Page 6 of Her Gentle Daddy

“I have a nursery in my house. It’s full of toys and books and beautiful furniture, all waiting for a little girl to use it. I’m sure you’re doing just fine on your own, but wouldn’t it be nice to go to bed somewhere warm and comfortable where you know you’re completely safe? You would be safe at my house, and I don’t want you to pay anything.” Sean paused. “Would you at least come and try it for a week? If you don’t feel comfortable or want to leave at any time, we can figure out another arrangement for you.”

2

GABBY

The carrot was dangling in front of her, but she was terrified to reach for it. The offer that Zane and Sean had made to her seemed like heaven. Zane had been kind to her over the several weeks she’d been working for him, but she had no idea about Sean. He could be one of the monsters that she often had nightmares about. He looked nice enough, but monsters never truly looked like monsters.

Zane leaned forward in his chair, catching her attention.

“Gabby, I know you’ve only known me for a few weeks, but Sean is one of the best people I’ve ever known. He would never hurt or mistreat you. Many people here at the club would also vouch for him if you’d like to talk to them.”

It sounded so wonderful. The thought of having a nursery all to herself and sleeping in a warm comfortable bed were things most people would take for granted, but to her, it was everything. It was something she hadn’t had in… well, forever.

If he didn’t expect a payment, would he expect her to pay him in other ways? Sex? She couldn’t do that. She could offer to clean his house, though.

“I could clean your house in place of rent,” she said quietly.

“Gabby, look at me, please,” Sean said softly.

He was sitting in the chair next to her and hadn’t moved any closer. He waited for her to move her gaze over to him, and when she did, he smiled with approval. A gorgeous smile that made her feel tingly and warm in a way that she had never felt before.

“I don’t need you to clean. I expect absolutely nothing from you in exchange for staying at my house. I just want to see you in a safe place.”

People being nice to her for no reason wasn’t something she was used to. The only times that someone had been nice to her for no reason were when Raff took her in to get her off the streets and when Zane gave her a job. But what Sean was offering was above and beyond what she’d ever experienced, and that scared her. It sounded too good to be true, which meant it probably was. Just like it had been whenever she’d go to a new family, and it would be great for a week or two, and then it would turn into hell as soon as she let her guard down.

Sean had promised she could leave at any time if she were uncomfortable, though. If it was terrible, and she left his house, she could leave Seattle and go back to Reno if Zane fired her over it. Raff had told her she could come back at any time, and that she would always have a job with him.

She nodded her head, “Okay, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”

Sean grinned triumphantly as though he’d won the lottery.

“Good,” he said.

“I want you to take the rest of the day off and go get settled at Sean’s house. I’ll pay you for the whole day.”

Sean stood, and she couldn’t help the gasp that came out of her mouth. While the man was leaner than Zane, he was several inches taller, and she hadn’t realized that when he was sitting down. But now, he was standing in front of her, at least a foot and a half taller than she was, and she felt like a small bug in comparison. He could do anything he wanted to her, and she wouldn’t have the size or strength to fight the man off.

Calm down. Zane assured you that he is a good guy, and Zane has been nothing but genuine.

Sean looked down at her with alarm when he heard her startle.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“It’s okay,” she whispered without looking him in the eye.

“No, it’s not okay, but I hope with time that you’ll come to trust me,” he said gently.

Zane led them out of his office toward the front door of the club. When they stepped out into the parking lot, Sean looked over at her car.

“Can she leave her car here? I’ll drive her to and from work.”

Zane nodded, “Good idea. It will be fine here.”

Oh no. She wasn’t leaving her car. It would be her only way to escape if she needed to.

“I want to bring my car.”

Both men turned and looked at her.