Alpha CEO

Autumn groaned, snapping her attention out the window.

“What does entrepreneur mean?”

“It means I made something from nothing.”

“Oh, that’s so cool. How do I do that? I want to make a lot of money too.”

“Capri!”

I laughed. She had no filter, exactly like me. “I’ll tell you what, baby girl. You can take over my empire one day.”

“Really?” Her gaze went wide. “I can be an entrepreneur too! Momma, did you hear? I’m going to be just like Daddy!”

Autumn pinched the bridge of her nose. “Julian, do you have any pain meds? I have a pounding headache.”

I pressed the button by my chair.

“Yes, Mr. Locke,” Katie, the stewardess, announced through the speakers.

“I’d like some ibuprofen.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be right out.”

“Daddy, do you always order people around?”

I grinned.

“Momma says I’m bossy.” She shrugged, giggling. “I guess I get it from you.”

“You’re too smart for your own good.” In my eyes, she was perfect.

“Daddy, do you think we can get a puppy?”

“Capri,” Autumn chimed in. “I already told you. I don’t have time to take care of a puppy.”

“I know, Momma, but it’d be my puppy, so I would take care of it.”

“I can barely get you to clean your room.”

“Why do I have to clean my room when we have a cleaning lady?”

I nodded. “Valid point.”

Autumn rolled her eyes. “Why do you think we have a cleaning lady?”

“But, Momma, a puppy would give me responsibilities. Don’t you want me to be a responsible child?”

This kid.

“No puppy, Capri.”

“I didn’t ask you—I asked my daddy.”

“Sweetheart, don’t speak to your mother like that.” I winked at her. “Even though you have a solid argument.”

She smirked, reminding me so much of her mother. Christian was right—I swear, Capri could be Autumn’s twin.

“Daddy, can I tell you about all my favorite things?”

“I’d love that.”

She unbuckled her seatbelt and walked across the aisle to sit next to me. For the next hour, she did all the talking. Catching me up on her favorite colors, shows, books, clothes, numbers, food, ice cream, and everything else in between. I loved every single second of it.

When she grabbed my hand, laying her head on my arm, I was a fucking goner. She had me wrapped around her little finger, and I’d only met her yesterday. Kissing the top of her head, I allowed my lips to linger for a moment before I leaned my chair back and laid against the headrest. I never slept much, but having my baby girl holding me close made it easy to pass out.

I woke up to the airplane landing, and Capri was now in my arms, her head on my chest with half her body over mine. There was a blanket covering us, and I didn’t have to wonder who did that, knowing it was Autumn. Our stares connected. Her eyes were red, and her face was flushed. She’d been crying.

I cocked my head to the side, silently asking.

She replied, “I just have a migraine.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but the pilot announced through the speakers we were home. Unaware of how true his words were, Capri grabbed my hand, holding the stuffed animal I’d bought for her, not wanting to meet her for the first time emptyhanded.

My driver was waiting for us on the tarmac. I opened the door for Capri and Autumn. After they were inside the SUV, I sat down, and Capri slid closer to my side again. I could sense Autumn was getting jealous of the attention she was giving me. She was used to having her all to herself. Instead of allowing it to become an issue, I moved a seat over from her, leaving the empty one in the middle for Capri.

Autumn hid back a smile when she realized I’d done that for her.

—Autumn—

In less than an hour, we were driving past the gold security gates of Julian’s estate. To say this ranch was massive would be a definite understatement. I’d seen some huge properties with my clients, but this one might take the cake. We drove down a long, circular driveway which was surrounded by beautiful landscaping and a fence that looked like it was made out of high-end wood. No one could see onto the land unless they had access to enter though the security box.

A ranch-style home was in the center of the open field, surrounded by stone pathways in between the tall columns that split up the different wings of the house. There was a big garage port on the side of the main home, where I imagined several of Julian’s vehicles were housed. The smell of the farmhouse from the back of the estate made me smile wide.

“Wow, Daddy.” Capri took the words right out of my mouth. “Is this where we’re going to live?”

He simply nodded as if this place wasn’t incredible. His driver parked in front of the courtyard doors, revealing four older women dressed in maid uniforms. They greeted us as we exited the SUV. Of course, Julian instantly dismissed them with a wave of his hand.