Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 69

**Across Distant Skies Lies Hope Waiting To Be Found by Kade Rowan Flint**

**Don’t shout at Aunt Grace’s boyfriend**

**Grace**

I stood there, caught in a tense moment, exchanging glances with them—Eleanor’s wide eyes darted between me and the car looming behind. In her small hand, the strawberry ice cream she had been savoring slipped away, crashing onto the pavement in a sticky, pink splatter.

Just as I braced myself for whatever words might tumble from her lips, a sharp knock echoed against Apollo’s window, jolting me into action.

I turned, my heart racing, and nearly choked on a gasp. There, right beside Apollo’s door, stood Liana, her small fist knocking with a confidence that was both alarming and audacious.

Oh my god. What on earth was she thinking?

“What is she doing?” I muttered under my breath, panic bubbling up inside me like a boiling pot.

Even Wyatt and Eleanor stood frozen, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion. Then, as if summoned by some unseen force, Lucas stepped forward with the bravado of a knight defending his kingdom, positioning himself next to Liana, his chin raised defiantly as if this was a noble quest.

My spirit felt like it had left my body entirely.

“Liana!” I whispered sharply, my voice barely above a breath, but she didn’t even turn to acknowledge me. Instead, she leaned closer to the window, her ice cream dripping down her wrist in a slow, sticky trail, as if she were completely oblivious to the gravity of the moment.

Before I could lunge to pull her back, the window rolled down with a soft hum.

My breath hitched in my throat.

Apollo sat there, silent, his posture relaxed against the seat, one brow quirked in mild amusement.

Liana froze, her eyes wide as she gazed up at him. “Oh my god…” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper, filled with awe.

Lucas, ever the protective brother, seized Liana’s arm. “Liana, what’s wrong? Did this man scare you or something?” He puffed out his chest, trying to appear brave, and turned to Apollo, his voice rising with indignation. “You must be Aunt Grace’s scary boss. Because of you bullying her, she was—”

Heat surged through my body, prickling my skin. Apollo’s gaze flicked toward me, and I nearly forgot how to breathe, time stretching in that charged moment.

“I see,” he replied, his tone cool and collected. “I didn’t realize my actions were considered bullying.”

“I—”

“And now you’ve frightened my sister!” Lucas continued, his voice rising with a mix of courage and desperation. “I won’t let you bully any of them—ouch!”

He yelped as Liana smacked the back of his head, a small act of rebellion against her brother’s overzealous defense.

“Hey!” he whined, rubbing the spot where she had hit him.

“Don’t shout at Aunt Grace’s boyfriend!” Liana declared, her voice ringing out proudly, as if she had just won a great battle.

What? My stomach plummeted.

Oh no. No, no, no.

This was spiraling out of control. These children were digging me a grave, and there was Apollo, sitting there, watching the whole thing unfold like it was some sort of comedy show.

In a surge of desperation, I dashed around to the other side of the car, my mind racing to salvage this disaster before it could bury me completely.

“Boyfriend?” Lucas echoed, his brow furrowed in confusion. “How is he her boyfriend?”

“Because he is…” Liana began, a smug smile spreading across her face.

Before she could finish her sentence, I clamped my hand over both their mouths, forcing a desperate smile that felt more like a grimace. I bowed slightly toward Apollo, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity.

I tilted my head slightly in his direction, my silence speaking volumes, and he immediately cleared his throat, straightening in his seat, though the smile remained.

“I apologize, sir,” he said carefully, his tone cautious. “It’s just… this is the first time I’ve seen you like this.”

“Like what?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He hesitated, as if searching for the right words could somehow protect him from my scrutiny. Finally, he ventured, “Interacting with others. Focusing on something other than work and making someone’s life miserable.”

I remained silent, letting the weight of the moment hang in the air. Silence was often more powerful than words.

Austin didn’t meet my gaze, but I could see the corners of his mouth curve slightly. “That girl looks like the type to have… many unpredictable things happen around her. I have a feeling it won’t be like the past. New, eventful moments will follow from now on.”

I narrowed my eyes, assessing him. He thought he understood me. He didn’t.

He smiled again, a knowing look in his eyes. “I’ll drive you to work now, sir.”

I leaned back into the seat, the weight of the day pressing down on me. “Grayson.”

His brows shot up in surprise. “The politician?”

“Yes.”

He shifted slightly, caught off guard. “But you didn’t want to get involved with him before. His ways are shady. Did something change?”

I closed my eyes, crossing my arms once more, the tension in my body palpable. My voice dropped to a low murmur.

“Yes, he’s trying to touch what I’ve set my sights on. I don’t tolerate thieves, especially those who reach for what interests me,” I said coldly. “If he keeps putting his hands where they don’t belong, I’ll cut them off.”