"Float a reward for Ainsley," I grit out. "A million dollars for her safe return."
"Jesus."
"Make it clear that if a single hair on her head is harmed, I will destroy this entire state," I growl. "She comes home safely or whoever touches her leaves in a body bag. And then I'll burn their entire world to the ground."
"Yes, sir," he says, his tone making it clear he knows I mean it.
I grab my keys and head out, eager to get to campus before Milan's class ends. She didn't fight me on allowing Travis to accompany her today, but it wouldn't surprise me if she tried to give him the slip, just to remind me that she's her own person. Things between us may be great, but I'm not stupid. Milan wasn't made to obey. She likes to see how far she can push before I push back and make her submit.
She needs that fight, just like she needs the peace she finds when I punish her or the joy she feels when I take care of her afterward. She calls herself my brat. And says I'm the man she chose to tame her. Let's be honest though…I like my baby girl wild.
Nothing gets my dick harder than Milan does when she's breaking the rules or going out of her way to rile me up. Part of me wants to lock her away so no one else ever gets close to her. I want to surround her with guards who follow her every step. Part of me is fucking terrified of losing her the same way I lost Julian and Marissa.
There are exactly two people in this world with the power to destroy me. The niece I raised and the woman I love. With one of them on the lam, the need to protect the other at all costs is screaming at me. For her sake, I'm trying like hell not to give in. She may love me as deeply as I love her, but if I tried to cage her, I'd break her. I almost did that once already, by failing to claim her when I should have. I swore that she would be safe with me, that she would have everything she needed. I can't take that back now. I won't.
If something were to happen to Ainsley though….
My nerves jangle at the thought, anxiety churning in the pit of my stomach.
I've tried to be a different man since the day I found her in that closet. To be a better man. I looked at her, traumatized and orphaned, and saw my sins with agonizing clarity. I'm the reason she was in that closet. Every day since, I've vowed not to be that man again.
After talking to her today, I feel more like him than ever…and that scares the hell out of me. Milan deserves so much better. I doubt I'll ever believe I'm actually worthy of her. Only a fool looks at an angel and believes he's her equal. I'm no fool. But I want to be a man worthy of her. A man she can be proud to call hers.
I've built my future on a house of cards, and it's one big wind from blowing over. I need Ainsley home safely to keep that monster locked up. I need Milan safe for the same reason. I can't let anything happen to them. They don't have to like it. They don't even have to understand. But I can't risk losing myself to that cold, ruthless motherfucker now that I know what it means to be Milan's daddy, to have her trust.
It would destroy us both.
The need to see her is overwhelming. I desperately need to wrap my arms around her and remind myself that she's here and she's mine and nothing will change that.
It's a cloudless, cold March day. Traffic is minimal. But I still arrive at campus on edge and out of sorts. Travis and I talk for a few minutes before he takes off to find Ainsley's trail.
I call Strand while I wait for Milan.
"Lucas Strand," he says on the third ring.
"Strand, it's Justice."
"Mr. Foster. I was going to call you today. Any word from your niece?"
"None," I lie with frightful ease. "That's why I'm calling. I plan to offer a reward for her safe return and thought you should know."
"What type of reward are you looking at?"
"A million dollars," I say. "To anyone who brings her home safely."
He's quiet for a moment and then, "I see. I'm guessing you want me to run it through the media channels?"
It's my turn to fall silent. The risk is huge. But her being out there on her own is already risky enough, isn't it? Anyone could grab her, hurt her, hold her against her will. And I wouldn't have a clue until it was far too late. At least this way, there's hope. There's a chance of staving off the monster and being the kind of man Milan deserves.
"Run it," I say. I regret the decision as soon as it's made, but I don't take it back.
"I'll get it sent out before I leave the office today," Strand murmurs.
"Yeah, thanks." I disconnect, shoving my phone into my pocket. I turn my face up to the sky and curse. Milan is going to kick my ass when she finds out what I did.
I pace in restless circles, waiting for her class to end.
She trickles out with the rest of the students fifteen minutes later, looking more beautiful than she did when she left the house this morning. Her sweatshirt hangs off her shoulder, exposing her creamy skin and the tantalizing dip of her collarbone. Her pink leggings make her legs seem even longer than usual. Milan is short, but I never really considered just how tiny she is until this moment, when even the other girls in the group stand several inches taller.
Not one of them draws my eye like Milan does. There's something captivating about the way she carries herself, her shoulders back, her head held high. She's a dainty little princess with a warrior's spirit. She's changed since I claimed her. Physically, she's the same, as beautiful as ever. But there's a subtle look in her eyes, a happiness that wasn't there just a few short days ago. Her smile is full of a captivating combination of both womanly satisfaction and girlish innocence. She's not lost in the world anymore. She's finally found where she belongs, finally realized her power.
Her classmates seem to know it too. They cast curious glances her way. Far too many of them are men…boys. They sense that something is different with her. I see it in their eyes. Curiosity. Desire. Lust.
Possessive jealousy whispers through me. I shove my hands into my pockets to hide the way they clench, and stare her classmates down, daring any of them to try to take her. They wouldn't survive the night. They know it too. As soon as they catch sight of me, they stall, finding anywhere to look but directly at me and Milan.
That's right, you horny motherfuckers, she's mine. My baby girl. My world.