“Are you trying to tell me you can’t handle a twenty-pound little girl?” I toss his words from months ago back at him.
“I don’t want to hurt her, asshole,” he grumbles.
“Yeah,sure,” I smirk.I reach down, scooping Lyraup in my arms. “Uncle Dane says you’re beating him up.”
“I not beat him up, Daddy. Cami says he’s my apoline.”
Ilaugh loudly. “Of course, she did.” I look over to Camilla, who just shrugs.
“He laid in the middle of the floor demanding a back rub.” She crosses her arms and looks downatDane with a wicked grin. “I thought Lyra could do a much better job than me.”
Josephine and Angel both burst intoraucous laughter while Dane grumbles. “Just help me up from here,” he grunts.
“What’s the matter, old man, can’t get those achy bones to work?” Cami taunts him.
Another rumble slips from his chest. “I’ll show youwho’s an old man.”
Laughing, she begins to back up,but she’s not quick enough. He is on his feet with her toss over his shoulder before she gets more than two steps away. I have no idea how he managed todo it in the tiny space. Cami squeals loudly whileDane slaps her ass hard.
“Daddy,” Lyra whispers in my ear. At least, that’s what she thinks she’s doing, “Nane panked Cami.”
I chuckle at her seriousness. “He didn’t hurt her,princess.”
“Nope, not hurt, Lyra,” Cami calls from her upside-down position.
“I would never hurt her, Lyra,” Dane reassures her.
“Okay, Nane.” She’s satisfied. And apparently tired since she is laying her head on my shoulder with those two fingers in her mouth.
“Where’s Cara?” I ask, knowing it’s nearly time to get her ready for bed.
“We gave her the night off,” Josephine tells me. “She needs a minute for herself now and then. She hasn’t had that in nearly three weeks.”
“That didn’t answer the question.” Dane lowers Cami to her feet, giving her a suspicious look. “Where is Cara?”
Cami rolls her eyes. “I’ve told you tostop hovering over her, Big Boy.”
“I’m not hovering. I’m curious and concerned.”
“We sent her to enjoy the festival.” Josephine answers.
I look at them both completely slack-jawed. What in the world would make them think it’s a good idea for her to wander the festival alone. Dane voices my thought before I have a chance.
“Oh, relax,” Cami tells him. “Henry is with her but keeping a respectable distance so she feels like she can enjoy herself.”
“Cawagetwaid,” Lyra says around her fingers.
My stomach clenches. Her words weren’t clear, but I hope mytoddler didn’t just say what I think she did. I look at Dane first, who looks like he wants toexplode,then to Angel, who drops his head in his hand.
I still want clarification, though,because I like the torture. I gently pull Lyra’s fingers from her mouth. “What did you say, Lyra?”
“Cara get waid.”
“Laid?” I question calmly. Though, I feel anything but calm.She nods her head, and I look back at Dane, who is glaring at Cami.
“Where would she have gotten that idea from?” he asks her with his arms crossed.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Cami returns his glare. “Let her have fun. She is a big ball of stress. Let her get some relief.”
