Savage (Spartan Watchmen MC #4)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

SAVANNAH

S avannah's fingers trembled as she gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white against the worn leather. She pulled into the parking lot in front of the nondescript building that hosted the BDSM club, The Citadel. She took a deep, shaky breath, willing her racing heart to slow.

"You can do this," she whispered, her voice barely audible. What other choice did she have? She couldn't think about what brought her to this moment, or she'd start crying, ruining her carefully applied makeup. No, she had to do this. Pay her penance for her crimes.

Stepping out of her car, Savannah smoothed down her pastel pink dress. Wearing a dress felt foreign to her; it had been a long time since she'd put on anything this feminine. She worked as a housekeeper at a high-end ski resort, cleaning up other people's messes. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a job. They provided a uniform: lightweight scrub material that was far from becoming. When she wasn't working, she wore a pair of black leggings and an oversized t-shirt, lounging around her mom's tiny house. She'd had to go to three separate thrift stores before she had enough outfits for this job.

That’s what she decided to think of it as. Not blackmail, but a job. Just another job. She’d do the work, get paid in having her debt wiped clean and move on with her life.

Her phone buzzed in her purse, and she fished it out with trembling hands. The message glowed ominously on the screen.

Zeb: Don't forget what's at stake. Get the info, or else.

Savannah swallowed hard; her throat dry. She knew exactly what was at risk. Her sister and niece were the only family she had left. "I won't let you down, sis," she murmured, thinking of her niece's innocent face.

At the entrance, a stern-faced woman eyed Savannah's membership card. "First time?" she asked, her voice gruff. She flipped the card over and glanced at it.

Savannah nodded, trying to look excited rather than terrified. "Yes, ma'am. I'm here for the Little's Playdate."

The woman smiled. "You must have been in the latest group who came through orientation last month. My name is Shar. If you need anything at all, come find me."

Savannah gave her a small smile before Shar waved her through. "Have fun, kid."

As Savannah stepped inside, her eyes widened in surprise. Gone were the dark, intimidating dungeon scenarios she'd imagined. Instead, the club was transformed into a vibrant playground. Colorful mats covered the floor, dotted with stations for coloring, Play-Doh, and LEGO bricks, among other things.

Her gaze darted around the room, taking in the scene. Men of all sizes leaned against the walls and sat in chairs talking and laughing, their gazes focused on the littles playing. She noticed several large men wearing black leather jackets leaning against one wall, their muscled arms crossed as they watched over their partners. Women of all shapes and sizes giggled and chattered, several coloring with intense focus, others building elaborate LEGO structures. Some even wore diapers and bibs. She tried to keep from gawking. Although she'd done a ton of research before coming tonight, research didn't quite prepare her for seeing it all in person.

Savannah's heart pounded in her chest as she glanced around the room. How am I supposed to find information about the Spartan Watchmen here? She noticed several of the club members spread out, the patches on their cuts denoting who they were.

A petite blonde in pigtails bounced up to her, grinning widely. "Hi! I'm Lily. Wanna color with me?"

Savannah forced a smile, her cheeks aching with the effort. "Sure, I'd love to," she replied, her voice higher than usual. As she followed Lily to a coloring station, she blinked back tears and tried to force a smile. She gave herself a pep talk and put one foot in front of the other.

I'm way out of my depth here. But I have to do this. For my sister. For my niece. No matter what it takes.

Sitting down in the chair next to Lily, Savannah's fingers trembled as she reached for a pink crayon, her other hand unconsciously tugging at the hem of her dress. She took a deep breath, remembering the countless DDLG romance novels she had devoured in preparation for this moment. In the novels, the littles were incredibly nice. Their Daddies were all protective and kind, although some could be firmer than others. If the novels were a representation of real life, she should be okay here.

"You, okay?" Lily asked, her brow furrowing with concern.

Savannah nodded, forcing a smile. "Just a little nervous. It's my first time here."

"We all know what that's like," the woman sitting next to Lily said. "Hi! I'm Makenzie, but you can call me Mak."

"Hi, Mak," Savannah said softly.

"And she's Emilee," Mak continued, pointing to the woman on the other side of her.

"I am!" Emilee said, all but bouncing in her seat. "Nice to meet you, Savannah."

As she colored with the girls, her mind wandered to the stories she had read, tales of vulnerability, trust, and unexpected passion. Despite her initial reluctance, she had found herself drawn in, her body responding in ways she hadn't expected. Now, surrounded by the reality of it all, she felt a confusing mix of anxiety and excitement.

"You're doing great," Lily chirped, patting Savannah's arm. "Everyone's nervous for the first time."

"Don't worry about a thing. Our Daddies would never let anything bad happen in here," Makenzie said. "The one right there with the big arm muscles is my Daddy, Irish. He's the best Daddy in the whole wide world. If you stay close to us, you will be super-duper safe."

Savannah's gaze drifted across the room to the man Makenzie had pointed out. He was definitely a larger dude, and based on his looks, the nickname fit. The sound of a glass breaking caught her attention, and she turned toward the bar. That was when she spotted him—Tim, standing behind the bar, his easy smile belying the gravity of their situation. Their eyes locked, and a silent understanding passed between them. His brother was the new leader of The Rejects. No one here knew that, though. They kept their relationship hidden for a reason. Tim looked nothing like his big brother, and they used the differences to their benefit.

She turned back to the girls, her voice slightly strained. "I think I need a drink. Do you all want anything?"

"Ooh, yes, please! A juice box!" Lily said with a smile.

Savannah nodded, rising from her chair. As she weaved through the crowd, her heart raced. This is it, she thought. No turning back now.

Approaching the bar, she plastered on her most innocent expression. "Hi," she said, meeting Tim's eyes. "Can I get three juice boxes and, um... do you have any special drinks for littles?"

Tim's lips quirked into a knowing smile. "Sure thing, sweetheart. How about a cotton candy mocktail? It's a house specialty."

As he prepared the drinks, he leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper. "Remember why you are here and what he expects out of you. Keep it simple but remember to stay observant."

Savannah nodded imperceptibly, her fingers drumming nervously on the bar. "Thanks," she murmured, taking the drinks. Noticing a man at the end of the bar watching them, she changed the topic quickly. "I'm Savannah, by the way. Are you new here too?"

"Tim," he replied with a wink. "Just taking a gap year to save up for some travels. Thought this gig might be... educational." Tim leaned in closer, his voice dropping. "Listen carefully. We're not just playing dress-up here. The Spartan Watchmen are dangerous, and we've got eyes everywhere. If you don't get what we need..." He paused, swallowing hard. "Your sister, her kid—they're counting on you. Don't forget what's at stake."

Savannah's heart hammered in her chest, the sweet taste of her mocktail turning bitter on her tongue. "I know," she whispered back, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her glass. "Believe me, he doesn't let me forget."

As Savannah turned to leave, she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror behind the bar. For a moment, she hardly recognized herself—the wide-eyed girl staring back seemed a world away from the desperate young woman who had agreed to this dangerous charade. But as she made her way back to the girls, she steeled herself, knowing that her performance here could mean the difference between safety and... and something she couldn't let herself think about without breaking into tears. As she turned away from the bar, her gaze swept across the room, taking in the laughter and carefree play around her. For a moment, she felt a pang of longing, wishing she could truly be part of this world without the weight of her mission.

"You've got this," she told herself, walking back to the girls carefully, balancing her drink with an armful of juice boxes. "Just be sweet, be curious, be... little."

Savannah plastered on her most convincing smile. Her steps were light, almost bouncy, but inside, her mind raced.

"Got the juice boxes," she said, handing one to each of them.

As the girls welcomed her back warmly, Savannah settled in, her heart still pounding. She picked up a crayon, her hand trembling slightly, and began to color. All the while, her ears strained to catch any snippet of conversation that might lead her to the information she so desperately needed.

"Uh-oh, someone's been naughty," Emilee whispered, giggling behind her hand as smacks filled the air next to them.

Savannah's heart raced, her palms growing clammy. She wiped them on her dress, trying to maintain her composure. She didn't want to turn and look, but she couldn't help herself. Her cheeks burned as she watched the scene unfold before her eyes.

She couldn't believe she was sitting here, at a BDSM club where people openly displayed their darkest, most secret desires. And worse yet, she was supposed to be undercover as a little, gathering information on the Spartan Watchmen motorcycle club, for a rival motorcycle club.

How had her life come to this?

She knew exactly how her life had come to this. Her thoughts were interrupted as she watched the large man discipline his petite submissive out in the open, like it was completely normal.

Savannah’s breath hitched in her throat. The sight of the man's firm hand connecting with the woman's reddening bottom, a mix of pain and pleasure etched on her face, shouldn't have aroused her... but it did. Sensations pooled between her thighs, betraying her growing arousal. The thought mortified her, but she couldn't tear her eyes away.

Can I really do this? She wondered watching the interaction occur. What choice did she have?

"You can definitely tell it's her first time," Lily said with a giggle. "Her face is the color of my shirt."

"Lily!" Makenzie scolded. "That's not nice."

Savannah willed her voice to stay light and carefree. "It’s that obvious, huh? Even if I hadn't told you?"

"It's okay." Emilee covered her hand with her own and squeezed it gently. "I remember the first time I saw someone else getting spanked, too. Are you new to the lifestyle or just new to events?"

"I remember my first time going out with others in the BDSM world," Makenzie said before Savannah could answer. "I was really nervous, too."

Savannah smiled gratefully at them. "It's my first time in person, but I've read a lot of books and explored on some forums and social media groups."

Emilee nodded. "That's how a lot of us got started."

"I'm bored with coloring. You want to go play at the dollhouse?" Makenzie asked, standing suddenly.

"Sure!" Emilee said. "Lily? Savannah?"

"Not me," Lily said. "I'm going to go say hi to Tim and get another drink."

Lily knew Tim? Savannah didn't have time to think much about it before Emilee was saying her name again. "How about it, Savannah?"

"Sure! I'd like that."

They'd been kneeling together next to the huge dollhouse for a few minutes and Savannah almost forgot why she was here. It shouldn't have been that easy to slip into the role of a six-year-old girl, but it'd been oddly simple. What surprised her more was how much fun she was having.

Savannah's ears perked up as Makenzie squealed, "Oh! Em, did you hear about the club's charity ride and cook off next weekend?"

Emilee rolled her eyes, but there was a glimmer of excitement beneath her sarcasm. "How could I not? Arrow's been obsessing over the budget for weeks. Apparently, the clubhouse needs new smokers and grills, or at least, that's what the guys are saying. Arrow swears the ones they have are fine."

Savannah's heart raced. This could be the information she needed. "Arrow?" she asked, feigning innocence.

"My Daddy," Emilee explained, a hint of pride in her voice. "He's the club's treasurer. Takes his job way too seriously, if you ask me."

Makenzie giggled, "At least yours isn't constantly strategizing. Irish is always in 'VP mode'."

Savannah's mind whirred, connecting the dots. She'd hit the jackpot – the treasurer and vice president's littles, right here. She couldn’t have planned it better if she’d tried.

"That sounds... intense," Savannah ventured, her voice carefully neutral. "Do they bring work home often?"

As Emilee launched into a playful rant about Arrow's spreadsheet addiction, Savannah found herself genuinely laughing. The girls' energy was infectious, and for a moment, she almost forgot why she was there.

"What about you?" Makenzie asked, tilting her head. "You said you were looking for a new place? Do you think you'll find something soon?"

The question snapped Savannah back to reality. She swallowed hard, her fingers absently tracing the hem of her dress. "I'm... not sure," she admitted, the truth of her words weighing heavily. "My mom passed away recently – cancer. I'm staying at a long-term hotel while I figure things out."

The playful atmosphere shifted. Emilee's sharp eyes softened, while Makenzie's brow furrowed with concern.

"Oh, sweetie," Makenzie breathed, reaching out to squeeze Savannah's hand. "That must be so hard."

Emilee nodded; her usual sarcasm replaced by genuine worry. "And you're all alone at some sketchy hotel? That's not safe."

Savannah felt a lump forming in her throat, touched by their concern even as guilt gnawed at her insides. "I'll be okay," she managed, forcing a smile. "I'm tougher than I look."

But as she met their eyes – Makenzie's filled with compassion; Emilee's with a protective glint – Savannah realized she was treading dangerous waters. These girls weren't just potential sources of information anymore. They were becoming real, with real feelings and real kindness.

An hour later and the colorful play area blurred into a kaleidoscope of pastels as Savannah lost herself in a game of Candy Land with Emilee and Makenzie. Her fingers trembled slightly as she moved her gingerbread man across the board, but her giggles were genuine.

"Your turn, Savvy," Emilee chirped, using the nickname they'd already given her.

Savannah's heart warmed at the easy camaraderie, even as her conscience pricked. She drew a card, her green eyes widening. "Ooh, double purple!"

Makenzie groaned playfully. "No fair! You're totally cheating."

"Am not!" Savannah protested, sticking out her tongue. The childish gesture felt both foreign and strangely liberating.

As they played, Savannah's gaze darted around the room, cataloging faces and snippets of conversation. Her mission never fully faded from her thoughts, a constant undercurrent of tension.

"I’m hungry! It’s snack time!" Makenzie announced suddenly, grabbing Savannah's hand. "C'mon, newbie. We'll show you where the good stuff is."

They wove through the crowd; Savannah's senses on high alert. The scent of leather mingled with sweet fragrances as they approached a table laden with treats. Savannah's mouth watered at the sight of brightly frosted cupcakes. Baked goods were definitely her kryptonite.

"Girls," a deep voice rumbled behind them. "Do your Daddies know you are raiding the snack table without them?"

Savannah whirled around, her breath catching as she found herself face-to-face with the most imposing man she'd ever seen. Broad-shouldered and tall, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through her.

"Don’t worry, that's just Uncle Savage," Emilee said, grinning. "He looks scary, but he's a big softie."

Savage's lips quirked in a half-smile. "Don't go ruining my reputation." His gaze locked on Savannah. "And who might you be, little girl?"

Savannah's heart hammered against her ribcage. "S-Savannah," she managed, cursing the tremor in her voice. "I'm new here."

"I can see that," Savage said, his eyes never leaving hers. "The girls seem to have adopted you. So, welcome to the family."

Family.

The word echoed in Savannah's mind, a bittersweet reminder of why she was really there. She forced a shy smile, playing her role. "Thank you."

"There's your Daddies now," Savage said, nodding as Irish and Arrow joined them in line.

"What did we miss?" Irish asked. "We had to step outside for a minute and deal with club business. Were you misbehaving?"

"Who? Us?" Makenzie feigned a shock expression at the question.

"I kept a close eye on them," Savage said. "They just got in line for snacks. I wasn't about to let them get entire plates full of sugar."

"Good looking out," Arrow said. They neared the front of the line and Savannah watched as both Arrow and Irish picked up plates and helped the girls fill them with balanced snacks.

"Do you need help deciding?" Savage asked her.

"No, I'm not hungry," Savannah said, and she wasn't lying. She was too nervous to be hungry.

"Okay. Why don't I put a couple of things on a plate, just in case you change your mind," Savage said gently. She followed behind him and watched as he put cheese cubes, salami shaped into a rose, some crackers, grapes, and the cupcake she'd been eyeing onto a bright yellow paper plate.

As Savage led them to a nearby table, Savannah couldn't help but notice the way his presence seemed to fill the entire room. He was easily twenty years her senior, but there was an undeniable magnetism about him that made her pulse quicken.

"So, Savannah," he said, leaning forward. "What brings you to our neck of the woods?"

She met his gaze, stealing herself. "Just...visiting." She was trying to keep as close to the truth as she could, so she wouldn't have to remember the lies later. Last year, taking care of her mother as she battled cancer and working at the hotel in housekeeping had taken up every single minute of her day. Since she'd passed away, her days felt empty and lonely. Her sister had moved to Denver for a better opportunity and taken her niece with her. She'd been happy for them and hoped to follow, eventually. If she could get close to The Watchmen and get the information, Zeb demanded from her... maybe she would.

As the night wore on, Savannah found herself laughing more freely, the weight of her deception momentarily lifting. But as closing time approached, reality came crashing back.

"We should exchange numbers," Makenzie insisted, pulling out her phone. "In case you need anything, okay?"

Savannah nodded, guilt twisting her stomach as she recited her number. "Thanks, really. For everything tonight."

As she gathered her things, Savannah took a deep breath. She'd made progress, but at what cost? The warmth of newfound friendships warred with the cold reality of her mission. She shouldn’t get too close to these women; they’d eventually find out about her betrayal. Could she handle the way they would look at her when they found out why she was really here? To ruin their Daddies lives? Tear apart their relationships? Wreak havoc on them? No, she didn’t think she could possibly face them when all this was done. She needed to keep a distance.

"Let me walk you to your car," Savage called as she headed for the exit.

Savannah turned, offering a small wave. "I'll be okay," she said.

"That might be true, but I'm going to walk you anyway," Savage told her.

The dark, silent night contrasted with the vibrant colors and energy pulsing behind the door. The difference was almost shocking to her system. She took a deep breath of the cold night air and let it out slowly, forgetting that Savage was standing next to her.

"You, okay?"

"I'm good. It's just... it's like a different world when you step through the doors," she admitted.

"Is it a good world or a bad world?" Savage asked.

"Oh, good!" She said quickly and realized she meant it. "It was really nice to meet new friends, and I had fun playing with them."

"Emilee and Makenzie are the best. You couldn't find better friends. I'm glad you exchanged phone numbers. I hope you can develop good friendships with them."

"Me too," she said. She knew it would never happen. Eventually, she'd get the information she needed and leave. It was too bad, because in another lifetime, Grand Ridge might have called her home. The weight of her deception pressed down on her, threatening to crush her resolve. Savage walked her to the car and told her to put on her seatbelt.

"Don't text and drive," he told her. "Get home safe and when you do, make sure to text Makenzie and Em and let them know, okay?"

As he turned to leave, Savannah called out, "Why me? Why are you being so kind?"

Savage paused, looking back with a hint of a smile. "Everyone deserves a chance to belong, Savannah."

She closed the door and started the engine. Glancing at him through the window, his intense gaze met hers, sending a shiver down her spine. She'd never met a more handsome man in her life.

"Get it together," she whispered to herself. "You can do this. There’s no other choice."