by Maren Smith
“Rico. Been a minute.”
Rico Moretti, head of the infamous Moretti crime family and Donovan’s previous employer, inclined his head. “It has. How have you been?”
“Good. How’s the family?”
Genuine delight filled Rico’s eyes when he smiled. “Good. Carla graduates university in May.”
“Fucking really? Goddamn, I feel old.”
“Imagine how I feel,” Rico said with a laugh. “But you didn’t call me to this disgusting joint to make small talk.”
“No. I have a situation.” He explained how he’d found Lainey being attacked in an alley, and the goon squad he’d narrowly escaped in her apartment. “I have to get her out of the city. She’s going to need a new identity, a place to stay, the works.”
Tapping a fingertip against the table, Rico’s dark eyes searched Donovan’s face. “You as well, I assume?”
Donovan shrugged, hoping the gesture didn’t seem as desperate as he suddenly felt. “If you can swing it, but she’s the primary concern. I’ve stayed under the radar this long and I can take care of myself.”
“I’m well aware of your ability to take care of yourself, Donovan. I wouldn’t have employed you to protect my Carla if I wasn’t.”
“I know. Can you make it happen?”
Rico tapped the table again, his eyes carefully empty of emotion. It was a skill Donovan had learned from him years ago. “Yes. It’s going to take a few days to get everything together, but I still have some connections.”
“How much?” Not that any amount was too much where Lainey’s safety was concerned, but he had to consider the extra money it was going to cost to get her set up in a new town. His time with Rico had left him with a nice little nest egg, but new identities and clandestine relocations didn’t come cheap.
Rico’s lip curled with insult. “You think I’ve forgotten that you saved not just my life but my daughter’s as well? I owe you a debt I can never repay. Consider this a small down payment toward that.”
A portion of the weight on his shoulders lifted. “Thanks, man. I could cover it, but if I can avoid any kind of trail connecting me to her, all the better.”
“I’m happy to take care of it, my friend. I’ll have Jimmy contact you when it’s done.”
“Thanks, Rico. I mean it.” He downed the rest of his whiskey. “I better get going. The longer I’m gone, the more time she has to make trouble.”
Rico grinned – an expression Donovan could only remember seeing on the man’s face a handful of times before. “About time you found a woman to keep you on your toes.”
“She’s going to be the death of me, I swear. Oh, before I forget, have you heard anything about this new church that’s starting to make waves? The Church of the Divine Variance or some shit?”
The grin faded, leaving Rico’s eyes flat and cold. “Yes. There are rumors, but I don’t know how true they are.”
Every nerve in Donovan’s body was suddenly on alert. “What kind of rumors?”
“People going to them for help and disappearing. They claim to have hidden them away for their own safety, but I don’t trust them.”
“Yeah. Me neither. If you hear anything else, let me know, would you?”
Rico inclined his head and stood to leave. “Of course.”
“Thanks. For everything.” Because he knew the drill, Donovan waited a full ten minutes after Rico had left before he slid out of the booth and walked out of the bar. He didn’t run, but he came pretty damn close as he made his way back to the apartment. For the first time in years, he had something worth rushing home to.
Chapter Eleven
Lainey
Lainey was on her second bowl of ice cream and her fifth time through the channels on the TV when someone knocked on the door. She set the ice cream on the coffee table and walked to the door, wondering who the hell it could possibly be. Daddy didn’t seem like the sociable type. She snickered at the idea of him sitting around a poker table, gossiping with his buddies. It was probably the man himself, testing her to see if she’d be stupid enough to open the door without checking.
Since she wasn’t stupid, she peeked through the little peephole on the door. Not Daddy, just sweet Ms. Edith from across the hall. Happy to see a friendly face, she reached for the deadbolt, then hesitated. Daddy had been very clear about not opening the door. And the whipping she’d gotten yesterday was still fresh in her mind.
But, really. It was just a sweet old lady. What harm could it do? And Lainey was about bored to death, locked up in this stupid apartment by herself. Unlocking the door, she swung it open and grinned. “Hey, Ms. Edith! What brings you by?”
“I thought you could use some company, dear. May I come in?”
“Umm. Sure, why not?” Stepping aside, she let Ms. Edith in and locked the door behind them. “Want anything to drink? Da – um, there’s some soda and stuff.” Dear God, she’d almost called him Daddy in front of Ms. Edith. How embarrassing would that have been?
“Oh, no, dear. I’m fine.” Ms. Edith settled into the armchair by the couch and smiled. “I saw Donovan leave earlier, but you weren’t with him.”
Donovan! Finally, she knew his name and she wouldn’t have to call the man Daddy again. Following Ms. Edith to the living room, she curled up on the couch facing her visitor. “He had some errands and I didn’t feel like tagging along.”
“Ah, I see. I just came from a church service myself, and it reminded me I need to reach out to the people around me.” Ms. Edith spread her hands out in front of her. “So here I am.”
“That’s very sweet. What church do you go to?”
“The only church for people like us, my dear. The Church of the Divine Variance.”
Lainey’s stomach lurched violently, with the sudden realization that this visit wasn’t as innocent as it had seemed. Donovan was going to hand her her ass on a platter. She mentally coached herself. Just play it cool, Lainey. “What are you talking about? I’m not a Variant.”
Leaning over, Ms. Edith patted Lainey’s hand with a patronizing smile. “Of course, you are, my dear.”
“How do you know?” This couldn’t be happening. Nobody was supposed to know.
“It’s one of my gifts. I’ve known about Donny for years, but I also know he wouldn’t be open to visiting the church.” Beaming, Ms. Edith clasped her hands together. “You, on the other hand, seem like an open and questioning spirit.”
“I am!” The initial rush of fear began to fade. “I told him we should go to the church for help, but he shot me down.”
“Help with what?”
Lainey nibbled on her bottom lip. Surely it was safe to tell Ms. Edith what was going on, right? Daddy – no, Donovan, his name was Donovan – wouldn’t like it, but they needed help. “There are some people looking for me. Donovan says they want to hurt me.”
Ms. Edith gripped Lainey’s hand. “Oh, sweet girl. I’m so sorry. But yes, the church absolutely can help. You know what, I know Pastor Luke stays at the church for a few hours after our meetings. I bet we can catch him if we hurry.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Donovan won’t like it. He,” she paused, searching for the right way to say he’d whip her ass from here to Sunday if she snuck out on him. “He worries.”
“You have a phone, don’t you? Let him know where we’re going.”
“I lost my phone, actually. And I don’t know his number.” Didn’t know much of anything about him, but she tried not to dwell on that.
Tapping a finger on her chin, Ms. Edith made a humming noise in her throat. “Then we can leave him a note with my number.”
Butterflies danced in her tummy. Donovan wouldn’t be happy about any of this. But then, if the church could help, she wouldn’t be his concern anymore. And really, wasn’t that best for both of them? His life would certainly be less complicated without her around, and she could get the help she needed to really learn to control her powers. “Okay. Let me see if I can find a pen and paper.”
&nbs
p; Ignoring her jumping nerves, she found paper and a pen and jotted down a note letting him know where she would be. She was just about to sign it when the front door opened, and Donovan walked in. Looking from Ms. Edith to Lainey, his eyes narrowed dangerously. “What’s up, sunshine?”
Despite the light, nonchalant tone, her bottom clenched. He wasn’t fooling her – he was pissed. “Um, nothing?”
“What’s that?” He nodded to the note on the counter in front of her.
“Oh. This?” Crumpling the note in her hand, she forced a smile. “Just a shopping list.”
Ms. Edith snorted and levered herself out of the armchair. “Don’t tell stories, Lainey dear. Donny, I was going to take Lainey to meet my friends at the church. I think they could help.”
If Donovan had her powers, Lainey had no doubt the mother of all storms would have opened up right over their apartment. “I appreciate the offer, Ms. Edith. But I can take care of Lainey.” Looking over at his elderly neighbor, he gave her an apologetic smile. “Could you excuse us? We have a lot to talk about tonight.” When he looked back to Lainey, the smile took on a sharp edge and it was all she could do to not put her hands over her bottom. Hell, if it hadn’t been for Ms. Edith, she might have thrown herself at his feet and begged for mercy.
“You’re being stubborn, Donny. But I’ll go. You come find me when you’re ready to listen to reason.” She hobbled to the front door, stopping to turn her head and wink at Lainey. “I’m just across the way if you need anything, dear.”
The door clicked shut behind her and Lainey was left facing Donovan alone. “Donovan, look, I can explain.”
“First of all, it’s Daddy to you, little girl. Second, there is no explanation you can give me that will account for you directly defying my rules. Again.”
“Why do I have to call you Daddy? I know your name. You can’t un-ring that bell, Donovan.” She put a little extra sarcasm behind his name and immediately regretted it when he took a menacing step forward.
“You’re going to keep calling me Daddy, because I’m going to keep paddling your ass when you break my rules. Like right now.”
Panic sent her heart tripping against her ribcage. “It was just Ms. Edith! I didn’t think it was a big deal!”
He took another step toward her, his face set in hard lines. “What did I say before I left? Who were you allowed to open the door for?”
Dammit, why did he have to be so specific? Skirting around the counter as he advanced on her, she shook her head. “I don’t remember.”
“You don’t remember?” he asked, with a calm that was somehow more terrifying than if he’d yelled at her. “You don’t remember what I said to you not two hours ago?”
The ripple of anger under the calm sent a shiver down her spine. “N-no.”
“I’m going to give you one more chance to tell me, little girl.” He stopped stalking her to cross his arms over his chest and glare. “You won’t like the consequences if you lie to me again.”
Lainey stomped her foot, her bare skin stinging when it connected with the worn linoleum. “I told you, I don’t remember what you said!”
In a flash, he was around the counter, wrapping his hand around her arm. “Little girls who keep telling lies get their mouths washed out. Stand here.” He pushed her in front of the sink and swatted her bottom.
“No, please don’t! I’m sorry, I just didn’t want to get in trouble!”
With a disbelieving snort, he cocked an eyebrow at her. “Yeah? How’d that turn out for you?”
“I’m sorry, Daddy!”
“I bet you are.” He grabbed a paper towel and wet it before squirting some dish soap on it and holding it up to her mouth. “Open.”
Clamping her lips shut, she shook her head. No way was she just going to let him put soap in her mouth!
“The hard way, then. You’d think you’d learn.” Daddy used his other hand to grip her face behind her jaws, slowly forcing her lips apart. When her mouth had opened enough, he shoved the paper towel between them. “I swear to God, if you bite me, I’ll whip your ass every day for a week.”
The acrid taste of the soap burned her tongue and Lainey gagged, but she managed to keep herself from biting down. She had no doubt he’d follow through on his threat, since he’d had no problem following through on all the previous ones he’d made.
“Now that we’ve got that mouth nice and full of soap, I have some questions.” Leaning against the counter, he crossed his arms and pinned her with a stern look. “Number one, do you remember what I told you before I left?”
Her mouth, nose, and throat burning, Lainey nodded.
“Yeah. That’s what I thought. So, you remembered that I told you not to open the door for a single soul while I was gone, but you still thought it was okay to let Ms. Edith in?”
She hesitated, tears filling her eyes, but she nodded again.
“Right. And then you thought it was somehow a good idea to lie to me about not remembering what I said, so you wouldn’t get in trouble for blatantly breaking my rules again. I think that about covers it. Unless there’s something else you need to confess?”
Another slow nod from her.
Daddy raised an eyebrow and reached for the paper towel. “Rinse, and then you can tell me what else.”
She practically dove for the faucet and rinsed her mouth out a dozen times, but she finally resigned herself to the fact that she’d be stuck with the soapy taste for a while. “I had ice cream for dinner,” she said, pointing to the bowl on the coffee table.
Daddy looked at the bowl, then back at her. To her surprise, he burst out laughing. “Sunshine, ice cream for dinner is the least of your worries. Or mine, for that matter.” Cocking his head, he studied her with a small smile. “Though I guess it just proves you were feeling more than a little defiant after I left, huh?”
She shrugged. “I guess.”
The smile disappeared and was replaced with a raised eyebrow. “And what happened the last time you were feeling a little defiant?”
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the memory. “You spanked me.”
“That’s right. I whipped your pretty little ass with my belt. You’ve still got a couple marks from it, so I’m a little surprised the lesson didn’t stick.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered hoarsely. It was fitting that he’d insisted she keep calling him Daddy, since she felt exactly like a naughty little girl right in that moment.
He shook his head. “No, if you were sorry, you wouldn’t have disobeyed me again so soon. I don’t know what it’s going to take to get through to you that these rules are for your own safety.”
Guilt swamped her. “I know they are. I just honestly didn’t think it was a big deal.”
Sighing, he scrubbed a hand over his face. “Because it was just sweet Ms. Edith?”
“Something like that.”
“Ms. Edith is sweet. And mostly harmless. But she also has a big mouth. And now we know she’s part of that church, so God knows who she’s going to talk to.”
Sensing her opening, Lainey dived in. “But she said the church could help us.”
“No.” When she opened her mouth to argue, he shook his head. “No. Lainey, I don’t know them and neither do you. We’re getting out of the city, without the help of some cult.”
Frustrated with the hard line he’d drawn, she stomped her foot again. “They’re not a cult!”
“Enough!” His voice cracked like a whip, shocking her into a momentary silence. Dragging a hand through his hair, he glared at her again. “I said no, and as we’ve established, I make the rules. Go to the bedroom and wait for me in the corner.”
She tried a final plea for him to understand. “You’re being ridiculous! They could help!”
He stared her down, unwavering. “One.”
“Fine!” Throwing her hands up, she stomped to the bedroom and faced an empty corner. Beside her, the window lit up with a flash of lightning and the apartment building shook wi
th thunder a second later. The storm soothed her, just as strong storms always had. Now, knowing it was her power, her anger and hurt fueling the whipping winds and the rain, she felt more connected to it than ever.
“Turn it down, Lainey.” She considered it a win for her that she didn’t jump at the sudden command.
“Why? It makes me feel good.”
The anger was gone from his voice when he spoke. “You’re going to hurt someone. It’s getting vicious out there.”
“I’m mad at you.” She winced at the petulant tone of her own voice. But it just wasn’t fair.
“Yeah. I get that. But you’re not going to take your anger out on innocent people.”
He had a point. Closing her eyes, she focused on the storm. Despite the emotions still raging inside of her, she willed it back, until it was nothing more than a patter of rain against the window.
“That’s my girl,” Donovan murmured in approval. “Stay in the corner until I call for you.”
My girl. The phrase bounced around in her mind while she waited in the corner. Was she really his? The thought filled her with so much hope, it bordered on painful. Maybe it made her weak, but the idea of being alone in the world was more than she could bear. It seemed like an eternity before he spoke again.
“All right, sunshine. Let’s have a chat. Why are you standing in the corner, waiting to get your ass blistered?”
Lainey felt her cheeks heat at the question. Jesus, could this get any more embarrassing? “I broke a rule.”
“Which rule?”
Rolling her eyes at the wall, she answered. “About not opening the door.”
“And why did I give you a rule about not opening the door?”
She sighed and kicked at the wall. “Because bad people are trying to find me.”
“Yeah. Real bad people. What if they’d tricked Ms. Edith into getting you to open the door? Or what if she blabs to the wrong person, and they find out you’re here before we can get you out?”