Daddy’s Law by K.C. Crowne
Chapter 9
Ava
“You should slow down,” Cindy said. “You’re going to give yourself alcohol poisoning. Trust me, I’m a nurse.”
“Waitress, my darling,” I called animatedly, “please bring me four shots of tequila.”
Cindy stared at me. “You have to be at school teaching a bunch of teens tomorrow, you know.”
“Fine. Nix the shots.” And then, very quickly, “Just make it two.”
With a quick nod, the waitress scurried off to punch in my order.
“Was it really that bad?” Cindy asked me.
I rubbed my palms over my face, leaning heavily against the bar counter. “You don’t understand. He’s always been like this. It’s like I’m some sort of afterthought. If someone tried to attack you, what would be the first thing you’d do?”
“Call the police.”
“And then?”
“Call David to let him know I was alright.”
I snapped my fingers, feeling very much vindicated. “Exactly! You call your loved ones and let them know that you’re okay. But what does dear old Dad do? He waits until it’s convenient for him. God forbid something actually happens to my father. I probably wouldn’t hear about it until the actual funeral.”
Cindy grimaced. She patted me on the back of the hand across the table. “I’m sorry, Ava.”
“He didn’t even call me over to start with that. The whole near-death experience. The first thing he did was criticize my career choice. Again. Can you believe it? Where does he get the nerve? At least people don’t try to kill me at my job.”
Cindy shushed me gently. The nearby tables were giving us the side-eye. I didn’t care. I was dealing with something.
“It’s like he doesn’t care,” I grumbled. “He doesn’t care about me.”
“I’m sure that’s not true.”
“Sometimes I wish…”
“What?”
“I just want someone to take care of me,” I slurred. “Is that so much to ask? I just want someone to care. Someone who doesn’t mind taking a moment and asking, ‘Hey, Ava. What do you want?’ Why are all the men in my life selfish—” I waved a hand, like the right word was supposed to magically materialize before me. “Asswipes. Buttmunches. Ugh, I don’t know. Words are hard.”
Cindy curled her nose. “‘Buttmunches?’”
“I heard one of my students say it.”
“Are you sure you didn’t just make that up?”
I pointed to my nose and frowned, totally serious. “Do I look like a liar?”
“Wait… What do you mean by all the men? What men?”
“Dad, for one. Such a tool.”
“Who else?”
“That tall one.”
“The tall one?”
“The—” I raised my hand up high, palm face down, “—really tall, big one. Giant man. Cory’s father.”
“I have no idea who you’re talking about.”
I clicked my tongue. “Mr. Tight Shirt? That sexy silver fox I was drooling over.”
“Oh. Oh, my God. That’s his dad? No wonder you’re a drunken mess.”
“Can I tell you a secret?”
“Always.”
I whispered, but not really. “I want to climb him like a tree.”
“I love Drunk Ava so much.” Cindy threw her head back and laughed. “Talk about a coincidence. I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned him before.”
“I only officially met him the other day,” I admitted. “He doesn’t come around the school much. Ever. And a good thing, too.”
“Why?”
The waitress arrived with the two shots of tequila I ordered. I threw them both back, numb to the burn trickling down my throat. I leaned in closer, bumbling, “Every time he opens his damn mouth, I…” My cheeks flushed with heat. “I get so damn turned on, Cindy. It’s a nightmare. It’s distracting.”
Cindy clasped her hands over her mouth to hold back her howling laughter. “This is the best thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life.”
“But he’s such an asshole.”
Someone behind me chuckled. “Maybe you’re just judgmental,” came a deep voice.
I whipped around in my seat with a yelp. It was a mistake to move that quickly. My balance was off, and I slipped right off the bar stool. A strong hand grabbed me by the upper arm, bracing me securely. I looked up with a gasp, hit with the comforting scent of sandalwood and pine.
“Mr. Phillips?” I breathed. “W-what are you doing here?”
“Your father sent me.”
I had a headache. “My father?”
“You need to come with me,” he said sternly, giving my arm a tug.
I placed a hand on his chest and pushed —not that affected him any— and shook my head. “I’m not going anywhere with you until you tell me what’s going on.”
“I’ve been hired as your bodyguard, Miss Cruise. Now, come with me.”
I yanked my hand away, hating myself very much for missing the warmth of his skin. I pulled my phone out and shakily dialed Dad’s number. It was late, and he never answered my calls to begin with, so it was a long shot. I was genuinely surprised when he picked up on the first dial tone.
“Hello, Ava.”
“You hired a bodyguard?” I hissed.
“You left before I had a chance to explain things to you.”
“Don’t make it sound like it’s my fault.”
“Mr. Phillips apprehended my assailant at the fundraiser. I have reason to believe he might try to make another attempt on my life.”
I looked up at Theo, a wave of different emotions washing over me. Fascination. General confusion. A little bit of fear. “Then why is he here?”
“For your protection, of course. That’s a stupid question, Ava.”
“Are you saying that this guy’s going to try and come after me?”
“It’s a possibility.”
“Jesus, Dad. You should have told me this!”
“I tried.”
“Clearly not hard enough.” I groaned. “I don’t need a bodyguard. I’ll be fine. You’re being paranoid.”
“This isn’t up for debate, Ava. This man, his people…they mean business. If there’s a chance they can get their hands on you, they’ll do all manner of things to get to me. This isn’t a game, and I’m not taking any chances. Mr. Phillips will be in charge of your wellbeing until I can take care of things on my end.”
There was nothing more infuriating than someone refusing to listen to me. Nothing I said or did mattered to Dad as long as he got what he wanted. It was his road or no road.
“Typical,” I grumbled.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”
“Mr. Phillips is a very capable individual. Make sure to listen to him.”
“How long is this going to last?”
“Until the issue is resolved.”
“Which is when, exactly?”
“Mr. Phillips will have more information for you. I have to go, Ava. There’s an important business call I need to take first thing in the morning, and I need my rest.”
“But I—”
He hung up without so much as a good night.
My nostrils flared as I gritted my teeth. I was going to need five more drinks to feel even remotely okay.
Cindy gathered up her purse and stood, leaving enough cash on the table to pay our bill and our waitress a generous tip. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full,” she said, eyeing Theo with suspicion. “Where are you taking her?”
“Home,” he answered curtly.
“I’ll come with.”
“That won’t be necessary. You’ll only get in the way.”
Cindy scoffed. “I’m not letting my best friend go with some rando.”
I sighed, rubbing my temples with the tips of my fingers. “It’s…fine, Cindy. Theo —ah, shit— Mr. Phillips isn’t going to do anything.”
“You’re—” Her eyes widened, recognition likely setting in. “Oh, okay. I guess I’ll leave her in your very capable hands.” She tossed me a suggestive wink. I ignored it.
“Let’s go,” he said in my ear, so close I could feel his breath brush against my cheek. “Give me your keys.”
I crossed my arms. “No.”
“You’re not sober enough to drive.”
“I wasn’t planning on driving. I was going to walk.”
“No.”
I glared at him, incredulous. “Is this how this is going to be?”
“Yes.” He crossed his arms, mirroring me. “You can’t walk home this late at night. It’s a safety risk. You’ll be more secure if I drive you myself.”
“I walk home by myself all the time.”
His jaw tensed. “You shouldn’t.”
“I’ve got mace and a personal alarm in my purse.”
“Those do jack shit in an emergency.”
“Look, leave me alone and tell my father you’re doing your job. You can still earn your paycheck, and I can still have my freedom. I don’t need someone babysitting me.”
Theo looked me directly in the eye, unwavering and intense. My tipsy little heart couldn’t take it, the way he seemed to peer deep into my soul. “Miss Cruise, you can either agree to come with me or—”
“Or what?” I challenged.
He took a single step forward and closed the gap between us. He was so close and solid and smelled overwhelmingly delicious that my stomach swooped. I told myself it was the alcohol. I told myself it was the adrenaline rush of going toe-to-toe with the man. Whatever the reason, the heat pooling deep within my core was undeniable.
I loved it.
I hated it.
Whatever this was between us —this electricity— it was addicting.
“You can either agree to come with me,” he said, so soft and low it sent a shiver down my spine, “or I can throw you over my shoulder in front of everyone and make you come with me.”
My breath hitched. The tremble in my knees and the wetness between my legs would have been mortifying if I wasn’t so indignant. “I’d really like to see you try, Mr. Phillips.”
“Don’t tempt me, Miss Cruise.”
Neither of us were budging. I was interested to see who’d break first.
As it turned out, Cindy is the one who caved.
“You guys know this is a family restaurant, right?”
The tension crackling around us dissipated in snap. I grabbed my purse and jacket roughly. “Let’s get this over with,” I grumbled. “Don’t you have to walk ahead of me? To look out for danger or whatever?”
Theo nodded. “Don’t try sneaking off.”
“I won’t. There’d be no point.”
The tiniest smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “Good girl.”
Good girl.
His words echoed around inside my skull, etching themselves permanently on my mind. I wanted to hear him say it again, even if he was a condescending dickhead about it.
We walked out into the parking lot, the cool night breeze sending a chill straight through me. They didn’t call it the Windy City for nothing.
Cindy gave me a kiss on the cheek before she left for her own car, mouthing good luck from behind the wheel before pulling away.
Theo guided me to my car and waited by the driver’s door, a hand extended out expectantly. I fished my keys out of my pocket and slapped them down into his rough palm.
“Get in,” he instructed. “What’s your address?” he asked as I slipped into the passenger seat.
I picked at my fingernails. It felt so strange to be telling him where I lived. I barely knew him, and now I was going to tell him where my home was? He waited with a surprising amount of patience for an answer, the quiet of the car so thick I could feel it stick to my skin.
I relented. “Fourth and Allistair.”
He arched a brow. “Okay.”
“What?”
“Kind of a rough neighborhood, isn’t it?”
I frowned. “If you’re scared, I can go by myself.”
“That’s not what I meant. I was expecting—”
“What?”
Theo pursed his lips. “Nothing. Put your seatbelt on.”
I rolled my eyes but did as I was told. “I know, I know. I’m not a child.”
He pulled out of the parking lot and merged with traffic. It was difficult to ignore the way he kept glancing at the reflection in the rearview mirror. Hypervigilant.
“How long have you been a bodyguard?” I asked quietly, words almost lost to the rumble of the engine.
“A while.”
“I didn’t realize you worked for my father.”
“Yep.”
“You’re an excellent conversationalist.”
“Thanks.”
I shook my head. I didn’t feel like talking anyway.
I hopped out once he pulled up to the curb just outside my rundown duplex. He got out, too, much to my annoyance. I didn’t say anything when he walked ahead of me, walking in first like a human shield. He climbed the steps and reached the door before me.
“Wait here,” he said.
“My house is safe,” I insisted.
“Someone could have broken in while you were at work.”
“You think someone’s hiding behind my curtains waiting to jump me?”
“It’s possible.”
I leaned against the handrail. “Knock yourself out.”
He disappeared into my home, heavy footsteps creaking against the old floorboards. It took him another ten minutes before he emerged, nodding once. “All clear.”
“Told you.”
“Lock the door after I leave.”
“I was actually thinking of leaving it wide open while I slept.”
“Ava.”
My heart skipped a beat. The sound of my name rolling off his tongue on a growl was unlike anything I’d ever heard. I always thought it was plain. Simple. Too short for a nickname, too boring to be beautiful. But from him, it sounded like something far more brilliant.
Probably because I’m drunk.
“It’s Miss Cruise to you,” I said defiantly.
He chuckled. “Miss Cruise.”
“So how does this work? Are you going to tail me wherever I go?”
“Yes.”
“Even when I go to work?”
“Yes.”
“This is ridiculous.”
“Take it up with your father.”
I snorted. “I’d rather not.”
“I figured as much.”
“I’ll have you know my life is very boring. It’s not going to be some action-packed adventure.”
“Bodyguarding is boring work. It’s supposed to be. It means I’m doing it right.”
My lips quirked. “I see.”
“Here’s how this works,” he said simply. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow and drop you off at school. I will be there throughout the day. You won’t even realize I’m there.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Theo shook his head. “At the end of the day, I’ll drive you home, do a sweep of your place, and have you retire for the evening. Rinse, recycle, repeat until your father deems it safe enough to close my contract.”
I frowned. “What about Cory? Does he know you’ve been assigned to me?”
“No, nor do I think we should tell him. It might freak him out to learn that his favorite teacher might be in trouble.”
My heart melted a little. “I’m his favorite?”
“Do you have any questions, Miss Cruise?”
I swallowed. I had a million and one things I wanted to ask. Could I still back out of this silly arrangement? How many times a day did he work out? Why did the sound of his voice make my throat so dry?
“What happens if I decline to accept your services? Surely I’d be within my rights to do that.”
“You are. But I’d go straight to your father and explain what happened.”
I scoffed. I didn’t want to think about the earful I’d get. “Fine. Whatever.”
Theo stepped around me and allowed me room to go inside. “Good night, Miss Cruise.”
I closed the door slowly. “Yeah, whatever.”
I didn’t exhale until I heard him retreat down the steps. I went straight to bed and tried desperately not to think about how much I liked the way he touched me when he held my arm at the restaurant. I did my best not to think about the way he said my name. I did my best not to think about the absolute torture he’d subject me to by being around me all hours of the day.
Good girl.
Sleep was going to be an impossibility.
Tomorrow was going to be rough.
