Daddy's Stepstalker (Daddy's Little Deviants)

"What happened?" I asked.

"You don't remember?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded slowly. "I meant after. Did he…?"

I couldn't say the words. In the past, when Ken did that to me, I always fooled myself that I allowed it to happen. That I was using his lust for me against him, but the truth was I'd been scared, and giving in to him was the only way I could get him not to hurt me.

"No, he didn't." Another kiss on my forehead. "I got there in time to stop him. I'm so sorry about Howard.”

“I shouldn’t have invited him over. If not for me, he would be alive.”

“No, this isn’t your fault, and I won’t have you blame yourself for something he did.”

I clung to his shirt even tighter. “But what if he comes back and hurts you? I should disappear again.”

“He can’t hurt me or you anymore, Ari.”

I blinked up at Daddy slowly. “He can’t?”

“No, he’s dead. The bastard’s gone.”

“Are you sure?” I’d thought I’d gotten rid of him before too, but he’d emerged again like a scaly-backed cockroach.

“I’m positive. In fact, the police might be here any minute when they learn you’re awake so they can take your statement.”

“Do I have to?”

“Don’t worry. Just be truthful about what happened at the house. I told them everything I could from when I arrived.”

“Will you tell me?”

“Are you sure? It doesn’t matter now.”

“Yeah, I want to know.”

Daddy had told me what had happened after I blocked out the world around me. I couldn’t believe he shot and killed Ken to protect me. Relief flooded through me.

Before I could ask him anything else, the doctor appeared to check me out. Daddy stepped aside to give the doctor room, but I held on to his hand. If I let him go, he would be gone forever. The doctor took one look at our clasped hands and told Shaw it was okay to stay. He asked me how I was feeling and informed me about my condition over the past eight days. Daddy told me already how long I’d been unresponsive, but hearing it again was surreal.

The doctor was gentle and kind. Gradually I relaxed. Until a nurse announced the police’s arrival.

“It will be fine,” Daddy said.

My throat was dry as two cops entered the hospital room. The doctor had left, but Daddy stayed right with me.

“Aristotle, I’m Detective Cooper and this is Officer Romano,” the taller of the two cops said. “It’s good to see you’re awake. How are you?”

I squeezed Shaw’s hand and sought his help.

“It’s okay, Ari. Go ahead and speak to the cops.”

Officer Romano frowned at Daddy, and he and his colleague shared a look I couldn’t read.

“I’m fine,” I said softly.

“We have a few questions we would like to ask you about the incident at your home,” Detective Cooper said. “But first, Mr. Wheeler, you need to step outside until we’re done here.”

“No!” I shifted restlessly in the bed. “Please don’t go.”