Savage's

CHAPTER 29

*Gray*

After my first kiss with Daisy, I felt an enormous amount of confidence. I felt good. Everyone was getting situated in the new house, while I was busy unpacking everything. The movers got all the furniture in the house, but it was up to me to put everything in place. With my penthouse, I hired a decorator, and told her everything I liked. This time, I didn't want anyone new coming in the house.

Either my shitty decoration skills would show, or I'd ask one of the girls to help out. I know Daisy doesn't think much of herself, and that's something I want to work on with her. I need to determine what she enjoys, and what she is good at. We're all good at something, and bad at other things, that's a normal part of life. What isn't normal, is thinking that you're worthless, which is what she thinks about herself. I can't have that.

At about six o'clock, everyone met back up in the kitchen to order dinner. We all agreed on a local Chinese restaurant, placed our order for delivery, and set up the dining table. Fran, as well as my other staff, wouldn't arrive until tomorrow. Which will give me time to get their bedrooms set up. Everything felt like it was coming together.

Once dinner arrived, and we all sat around the table to eat, I noticed Daisy has been even more quiet then usual. At first I was afraid kissing her happened too fast, until she kissed me back... maybe it's just because of her past. It might be difficult for her to be intimate at first, because it's going to remind her of traumatic times. I know taking things slow is an understatement, and I'm okay with that. In fact, I prefer it.

"So, have you told Daisy about the plan?" Caz asked, and Rome smacked him over the head, whispering something in his ear.

"Not yet," I smirked, knowing Caz didn't know any better, "But she's aware of the dinner."

"The plan?" Daisy asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"I told you, I had a plan." I winked at her, "My mother paid me a visit today at work... apparently she's aware of us moving, and she's suspicious. I came up with a lie to thwort her, but I'll warn you it's vile... I said that I had roommates... who were using you."

"Oh, wow." Alexa complained, acting nausous.

"Everyone, aside from Alexa and Swhinn, are coming to the dinner on Sunday night. Alistair, Caz, and Rome will be with us, helping to keep you safe. You just have to pretend that we've all... taken advantage of you..." I finally choked out the words, and watched as Daisy's face transformed from confusion into shame.

"I can do that..." She muttered, her voice so light, I could barely hear it.

"You'll have to pretend to be afraid of us," Alistair added, "Like we could hurt you at any moment."

"We'll have to pretend a little more than that," I grimly noted, "My mother won't believe words, she looks for actions. I'm afraid we'll need to be somewhat physically rough..."

"You're not going to actually harm her, are you?!" Alexa interjected, shouting.

"Of course not," I growled at Alexa, "But I have to act like I am. If we don't make this look believable, then we're all in deep s**t. My parents won't allow me to disobey them, and get away with it."

"I can handle it," Daisy spoke up, gathering everyone's attention, "I've been through worse."

"You know I would never intentionally hurt you, right?" I asked Daisy, staring directly into her eyes.

"I know," She briefly smiled, "I'd rather experience your fake torture, than your mothers real torture though..."

That hit deep, because it conveyed just how much my mother traumatized her. Everyone was silent for a moment. Daisy's comment must have affected everyone else on a deep level, because the mood shifted in the room.

"We'll make sure that never happens again." Alistair firmly remarked, and everyone agreed.

"Thank you." Daisy said, shying away from the attention.

"Until then, I have a lot of work to do around here--" I started to say, until interrupted by Alexa.

"I was hoping to help decorate." She smiled brightly, and Caz started laughing.

"That was cute." Caz chuckled under his breath.

"I was hoping you ladies would offer to help." I smiled, looking at Daisy too.

"I don't know much about that..." Daisy mumbled, having the exact reaction I expected.

"You never know what you're good at until you try it." I said, winking at her.

"That's true," Alexa joined in, "I didn't care about makeup when I was younger, but when I learned more about it, I started to love it."

"I guess." Daisy shrugged, pushing the remaining food around on her plate.

"That pool is also looking very promising," Alexa grined wide, "tomorrow should be a nice enough day for it, too."

"I don't have a--" Daisy attempted to respond, but Alexa wasn't having it.

"Yes you do," Alexa smirked maschiviously, "Your new swimsuit is in one of your boxes."

Daisy looked uncomfortable, and I didn't like that. I glared at Alexa, and she glared back. I wasn't going to let Alexa push Daisy into anything, especially if it made her feel uncomfortable. I know Alexa's heart is in the right place, she just wants to help push Daisy into a normal life, but those things take time. Especially given what Daisy has been through.

"The pool needs to be cleaned, first." I said, "So you'll have to wait on that one, sorry."

"Seriously?" Alexa grumbled, rolling her eyes. "I think you're just saying that."

"I wouldn't want to swim in other people's filth." I shrugged, and swear I heard a small giggle escape Daisy's lips.

"Ew-" Alexa scrunched her nose, "Fine."

"You're such a princess." Caz remarked, snickering.

"And you're an ass." Alexa shrugged, bringing her empty plate into the kitchen.

Everyone started leaving the table, but Daisy remained seated. She slowly looked toward me, which I was already staring directly at her, and mouthed the words 'thank you'. I winked at her, grabbing both of our plates, and walked into the kitchen. There was still a lot to do, and a lot to unpack.

Daisy wasn't in the dining room when I returned, and I was curious to where she ran off to. I walked around the house, until I found her standing in our bedroom. She was digging through boxes, throwing clothes all over the room, desperately searching for something. She was in such a panic, she didn't notice me standing in the doorway.

"What are you looking for?" I asked, and she jumped at the sound of my voice.

"Uhm... nothing..." She muttered, glancing around the room at the mess she made, "I'm sorry-"

"You're looking for that swimsuit, aren't you?" I asked, stifling my laughter, because I knew that's exactly what it was.

Daisy bit her bottom lip, and shamefully bowed her head, avoiding eye contact. Sighing, she gazed back up at me and nodded, as fresh tears started to roll down her newly healed cheek. Without thinking, I walked toward where she was sitting on the floor, and knelt beside her. I used my thumb to clear the tears, and tucked her hair behind her ear, allowing my hand to trail back down her jaw and toward her chin.

"I don't like exposing my body..." She whispered, and more tears started flowing.

"Then don't," I gently responded, "Don't do anything you're not comfortable doing yet, Daisy."

"But-- I know it's not... normal..." She whimpered, "and that's all I want to be, is normal..."

"There isn't one person living under this roof that's considered normal, I can assure you of that." I playfully joked, getting a small giggle out of her, "Honestly, Daisy, take things at your own pace. You know what you can handle, and what you can't. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

"What if I don't?" She asked, lost in distress.

"Then you need to teach yourself," I honestly remarked, "Find out what pushes you to your limit, and what you can withstand. Try on your swimsuit, look at yourself in the mirror, and ask yourself if you're ready to make that step."

"Okay..." She nodded, sniffling, "When I find it, I'll try it."

"Do you want me to help you look for it?" I asked, watching her eyebrows arch towards her hairline.

"You have a lot to do, don't you?" She asked, which wasn't rejection, so I took the opportunity to spend more time together.

"Yeah, but this is one of the things on my list, and it happens to be top priority." I smiled, and walked over to an unopened box, cutting it open.