ME AND MY DADDI - Season 4 Episode 5

Eve sat down at the big table with Larkin and Brylee. They talked about everything they wanted to show Eve and everywhere they wanted to take her.

Patrick was in the kitchen, talking to someone when the doorbell rang.

A minute later, two men came into the room.

Brylee and Larkin squealed, jumped up, and raced around the table and into the men’s arms. Eve stared at the couples. A pressure built in her chest that took her by surprise. She tried to take calming breaths, but something painful continued to grow.

Patrick came through the door and must have noticed her expression because he curled a hand around her arm and pulled her from the chair. He walked to the head of the table, sat, and pulled her into his lap. His arms tightened around her when she went to rise.

“Easy, baby. I’m just holding you. I saw the panic in your expression and wanted to help. Nothing and no one will ever hurt you again,” he murmured against the top of her head.

She relaxed against his chest and tucked her head under his chin. She felt the warmth of his skin through his shirt and her dress. His masculine scent wrapped around her, giving her a peace she didn’t know existed.

Patrick kept talking to her, and she was vaguely aware that the others in the room had quietly gone out to give them some time alone.

“How are you doing?”

She released a shuddering breath and nodded. “I’m okay.”

Patrick kissed the top of her head. “Good. Any time you feel overwhelmed, come to me. I don’t care where I am or who I’m with. I’ll pull you into my lap, and we’ll sit until you feel better. Expect it to happen for a long while until you get used to the changes in your life.”

“Why am I staying here?”

“One, because I want you here and two, because your father won’t look for you here.”

“But why do you want me here?’ Eve asked.

“It’s hard to explain, baby, but the first time I saw you, I felt you were already a part of me. In time, I want us to explore a relationship. But now, I just want you to get to know me and be comfortable in this house and around me.”

She tilted her head back to see his. “You really want to be with me?”

“Yes, baby. Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because I’m not pretty like Brylee and Larkin. I’m not smart, and there’s something inside of me that’s not right.”

“This is what your father has told you?”

She nodded.

“Listen to me, love. Your father is wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you…”

“You don’t know me,” she interrupted.

“I know enough from being with you for the last few hours and what the girls have told me about you. Your father said those things to keep you with him. If you felt good about yourself, there was a chance you’d leave him.”

She was skeptical.

“I know you won’t believe me right now, but I guarantee you will as we spend time together.”

Patrick helped her off his lap, stood, and pulled out the chair to his right. “You will always sit here when we’re home.”

She nodded and sat. Then she turned when the group came back and took their chairs around the table. Brylee was next to her, and then her guy was on her left. Larkin and her daddy sat across from them.

She was startled when two young women came from the door to the kitchen. Both of their arms carried a tray filled with bowls and a basket of bread.

She watched as everyone started eating. The talking and laughter continued, keeping the atmosphere light and fun. She flinched when Patrick’s hand landed on her arm.

“Eat, sweetheart. Everything will be okay.”

Eve nodded and picked up her spoon. She almost groaned as the flavor burst on her taste buds. Her father didn’t believe in indulging. He said the food was to sustain the body and nothing else. She did the same things every week. Baked chicken on Sunday and Thursday. Beef roast on Mondays and Fridays. Fish on Tuesday and Saturdays and pork chops on Wednesdays. The meals were always served with bland potatoes and peas.

Breakfast always consisted of one egg and one piece of toast, and lunch was always a ham sandwich or soup. On the rare occasions he’d take her to a restaurant, he’d order her a hamburger with no bun and a side salad while he always got the prime rib or a filet.

Patrick set a hand on hers to get her attention.

“Hey, aren’t you hungry?”

Eve looked down at her bowl. She’d only had the one taste before the memories of her life with her father pulled her in.

“No, I’m sorry. I am hungry, and it’s delicious.”

Patrick nodded and continued with his own soup.

Eve caught snippets of everyone’s conversation but stayed quiet unless one of them asked her a direct question.

After the soup, a type of beef casserole was served. It was unlike anything she’d ever had before.

Eve’s eyes widened dramatically when plates of rich chocolate cake were placed in front of every one of them. Everyone but she picked up their forks and started eating.

She looked up to see Patrick watching her.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to have this?”

The table became quiet.

“I’m very sure, baby. I want you to eat to your heart’s content.”

She cleared the emotion from her throat, lifted her fork, and picked up a bite of the cake. She hummed, and her eyes closed as the sweetness hit her taste buds.

“Have you ever had cake, baby?”

Eve paused and looked at Patrick. She shook her head. “No, my father didn’t believe in indulges. He said it tended to let the devil in.”

****

A muscle bunched in Patrick’s jaw, but he kept quiet. There was a lot he’d have to teach her about life. Her father had done a lot of damage to the precious young woman, but Patrick was determined to make her happy.

The maids came and took the plates.

“Girls, do you want to go up to Eve’s room? Maybe you could go over the things she might need and make a list for me.”

Brylee and Larkin instantly stood while Eve turned distressed eyes to Patrick. “I don’t want you to get anything for me. I’m overwhelmed with what you’ve given me already.”

Patrick stood and helped Eve to her feet. Standing so close to her, he realized how tiny she really was. He grasped her shoulders. “It’s going to take some getting used to, but I am going to spoil you horribly.”

“But…”

“You deserve everything I can give you. Please don’t take the pleasure of spoiling you away from me.”

Eve studied his expression for a long moment and then slowly nodded.

Patrick pressed a kiss to the top of her head, released her, and let Larkin come and pull her away.

“Come on, man. We want to go over some things you might find interesting,” Darian said and strode toward Patrick’s office.

Patrick closed the door behind him, poured three glasses of scotch, handed them out, and walked to his desk chair. “What have you found?”

Gage passed him a file. “The woman he goes to see a few times a week is a prostitute he’s been seeing for several years.”

Patrick raised his eyebrows. “Interesting. My private detective is getting pictures of them together. I will have him record a few of their … what shall we call them? I suppose meetings would work.”

“He also has a gambling problem,” Darian said.

“Where in the hell does he gamble?”

“Online. He’s racked up quite the dept,” Gage informed him.

“How much are we talking?”

“Close to a twenty

-five thousand dollars,” Darian said.

“Holy shit,” Patrick cursed. “Do you think he’d be desperate enough to let Eve go without a fight if I pay that off?”

Darian nodded. “It’s a strong possibility.”

“I’ll use that as a last resort. I don’t want to make the man’s life any easier if I don’t have to.”

The other men nodded in agreement.

The three talked about business for a bit before Darian stood.

“I think I should get Larkin home. Call us if you have any problems. I can always bring her back if needed.”

Gage said the same thing as the men made their way up to Eve’s bedroom. They stood right outside the door and watched with tender expressions on all their faces.

All three girls were brushing out the dolls’ hair as they talked about their favorite things.

Patrick noticed Larkin and Brylee had a lot of opinions, but Eve stayed mostly quiet. In time, he’d find out what made her happy. At the moment, he just wanted her safe. They would work on trust and the rest later.

“Larkin, let’s head home, baby.”

Larkin smiled at Darian and hugged Eve quickly. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Just ask your dadd— Patrick, for our number.”

Eve nodded, carefully set the dolls in a neat row, and stood. Brylee gave her a quick hug before taking Gage’s hand.

All that was left were Patrick and Eve. They stood and stared at each other.

He walked to the closet and came out with a nightgown, holding it out to her.

“Why don’t you take a shower and get dressed for bed? I’ll be in to check on you in a bit. Is there anything you need before I go, baby?”

Eve clutched at the cloth in her hands and shook her head.

“All right. Call for me if you need anything. I’ll be right next door.”