Daddy's Girl: A Daddy Issues Novel, Rebel Wild [top 10 most read books in the world .TXT] 📗

Once I’m done, I switch over to the decorating website. I order a comfortable outdoor chair and a little table for my private patio and a few pictures for the walls along with a throw to go over the foot of my bed. It reminds me of something Mrs. Leland would knit for me.

Bored, I slip on flats and head to the library to do some reading. I take my laptop so that I can check the required reading list. I want to get a jump on things. Hopefully, Mr. Garrett has one of the books in his collection. I’m close by his office door and it’s been left open just a smidge. I don’t mean to listen, but his yelling has got my attention, and I stand frozen in place at his door.

“You’re not to question her again,” he says. “I’m aware of the investigation, but are you aware of why you’re still in charge of it? Good. Remember that or your ass will be in prison with your ex-partner in crime right where you belong. She’s off-limits.”

I hear him slam the phone down so hard he probably broke it. I wonder what has him so pissed and who’s off-limits? I think it might be Dalton he’s talking to, but why would he get that pissed about him questioning me? I hear him moving closer to the door, so I tiptoe to the library, hoping he doesn’t come out and catch me. In the safety of the empty room, I relax.

Finding the Canterbury Tales on my required reading list, I set my alarm and get lost in reading.

“Sydney.” Bree comes in the library and I look up. I quickly look at my phone to see if I miss set the time. “Sorry to interrupt. I just came to tell you that Tristan had to go out so he won’t be joining you for dinner tonight.”

“Oh,” I say and I am actually a little disappointed.

“Why don’t you have dinner with us,” she offers as she must have heard the letdown in my voice.

“I don’t want to intrude.”

“Oh, stop it. We love company,” she says, and I am sure she’s speaking only for herself.

“Okay,” I tell her. “Why not?”

Chapter Seven

“Bree, this is the best meal I’ve ever had,” I tell her as I fork the last bite of my applesauce-glazed pork chop and put it in my mouth. “Mmm, so sweet and tender.”

“I have to agree with you,” Joe says to me as he scrapes the glaze to the edge of his plate with a spoon. He uses his thumb to help scoop the sauce up, making sure to get it all. “Living with you, Babe, I’d be huge if I didn’t work out every day.”

She grins proudly.

“I love when people enjoy my cooking,” she tells us. “Especially when they’re experimental recipes.”

“Well, I’ll be your guinea pig,” I say, causing Joe to laugh.

He has lightened up considerably throughout our meal. I think maybe I’m growing on him enough to where he doesn’t look like he’s annoyed with me every minute.

“I think you and I are neck and neck to fill that position,” he says.

“Well, I’m willing to play dirty for it. I’ll help her with the cleanup.”

Bree laughs, and Joe’s about to respond when Mr. Garrett fills the doorway.

I tense to his presence. I’m amazed at how instinctively I morph into a statue.

“Damn, bro,” Joe says. “What a way to buzz kill.”

I’m unsure of how to act, so I become so interested in my empty plate that my eyes automatically look down to thoroughly examine it.

“Miss Warren,” Mr. Garrett says, only acknowledging me. Like the dog that he’s trained me to be, I quickly get up to do as he demands. Regrettably, I don’t have time to thank Bree and Joe for letting me dine with them. “Have you had enough to eat?” He asks, leading me into the great room.

“Yes, sir.”

“Then I want you in the playroom in fifteen minutes. Bra and panties only.” He hands me a key and walks away, heading toward his bedroom.

“Yes, sir,” I still say, but not loud enough for him to hear me.

I hurry to my room to get ready. I don’t have time to think as I rush around. I take a shower and dress in just my very unsexy white cotton panties and bra, hoping that will turn him off. I slip on a blue silk robe and walk over to the playroom. My hand shakes as I place the key in the door and unlock it.

The smell of fresh pine, lemon, and leather hit me all at once as I stand looking around the room. I close the door, hook my robe on the back of it, and get into position on my knees. The room is warm, but I am still chilled to the bone and shaking like a leaf. My heart is racing, my breathing is uneven, and my knees hurt as I wait for Mr. Garrett. I know he won’t have sex with me tonight. He told me so. But I don’t know what he’s planning to do instead, and that has me terrified.

Get a grip on yourself, Sydney. You know he’s not a sadist! Just calm down and don’t blow this. Don’t overreact! You have to do this part right. Everything depends on it.

My inner musings are put to an end when the door opens and Mr. Garrett walks in. My eyes fall to my hands that are resting palms down on my knees. I am trying to be as still as possible, but with my nervousness, it is proving to be difficult.

“In the center of the room,” he says.

“Yes, sir,” I say my usual line before I get up to do what wants.

My heart is pounding in my ears and I will myself not to drop dead from a panic attack. I stand, trying hard not to