The one called Hawk called, “Hot potato,” and Carrie curled herself into a little ball. What was he… I almost pissed my pants when he threw her—literally threw her—to Woody. I tensed my entire body, ready to spring into action and catch her like a touchdown pass, but Woody caught her deftly and then threw her to Cam. Holy shit!

Then Tank grabbed her by the ankles, and I almost freaked out when he lifted his arms over his head so that she was dangling upside down, her face level with his. Holy fucking hell! He was holding her upside-fucking-down by the legs!

“Give your Uncle Tank a kiss,” he said in a deep growly voice that should have scared the shit out of a little girl, but she just giggled.

“Nope,” she shrieked, “because your face looks like a donkey’s behind.” What in God’s name is going on here?

The giant said, “Fine. I’ll hang you by your toes until your face turns into a tomato.”

Carrie giggled and said, “Okay, just one kiss.” She put her tiny hands on his big face and gave him a smacking kiss on the lips, after which he flipped her back over and set her gently on her feet.

Sensing my obvious distress, Beau sidled up to me and said quietly, “Don’t worry. It looks like they’re playing rough, but none of them have ever put so much as a scratch on her. They would rather cut off their own balls than hurt Carrie.” I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and nodded briefly.

I was going to have to get used to this dad thing. I was a goddamn nervous wreck, especially with all this fuckery going on.

I heard the door open behind me and sensed her presence before I even saw her. My Blaire. I turned around with a smile on my face, but it faded quickly when I zoomed in on the large arm slung casually around her shoulders. A tall blond man was with her, and I could feel my face heating up at their evident familiarity.

“Hey, guys, we’re back from our hot date,” the asshole holding on to my girl said. “Blaire has some good news.” He nudged her with his hip, and she grinned at everyone. She went on a date with this cocksucker?

“I got a job offer from the Lademans whenever I finish my residency!” she announced, hopping from foot to foot and waving her hands happily in the air.

The whole room seemed to erupt as all the men rushed to hug her, and I suddenly felt the urge to kick the entire room’s ass. But I simply clenched my fists at my sides and bit the inside of my cheek hard enough to draw blood.