18. Kane

After leaving Haylee to nap, he went into his office and called Luke.

"Hey, man," Luke greeted when he answered.

"Give me some good news, please?"

"Would love to. I wish I could. Parker still hasn't been found. Found out that he got the job by using his real name but another Tim Parker date of birth and social security number for the background check."

"Do we know where he's from? Does he have a family that he could be running to?"

"He's originally from Dallas, Texas. He still has family who lives there, and police have been alerted down there. You know just as well as I do, though, that a domestic violence charge isn't going to cause a major manhunt. You know police resources are stretched thin everywhere, and since she is out of immediate danger from him, they aren't making finding him a first priority."

Kane felt ill. He knew what Luke was saying was the honest truth. He had worked in the force for long enough to know that.

"I'll send out more of my guys to search for him. He needs to be found. Haylee is having nightmares."

Luke let out a heavy breath. "We'll find him. It's only a matter of time. Until then, take care of her and be there for her when she's scared. She looks at you like you are her hero. Give her some boundaries and a safe space to bloom, and I'm sure she will feel much better."

"When the hell did you become so insightful?"

Luke laughed. "You know I'm right."

"I'm trying. I'm trying to move slowly, though. She just got out of an abusive relationship, and I need to tread carefully. I don't want to scare her."

The last thing he wanted was for her to be frightened of him or think he was too controlling.

"I don't get the feeling that she's scared of you. I didn't say anything to Ally, but I also sensed some pretty strong Little vibes coming from her."

Yeah. Kane sensed that too. His Daddy radar had been going off since the first time he'd heard her voice over the phone. Not to mention that she told him she thought he would be a good Daddy.

"She told me she thought I would make a good Daddy last night when she was half asleep."

"Okay, you're going to have to expand on that, buddy."

Kane explained how he told Haylee that he was a Daddy Dom and about the events that had happened when he'd found her in the garage putting her sheets in the wash. He trusted Luke and knew the conversation would stay between them.

Luke whistled when Kane finished talking. "You need to take a chance. You won't know unless you try, and it's obvious that she is feeling something towards you. Don't hold yourself back just because of what happened to her. Maybe she needs your possessive, bossy side right now. That might give her the comfort she needs."

He knew Luke was right. Littles often found security when they had rules and boundaries set for them, along with consequences when those set rules and boundaries were broken. He'd seen tiny glints of Haylee as a Little, and every time he'd flexed his Daddy side with her, she'd responded in a way he would expect a Little would. He knew she was holding back her Little. It was possible she didn't even realize she was a Little. But as he replayed their interactions through his mind, he knew without a doubt that she was definitely what he'd suspected she was.

"Hate to say that you're right. I do need to take a chance in a way that won't scare her."

"I usually am right," Luke said, sounding utterly pleased with himself.

They ended their call, and Kane made arrangements to send some of his guys down to Dallas to search for Tim. He would send guys to every state if he needed to. He would find the asshole and make him pay for what he did to his girl.

Idiot, she's not your girl. Yet.

He shook his head, trying to clear his mind of Haylee so he could work. Not that it helped. His mind hadn't stopped racing in days. He wanted to make her world right again and see her happy and carefree. To allow him to take care of her so she didn't have to worry about doing it herself anymore. She'd been carrying the weight of her abuse for far too long. She deserved to feel weightless and safe, and he was the person she would learn to trust and come to anytime she was feeling sad or scared.

Kane was staring at his computer screen so intently, trying to focus on something other than Haylee, he didn't even notice her standing in the doorway until she knocked lightly.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," she said, looking worried.

"You didn't, I just didn't see you there. Come in, sit down."

She walked in slowly as though unsure of herself. He hated that she felt the need to be so cautious… especially around him. His cock hardened as he watched her. Her hair was a mess from her nap, and she looked like she was still waking up as she sat in the chair in front of his desk, directly across from him. He groaned inwardly at the thoughts running through his mind.

Say something, idiot. She's sitting here awkwardly. Make her feel comfortable.

"Your hair is a mess."

Smooth, asshole.

Her face fell as her hand came up to her hair.

"But it looks adorable," he rushed out in an attempt to save himself.

A smile crept over her lips as she lowered her eyes. "Oh."

"You look like an adorable Little girl who just woke up from her nap and came to find her Daddy."

Way to go slow.

A blush crept up from her neck to her cheeks, and he couldn't help but smile. She squirmed in her seat, and he hoped that her squirming meant his comment did something to her. But she wasn't looking at him, so he couldn't get a good read from her eyes. She looked around his bare office and then finally lifted her gaze to him.

"What is it that you do exactly?" she asked quietly.

"I own a private investigation company. I contract with a lot of government and military branches to investigate a variety of issues. Things like fraud, internal conspiracies, or activities taking place that might be under the radar but are illegal. I also contract with people who need things investigated for whatever reason. Anything from a cheating spouse to finding a long-lost relative to investigating a murder that has gone cold. I'm very good at finding things out, and I have a lot of men throughout the United States that work for me as well who are just as good."

She stared at him as though he was crazy.

"That sounds like a really dangerous job."

He grinned. "You sound worried about me. Don't you remember that I wrestle alligators? My job is cake compared to the alligators."

Haylee smiled wide, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling with delight. It was a pure angelic smile that he would imagine on her while in Little space.

"Those poor alligators. They don't stand a chance with you."

"No, they sure don't."

Her smile faded, "Do you think you will find Tim?"

"We'll find him, baby. He isn't as smart as me and the people that I know. You are safe with me. You just need to make sure you follow the rules while you're here and do what I say."

Something flashed in those baby blues. Interest, maybe?

"Rules?" she asked quietly.

Kane leaned back in his chair, lacing his hands together across his stomach, and studied her. She squirmed under his gaze. Yeah, something was there with her and the thought of rules.

"Yep. Rules, baby. I need to keep you safe, which means I need you to follow my rules."

She swallowed heavily. Aw, his baby was nervous. How cute.

She's not your baby yet. Go slow. Don't scare her.

"The biggest rule right now is that you don't go outside of the house without me. That's pretty obvious, though. Think you can follow that one?"

She nodded. "I don't really want to go anywhere right now."

"Good. Another rule is that you must follow Logan's recommendations, and I will enforce them. That means eating, napping, bedtimes, taking medicine, all the things he recommended. I will help you with all of that."

The look of contentment and relief that washed over her face made his stomach unravel. He wanted to be her safe place, and it seemed that when she knew he would help her with things, she was more relaxed. Her hands began to twist together nervously.

"What's wrong, baby alligator?"

"Can I ask something?" she asked quietly.

To be her Daddy? Because the answer would be hell yes.

She took in a deep breath and let it out. Whatever it was, she was trying to get some courage.

"Why do you care what happens to me?"

Okay, wasn't expecting that. Not. At. All.

Memories bubbled up in his stomach, causing him to wince. She needed his honesty. She needed to know where his drive to protect her came from. Only the thought of talking about it out loud with her made him feel woozy. He stared at her blankly, wondering just how much he should tell her.

She stood from the chair, looking ready to bolt. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

"Stop. Sit."

Haylee met his gaze but stayed standing.

"Sit."

She slowly sat back down, lowering her eyes from his. He didn't like that. Just because she was submitting to his command didn't mean she couldn't look him in the eye.

"Look at me, baby alligator."

Her eyes lifted to his. Pure and sweet but scared and insecure.

"My dad abused my mom. My brother, Damian, and I are only eleven months apart in age. We grew up hearing the fights. When we were younger, it was just a lot of screaming and yelling directed at her, but as we got older, he started hitting her. Damian and I came home from a party one night, and he was screaming at her and slapping her around. We pulled him off of her and beat him up pretty bad. He was our dad, but he had become a complete monster, and our mom was the best mom anyone could ever ask for.

"My mom pulled us off of him when she heard sirens and told us to get out of the house before the cops showed up so we wouldn't get arrested. Our dad was down on the ground, so we did what she told us. We left the house and ran. We heard a gunshot before we even reached the end of our street. We ran back towards the house, and before we got to the porch, we heard another gunshot. When we went inside, my mom and my dad were dead on the floor, and the gun was still in my dad's hand. So, any kind of abuse is a huge trigger for me. Also, even though we just met, I care about you, Haylee."

A sob from Haylee brought his attention to her. She stood and flew over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck so tight that if she was any stronger, he might pass out.

"I'm so sorry, Kane. I-I… I don't even know what to say. That is the most horrible thing I've ever heard."

He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and pulled her into his lap, letting her hug him. He wrapped his arms around her waist gently and hugged her back. He needed her comfort just as much as she needed his.

"Thank you, baby," he whispered against her ear.

After a long while of holding her, she pulled herself back from his chest to look at him, their faces only inches from each other. Before he could stop himself, he leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. A small moan escaped her as he deepened the kiss slightly, being careful of the cut near her bottom lip. He didn't want to pull back, but he wouldn't risk causing her pain.

Her face hovered close to his, and he couldn't help but give her several small kisses along her jawline. She smiled softly, resting her forehead on his. Her scent of vanilla and peaches surrounded him and caused his cock to throb against her ass. He hoped she wouldn't notice. He couldn't exactly help it, but he didn't want her to feel uncomfortable.

His phone rang, startling Haylee. She tried to jump off his lap, but he held her there as he reached for his cell phone on the desk.

"Stay."

She relaxed against his chest again.

"Yeah?" he barked into the phone.

"Whoa, did I call while you were jerking off?" Logan asked.

Kane growled. Logan chuckled.

"How's my sweet Little patient doing?"

"She's doing fine. What do you want?" he demanded.

He knew Logan was fucking with him, but he was in no mood for it. Haylee was his, and he didn't give a shit if Logan was one of his best friends; he would still kick his ass and put him in a grave if he made a move on her.

"Easy, man. Down, boy. No need to get all territorial. You don't need to pee on her. I already know you have feelings for her. I'm just giving you shit."

He scowled but felt himself relax a little. Logan would never cross that line. He knew that. But the possessiveness he felt for Haylee was overriding his rational thinking.

"Right, anyway, I am just calling to let you know that Haylee's blood work came back. Is she there with you?"

"Yeah. She's here. Sitting in my lap," he said.

He wanted to make sure Logan knew without a doubt that she was his.

Haylee let out a squeak, her cheeks flushing to a bright shade of pink.

"Can I talk to her?" he asked, sounding amused.

"I'll put it on speaker."

Kane switched it to the speaker. "We're on speaker."

Logan cleared his throat. "Hi, Haylee. It's Logan. I got your test results back. Would you like to talk privately, or are you okay with the ogre being on the line as well?"

She eyed him with uncertainty. He didn't know if she was looking for an answer from him or not, but he wouldn't make that decision for her. Ultimately, she wasn't his yet, and he would give her the space and privacy if she asked for it. He wouldn't like it, but he would honor it. He just gave her a small smile.

"Hi, Logan. It's okay if he hears."

"Okay. Well, I just wanted to let you know that all your STD tests came back negative. You are low on iron, though, so you need to eat more meat, especially red meat. Beans and spinach are also good sources of iron. Once you get back up to a good iron level, it should help with your energy levels. We will try to stabilize your levels with food alone, but I will recommend a supplement to help if that doesn't work. The protein shakes that Kane has for you have a good amount in them as well, so those will also help."

"Okay. Thank you, Logan."

"You're welcome, sweetheart. Are you doing okay over there with Kane? Is he being nice to you?"

The humor was back in Logan's voice, making Kane roll his eyes. Haylee grinned, a hint of mischief in her expression. He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yes, I'm doing good. He hasn't given me any stickers, which is kind of mean, but he is still being mostly nice."

He grumbled quietly and rolled his eyes. Good God, she was so cute. Even when she was being a bit of a brat. It hadn't come out very much yet, but he suspected there was more brattiness under the surface that she wasn't comfortable showing yet.

Logan laughed. "Well, I'll bring you more stickers the next time I come."

"Anything else you need?" Kane asked impatiently.

"Nope. That's it. Get a hold of me if you have any questions. I'll check in soon."

"Yeah, you do that," he grumbled before ending the call.

Haylee shook her head and smiled. "You two have a weird relationship."

"I can see I'm going to have to fight off guys from trying to hit on you left and right."

She giggled. "Are you jealous of Logan?"

Yes.

"No."

"That's good. Because I definitely prefer alligator wrestlers over yucky doctors."

Thank fuck for that.