a red light.
He had a record and an outstanding warrant for assault. Unfortunately, he was still out there.
“Finished!” Cate crowed, slamming the sippy cup down. “I am such a good girl.”
Ethan and Rhodes both grinned at her.
“The very best,” Ethan told her, loving the way she giggled. Leaning over the counter, he tickled under her neck.
“Daddy, no! I will need to pee!”
God, he wished she could be this happy and carefree all the time. He decided that was going to be his aim in life. To take away all of her stress. To worry about everything so that she didn’t have to. So she could just live. She deserved that after all of the shit she’d been through.
“Here you are. Eat your ice cream and then it’s back to bed.”
She hummed happily, then looked around. “Daddy!”
“What is it?”
“You forgot Lady’s ice cream!”
“Lady doesn’t need any ice cream. It’s not good for ladybugs.”
She gasped. It was such a dramatic gasp that she started to fall backward, and Rhodes had to grab her.
“Daddy! How dare you! Ladybugs can have ice cream. Lady always has ice cream! Tell him, Rhoddy!”
“It is true,” Rhodes agreed with a sly grin. “Lady always has ice cream as well.”
“Where is she?” Cate asked. “I’ve lost Lady! I’m a terrible Lady owner!”
“It’s all right, I’ll get her,” Ethan soothed her. “And get her some ice cream.”
“Got you wrapped around her little finger, doesn’t she?” Rhodes teased him as he returned with Lady.
Cate took her with a small smile as Ethan shook his head at Rhodes. “Like you can talk.” He turned to Cate. “What do you say?”
“Lady needs her ice cream, Daddy.”
“No. That’s not what you say. You need to use your manners.”
“Oh! Thank you, Daddy.”
“That’s better. Good girl.” He gave Lady a small bowl of ice cream. “There you are, Lady. What do you say?”
“Daddy! Lady can’t talk. She’s a stuffed toy.” Cate shook her head incredulously before leaning against Rhodes. “Do you think Daddy is okay?”
