Deccan (Springfield Sinners #1)

3. Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

ECHO

E cho walked down the street and toward the front of The Little Farm. She was meeting up with Charlotte, Monroe, Janie, Sofia, Kyle, and Storm so they could pick some fruit.

After stopping in front of the parking lot, she scanned the area, looking for Charlotte and her Daddy. She saw Charlotte get out of the car and grab her Daddy’s hand.

“Charlie!” Echo yelled as she ran toward her.

Continuing to run to Charlie, Echo ran through parked cars and the open parking lot. Strong arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly against a firm chest as a car whizzed by.

Shit.

Echo’s eyes went wide as she stilled, both in shock but also waiting for her skin to crawl. She could have been hit. Shit. She really could have been. How could she have put herself into that situation? When she didn’t feel her skin crawling from being touched, she relaxed.

Even as he held her, her skin didn’t start to feel like she needed to get out of it. Would she feel like this all the time, or was it just because he caught her off guard? When was the last time her skin hadn’t felt so uncomfortable from someone’s touch that she needed to take a hot shower?

Not since she was in middle school. Her skin always used to crawl when she felt someone on her skin, but she tolerated it until that one fateful night. She hated when people touched her. Needing a shower to wash it all off.

“You were a naughty girl running out in the middle of the parking lot. My naughty girl. Next time I see you, I’ll be giving you a punishment,” he growled into her ear.

Echo’s cheeks went red as he nibbled on her ear.

“You’ll be seeing me soon,” he whispered, letting her go and walking away into the night.

Charlie and Finn stepped in front of her.

“Wait!” Charlie yelled, but the guy didn’t stop.

She knew he wouldn’t. He never did. This was the first time he had ever talked to her or touched her. Usually, he just watched her from afar, watching her every move.

“Are you okay?” Finn asked, to look at her properly.

Echo nodded, but she wasn’t. She was almost knocked over by a car and she had been threatened with a punishment.

Which could be at any point.

Echo saw him every single day, multiple times a day.

“I’m thankful that man was there to save you,” Finn said as he rose to his full height. “I know you don’t have a Daddy to help keep you safe, but please watch your surroundings.”

“Sorry, Sir,” Echo whispered.

“I just want you to be safe and protected. I’ll try my best to help out, but I’m not always going to be there.”

“You have Charlotte to worry about.”

“Hey!” Charlotte said. “I’m not that bad.”

Echo cracked a smile.

“I do have Charlotte, but the Daddy Doms from the club watch out for Littles who don’t have a Daddy or Mommy yet. Just please be careful. You know not to run in parking lots.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled, looking away.

Charlotte grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. Echo’s whole body started to crawl. She hated people touching her, despised it even, but not when Deccan touched her.

Charlotte let go of Echo and she rubbed her hand against her pants. She needed to wash her hands, but she knew she wouldn't be able to. Could Echo survive the whole time they were at the farm without doing so?

“Come on, let’s go meet up with the other guys,” Finn declared.

He started walking, and they trailed behind him.

“Girls, in front of me,” Finn instructed.

They quickly followed his command.

“Are you okay?” Charlotte whispered. “What did the man say? Do you know him?”

Echo shook her head. “I’m okay, but I don’t know who he is, really. I’ve seen him around town, but I don’t know him.”

“What did he say?”

Echo’s cheeks went red.

“Don’t tell anyone,” Echo said. “Pinky promise?”

Charlotte wrapped her pinky around Echo’s and nodded. “Pinky promise.”

“He told me I was a naughty girl for running in the parking lot. That when he sees me next, he’ll be giving me my punishment.”

A gasp fell out of Charlotte.

“He said what?” Charlotte’s voice was full of disbelief.

“You heard me,” Echo shot back.

“Should we tell my Daddy about it?”

Echo shook her head. “When I was in his arms, I didn’t feel like I was in danger. He made me feel protected, safe, and comfortable.”

Charlotte stared at her, looking shocked. Echo knew it was odd to have those thoughts about someone she didn’t know, someone who was stalking her. But it was the truth. She wanted more.

“I-I’ve seen him around town, looking at me,” Echo whispered. “I’ve never told anyone this before, but I think he’s kind of been following me.”

“And you haven’t told the authorities?” Charlotte asked.

“No. He doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable. Quite the opposite, but this is the first time he has ever gotten close enough to talk to me.”

Charlotte opened her mouth, and Echo waited to hear what she had to say, but before she could, the rest of the group arrived. Did Charlotte think she was a lunatic for feeling this way and not telling the authorities? She didn’t want to. Echo felt protected and didn’t want to let that go, not yet.

“We’re talking about this later,” Charlotte informed her and Echo nodded her agreement.

“Dadddyyyy!” Charlotte whined.

Echo wanted to whine like that to her Daddy, but she couldn’t. She didn’t have one.

“Yes, Charlie?” Finn asked.

“Can we play hide and seek?”

Excitement filled Echo as she heard the words. It was one of her favorite games. Apple trees and blackberry bushes surrounded them, the perfect place to play.

“Okay, but only for a couple of minutes,” Finn said before turning away and walking toward the other Daddies.

She wanted a Daddy. She craved one to take care of her, shower her in love, and take care of her. Echo could go without the discipline aspect; she was a good girl, never needing spankings.

Charlotte grabbed Echo and pulled her toward the trees.

“Comes with me!” Charlotte shouted. “Barns.”

Echo gripped Charlotte’s hand and ran with her. This was going to be so much fun. Echo and Charlotte made it into the barn filled with recently picked apples and blackberries.

“Wows,” Charlotte whispered.

There were so many boxes. The fruit looked absolutely delicious.

“Can we eat one?” Echo asked.

Charlotte turned toward her and shrugged. She put her hand into one of the blackberry crates and took a handful before quickly putting them into her mouth, moaning in delight.

“So good,” Charlotte said, putting her hand back in for more of the purple jewels.

Echo followed suit, pulling out a coupleof blackberries and shoving them in her own mouth. Relishing in the sweetness, she closed her eyes for several seconds as the flavor burst in her mouth.

“So, back to this mystery guy?” Charlotte asked. “I didn't recognize him as a local.”

“He moved here three months ago,” she replied. “Or at least that’s what Jonah told me.”

“When did you start noticing him?”

“Maybe two months ago.”

Charlotte’s eyes went wide as she looked at Echo. “Are you serious?” Why haven’t you told anyone?”

Why hadn’t she?

Echo shrugged. “He doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable. I haven’t gotten any threatening notes; he hasn’t actually done anything.”

He made her feel protected whenever he followed her, safe and secure. Was that wrong ? Should she not feel these things? Was she going crazy?

Charlotte opened her mouth, but before she could reply, someone started yelling.

“What are you two doing?”

Both of them turned around, putting their hands behind their back.

“Nofing!” Charlotte shouted.

“Admiring the blackberries,” Echo added.

Echo stared at Gene walking toward them. She had talked to him a couple of times when they were both at the club, but she kept to herself normally.

“Is it nothing or admiring the blackberries?” Gene asked.

“Admiring the blackberries,” Charlotte giggled.

“Nothing,” Echo replied at the same time.

Echo closed her eyes for a couple of seconds and took a deep breath. They needed to get on the same page or else they were going to get in trouble.

“Hmm.” Gene took a step closer to them. “Do you want to tell me the truth?”

Did she? Not really, but she knew, either way, this would get them into trouble.

“I want the truth.” Gene crossed his arms and widened his stance.

Echo gulped as she stared at him. He was an intimidating man with his muscles but when he widened his stance and crossed his arms, even more unnerving. Though, Echo thought Deccan was more menacing.

“W-we,” Charlotte started. “We a-ate some of the blackberries,” she whispered.

“We couldn’t help ourselves!” Echo added, making Charlotte look at her. “They looked delicious and were calling our names.”

“Were they?” Gene asked. “I don’t hear them saying anything.”

“That’s because you’re not a Little!” Charlotte quickly explained. “Only Littles can hear the blackberries call their names. Just hows it is. I don’t makes the rules.”

Echo could see the amusement on Gene’s face.

“These boxes aren’t for people to eat from,” Gene softly said. “They are for the employees to package so people can buy them.”

“Sorry,” Charlotte whispered. “We didn’ts know.”

Echo was feeling really bad now. They had eaten some blackberries that were meant for paying customers.

“Yeah, I’m sorry,” Echo apologized. “If I would’ve known, I wouldn’t have eaten any.”

“No one is allowed in this barn. There is a sign outside saying employees only,” Gene said.

Both of their shoulders sagged. Echo hadn’t seen the sign when they ran to the barn. How could they have missed it?

“It wasn’t a good sign then,” Echo muttered.

“What was that, Little girl?” Gene asked.

“It wasn’t a good sign. We obviously missed it.”

“Echo!” Charlotte gasped.

She rolled her eyes. “Sorry. We’ll pay attention better next time.”

“Sorry,” Charlotte said.

“Just don’t do it again,” Gene admonished.

Before anyone could say anything, someone started to yell.

“Charlotte Ann!” Finn yelled as he walked into the barn. “What are you doing?”

Echo watched as Charlotte’s Daddy walked closer to them. Charlotte took her hand and squeezed it. Were they both going to get into trouble?

She held her breath and counted in her head. She could hold on to Charlotte’s hand for a couple more seconds. Echo had done it before; this was no different.

But it was. Her skin was already crawling, itching as Charlotte gripped her hand. Echo hadn’t told anyone in the club about her touch aversion. She just made sure whenever anyone was close, she avoided all human contact. But that wasn’t always easy.

Case in point.

Charlotte loved physical touch, which Echo wanted. She longed to snuggle up to someone and feel loved and calm, but it was hard. She hadn’t found anyone who could touch her without her skin crawling.

Not true.

Deccan .

He had touched her in the parking lot earlier and it hadn’t happened. It amazed her but also worried her.

What was he doing to her? Was he playing some type of magic trick?

“When we got to the field, I told you not to enter any buildings without me,” Finn said as he got closer.

Echo was near them both and didn’t recall him saying anything, but she was also in la-la land. Her mind was always wondering about Deccan and what he was doing. Was he near, or had he left when he realized she was with a group of people?

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I forgots.”

“What’s on your face?” he asked.

Echo and Charlotte both wiped the back of their hands across their faces. Purply-red juice stains marred her skin. Shit. How had she not realized she had gotten blackberries on her face? Why hadn’t Gene said anything?

Both of them glared at Gene.

“You were too cute with your stained skin to tell you,” Gene said.

“Charlotte Ann. I told you not to eat anything that wasn’t on the vine,” Finn explained. “You broke two rules.”

It wasn’t her bottom on the line. She didn’t have a Daddy to punish her. Her cheeks went red.

“Do you want to tell me what you did?” Finn asked.

“You already know,” Charlotte mumbled. “I don’t knows why I have to tells you.”

“Little girl.”

Finn wasn’t happy, and Echo’s mind went to Deccan again. Would he be mad if he found her like this?Deccan did say he was going to punish her, but that didn’t make him her Daddy.

“I ate some blackberries from the crate behind us,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.”

“Come on,” he held out his hand. “Time for a spanking.”

Echo naturally clenched her bottom and covered it with her hands. She was thankful she wasn’t the one getting the spanking.

“Can we wait until we get home?” Charlotte asked, a whine to her voice.

“No, Little Cupcake,” Finn replied, holding his hand out. “Everyone here is a Daddy or a Little. Now come on.”

Charlotte let go of Echo’s hand and took her Daddy’s.

“You’re not getting off the hook, Echo,” Daddy said. “Do you want Marco to punish you?”

“I don’t want to wait,” Echo whispered.

Marco hadn’t come with them, but shewasn’t really comfortable with people spanking her. Normally, Marco gave her lines and corner time. It wasn’t the same, but she couldn’t deal with the contact.

“I can do it,” Gene said. “If Echo is okay with it.”

“Are you okay with it?” Charlotte’s Daddy asked.

Echo nodded, worry churning in her stomach. She didn’t want to wait, but she had never had Gene punish her before. Hopefully, he would listen to her when she told him her limits.

“Come on.” Gene held out his hand.

She took a step forward but made no attempt to grab his hand. She couldn’t deal with another person touching her, not today. When she got home, she was going to take a long, hot shower and scrub her skin.

Gene stuffed his hand in his pocket, and she followed him out of the barn.

“Punishments,” Gene starts.

“I can’t do spankings or anything where you touch me,” she blurted out.

“All right,” Gene slowly said.

She took a deep breath and stepped back. “Sorry.”

“No need to be. I’m glad you told me what you weren’t okay with.”

Echo should feel better since she did the right thing, but she didn’t. If anything, she felt bad for word-vomiting the information.

“What are you okay with for a punishment?” Gene asked.

She wanted to say just a spanking because it was the most effective, but she couldn’t tolerate anyone touching her.

Shrugging, she looked down at her feet. “Umm, lines and, I guess, corner time? That’s what Marco gives me.”

It was the truth. Marco knew she didn’t like to be touched, but not the reason behind it. Thankfully, he didn’t push her to tell him why.

“What about ginger in the bottom?”

“I can’t have you touch me. I’m sorry,” Echo rushed out.

She had already mentioned no touching. Had he just heard that?

“Well, the ginger could be long enough for you to hold your cheeks apart. No touching involved,” Gene pointed out.

She hadn’t thought about that, but she still shook her head. There was a chance he would touch her, and she didn't want that. Corner time and lines were the safest bet.

“All right, that’s okay. I just wanted to check. We can do corner time,” Gene reassured her.

She let out a breath of air and nodded.

“Can I ask why you don’t want to be touched? Does Charlotte know, or is it just men?”

Her head popped up as she looked at him with wide eyes.

“You don’t have to answer if you aren’t comfortable. I don’t want to push anything, but I want to make sure you are safe.”

Her heart melted a bit. He wanted to make sure she was okay.

“I don’t like being touched at all,” she whispered.

Besides Deccan. Deccan could touch her all he wanted.

“But please, don’t tell anyone!” Echo added hastily. “I don’t need them knowing.”

She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. Would he tell everyone? Would he ruin everything she had? Echo didn’t want to be known as the girl who didn’t like to be touched.

Gene raised his hands. “I’m not going to tell anyone. I promise. But why don’t you want anyone to know?”

She shook her head. He was asking too much.

“Okay, that’s okay. No more questions. Let’s do corner time. Go stand in the corner with your legs spread and bottom out. No sound or moving. If you do, the time starts over.”

Sucking in a breath, she walked over to the corner of the barn. It was right where it connected to the other barn, creating the perfect spot for time-outs.

Echo spread her legs and stuck her bottom out as she stuck her nose in the corner. Corner time sucked, but it wasn’t as bad as a spanking. How did she know what a spanking was like when her skin crawled with every human contact?

She had made it through one spanking, an effective spanking, but she couldn’t do it again. No matter how much she wanted to. The Daddy hadn’t even touched her skin. It waswhen she needed aftercare that she wanted more.

Echo couldn’t be touched, and she wanted cuddles. She needed cuddles.

“You can come out now,” Gene announced.

Echo turned around, looking at Gene standing several feet in front of her.

“Come here,” He pointed right in front of him.

She slowly walked and stopped where he had indicated.

“Good girl. All is forgiven now, but don’t do it again. Understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good. Do you want to continue to walk around and pick fruit, or do you want to go home?”

Echo thought about it. She really wanted to hang out with everyone, but she was exhausted.

“I’ll go home. Can you tell Charlotte? I’m just tired,” she whispered toward the end.

Gene gave her a small smile. “I sure can. Do you have a ride?”

“I walked here.”

He instantly frowned. “You walked here?”

“Okay, I didn’t walk but rode on my Heelys.” She pointed to her shoes. “See, wheels!”

His mouth fell open. “All the way out here?”

She shrugged. “It wasn’t easy, but I made it here on time. It’s how I get around.”

“That’s not safe.”

“It is, too, if I stick to the sidewalks, which I do,” she told him.

If there were sidewalks. Not every road had one, which made it difficult.

“And if there aren’t any?” He looked at her like he already knew the answer.

“Well, then I’m extra careful.”

Gene shook his head. “I can have one of my men drive you home. It’s not safe for you to go back alone.”

She scoffed. “Sir, I promise I am safe. I have done this since I got out of high school. Heck, I even did it when I was in high school. It’s easier, and it lets me get in exercise.”

Not that she needed it. If anything, she could probably do without it, but she didn’t have a car and didn’t want one.

“Echo,” he warned.

“Sir, please. I came here and was perfectly safe. I am always safe.”

She wasn’t going to tell him about nearly getting hit in his parking lot. That wouldn’t be a good thing.

He sighed. “Okay, but text Charlotte and her Daddy when you get home. If I find out you didn’t, I will punish you again.”

She saluted him. “Aye, aye, Captain. Understood.”