“Oh God. I don’t understand.”
“What is it?” Caleb asked sharply.
“That . . . that’s the mystery man.”
39
Wolfe watched her for a long moment before walking into the playroom. He wasn’t the most aware person, he knew that. But from the way she was frowning as she read the book, he could tell something was wrong. She held Piggles in one hand and occasionally rubbed him up against her nose. Her forehead was puckered like she had a headache.
“Something the matter with the book?”
She looked up, startled.
“We need to work on your situational awareness,” he told her.
“Huh? What?”
“Being aware of your surroundings.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “I’m used to always being aware. I guess I’ve grown to feel safe here.”
Satisfaction filled him. He liked that she felt secure here. That she knew they would keep her safe. Last evening, after her father’s press conference, she’d been kind of quiet. They all had been. This was a development no one had expected. Wolfe had stayed up half the night doing research on their mystery man, finally coming into her bedroom while she slept between Aleki and Caleb.
“Should you be reading if you have a headache?” he asked her, crouching down next to her.
“It’s not too bad. Guess I’m a bit tense.” She sat up straighter. “Did you find something more out about the mystery man?”
He didn’t like how stressed she was. They were supposed to be keeping her stress levels low. Although he had a feeling that wouldn’t happen until this mess with her father was settled.
“No. Nothing new. According to all that we’ve learned, Roger Mitel is an upstanding citizen with no links to your father or to William that we can find.”
It was bizarre. There had to be some link but whatever it was, they were missing it.
“I don’t get why my father would name him as his lieutenant governor,” she said. “I could tell someone that he threatened me.”
“Question is, would anyone believe you?”
Her shoulders slumped. “Likely not. Especially since my father implied that I’ve had a breakdown.”
He had to admit that was a smart play.
“Come on, we’re going out.”
“Go out?”
“On a date.” He figured it was a good way to distract her from her thoughts. “And you’re still owed a reward from the other day when you were a good girl and let Obian tend to your burn.”
He glanced around the playroom. It was still so generic. And she hadn’t really touched any of the toys. Just the paints and coloring pencils.
Maybe she didn’t like the toys he’d chosen. Maybe she wanted to pick her own.
“You like that book?” He nodded to the book in her hand.
“It’s really good. Caleb said it’s your favorite?”
“Actually, my favorite is this one.” He drew out another book. “This one is about some firemen and EMTs who are all Daddies. They’re all in menage or reverse harem relationships with their Littles. It’s the same author.”
“Oh, I’ll read this one after I’ve finished.”