Ruled by her Daddies (Harem of Daddies)

“Yes,” he replied. “I wanted you alive, as your death was another headline I didn’t need. But they got a bit carried away when you ran.”

“William wanted to take my father down for all the terrible things he’s done. But all along it was you.”

“Oh, don’t feel sorry for your father. He’s just as bad as I am. But not quite as smart. See, I never wanted the fame. I don’t need all those eyes on me. I work better in the shadows. I was the brains behind it all, your father the frontman. Your father was supposed to go all the way to the White House. But he didn’t have the ratings. He didn’t have enough of a story to get there.”

He tightened his hold on her and she let out a small cry of pain. He smiled. Evil bastard. “That’s when I figured you could help, dear niece. You and William. He knew the score. Your father, and in secret, me, would get him to the White House. He would do what we wanted. But then he went and got a fucking conscience. And you helped him.”

“The man who threatened me? Who is now Lieutenant Governor, is he . . .”

“One of my men? Yes. First, I needed to get rid of William and the evidence. Then I needed to figure out our next move. I still wanted someone in the White House. Roger isn’t perfect, but he’s close. Only there was just one loose end to take care of and I wanted to do it personally. Nobody betrays me and gets away with it. Not your mother. Not you.”

“People know my father is rotten!” she yelled out. “He won’t get away with everything he’s done. Neither will you.”

“Ahh, that’s where you’re wrong. I will get away with it, because no one but your father and my closest people know about my role. And my people wouldn’t betray me. Your father is nearly at the end of his usefulness. I just need him for a bit longer, so his death doesn’t look suspicious. Then he might have some health problems, leaving Roger’s path to the White House that much clearer.”

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He was insane.

“You’d kill your own brother?” she asked.

“Nothing is going to stop me from getting what I want.”

He shoved her back another step until she was teetering on the edge of the pool, held up only by his hand around her arm and neck. Her air was being cut off, her eyes watering as she tried to pull his hand away from her neck.

“I’m sorry I don’t have time to chat, but I’m sure those assholes you’re fucking will come looking for you soon.” A smile lit his face. “You never did learn to swim, did you?”

With a shove, he sent her flying. She flailed in the water, her fear overwhelming her. She couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe. She took in a mouthful of water before her head reached the surface and she gasped in a breath then went under again. Her skirts were so heavy, weighing her down. She couldn’t do this. She was going to die.

Concentrate, jelly bean.

Don’t you drown, princess.

Baby girl, float!

Right. She could float. She could do this. Was he standing there, watching her? He thought she couldn’t swim. If she started to swim, would he hold her under the water to finish the job?

She pretended to move under the water as though fighting. She hoped she was putting on enough of a performance. Then she made herself relax and float. Her air was getting desperately low.

She needed out. Now! She couldn’t take much more.

Just a few minutes more, jelly bean.

You can do it, baby girl.

Get out, now!

Suddenly, an arm wrapped around her waist before she was shoved up to the surface. She tried to fight but she was weak. They broke through the water and she started to cough, spitting out water, her body so weak and chilled that she barely had the energy to shiver.

“It’s okay, princess. I got you. It’s okay.”

Wolfe.

He swam to the steps then picked her up in his arms, cradling her tight as he carried her out. Then he lay her on the ground and started to stand again.

“No! Don’t go! No!” She reached for him. She couldn’t let him leave.

“It’s okay. You’re all right. I have to check on Hux.”