Page 172 of Daddy’s Fortitude

“He’s got his own cooking facilities. He’s a big boy. He can take care of himself.”

She frowned. That didn’t seem very nice.

“We could invite him inside. I don’t need this much food.”

“Yes, you do. And why would I want to invite him inside?”

“Isn’t he your friend?”

“No,” he said.

“Oh. Well, he’s your work colleague, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t you like him very much?” she asked.

He shrugged. “He’s all right. As good as anyone else.”

“Oh, you just don’t seem to treat him as though you like him.”

“Maybe this is the way I treat anyone who’s not you.”

She wasn’t sure that was entirely true. “Maybe you should treat other people a little nicer.”

“Why would I want to do that?”

Good Lord. He was incorrigible.

He settled down next to her, but didn’t immediately start eating his own dinner. Instead he started cutting hers into bits.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Cutting up your food for you.”

“Yeah, I can see that, but why?”

“So I can feed you,” he replied.

“You don’t need to feed me,” she said. “I can feed myself.”

“But will you? You don’t really eat enough. And this way, Daddy can make sure that you do.”

She sucked in a breath at those words. “Daddy?”

“Yes, Daddy. Daddy wants to make sure that you’re well taken care of. Is that a problem?”

“Problem?” she repeated.

“Are you just going to repeat everything I say?” he asked, sounding amused.

“Am I? I mean, no, I’m not. It’s just . . . what’s happening right now?” He forked up a piece of steak and blew on it before he held it to her lips.

“I saw what you were reading on your e-reader,” he said to her. “And I thought it might be time for us to explore this side of our relationship.”

“You looked at what I was reading? Don’t you know that what a girl is reading is sacred? Whatever is on her e-reader is private. You’re not supposed to go looking. It’s like looking at somebody’s computer or phone.”

He gave her a stern look. “There are no secrets between us, Little girl.”