Daddy’s Orders (Silver Fox Daddies)
Chapter 26

I couldn’t have asked for a better night for a memorial. The air was calm, with just the right touch of warmth. The sunset was by far the most beautiful I’d seen since coming to the island. Deep, blood-reds and burnt-oranges surrounded the sun itself, a sheet of dark purple dotted with twinkling stars above.

The beauty of the setting was not enough to suppress the sadness in my heart, however.

The entire staff, all three dozen men and women, had gathered for the memorial. The staff had brought bouquets of gorgeous flowers to decorate, and the stunning, lifelike drawing that Marianne had spent all day creating was situated on a stand next to me.

Marianne, Pearl, and Logan were seated in the front row. It seemed a bit premature to think about, I knew, but as I laid eyes on the three of them I couldn’t help but feel like I was with my new family.

“She was the closest thing to a mother I’d ever had,” I said. “And I know she loved me like a daughter. Thank you all for coming tonight. If we keep her in our hearts, we can make sure that her memory is never forgotten.”

A tear that I’d been holding back fell from my eye as I finished. Logan rose, coming over to my side with a tissue and placing his hand on my shoulder.

With that, Pearl rose and pressed play on the speaker. Gorgeours Arias flowed from the speakers, Marta’s favorite kind of music. Logan wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and I placed my head against his chest.

I had no idea what I would’ve done if Logan and the rest hadn’t been there for me. I’d lost Marta, and that was a wound to my heart that wouldn’t be healing anytime soon. But I had love and support, two notions that I’d never enjoyed before. That is, aside from what Marta had given me. Even in the end, she’d been trying to take care of me the best way she knew how.

“I’m sorry, Emily.” I took my face from Logan’s chest to see Marianne standing before me. She looked gorgeous in her simple sundress. “I miss Marta so much, and I’m sure you do, too.”

“I do. But thank you, Mar. And thank you for the painting.”

She smiled. “It’s pretty good, right? I think I might hang it up in my house so we can always have something to remember her by.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” I agreed.

“Listen,” Pearl said as she joined us. “I’ve been to my share of funerals, and I know that eating’s usually the last thing on your mind, but there’s a reason it’s a tradition to always have lots of food—you need to eat and keep your strength up.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Take a seat,” Logan said. “I’ll put together a plate for you.”

Pearl stepped over and gave me a hug, then Logan lead me into a nearby chair. The rest of the staff was at the long table packed with food. Though I wasn’t hungry myself, it made me happy to see all of them eating and chatting. Marta would’ve wanted it that way.

I spotted Roberto in the middle distance. He stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes scanning the scene—no idle time for him. I sprang out of my seat and hurried over to the food table, slipping through the crowd and putting together a quick plate. I made my way to Roberto and handed it over.

“Couldn’t have you just standing there watching all of us eat,” I said.

He allowed himself a small smile. “Gracias, Emily. And my condolences.”

I thanked him as I handed over the plate. On the way back to my seat, I noticed Marianne had her phone in her hand, and over and over would check the screen, a worried look on her face. I wasn’t normally one to pry, but with everything going on I wanted to be aware of anything out of the ordinary, not to mention if any of my friends were in peril.

“Hey!” I said, walking over to join her. “What’s up?”

“Huh?” Her eyes went wide, as if I’d interrupted her right in the middle of something. She fumbled with her phone, nearly dropping it on the ground.

I laughed, helping her steady herself. “You look a little worried. Something up?”

“No. I mean, yes. But I don’t want to bother anyone.”

Logan approached with my plate, placing his hand on my shoulder as I took the food from him.

“Everything OK over here?” he asked.

Marianne pursed her lips, as if not sure how to say what was on her mind.

“It’s… it’s huge!” She threw out her hands as she spoke, nearly tossing her phone into the sand.

“Easy, Mary-Moo,” Pearl said as she approached, having likely been drawn to the commotion. “Remember what I told you to do when you have something on your mind? Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and focus.”

“Right.” Marianne did as she was told. When she was ready, she opened her eyes. “There’s this gallery in New York City that likes my work! They’re really fancy, I think. They’re in a part of the city called Chelsea.”

“That is fancy,” Logan said. “Go on.”

“They sent me an email that said they found my art on my website and want to do a showing. I said yes! But they haven’t emailed me back yet. I keep checking because I’m worried they’ll change their mind.”

“Wait, you’ve got a gallery in Chelsea that wants to show your art? Mar, this is huge!”

“I know!” she said, as if my words had made her even more nervous. “That’s why I’m scared that—,” Her phone chimed in her hand as she spoke. Marianne quickly turned her attention to the screen. “It’s them! And they sent dates they want me to come!”

My heart beat faster with excitement. Logan, calm and composed as ever, stuck out his hand for the phone. Marianne handed it over.

“The Fordham Gallery, I know this place,” he said. “I’ve actually been there for a showing. This is legit. Congratulations, sis.”

I couldn’t help myself. I let out a squeal of excitement, nearly launching my plate into the air as I came over to give her a hug. Pearl joined me, the two of us giving Marianne a big squeeze.

“They have a gala planned,” Logan said once the commotion died down, his eyes still on the screen. “They’re looking for some up-and-coming artists to show off to the art world in New York. Mar, if you present there and make an impression, you might have a career in this waiting for you. Only thing is, it’s in two days. We’d have to leave tomorrow.”

A couple of hours later, the memorial was over. Marta’s picture was hung in Marianne’s house in one of the hallways, and it did me good to know that there was always something I could look at to remember her by.

Pearl, Logan, Marianne, and I were in the small but cozy kitchen of Marianne’s place, music playing as we chatted about the trip ahead.

“Pearl, you’re coming, right?” Marianne asked.

“Kiddo, I’d love to, but someone’s got to stick around here and make sure this place keeps chugging along. Besides, I’m way better at home cooking for the staff than I am cramming my big ass into some fancy gown and going to a New York gallery party.”

Marianne crossed her arms. “Would you mind helping me pack some clothes?”

Pearl raised her eyebrows. “Right now?”

“Yeah! And you can help too, Em!” Without another word, Marianne sprang out of her seat and hurried out of the room and upstairs.

“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Pearl said. “And I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about as far as this trip goes.”

“Thanks, Pearl,” Logan said.

A few plates of food were on the table. I rose, gathering them together to do my part in helping to clean up.

“Thanks again, Logan,” I said. “I know I said it a million times, but the fact that you did this means so much to me.”

Logan rose from his seat, stepping behind me at the sink and wrapping his big arms around me from behind. It felt so damn good to be held by him like that, like I was so small and so secure all at once. And he must’ve liked it too; his hardness pressed against me, his cock growing stiffer and stiffer by the moment.

Logan kissed my neck before stepping away.

“Let me help,” he said, positioning himself in front of the second sink next to mine and starting on some dishes.

We washed in silence for a time, the scene strangely domestic in its own way.

“The trip,” he said finally. “We need to talk about it.”

“You’re right. You think this is a bad idea?”

“Could be. Your father’s in Long Island, which means we’d be bringing ourselves closer to him. At the same time, he’s no doubt preparing for another assault on the island. If we’re not here, that’d throw a wrench into his plans. Not to mention that Roberto would be coming with us. I trust that man with my life.”

“Yeah. He knows what he’s doing.”

“But there’s still more to think about. I’ll discuss the matter with him and let him know what we decide.”

“Good. Thanks for keeping me in the loop.”

We went back to washing and one thought lingered in my mind.

“You’re thinking about it,” Logan said. “You don’t need to worry.”

I pursed my lips. “I know. It’s just that this thing with my dad is going to come to a head sooner or later, right?”

“Right. And I’d put my money on sooner. But you don’t need to weigh yourself down with that. I’ve got the best private security staff money can buy. If anything, I want Charles to make his move so I can crush his ass once and for all.”

Logan spoke with total confidence that calmed me down a great deal. I glanced over at him, noticing a small smile on his face.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“Huh?”

“You’re smiling.”

He snorted. “Yeah, I guess I was. Just thinking about… actually, never mind.”

I leaned over and bumped him with my hip. “Come on, you can’t smile like that and not tell me what you’re thinking about.”

He said nothing for a few moments, as if trying to decide how much to tell me.

“Alright. Well, Marta’s memorial got me thinking about my own mom. Both my parents, actually.”

“You haven’t talked about them since I’ve been here.”

“It’s a hard subject.”

“You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. But I have to admit, I’m curious about where you came from.”

Logan shifted his weight from one foot to the other, a sign that he wasn’t entirely comfortable with the topic.

“I was just thinking about the time when we’d learned that Marianne had a talent for art. We had this old dog named Jasper, this mangy mutt that my dad had adopted before Mar was born. One day, when she was about eight, she just stared at him for hours, following him around the house and not taking her eyes off of him, as if she wanted to burn every detail of him into memory. Then, she sat down and drew him, this damn near perfect depiction. Mom was blown away, convinced that Marianne was destined for great things in the art world.”

“And your dad?”

He chuckled. “The old man… he was always more practical minded, art wasn’t really his thing. But over the years, as her skill grew and the nature of her uniqueness came to light, he came around. One day, I went into his office to grab something for him and saw that old picture of Jasper, framed and hung over his desk.”

He took in a slow, deep breath. “Just thinking about how they’d feel to know how far she’s come.”

I couldn’t help but reach over and take his hand, squeezing it tight.

“I’m sure they’d be thrilled, especially since her big brother is so supportive of her.”

“I hope so. I’ve had two responsibilities in my life—first the company, then after my parents passed, Marianne. Back when I was a younger man, I used to bristle thinking about all of the responsibilities that would eventually be placed on me. But now that I’m older, I realize that such things are what give life its meaning.”

“What happened to your parents? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Car accident. They were in California on the 405, someone pulled into their lane and sideswiped them and that was that. I was on active duty in the Marines when I got the news that would change my life forever.”

“The Marines… that explains the hero complex.”

He smirked. “That’s right. Anyway, after the funeral, I finished my tour then came back and took over the company while going back to college and watching over Marianne. And that’s been my life for the last nearly two decades.”

“It’s quite a life.”

“It is. Funny thing is this life of mine always has a way of surprising me.” He glanced over and offered a small smile that I returned.

A buzz sounded out, Logan drying off his hands and reaching into his pocket for his phone.

“Roberto wants to talk about security for the trip.”

“Go ahead,” I said. “I’ll finish up here.”

He leaned over and kissed me on the forehead before heading out to meet Roberto.

Once Logan was gone, words he’d spoken came to mind, the ones about responsibility. I placed my hand on my stomach, knowing there was a damn good chance my child, our child, was in there. It’d be another responsibility on top of all the others. And, perhaps, one more surprise to change both of our lives forever.