He did not like hearing him call her baby. Daisy didn’t move. Worry filled Jed and Macca frowned at him. Yeah, he was aware she wasn’t really with them and that wasn’t good.
Jed took gentle hold of her shoulders to pull her back. She made a funny little noise and tried to bury in closer.
“Sugar, look at me.”
Another noise.
“Babe.”
Still nothing.
“Daisy, look at me.” He forced some steel in his voice. And she stiffened. He leaned in and whispered against her ear. “I just want to see your face, gorgeous. Everything is all right. You’re okay.”
She took in a breath, leaned back. She was pale. He took hold of her wrist, taking her pulse. It was fast. Macca slipped up close behind her.
“Sure, you’ll be right?”
“Yeah, I got her.”
Macca reached out and touched her shoulder lightly. She jumped and turned towards him.
“I’ll see you later, all right, love? You did real good tonight.”
“Th-thanks.” She took a breath, straightened her shoulders. Brave, his girl. “And thanks for all your help.”
Macca smiled. “Anytime, love. I’m here for whatever you need.”
Jed gave him a look but the other man just shot him a big smile. Bastard.
Then everyone was gone and the house was empty. And quiet. Too quiet. He could sense Daisy was starting to go somewhere else again.
“Baby, I need you to stay with me, all right?” He took her face between his hands.
She stared up at him in surprise. “I am with you.”
“Right. Physically. Mentally, your mind is going somewhere else. I should never have let you stay here.”
She stared into his eyes; her gaze clear. “You had to. You didn’t know where he was watching from. Or who it was. He might have seen me leave. It was the best way to catch him. And hopefully, I’ll be able to sleep now that he’s caught.”
She was completely exhausted, but also wound up. He needed to get her settled down so she could sleep. And there was one way he could think to do that.
“I feel sick. My heart is pounding. I’m still shaking. How can I sleep like this?”
“I’m going to help you.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
After the way he’d acted, he was certain he didn’t deserve her trust. But he would take it. Cherish it. And make certain he never gave her a reason to regret giving it again.
“Adult Daisy might not be able to sleep, but Little Daisy can.”
She stilled. Bit her lip. “I don’t think I’m in the right headspace.”
“That’s why I’m here to help. I want to check the house over one more time, make sure it’s all shut up.”
“I’ll come with you,” she said quickly.
He wrapped an arm around her. He noticed her feet dragging, how much she leaned against him. They reached the bottom of the stairs and instead of leading her up them, he picked her up, cradling her against him with one arm under her ass, her legs wrapped around his waist, her arms tight around his neck.