King (Shadowridge Guardians MC #11)

22. King

TWENTY-TWO

KING

K ing leaned against the counter of the small kitchenette in his apartment, arms crossed, watching Ella, who was hunched over her laptop at the small table in the corner. The soft glow from the screen flickered across her face, highlighting the determined furrow of her brow as her fingers danced over the keyboard.

He sighed and glanced at the clock. “All right, Little one,” he said, his voice steady but firm. “It’s time for bed.”

Ella barely spared him a glance. “I’ll go in a little while,” she mumbled, still focused on her screen. “I just have to finish this first.”

King’s jaw ticked as he stepped forward. “Baby, it’s already thirty minutes past your bedtime. You can finish that tomorrow.”

“I know,” she said sweetly, though she still didn’t look up from her laptop. “Just a few more minutes, Daddy.”

King narrowed his eyes slightly. She was testing him.

“Ella.” His voice dropped lower, laced with warning.

She finally glanced up, wide-eyed and innocent, blinking as if she had no idea what he was about to do. “What?”

King tilted his head, his tone firm but calm. “I said it’s time for bed. That wasn’t a suggestion.”

For a moment, guilt flickered in her eyes, but instead of closing her laptop, she turned back to the screen and typed faster. “Just a few more minutes,” she insisted.

King let out a slow exhale, his patience thinning. “All right, baby. Have it your way.”

In three long strides, he was at the table. Before Ella realized what was happening, he reached down and plucked her right out of her chair.

“Daddy!” she squealed, her laptop snapping shut as she kicked her feet. “I wasn’t done.”

King ignored her struggles, adjusting his grip as she wiggled wildly in his arms. “You’re done for the night, Little girl,” he said evenly. “And since you didn’t listen the first time, I think you need a reminder about what happens when you ignore Daddy.”

Ella gasped, realization dawning in her eyes. “Nooo, Daddy, wait! I didn’t?—”

“Oh, you did,” King interrupted as he walked them both toward the bed. “You knew exactly what you were doing.”

She squirmed harder, whining in protest, but he was stronger. He sat on the edge of the bed and effortlessly adjusted her so that she was face-down over his lap, her bottom perfectly positioned for what was coming.

Ella whimpered, her body tensing.

“I just wanted to finish my work,” she pouted.

“And I just wanted you in bed on time. You’ve been working a lot of hours this week and staying up late, and I’ve been allowing it because I know how important this is to you. But, as your Daddy, it’s my job to take care of you and draw the line when it’s affecting your health or happiness. You’re not going to be able to do either of those things if you’re so exhausted you can’t function,” King countered, rubbing his large palm over the curve of her backside. “Your job as my Little girl is to obey me, which you chose not to do. And now, you’re going to learn why that was a mistake.”

He lifted his hand and brought it down with a loud smack over her thin leggings. Then he did it to the other cheek, and almost immediately, she started wiggling.

“I’m sorry, Daddy.”

It was much too late for that. His girl was going to learn a lesson, and then he was going to tuck her into bed where she belonged.

“You’re not sorry yet, but you will be when I’m done.”

Over and over, he spanked her, alternating cheeks. She whimpered and apologized with almost every swat. The last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt his girl, but this was part of their dynamic. And King suspected that she needed this spanking more than she realized.

He was so proud of her for all the hard work she’d been doing, but she was spreading herself too thinly, and he wouldn’t continue to allow that. The fundraiser wasn’t worth harming her health. In fact, he probably should have had Doc give Ella an exam as a precaution. He would have to talk to his friend about that tomorrow.

When he could feel the heat of her bottom through her leggings and panties, he tucked his hand in the waistband of both and pulled them down together. Ella let out a cry of protest and tried to reach back to stop him, but he was too quick. He grabbed hold of her wrist and pinned it to her lower back, then started spanking her once again, peppering her entire bottom.

“I love you, Little girl. It’s my job to take care of you, and I take that responsibility very seriously.”

Her cries stopped, and she twisted to look back at him with watery eyes. “You love me?”

Pausing, he pinned her with a stare. “Yes, baby girl. More than anything. I’m so fucking in love with you it’s not even funny. You’re mine, and I take care of what’s mine, even if your bottom pays the price.”

She let out a sob as tears spilled down her cheeks. “I love you too, Daddy.”

It was as if a dam had broken, and all the emotions she’d been bottling up for however long came pouring out of her. He started spanking her again, wanting her to get it all out. When she finally went limp over his lap, he stopped and pulled her into his arms to comfort her while she cried her eyes out against his chest.

He sat quietly, rocking her against him for several minutes until her sobs became whimpers and then the occasional hiccup.

“That’s my good girl. Let’s get you ready for bed, yeah? Then I’ll snuggle you all night long.”

She nodded but stayed silent, and when he held up the pacifier to her, she immediately opened her lips and started suckling on it. He worked quickly to get her changed into a nightie and pair of training panties and then carried her into the bathroom to use the toilet. The entire time, she was fighting to stay awake. She was truly his Little girl right then, letting him take control and take care of her.

After she went potty, he cleaned her up and washed his hands, then carried her back to the bed, where he tucked her in next to her stuffed rabbit.

“Thirsty,” she murmured.

Smiling, he went to the kitchenette and filled one of the baby bottles he’d grabbed from the closet with water. This was the first time he’d given her a bottle, and just as he expected, as soon as he held the nipple to her lips, she opened her mouth and sucked down the cold liquid.

“My sweet baby. Just sleep, dollface. Daddy’s got you,” he whispered.

She let out a contented sigh, and within seconds, her breathing turned shallow, and she was out for the night.

King wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, stepping back to survey the clubhouse’s main lot. The place was buzzing as the final touches came together. His MC brothers worked like a well-oiled machine—setting up tables, stringing up lights, and ensuring that everything was in place for the fundraising party.

It was chaotic, but it worked for all of them. With so many Littles around, they were used to chaos.

Across the lot, the Littles were hard at work decorating, their giggles carrying over the noise of last-minute preparations. Carlee and Ivy were blowing up balloons—though half of them ended up getting batted around like playthings—while Remi and Harper tied colorful streamers to every available surface. Ella stood in the center of it all, directing everyone with a nervous energy that King could see from a mile away.

She had been worrying non-stop about it all, and even though he knew it would be a success, he understood how important this was for her.

With a shake of his head, he turned back to Steele and Atlas, who were hauling in crates of food and drinks.

“We good on the catering setup?” King asked, lifting a hand to adjust the collar of his cut.

It was the perfect day for this. Warm and sunny with a gentle breeze in the air.

Steele nodded. “Yeah, food trucks are parking along the right-hand side of the clubhouse. Bartender’s setting up inside for the adults, and we’ve got plenty of non-alcoholic stuff for the kids and Littles.”

“Games?”

Storm walked past, giving King a thumbs-up. “Bouncy house is good to go, dunk tank’s filling up, and Doc’s got the face-painting table sorted.”

King grinned. Perfect .Everything was coming together as he’d hoped, but there was still one thing left—his surprise for Ella. But that would come after the party started.

He spotted her standing near the entrance of the compound, nervously chewing on her lip. He took a second to watch her, admiring how she threw herself into the event planning. It was important to her, which was one of the many reasons he loved her so much. She cared about others, and it showed.

She looked beautiful—hair pinned back with a small bow, wearing a sundress that flowed down to her knees, and a pair of sparkly sandals that matched her personality perfectly.

My girl.

King made his way over, stepping behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. She jumped slightly, but when she realized who it was, she immediately relaxed against him.

“Daddy,” she sighed, resting her head on his chest. “I feel like I’m forgetting something.”

“You’re not,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “You’ve done an amazing job, Little one. This is going to be perfect.”

She turned in his arms, looking up at him with big, worried eyes. “What if no one shows up?”

King snorted. “Baby, the whole damn town is buzzing about this party. I’m pretty sure we’re going to have more people than we expect.”

Ella exhaled, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. “You really think it’s going to go well?”

King cupped her cheek, rubbing his thumb against her soft skin. “I know it is. And I couldn’t be prouder of you, baby.”

Her eyes shimmered, and a slow smile spread across her lips. “You mean that?”

King chuckled, shaking his head. “Damn right, I do. Look at everything you’ve done, Ella. You put this together, you worked your ass off for it, and now the whole town’s coming out because you care enough to make sure these families get what they need.” He tipped her chin up slightly, staring down at her. “I couldn’t be prouder to call you mine.”

Ella’s breath hitched, her fingers clutching at the front of his cut.

“There’s something else I wanna ask you,” he said, letting his hand trail down to her waist.

Ella blinked. “What, Daddy?”

King exhaled, his gaze steady. “Move in with me, baby. Permanently.”

For a split second, Ella stared at him like she couldn’t process the words. Then, suddenly, she gasped loudly before launching herself into his arms with so much force that he had to take a step back to keep his balance.

“Yes!” she squealed, her legs wrapping around his waist.

King let out a deep laugh, catching her with ease as she peppered kisses all over his face.

“Well, damn,” he teased. “Didn’t think you’d bethatexcited.”

Ella pulled back, grinning ear to ear. “Are you kidding?Of courseI’m excited. I want to be with youevery day, Daddy. I mean, I’ve pretty much been living with you anyway.”

It was true. He had only taken her home every couple of days to grab more clothes or whatever she needed, but she hadn’t slept at her place since they’d become official.

He chuckled, brushing his nose against hers. “Then it’s settled, Little one.”

She sighed happily, nuzzling against his neck. “I love you, Daddy.”

King held her tightly, breathing her in, knowing without a doubt that he had everything he’d ever wanted right there in his arms. “I love you, too, dollface. Now, take a breath, and let’s get this party started, yeah?”