Nash (Daddies of Justice #3)

Chapter 16

Rosie

R osie stood in front of the mirror, her cheeks flushed as she adjusted the hem of her short green elf costume. The white fur trim tickled her thighs. She glanced over at Nash who was dressed in his usual suit, not a hint of holiday cheer anywhere on him.

"You really couldn't be bothered to dress up at all?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Nash looked up from checking his phone. "Not my thing. You look cute, though." His eyes flicked appreciatively over her outfit before returning to the screen.

Rosie's heart fluttered at the small compliment, but she pushed down the emotion. This was just another job for him. Bodyguard duty. She grabbed her coat and followed him out to the car.

She couldn't help wondering if she was finding things to take issue with about Nash. Things that upset her. Maybe if she convinced herself enough times that he was wrong for her, it would make having to leave him after this so much easier. She didn't like the thought of breaking his heart, but she knew for sure now that she didn't want to be a part of Paladin forever. It was too painful, too dangerous. She wanted to get on with enjoying her life.

As they drove through the snowy Chicago streets, an awkward silence filled the space between them. Rosie fiddled with the radio.

"So . . . how are you feeling about . . . everything?" she ventured.

Nash's jaw tightened. "Got some intel on Bobby Fire. He’ll be at the casino tomorrow night. My brothers and I have a plan to take him and his whole operation down."

"Oh. Right. The mission." Rosie tried to hide her disappointment. For a second she'd thought, maybe foolishly, he was going to open up to her.

"I won't let that bastard hurt you or anyone else ever again," Nash said, his tone fierce and protective. "Bobby's reign of terror ends tomorrow."

Rosie shivered, remembering the horrible things Bobby had made her do. The cold press of a knife against her throat.

She looked over at Nash's strong profile as he focused on the road ahead. He'd saved her once. Now he was charging back into danger again to stop Bobby for good. Rosie wanted to beg him not to go, to stay safe with her. To just cuddle up and be her Daddy.

But she knew he'd never back down from this fight. Not until he'd taken out every last monster who preyed on innocent Littles.

And that was part of the problem, too. Being with Nash meant having to accept that she might lose him at any moment.

She reached over and placed her hand gently on his arm. "Just promise me you'll be careful, okay? I need my Daddy in one piece."

Nash glanced at her, something unreadable flickering across his face. He covered her hand with his own, engulfing it in his warmth. "I promise, baby girl. I'll always come back to you."

As they pulled up outside The Den, Rosie tried to shake off the sense of foreboding that gripped her chest. It was nearly Christmas, after all. Tonight’s party was about celebrating the good times. She didn’t feel very merry, but maybe she could fake it.

The heavy bass of Christmas music thumped through the walls as Nash parked the car. He turned to Rosie with a serious expression. "Before we go in, we need to talk."

Rosie's stomach dropped. Nothing good ever followed those words. Was he about to break up with her? Here, now, right before the party? She fiddled with the hem of her short red skirt. "Can't it wait until after?"

"No." Nash's tone brooked no argument. He reached out to still her restless hands. "Rosie, I . . ." He paused, jaw clenching. "Things are going to get dangerous soon. I need to know you'll be safe."

Rosie frowned, not following. "What do you mean? We're just going to a Christmas party . . ."

Nash shook his head. "That's not what I'm talking about." He sighed heavily. "Tomorrow, when we take on Bobby at the casino, I need you to stay far away. No matter what happens in there. Promise me."

Oh. Not a breakup then. Rosie's relief was short-lived as the implications of his words sank in. "Why would I go to the casino?"

Nash winced. “I guess now that you and I are close . . . I just need you to know that . . . if anything happens to me . . . Shit, Rosie, I’m no good at this. I love the hell out of you, baby girl. So much that I feel like I’m ruining everything. But this business with Bobby . . . I won’t rest until it’s over. And then, after that . . . well, after that . . . I’ll talk to you about that a bit later on at the party. Okay?”

Rosie frowned. She was trying to make sense of what Nash was saying, but he seemed so mixed up all the time. He kissed her then he backed off. He made her sign a contract then he backed off again. Mind you, she kept backing off too. They were both trying to protect themselves from . . . something. But what?

“Okay,” Rosie said with a sigh. “Let’s go in and get this over with, shall we?”

“Hey,” said Nash, nudging her chin up with his forefinger. “Look at me.”

She did as she was told, looking into his earnest green eyes. God, he looked so serious, but so, so good.

“You’re going to have fun tonight, Rosie. Trust me.”

She forced a tiny smile. “Yes, Daddy. I trust you.” It felt so good to say that. She meant it, too.

Nash nodded, then captured her lips in a searing kiss, pouring all his pent-up emotions into the tight press of their mouths.

Rosie melted into him, her earlier worries forgotten as desire sparked to life low in her belly.

A loud whoop from the direction of The Den broke them apart. Rosie glanced out the window to see a couple of Littles in elf costumes stumbling merrily across the parking lot.

"Guess we should head in," she said reluctantly. "Before Savannah starts freaking out."

Nash smirked. "You know, I've got a special present for you later, little girl." His heated gaze raked over her body, promising all sorts of naughty things.

Rosie shivered in delight, her core clenching. Maybe this party wouldn't be so bad after all.

Hand in hand, they stepped out of the car and made their way to the back door of The Den. The hieroglyphs seemed to dance in the flickering glow of the string lights.

Inside, the space had been transformed into a Little's Christmas wonderland. A massive tree dominated one corner, dripping with lights and ornaments. Garlands of holly and twinkling lights were strung along the bar and walls. Fake snow dusted every surface and a jaunty carol blasted from the speakers.

Littles scampered to and fro in holiday-themed onesies and cute dresses, their giggles mingling with the clink of glasses. Their Daddies watched indulgently, some dressed as elves or reindeer, others in their usual Dom attire.

The air practically vibrated with giddy excitement and merriment. It felt almost jarring to Rosie, so at odds with the grim discussion she'd just had with Nash. The dissonance left her feeling wrong-footed.

A couple of the Littles waved at her from the bar, but no one seemed to pay her much attention otherwise. Rosie wasn't sure what to do with herself. Normally she'd be behind the bar slinging drinks, not standing around like an awkward wallflower. Should she mingle? Get a drink of her own?

She glanced up at Nash, hoping for some direction, but he was scanning the crowd intently, his bodyguard persona fully engaged. Mentally preparing for tomorrow, most likely. His hand stayed firmly wrapped around hers, his hold inescapable.

Well, then. Looked like she was sticking to his side tonight, while he raked the room for danger. So much for a fun, carefree evening.

Rosie plastered on a bright smile as Savannah bounced up to them, the bells on her elf hat jingling merrily.

"You made it!" Savannah threw her arms around Rosie in an exuberant hug. She stepped back, holding Rosie at arm's length. "Babe, you look smokin'! That elf costume is to die for."

Rosie did a little twirl, showing off the form-fitting green velvet dress trimmed with white faux fur. "You like? I wasn't sure about the candy cane striped stockings, but I think they're growing on me."

Savannah wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Oh, I bet they'll be growing on Nash later too."

Nash made a low sound of agreement and tugged Rosie closer to his side. "My tasty little candy cane," he rumbled in her ear. "Good enough to lick."

Rosie shivered as his teeth nipped at her earlobe. Maybe she could convince him to sneak off for a quickie . . .

But then Savannah was gesturing around the decked-out bar, chattering excitedly. "So, what do you think? I wasn't sure about the snowy mannequin theme at first, but Blake convinced me it would look more glam than creepy . . ."

As her friend talked excitedly about centerpieces and twinkle lights, Rosie felt her earlier unease return. The party swirled on around her in a blur of red and green, laughter and cheer, but it all felt strangely hollow.

How could they all celebrate so merrily when evil men like Bobby were still out there? When Nash was about to put himself in terrible danger?

Rosie snuggled closer to Nash's reassuring bulk, trying to soak up his strength. She had a sinking feeling that this shiny, happy Christmas was the calm before a very nasty storm.

One that Nash might not walk away from unscathed.

Just then, Mia approached them both. She was dressed like a giant present, complete with a big glittery silver bow.

"Sav, this party is absolutely brilliant!" she gushed, kissing her friend's cheek. "You've really outdone yourself."

Savannah beamed. "Aw, thanks, Mimi! I'm so glad you're here." Her eyes flicked over Rosie's shoulder. "Though I notice your handsome Daddy is nowhere to be seen . . ."

Mia smiled. “I think he just went off to do something with Nash.”

Rosie looked behind her, realizing Nash had stepped away. She rolled her eyes. “Work, work, work. They can’t even relax at a Christmas party.”

Mia gave Rosie a funny look. Her lips were twisting in and out of a smile, as though she was hiding something. “Yeah. I know, right? So boring.” She leaned in close to Mia so that only the two of them, plus Savannah, could hear. “How are things going with Mr. Serious?”

Rosie's smile faltered. "Yeah, about that . . . Things have been a bit weird lately. Ever since we signed the contract, Nash has been distant. Pulling away." She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I think he's having second thoughts. That maybe he's decided he's no good for me or something."

Savannah's brow furrowed. "What? That's crazy! Nash adores you, anyone can see that."

"I don't know, Sav. Truth is, I've been pulling away, too." Rosie blinked back a sudden sting of tears. “I don’t know what will happen after . . . you know. After all this Bobby Fire stuff.”

"Oh, honey." Savannah pulled her into a tight hug. "Don't give up yet. You two have something special." She pulled back with an encouraging smile. "I've got to go check on the catering, but we'll talk more later, okay? Keep your chin up."

With a parting squeeze of Rosie's hand, Savannah melted back into the crowd.

“Oh, fudge,” said Mia. “I just realized I said I’d help get the punch bowl set up. Back in a sec!” She scurried off too, leaving Rosie all alone, surrounded by merriment but with a big cloud of uncertainty in her heart. Lost in a sea of merry-making. Where the heck was Nash?

Disheartened, she headed for the bathroom, needing a moment to collect herself. But the instant she stepped inside, a strong hand clamped over her mouth. A hand that definitely wasn't Nash's.

"Don't scream, little girl," a chilling voice hissed in her ear. Rosie's blood ran cold.

She thrashed against the iron grip, but it was no use. She was dragged backward, her heels scrabbling on the tile. Her muffled cries were swallowed by the heavy bass thumping through the walls.

A panel in the wall swung open—a hidden passage she never knew existed. Rosie's eyes widened in terror as she was hauled inside, the opening swallowing her whole before slamming shut.

Darkness engulfed her, but still, she fought, kicking and clawing for freedom. Her captor chuckled, the sound scraping along her spine like nails on a chalkboard. And then, he spoke.

"Hello, runt," his familiar voice growled in her ear, his voice making her want to vomit. "Still got that fightin' spirit, eh?"

Bobby.

"Thought you could hide from me forever?" Bobby sneered, his tobacco-soaked breath hot on her neck. "Naughty, naughty."

Rosie whimpered behind his crushing palm. This was her worst nightmare come to life. Memories of pain and degradation flooded back, threatening to pull her under.

From far away, she could hear the party still in full swing, the innocent voices of her fellow Littles rising in a chant: "Santa! Santa! Santa!"

But that joy, that safety, was lost to her now. With each step, Bobby dragged her further from salvation, the chanting growing fainter, tinny, until there was nothing but suffocating silence and the hammering of her own heart.

Oh god, Nash, where are you?

Tears streamed down Rosie's face as the darkness swallowed her whole.

Please, please find me . . .