“I’m not a baby, I know how to swim.”
“I know you’re not a baby. But even the strongest swimmers have accidents in the ocean. No more going in without me, okay?”
“But Daddy—”
“Olivia.”
She pouted, her full bottom lip sticking out so far he could’ve landed a 747 on it. “Fine, I won’t have any fun without you.”
Raising an eyebrow, he gave her ass a hard squeeze. “Someone seems keen to ride home on a very sore bottom this afternoon.”
“No, Daddy.” Resting her head on his shoulder, she sighed. “I’m sorry I scared you and I won’t go in the ocean alone again.”
“Much better. Now, how about some waffles?”
Chapter Nineteen
Olivia was fightingsleep by the time they turned into their neighborhood. Despite sleeping like a rock the night before, she’d worn herself out with swimming and other activities with her daddy.
But when she spotted Bryant’s car in their driveway and the figure sitting on their front steps, every trace of sleepiness fled.
“Something’s wrong. James, did he call you? What’s going on?”
“I don’t know, Livvy. Olivia!”
She’d unbuckled and jumped out of the car before he had a chance to put it in park. Racing for the front steps, she called his name. “Bryant! What’s wrong?”
Bryant lifted his head, and the sadness in his eyes stole her breath. Pushing to his feet, he reached for her. “Livvy, sweetheart. It’s Shannon. She’s in the hospital.”
The world spun violently. “What? No. You’re lying.”
“No, sweetheart, I’m not. I saw it on the news this morning, and I made some calls. She was attacked last night.”
“Daddy?” She turned into James, but even his strong arms couldn’t hold off the sobs rising in her throat.
“I know, baby. Let’s get you inside so you can lie down.”