Page 15 of Daddy's Mad Love

“You’re correct, Clara.” Giacomo’s hand slid away from my waist. He was standing on my left side, so it was easy for him to take my left hand in his, lifting it up in front of us. “Let me fix that right now.”

Time seemed to stop as he reached into his jacket, the world turning into a blur around us. I watched with horror, unable to move or speak, as he pulled out a ring with a massive diamond. Even in the dim light of the club, it seemed to catch every bit of light, sparkling as if the noon sun was shining on it.

Giacomo slid it on my finger.

It was cold and heavy and felt as if it weighed far more than it actually did. The center diamond was huge, surrounded by a cluster of smaller diamonds and emeralds. If it wasn’t so showy, I might have liked it, but it was too big, too gaudy. The kind of ring that would always be noticed.

This wasn’t about giving me a ring I would like. This was about putting a visible shackle on me, one that proclaimed me the property of a man… of Giacomo.

Jack

Enjoying the way Clara’s eyes bulged at the sight of the ring I’d just adorned my fiancée’s finger with, I wrapped Hailey’s hand around my arm. Her fingers now rested atop my forearm, showing off the flashy piece to anyone who glanced at us. There was certainly no way anyone could mistake her for anything but taken.

From the look of distaste on Hailey’s face as she stared at her hand, she knew it, too, and she didn’t like it.

She’d get used to it.

“Say goodbye to your friend, Hailey. It’s time to go,” I said, drawing her attention back to me. Her head jerked up.

“I don’t want to go yet.” As if realizing she’d been too combative with her statement, she immediately softened her expression, leaning toward me with a smile. “Can’t I stay a little longer?”

“No.” I was tired of the club and didn’t want her thinking she could sweet-talk her way around my orders. Eventually, I’d be able to be more indulgent, but not at the beginning of our relationship. There would be no sign of weakness on my part when it came to her, not until she learned the rules and to obey them.

Anger flashed in her eyes, but before she could say anything, Clara was already jumping forward, like a tiny dog convinced she was a mastiff.

“She can stay if she wants to!”

Gio pulled her back against him, and Clara screeched, tugging uselessly at his arm as though she thought she would actually be able to remove it from her person without his cooperation. Looking down at the top of her head with total bemusement, Gio tilted his head and watched her.

Hailey’s hand on my arm tightened. She turned toward me, tilting her head back so she could direct her words to my ears and my ears alone, speaking just loudly enough for me to hear her.

“Make him leave her alone, and I’ll go with you.”

It only took a moment of consideration to agree. Gio knew where to find Clara and could do so on his own time. Calling him off her tonight would do no harm, especially if she saw Hailey leave willingly with me.

“Let the little blonde go, Gio,” I said. “We need to go.”

“Hailey!” Clara’s stumbled forward when Gio let her go, holding out her hands in front of her. I kept hold of the hand Hailey had on my arm, but she clasped Clara’s hands with her free one. “You don’t have to go with them.”

“Yes, I do.” Hailey leaned forward to whisper in Clara’s ear. I don’t think she meant me to hear, but I was close enough to make out her words. “You need to stay away from me.” Stepping back, Hailey let go of Clara’s hand. The blonde looked stunned.

“Goodbye, Clara. It was nice to meet you.” I smiled at her, but she didn’t smile back.

“Goodbye, Clara.” There was a note of finality in Hailey’s voice. She was doing her best to cut ties with her friend, likely thinking she’d be safer. Unfortunately for Clara, I didn’t think Gio’s interest had been dissuaded by her actions. He’d always liked feisty women. We had that in common.

Leading Hailey from the club, we left her friend behind, Gio trailing us out. To my surprise, she didn’t protest when I led her to the car waiting for us, getting in willingly. I got into the back beside her while Gio got in the front next to the driver, Tony. Sliding my arm over her shoulders, I pulled her in next to me. She came, stiff and reluctant, but slowly softened next to me as it was more comfortable to lean against me.

“Good girl,” I murmured in her ear. She didn’t answer, turning her head away from me so I couldn’t see her expression, but I felt her shiver. She liked the accolade, even if she didn’t want to.

Staring out the window, she pretended to ignore me as I drew little circles on her shoulder with my fingers. Leaning my head back against the rest, I closed my eyes. It had been a long day, but this was nice. My soon-to-be bride tucked up against me, my cock satisfied for the first time in days, and the knowledge of how perfect she was for me now assured.

I was going to be very happy with Hailey as my wife.

Though she didn’t seem to feel the same way about me. Suddenly stiffening beside me, her voice came out high and shrill.

“This isn’t the way to my home. Where are we going?!”

7