Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
He gets out of the car as his whore does the same and struggles to keep her tits in her tight dress as she shuffles her feet to stand beside Dane. “Sabre, good to see you,” Dane says, eyeing Daphne and Sabre closely.
“I wish I could say the same,” Sabre responds, looking at the worthless piece of shit in front of him.
“Do you want to say hello to your daddy before we go play, Pixie?”
“No. Daddy makes Mommy cry,” she whispers softly. Her entire body tense.
“Then let’s go play.”
Sabre looks at me and nods, but it’s Daphne’s eyes that gut me. They’re eyes that no longer sparkle. Her eyes just look dead. She mouths the words, thank you. I give her a grim smile and turn to go into the house with my second favorite girl in the world.
Chapter 12
Daphne
I watch as Eli takes Cammie inside. I want to call out to him to stay with me, but I know it’s better that he protects my daughter. All at once, I feel my father’s hand squeeze mine. My gaze moves down to our joined hands. Then, I moved my head slowly up to stare into my dad’s eyes. I saw reassurance there, maybe even love. It was hard for me to believe it after the last few years. I didn’t trust it. Yet, right now, I’d take reinforcements anywhere I could get them. Before I could say anything to my dad, a voice I’d hope to not hear today interrupted me.
“Where did that man take my daughter? You were warned that I would be coming to visit Cammie today and be here for her party,” Dane snaps, his superior attitude leaking through every word as if he was a king talking to his peasant followers. It always grated on my nerves when he’d do that. It was directed at me often and each time I wanted to slap his face. God I’ve been such a fool.
“I know you lost brain cells since hooking up with Serena, but surely you could see that Eli took her inside the house.”
“Pettiness doesn’t look good on you, Daphne.”
I roll my eyes. “Being a lying whore doesn’t look good on you either, but here we are.”
“Enough Daph. We’re not here for you to hurl insults. We’re here to see Camila. She’s my daughter too, and the court granted me permission to be here.”
“The name is Daphne. You lost the right to use my nickname, Dane. As for seeing Cammie, I believe the court order granted you permission to be here from two to four this afternoon—which was the time of her party. It is only twelve thirty. That means you’re extremely early. I don’t believe I have to agree to let you in my house until time for the party.”
“So, I’m early. It shouldn’t be a big problem. I want to spend time with my child,” Dane argues.
I know in my heart that he’s not telling the truth. He’s here early for a reason. “What is it you always said when an opponent in court tried to change times on you. Oh, yes, I remember. “An order is an order for a reason,” I respond, arms crossed at my chest.
“Are you really going to be this petty? Doesn’t six years of marriage mean we can try and be adults around one another now?” he asks, definitely belittling me.
“That’s rich considering why our marriage is ending,” I quip. “Fine, even though your actions are interrupting time with my family, I’ll let you join us early, but you still only are ordered for two hours. So you’ll have to leave when the time is up, unless Cammie asks you to stay.”
“You really think you can play hard ball with me, Daphne? I’ll eat you alive if you try. You don’t have the money or the stamina to go toe-to-toe with me. You better think twice about this.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just trying to adhere to the judge’s order. I agreed to let you stay—even though the order stated just you and instead you showed up with the woman you were fucking in my bed when I was out of town. I’m even being nice and letting you interrupt time I set aside to spend with my family. Plus, I said you could stay longer if Cammie wanted you to. I think I’m being pretty flexible here. If you’re not happy, just turn around, leave, and we’ll meet back in court,” I reply sweetly with a shrug. For the first time since Dane put a ring on my finger, I find myself standing up to him and it feels … exhilarating. I can also see the surprise on Dane’s face, even though he’s trying to hide it.
“A pity you didn’t reveal this side of you when we were married. I may have kept you around,” he quips snidely.