The Arrangement

Chapter 34

Happy Thanksgiving!  To all of my wonderful readers, here's an update for you guys, I hope you enjoy!  I'll throw the same incentive out there.  120 Votes and 50 Comments is an early release.  Enjoy my darlings!  <3

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Chapter 34

We sat by the fire for a while.  Chastity was adorable.  It was interesting to see a man as hard as Donovan transformed to the doting grandfather.  At the same time, it wasn’t shocking.  Chastity had the innocence of a pure child.  She was truly blessed.  Her parents loved her and were her shield against the evils of the world.  A man like Donovan would be her guardian angel for as long as he was able.  He loved that little girl and it wasn’t hard to see why.  She was easy to love.

“When are the two of you planning on giving us another one of these to spoil?” Donovan asked suddenly and I felt my face heat up.  “Or is there one already on the way and that’s why you suddenly eloped?”

My face felt about a million degrees and I shook my head.  Trent chuckled and tucked my head into his chest giving me a shield to compose myself.  “Be nice, you’re embarrassing her.” Trent chided.  “You’ll get grandkids when we’re good and ready, and no, Mikaela is not pregnant.”

“You’re getting up there, my boy.  Better get on it soon.  You’re little brother has beaten you to all the milestones.  He got married first, had the first grandchild, and he’s got two more on the way.  I’m sure my boy doesn’t shoot blanks.” Donovan continued.

“Okay, well, you know what, I’m pretty tired.  I think I’ll call it a night.” I shot out as I stood up.  “Thank you for a lovely evening.  Good night,” I excused myself and practically ran up to the house.  Jesus Christ.  That was an awkward conversation.  I was halfway inside when Madeline called after me.  “Oh, hi, Madeline,”

“You should call me Maddy,” she grinned.  “Let’s talk,”

Madeline led me to a side room.  “Dad doesn’t know how to have normal conversation, especially when he’s actually trying to intimidate people.” Madeline grinned.  “You should hear some of the stuff he’s said to my boyfriends.”

“I imagine he’s protective over his little girl.”

“Protective?  Fort Knox is protective, Daddy is ridiculous.  Listen, you should be careful around Trent.”

“What?  What do you mean?”  

“Things aren’t always as they seem.”

“I still don’t know what you mean.”

“Pay attention, things don’t quite add up with him, am I right?”  My brows furrowed as I tried to understand exactly what Madeline was saying.  “I’m trying to help you, I guess I’ll have to be blunt here.”  Madeline took a deep breath.  “Let’s be honest here,” Madeline drawled.  “You know he’s just using you, right?  I mean, you seem like a smart girl.  You aren’t the usual bimbo he picks up, but you’ll be discarded just the same.”

“Excuse me?”

“Mikaela, this world will eat you alive.  Go back and play with your little fishy friends.  The only place for fish in this world is sushi and caviar.  You should do yourself a favor and just leave now.”

I stared at the girl flabbergasted.  Was she serious.  “Ex-excuse me?”

“Look, princess, you can’t make it here.  Think about it, do you even think someone like you could possibly even make him happy?”