Page 36 of Caged
“He’s a fucking rockstar.” Jax yells, which elicits another cheer from the throng of people we’re leaving.
“And he knows it,” I add.
After dropping them off and relaying the information to Mikhail and Enzo, I head back to my house.
I’ve barely stepped into the entryway when Svetlana meets me, already carrying her bag.
“She messed up the kitchen, spread toys everywhere. The television was on these awful shows. She was terrible.” Her thick hand waves back and forth in the silent curses of the Motherland.
“I’ll speak to Elena. Just because there’s a visitor, doesn’t mean?—”
“What? No! It was that, that, woman.” She shakes her head and slams the door behind her.
I make sure she’s out of earshot before laughing.
“What’s so funny, Daddy?” Elena runs from the hall and leaps into my arms.
Her dark curls are tamed into a tight braid.
“I see your hair is pretty today. Did Svetlana do it for you?” I smooth a loose tendril and tuck it behind her ear as I go in search of Melissa.
“No. My new best friend Melissa did it. She said it’s what all the strong women wear.” Elena flattens her palm against her cheek and turns her face back and forth to showcase her new do.
“Yes. Like a bear. I can see that.” I kiss her forehead and set her on the floor when Melissa pokes her head out of the guest bedroom.
Her long, black hair is woven into a matching braid that sits over her shoulder and reaches down to rest on her full breast.
“She did hers, too. Do you think it’s pretty?” Elena tugs at my hand.
Melissa gives a slight smile as a touch of a blush highlights her cheeks.
“She’s very beautiful.” I meet her eyes, then break the gaze to look down at my daughter. “I heard you two gave Svetlana a run for her money today?”
Elena giggles. “She didn’t like the cooking shows. She said they were doing it all wrong.”
“And, then I spilled a bin of blocks across the floor by accident.” Melissa adds, fighting her own laugh.
“Well, I may have to spank you for being naughty.” I look directly at Melissa.
Shit. Why does that make my cock twitch thinking about having her over my knee?
She chews on her lip before holding her hand out to Elena. “Should we have that ice cream now that Svetlana is gone?”
“Yay!” Elena rips her little fingers out of my palm and takes a hold of Melissa.
They walk ahead of me, and it makes my chest hurt.
Elena should have her mother.
But, the adoring eyes she gives Melissa makes the ache a little less.
With the satisfaction that my daughter is at least safe, I need to get in the shower and wash the touch of that waitress off of me.
Standing under the water, it’s hard to keep my mind from wandering.
What would it be like if Melissa was that sure of herself?
If she grabbed me with that conviction. Or at least showed a little fire about getting revenge against Knox.