Chapter 0048
“I picked up the pink gems you requested,” Beta Taylor said as I walked into the villa. He handed me a sleek black case, and I took it without hesitation.
Opening it, I smirked at the delicate string of pink gems. Perfect.
Irene was going to love this for her new car.
Glancing at the clock, I noted it was still early evening. I was home earlier than usual. Even Adam noticed, though he wouldn’t dare comment—not after I ordered him not to speak in my presence until I said otherwise.
Irene was probably out with Ethan.
Matt was likely wrapping up his tutoring session.
“Need anything else before I head out?” Taylor asked, checking his wristwatch.
“No, have a good night,” I replied.
Taylor grinned, his tone laced with suggestion. “Yeah, you too.”
I rolled my eyes as he turned toward the door.
Shaking my head, I took the stairs two at a time.
I wasn’t about to sit around waiting for Irene.
If she was with Ethan, chances were she wouldn’t be coming home tonight.
She’d been spending most nights at Ethan’s house—sometimes he stayed here instead, and I pretended not to notice.
Reaching her room, I grabbed the doorknob.
I’d leave the gift on her pillow so she’d see it when she got back.
She wanted something special for her new car.
And I got her the perfect thing.
But the second I pushed the door open—
I froze.
The scent of lavender and vanilla hit me like a freight train.
My eyes locked onto a very startled Judy.
Then they lowered—
And I was greeted with a perfect view of full, bare breasts.
My wolf growled with need.
She gasped, shrieked—then scrambled for a shirt, pressing it to her chest.
I blinked, forcing my gaze up.
“What the hell are you doing in my daughter’s room?” My voice came out sharper than I intended.
She wasn’t supposed to be up here.
The second floor was for personal bedrooms and bathrooms.
It was one of the rules when she took this job.
“Do you always barge into your daughter’s room without knocking?” she shot back, voice steady.
My eyes darkened.
Before I could respond, Irene peeked around me, frowning.
“Dad? Why are you home so early?”
I scowled. “Why are you home at all? Thought you’d be out with Ethan.”
She shrugged. “He had a meeting, so I had some time to kill. I hung out with Judy.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You… hung out… with Judy?” I enunciated every word carefully, making sure I heard her correctly.
She grinned and nodded.
“Matt likes her. And, honestly? I was curious about her too.”
“This is fun and all, but can I get some privacy?” Judy interjected, turning her back to us.
“Oh, Goddess!” Irene gasped, finally realizing Judy was half-naked.
My jaw clenched. Why the hell was she braless?
“Dad, were you spying on Judy while she was getting dressed?” Irene accused, swatting my arm—only to yelp when her hand met solid muscle. “Ouch!”
“I wasn’t spying on her,” I said through my teeth.
Judy pulled the shirt on and turned to face us.
The deep V-cut left little to the imagination. The fabric rested just under her belly button, paired with a short skirt hugging her every curve.
I recognized the outfit.
It was Irene’s.
She had worn it before—youthful, playful.
But on Judy?
It looked… different.
My gaze traveled down her smooth, slender legs.
My fingers twitched—wanting to touch them.
I forced myself to look away.
“Then what were you doing in my room?” Irene pressed, raising an eyebrow.
I lifted the black box.
“I was leaving this on your bed. Got it for your new car.”
I handed it to her, needing a distraction—anything to ignore the way my pulse had just skyrocketed.
