AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Noted.” Bryan acknowledges Dizzy, but his expression doesn’t lighten as he steers his son toward the door.
Dizzy thumps my shoulder. “See you at dinner.”
“Right.” I give him a chin lift and watch the others file out behind him.
When everyone is gone, I pull in a deep breath and refocus on Peace. “I’m disappointed with you for disobeying me, but I don’t want you to be afraid of me, baby.”
“I’m not afraid.” She denies it, but she is shaking so badly, the tears balanced in her eyes fall.
“Not like you to act like this.” I gently swipe away the wetness from her cheeks while searching her gaze.
“You said you love me.” She takes a step back. “In my Christmas card.”
“I do love you.” My hands drop to my sides. “I should say it more often.” I know I don’t say it enough. Those three words are difficult for me, but that’s my fault, not hers. “The rules about the studio are there for a reason.”
“What reason?” she asks.
“There’s a lot of expensive equipment in here that’s easy to damage.”
“We didn’t touch anything.”
We, not me.This is what has changed and why she’s acting differently.Bo.
The kid is a handful. He has attitude in spades, for sure, but I can’t help it. I like him. However, I’m wondering whether I like his influence on my normally shy and obedient daughter.
“Whether you touched or didn’t touch anything isn’t the point.” I pause for effect. Sometimes the presentation part of being a dad is like being a rock star. “Don’t you agree?”
“No.” She lowers her head and mumbles, “I don’t.”
Fucking hell.
“You’re grounded,” I say reluctantly. I hate this part of parenting. Absolutely detest it. “Other than mealtimes, while our company is here, you’re confined to your room.”
“Okay.” She keeps her gaze on her bare feet, but I catch the ghost of a smile she’s trying to hide. She loves her room, loves all those damn books she has stashed away in there.
“And no reading for a week,” I add.
“No, Daddy.” Her head snaps up. The smile is gone.
“Sorry, Peace,” I say, gentling my tone. “It isn’t the rule so much. You could have asked to listen to the band, and I probably would have said yes. But you didn’t ask. Instead, you disobeyed me.”
“Please don’t take away my books,” she begs.
Her plea slices through me, weakening my resolve. Sometimes being a parent sucks major ass.
“A week. No reading.”
I stand firm. Though it’s the right thing to do, I feel totally wrong and completely uncool.
“And no more hanging out with Bo outside of mealtimes.”
On the overstuffed couch in the living room, I play with Shaina’s hair while staring at the crackling fire.
“You’re thinking about Peace.” She glances over her shoulder at me. “Aren’t you?”
“Yeah, sweetness,” I say and urge her to return her head to my chest. “I don’t like having to be the bad guy with her. But I’m okay.”
I bring Shaina’s hand to my mouth and press my lips to the double rings on her left hand that tell everyone that she’s mine.
