Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Patrick

"Do you have a second?"

Declan and Killian look up from where they're talking as I enter Declan's office.

Both men nod and sit back in their chairs.

"How'd the collection go?" Declan asks.

I lower myself into a seat across from them and lace my fingers together, resting my elbows on my knees. "Yeah, that's what I need to talk to you about. I fucked up."

They glance at each other, then turn their attention back to me, and suddenly, I feel like I'm about to sign my own death warrant.

"I, uh, I went to collect. He didn't have the money. He said he could get hold of ten grand. Of course, I told him that was unacceptable. As I was about to shoot him, he said he had something better for me to pay off his debt."

"Fuck," Killian murmurs. "What did you do?"

"He brought down his daughter. Offered her up. Said she's a virgin, and we could sell her and all this shit."

Declan stands and starts pacing. "Jesus fucking Christ."

"I couldn't leave her there. She's severely underweight and obviously terrified. He hit her right in front of us."

"He hit her?" Killian leaps from his chair.

I nod. "I know we don't sell women, and I don't know what the fuck I'm going to do with her, but I couldn't turn my back on her. I transferred the money from my personal account into the business account. I take full accountability, and I understand if you feel I'm not fit for the top tier."

It will be painful if they demote me. Most men in the ranks can only dream of being where I am. I wouldn't change my decision, though. Getting Ana out of that situation was the right thing to do.

Declan shakes his head and runs his fingers through his hair. "I'm going to tell you what you're going to fucking do."

Shit. This isn't good.

"You're going to get her checked out by the doctor and get her on a nutrition plan to get her healthy again. You're going to get her therapy and anything else she needs to get on her feet. And you're going to stop fucking thinking you don't deserve to be top tier because what you did is exactly why you're perfect for the spot."

I'm speechless as I stare at my boss. Did he seriously validate my actions?

"Oh…" Declan holds his index finger up. "And you're going to transfer the fucking money back into your personal account because you're not paying off that asshole's debt."

I gape at him, unable to form thoughts or words. Ever since Declan became the boss, he's always been fair and good to his men. A lot of people are terrified of him, but this is more of the man I've always known. And I'm touched right down to my core.

"Where is she now? How old is she?" Killian asks.

"She's at my place. Ian and Charlie are guarding her. She's scared out of her mind and will barely speak. I got her first name and her age. She's twenty."

Declan and Killian glance at each other, smirks on their faces. When they look back at me, they both nod.

"Bring her here with you tomorrow if you want. She's welcome anytime. I'm sure the girls would love to make another new friend," Declan says. "Now, go home and make sure she's okay. I'll call Dr. Brady and tell him to visit your place to check on her."

Dipping my head, I smile and let out a deep breath. "Thanks. I appreciate you both."

"Good luck," Killian calls out as I leave.

Somehow, I think I'm going to need it.

* * *

"Hey, squirt."

Cali peers up at me, her eyes lighting up as soon as she sees me. "Hi! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever. You're so busy now with your new job."

Scrunching my eyebrows, I tilt my head. This girl is so fucking confusing. "I just saw you yesterday."

She rolls her eyes. "Semantics, Patrick. Tomato, tomato. Or whatever the saying is."

"I'm pretty sure it's to-may-toe, to-mah-toe. Why would it be tomato, tomato?" I squint, trying to figure out what's happening. "You know what, never mind. I need your help."

"Ohhh." She jumps from the couch and rubs her hands together like we're about to plot something huge. This girl is so fucking dramatic. "You know, it's going to cost you."

Of course it is. I'm afraid to ask what she wants in return. Knowing her, she'll want me to smuggle a fucking elephant onto the estate or something.

She taps her chin and hums, making a show of thinking about it. "Oh, I know. You have to take us girls to Beauty and the Beast on Ice next month. In a super limo. A pink one."

"How did this go from doing something in return for your kindness to all of you? And seriously? A pink super limo? Jesus Christ, lass. Why isn't Declan going with you? I'm sure he'd be thrilled to see it."

He absolutely wouldn't be the least bit thrilled. None of them would be. I'm pretty sure those girls have made them watch that damn movie at least one hundred times. Hell, I've seen it a couple dozen times, and I'm not any of their Daddies.

"Oh, Daddy is going. But he said no to the pink limo. So now you get to come."

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I take a deep breath. Why did I come to her for help? I knew it wouldn't be a quick, easy task. I should have searched the web instead.

"Fine. Deal. Now, I need some women's clothes. Something cute and comfortable. Where should I go?"

Cali arches an eyebrow. "Um, okay. Sure. So I'm not certain where you could get something like that in your size, but maybe look online. They sell everything there."

I stare at her for a long moment, processing. Is she kidding me right now? She's completely straight-faced. Does she truly think I was asking for myself? Jesus.

Then she bursts out giggling so hard she slaps her thighs and clutches her stomach. "Oh, wow. You should have seen your face. Did you start having chest pains? It looked like you were."

My palm twitches with the urge to spank her. She's not mine to do that to, though. Instead, I pull my phone out from my suit pocket and open my messages.

Patrick

Cali needs her ass spanked. Good and hard.

"Hey, what are you doing? Who are you texting?" she asks, her eyebrows drawn together.

"I'm texting your Daddy."

Declan

Noted. She'll be getting the paddle tonight. Apparently she's feeling naughty today because she put a fake mouse in my desk drawer.

"What? Why are you texting him?" Her eyes go round. Good. I've got her attention now.

"Because you're a brat. Really? The mouse prank? That's lame."

She scoffs and puts her hands on her hips. "It's not lame!"

"Yeah, well, your Daddy said you're getting the paddle tonight, so I hope you don't plan on sitting tomorrow. Now tell me where to find some clothes."

"I can't believe you told on me. That's so mean."

"Clothes, Cali Ann."

"Fiiiine. I'll text you a few stores."

"Thank you. Was that so hard?"

"Yes. Why do you need women's clothes? Did you meet someone? Ohhh, is she like us? Are you going to be her Daddy?"

My shoulders tense as panic rushes through me. "No. Fuck, no. She's just someone I'm helping."

Because that's the truth. I have no idea what Anastasia will need from me to get on her feet, but whatever I can do to make it happen, I'll do.

Cali stares at me for a long beat, then shrugs. "Ooookay. Whatever you say, big guy."

Yeah, it was definitely a mistake asking for her help. Next time. I'm going to Chloe or Paisley.