Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
Amber
Every moment since I arrived at Spence’s house has made my head spin. Daddy brought me here in my Little headspace, dressed in one of my new dresses with leggings because it’s chilly out. He dressed me himself, and he didn’t put a bra on me. He put my hair in low pigtails. Lots of people my age wear low pigtails, so that’s not strange.
I was nervous when we first arrived because Spence and Ben have a guest today—Dagger. Dagger, Ben, and Daddy have known each other for many years. Apparently, Dagger was also in the Army and now works for Black Blade Protection.
Daddy explained that Dagger is also a Daddy, and I have no reason to be self-conscious around him, but that’s hard. Heck, it’s also hard letting myself be Little in front of my brother and Ben. They’re my family.
Daddy didn’t stay very long when he dropped me off, and Cassandra dragged me to her playroom immediately, so I didn’t have to spend very much time worrying about the three overbearing men who’ve been in Spence’s library on the first floor since I arrived.
But now, Cassandra has decided we should go sit out back and soak up some sun. I love the idea because, living in an apartment, I never spend much time outside. There’s a garden of sorts on top of my apartment building, but I don’t like the idea of sitting up there with strangers; Daddy likes it even less.
Cassandra skips down the stairs with me on her heels, telling me she’s not allowed to run and only recently was given permission to even use the stairs alone.
Mindboggling. She wasn’t permitted to use the stairs alone? I still don’t know for sure what happened the night Ben and Spence brought her into their lives and kept her for good. I’ve always figured she’d gone to a bar and gotten drunk or something. I don’t know how Ben found her or what led to him bringing her home, and I don’t ask. Whatever it was, it ended with her being grounded from the moment she became their Little for a long time. She had no privacy and very few privileges. Not being allowed to use the stairs, though…that one is wild.
We burst into the library. The three men are sitting in armchairs and on the loveseat.
Ben reaches out a hand. “Cassandra…” he says in a warning tone as she approaches him. “You look mischievous. What have you cooked up in your head?”
“Daddy… Nothing bad. We just want to go sit out back. Can we? Please?”
I stay back near the door. I’m new to this lifestyle. I’ve watched Cassandra with Spence and Ben, so I’m no longer shocked by their interaction, but it’s new for me. I’m barely accustomed to being Little in front of Daddy, let alone others.
Ben glances at Spence.
Spence nods. “I suppose that’s okay. You can’t go into the pool or the hot tub because of Amber’s stitches.”
“I know. That’s okay. But it’s nice and sunny out. We can sit on the Adirondack chairs,” Cassandra elaborates.
“As long as you stay put. Don’t go near the water,” Spence adds.
“Thank you, Daddy.” She kisses Ben on the cheek before running over to Spence to hug and kiss him, too.
I’m excited as we rush toward the back of the house, dashing past Alice, who is making lunch.
“We’re going out back,” Cassandra tells Alice as she opens the sliding door.
“Okay. Have fun. Freud went to the store to get me a few things, so he’s not out there right now,” Alice says, glancing up from where she’s chopping vegetables.
I follow Cassandra to the two lounge chairs in the sun and sigh as I sink into one. The sun feels good. I tip my head back and smile.
“You look happy,” Cassandra comments.
I turn to face her. “I think I am.” I touch my chin. “I’ll be happier when I get these stitches out. They itch.” It’s hard to keep from scratching.
“I still feel bad for encouraging you to twirl.”
“Don’t feel bad. It was my fault. I didn’t expect to get that dizzy. I twirled way too many times.”
“If Spence and Ben ever catch me twirling again, I’ll be grounded for life.” She pushes out her bottom lip.
I giggle. “If Isaac even catches me thinking about twirling, he’ll probably tie me to a chair in the corner of the kitchen and leave me there for two days,” I exaggerate.
“I can’t believe how calm you are while your man is out buying you an engagement ring.” Her smile is huge and infectious.
I shrug. “It’s a struggle. I can’t believe he’s in such a hurry to get married.”
“I guess it’s not really a hurry. You’ve basically been in a relationship with him for two years. You just didn’t define it as what it really is.”
“True, but so much has happened in such a short time. I can’t believe it.”
“But you love him.” She pretends to fan herself with her hand.
“Yeah. So much.” The grin on my face feels permanent.
When I turn my head back, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye and jerk my head toward the side of the house. Surely, my mind is playing tricks on me. Or maybe Freud has returned. Or Daddy could be back, too. I’ve been so jittery lately that I’m seeing things.
“What’s wrong?” Cassandra asks.
I stare at the side of the house for a few more seconds and gasp when I notice a shadow moving across the lawn. Suddenly, someone steps into view, and all the blood runs from my face.
I know exactly who it is. Jacob Marone. He looks significantly different than the boy he was when I last saw him. His hair is in a buzz cut. He’s filled out some. I see tattoos peeking out from the top of his shirt and his sleeves.
I’m frozen, wondering why he’s here, how he got here, and what he wants. It’s not like he can kidnap me from my brother’s backyard.
“I just want to talk to you, Amber,” he says. “You’re always with that big guy.”
I’m breathing heavily. Does he have a gun on him?
As if he, too, senses that would be my fear, he raises both hands. “I’m not armed. I swear. I won’t hurt you. I just want to talk.”
Cassandra grabs my arm. “How did you get onto the property?” she shouts.
“I jumped onto the back of a delivery truck while it was stopped at the gates. I couldn’t get to you any other way,” he says in a strange voice, defending his actions.
“Why do you need to talk to me, Jacob?” I ask. I don’t feel scared. This man is nervous as fuck. He seems harmless. I know from four days of getting to know him a little over ten years ago that he’s got some learning disabilities.
Suddenly, someone jumps up behind him, grabs him around the waist, and tackles him to the ground.
I scream. My heart is racing. It’s Daddy, thank goodness, but the sudden movement scares me.
Cassandra jumps up and runs toward the house, but before she can get there, Spence, Ben, and Dagger rush out of the back door.
Daddy rises, pulling Jacob with him. He pins his arms behind his back. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he shouts.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” Jacob mumbles. “I just wanted to see Amber. They told me I couldn’t.”
“That’s right. You can’t. There’s a restraining order against you, Jacob. When you go to prison for kidnapping and extortion, you can’t ever contact the person you held hostage ever again,” he shouts, sarcasm lacing his voice. “Have you been following us?”
Jacob nods. His eyes are wide as he takes in the three large men approaching him, hands fisted at their sides, scowls on their faces.
I hurry forward. Something in my gut tells me I should hear what Jacob has to say. I don’t think he means any harm. I hurry past my brother and shake loose when he grabs the back of my dress.
“Amber, stop,” Daddy orders. He continues to grip Jacob’s wrists behind his back with one hand and uses the other to pat down his pockets. “Do you have any weapons?”
“What? You mean like a gun?” Jacob’s eyes bug out. “No.” He starts shaking his head violently. It’s a wonder he doesn’t get dizzy. “I’ve never touched a gun in my life.”
I continue forward against Daddy’s orders but slower. I’m only a few yards away. “Why have you been following me?” I ask him gently.
He’s shaking as he glances past me, undoubtedly intimidated by my brother, Ben, and Dagger. I think he might piss himself. And then he starts sniffling. “Please don’t call the cops. They’ll send me back there. I can’t go back there.”
I turn to face Spence and the others. “He’s not going to hurt me.” All three men look fit to kill.
Spence glances at me before he takes one step back. One . Ben and Dagger join him, but they all have their hands fisted and ready.
I turn back to Jacob. “What do you want?”
“I-I-I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. My brother and his friends… They shouldn’t have done that to you. I shouldn’t have let them. I should’ve called the police and turned them in. I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
A part of me wants to yell and tell him no, I’m not fucking okay. I’ve had nightmares and counseling for ten years. I can’t leave my house without worrying someone will take me. I’ve never been alone because I have bodyguards around the clock. I didn’t finish college. I never got a job outside my home. I don’t have friends. My life went off course the week those assholes took me. I’ll never get it back. I lost my twenties.
But another part of me—the more rational part—points out that if none of this had happened, I wouldn’t have Isaac. I wouldn’t have the best thing that ever happened to me. I wouldn’t trade the stress of the last ten years for anything if it meant giving up my Daddy.
“I’m fine, Jacob. I’m good. I’m happy. You need to go back to the halfway house, do the things you’re supposed to do, and make a life for yourself. You need to get a job and find your own happiness. It’s out there for you. You just have to find it.”
He sniffles. “I did bad things to you.”
I shake my head. “You didn’t. You helped me. You brought me water and food. You gave me some sweatpants. You stuck up for me when your brother was mean to me. Who knows what he might have done to you if you hadn’t obeyed his orders? You did the best you could. Now, you need to stop worrying about me. If you get caught near me, you’ll end up back in prison. Can you do that, Jacob?”
He swallows and nods, tears running down his face. “Yes.”
Daddy gives him a tug, forcing him to turn around, and guides him around the house.
Ben and Dagger rush past me to follow Daddy and Jacob.
I stand there for a long time, rubbing my hands together, staring at nothing. After a minute, my brother wraps his arms around me and pulls me into a hug. He holds me close, saying nothing.
I don’t cry. I don’t need to. Everything is going to be okay.
When Daddy returns, Spence turns me over to him. Daddy hugs me even closer. He kisses the top of my head. “I’m so proud of you, baby.”
That isn’t what I expected him to say. I was imagining him reprimanding me for coming so close and taking risks. “You’re not mad at me?” I tip my head back.
He frowns. “No, baby, I’m not mad. Your instincts were correct. He was no threat.”
“Were you mean to him after you took him away?”
“No, baby. That wasn’t necessary. Ben and Dagger are giving him a lecture about the things he needs to do to stay out of prison, but you’ve already covered it well. I think he understands.” Daddy cups my face and leans down to kiss me. “I love you, baby.”
“I love you, too, Daddy.”