The Daddy Box Set

“I’m sure I have a bottle of scotch in a cupboard somewhere. You’re welcome to it. I might add a drop to my coffee, but I can absolutely not afford to be knocked out for a day by a hangover right now.” She sounded distraught by even the possibility.

“Gotcha. I’m on my way. I’ll pick up Chinese on the way.” As far as I knew, my credit card was still active. No doubt my father would deactivate everything soon to force my hand. Which was exactly why I had to figure out where I was going so fast. I would be out on my ass before the end of the month, otherwise.

“Sure, if you want to. I think I still have some leftovers from last night in the fridge. So if you don’t want to stop, it’s all good.” I seriously doubted that whatever leftovers she had in mind were from the night before. I wasn’t about to chance old chicken. I had too much to figure out.

“I’ll stop. It’s not a problem. I’ll see you in about an hour?” I was already stuffing my wallet into my bag and grabbing a light sweater. Not that I would need it, but Heather’s apartment was near the beach, and I liked to be prepared.

“See you then, and drive safe,” she said as she absentmindedly ended the call.

****

“What the hell,” I muttered to myself as my car shuddered and suddenly veered toward the shoulder. I hit the brakes and pulled over, trying to calm my nerves.

I undid my seat belt and hopped out in the near dark, walking around the car. I’d gotten a tune-up a few months ago, so it couldn’t be anything too serious. At least, I hoped so. Otherwise, I would have to go crawling to my father for help with getting it fixed. I had some money saved up, but not enough for a major vehicle malfunction.

“Fuuuuck,” I groaned when I saw that one tire was almost completely flat. Sure, I could fix it myself, but I had never changed a flat in the dark on the shoulder of the road.

The roadside assist sticker on my windshield caught my eye, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, this was why I had roadside assistance. I settled in the driver’s seat and dialed the number. I answered the security questions and waited to be put through to an operator.

The automated voice told me I would be connected to the next available operator, and the knot in my stomach finally came undone.

The man on the other end of the line finally answered. “I’m sorry, Ms. Ralls. It appears that your roadside service has been suspended.”

“Suspended?” It all clicked into place then. My father had made a power play. Suspending my roadside assist service had been a part of it.

I groaned again as headlights pulled in behind me. The last thing I needed was for some creepy guy to pretend to help me while he tried to guilt trip his way into my pants.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m afraid the service was suspended two days ago. I’m sure you could sort it out with the accounts department, but I’m going to have to transfer you.” The disembodied voice informed me.

“Don’t bother. I’ll do it myself.” I ended the call and looked into my side mirror. I kept an eye out for the supposed knight in shining armor to make his appearance. “At least he didn’t dick with my credit cards.” Maybe there was some hope for us after all. Probably not.

The door to the SUV behind me opened and a hulking figure emerged. A vaguely familiar voice called out. “Need any help?”

My breathing hitched as his features came into focus in the side mirror. Short dark hair, chiseled jawline, arrogant swagger.

Oh, hell no.

The very last person I wanted to see appeared at my door.

James Skye. Fucking great.

“No, I’m okay. Just a flat. I got it.”

He leaned into my window like it was the most natural thing on earth. Mesmerizing eyes stared at me, dancing slightly, like he was amused.

“It doesn’t look like you got it. Come on, pop the trunk. It’s just a flat. I’ll have you back on the road in a few minutes, tops.”

Were his eyes blue or green? I couldn’t see in the fading light. Then I kicked myself mentally for even wondering.

“No, really. I can do it myself.” I popped the trunk and heaved myself from the car.

He watched as I pried at the latches holding the spare tire in place. Then, he shook his head and gently pushed me out of the way. His nimble fingers fiddled with the latches.

“I know you can do it by yourself, but I’m offering to do it for you. Let me prove that chivalry isn’t dead.”

I would’ve rolled my eyes if I wasn’t so grateful that I wasn’t by myself in the dark anymore. Even though I would never admit it. “As long as the record shows that I didn’t need your help.”

He smirked. “I figured you’d studied law from the conversation between you and your father the other day. So, rest assured, the record will correctly reflect that I swooped in to save the damsel in distress, despite the fact that she was perfectly capable of saving herself.”