28. Chapter Twenty-Six
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
RAINEY
A whole day had passed since she wet herself at the club. Daddy had held her for hours when they got home, taking care of her and loving her. She was still embarrassed about the whole ordeal, but Daddy told her not to be.
It did make her feel a little better that Charlotte had also had it happen to her. Was that bad of her for thinking that?
She sighed and walked through the doors of the café. Daddy had dropped her off at work and gone to the club to get a coupleof things done. He was coming back for lunch in a few hours.
It was so surreal. Just a week ago, she was sleeping in her office and working every day to try and survive. Now, she was living with Daddy, and he was taking care of her. She was no longer working every day.
It was weird.
Really weird.
Rainey didn’t know how to feel about it. She hadn’t really had the time to process it all. That was a lie—she had. While it was weird, she absolutely loved the feeling of being taken care of. Daddy was on top of everything, always making sure she was okay, checking she was eating and drinking enough, and if she needed any snuggles.
That was probably her favorite part.
His snuggles.
Having his arms wrapped around her made her feel safe and relaxed. She had never felt that way with anyone else. It was special.
“Rainey, I didn’t think you were coming in for another couple ofhours,” Grace called out.
The café had two customers, but they were in their own world on their computers.
“Ah, Da—, I mean, Marco had to go into the club. I asked if I could come in, and he said yes.”
“Rules?” Flemming asked. “Sorry, I go to the club at night sometimes. Don’t have a Daddy yet, but I go to hang out with the other Littles and Middles.”
“Oh,” Rainey whispered.
She had no idea.
“Sorry if that was weird. You can call Marco your Daddy. We aren’t going to judge you.”
“Right, sorry. It just caught me off guard. I knew Grace knew, but I didn’t want to overstep and share something you weren’t comfortable with.”
“Most of the people in town are kinky in some way. You are correct and trying to be respectful, but almost everyone has some type of kink, and they know what the club caters to,” Grace explained. “But if you aren’t comfortable then don’t do it. Do what makes you comfortable.”
“Thanks. Well, yeah, Daddy gave me some rules to follow until he comes for lunch. We’ll see if they actually happen.”
Rainey didn’t mind the rules, but some of them were ridiculous. Not being able to get close to anything hot. That was a ridiculous rule. She knew there was a possibility of burning herself, but she hadn’t done it before he came into her life. She tried saying that to Daddy, but he didn’t want to hear it.
“I know most of them. I have a coupleof things I’m looking out for,” Grace said.
She blinked several times. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, well, Marco told me some of your rules, so you are safe here. I have them on my phone. He just wanted you safe.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that.”
“Sorry. They aren’t anything bad. I promise that was all that we talked about. You can read them if you want.”
“No, that’s okay.” Rainey waved her hand in the air. “No worries at all.”
But inside, Rainey was annoyed. Why did Daddy text Grace? Did he not trust her? Hurt filled her with that thought.
Before Grace could say anything, the doorbell chimed, and three guests came in.
“I’m going to the bathroom,” Rainey said.
She didn’t have to go. Rainey just needed to get away from Grace right now. Pulling out her phone, she hit Daddy’s name.
“Hi, Little girl. I’m a little busy right now. Can we talk in a little bit?”
Rainey completely ignored him.
“You didn’t have to tell Grace my rules. Do you not trust me?”
“I trust you, Little girl.”
“I know I’m a Little, but I am a grown adult. When I have to, I can look after myself. I’m hurt.”
She didn’t know what compelled her to say all that. Maybe it was because she was annoyed. Annoyed that he went behind her back and asked Grace to look after her. They were friends, but she was also Grace’s boss.
“Little one.”
“Don’t ‘Little one’ me. I really am hurt you went behind my back and didn’t tell me. I am a grown adult. I can take care of myself.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was going to tell you when I came for lunch. I wasn’t going behind your back. She wouldn’t remind you of your rules or get you in trouble. She was just going to suggest you sit down occasionally. I wanted to know you were safe. What if something happened?”
“I would have told you,” she mumbled.
“Not if it was something small. And I’m not saying that to make you feel bad. I know you don’t want to bother me with things, but I want you to. I want to be able to help you through things, even if they are really small or if you need to rant about something. I want to be there for you.”
Now Rainey was feeling bad. Like always, he had her best interest in heart,and she had jumped to conclusions about everything.
“I’m sorry.”
“Little girl, it’s okay. No harm done, but when I come for lunch, you are going to take a nap.”
She whined. “I don’t need a nap.”
“Yes, you do. Don’t try and argue with me on this. I know you didn’t sleep well last night.”
“H-how?”
“I felt you tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable.”
Guilt formed in her stomach like a hard steel ball, weighing her down.
“Sorry. I couldn’t get comfortable last night. Tonight, I’ll sleep in the guest bedroom. You need sleep, and I don’t want to keep you up.”
“I didn’t say you were going to do that.”
“You don’t have to. I don’t want to bother you, so I’m saying it first, so you don’t have to.”
How could she have been so selfish to completely forget about Daddy and how he was sleeping with her tossing and turning?
“Little girl,” he growled.
Her eyes went wide, her breath getting caught in her throat.
“Y-yes?”
“I didn’t say you would sleep in the guest bedroom. I’m not going to allow that to happen.”
“But.”
“No buts. Rainey, I want you to come to me for things. If you can’t sleep, I want you to come to me so I can help you. I don’t care if you wake me up. I want to be woken up.”
Her mouth went dry .
“I know it can be hard to wrap your brain around it since you aren’t used to it, but I mean every word. I want to be there for you, no matter what time it is or what is happening.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re okay. But you saying sorry won’t get you out of your nap.”
“Daddy,” she whined.
“Nope. You are taking a nap. It’s not up for negotiation. I’ll see you in an hour for lunch. Be a good girl.”
“Love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Rainey hung up and sighed, making her way back to Grace.
“I’m sorry,” Rainey apologized.
“No, it’s okay. I thought he had told you. It’s not like I’m going to be keeping a tally. Just reminding you to sit down if you haven’t in a while. I promise I’m just looking out for you. I know I’m a Little as well, but I do want you to be healthy. You gave me a job when I needed it, and I just want to make sure everything is okay.”
Rainey smiled and looked out the window. It was an absolutely beautiful day. The sun was shining but it wasn’t too hot outside, or she didn’t think it was.
“Oh, while you were on the phone, someone dropped off a note for you,” Grace said.
Eyebrows furrowing, she looked back at Grace.
“What?”
“Yeah, it’s taped shut. I didn’t read anything. But the person said to hand it to you.”
Rainey took a deep breath, dread filling her body. the Littles she met at the club had her phone number and Daddy wouldn’t have done it, either.
“Thanks,” she mumbled as she took the note.
Tearing the tape, Rainey carefully opened it and started to read.
I’m watching you. Get rid of the baby before I do.
Gasping, she quickly closed the note and looked around, trying to work out who it possibly could be.
“Who was it?” Rainey asked, her voice shaky.
“I don’t know, some man. I didn’t recognize him.”
“When did he hand this to you? Where did he go?”
“He walked into the coffee shop while you were on the phone and left immediately. Didn’t even buy anything. And as for where he went, I have no idea. He walked out, and I couldn’t watch since I had a customer.”
Rainey took a step back, her eyes dancing across the window leading outside, trying to figure out where he was. Was he still nearby? Was it Pete?
“Are you okay?” Grace asked.
“Y-yeah,” she whispered.
“What did the note say?”
She shook her head. “It was nothing. Um, I need to make a quick phone call.”
“If you need anything, let me know.”
Rainey nodded and walked to her office. Should she tell Daddy? He knew her ex-boyfriend wasn’t the best, but she didn’t know he was definitely in town. When she thought she had seen him, she thought it was her mind playing tricks on her.
But she was wrong.
So wrong.
Pete was in town. How did he find her? She got rid of everything electronic and bought new so he wouldn’t be able to track her. She changed her phone and phone number. Rainey had been so careful when she left.
Closing the door to her office, she pulled out her phone and called Echo.
“Please answer,” she whispered. “Please.”
“Hey, girl! How are you?”
“Uh, good. You?”
“Uh-oh. That didn’t sound convincing at all. What’s wrong? Do I need to come over and beat someone up? Pull a prank?”
“Um, no. I have a favor to ask.”
“Oooo, do tell me more.”
Rainey took a deep breath. She didn’t know if Echo talked to him, but she needed to ask.
“Your mysterious man.”
“What about him? Did he do something to you? I told him not to mess with any of my friends, and if he did, he would regret it.”
“You threatened him?” Rainey squeaked.
“Uh, yeah, I did. I can’t let him do things to my friends. That’s just uncalled for. Was it a wise idea for me to threaten him? Absolutely not, but my friends mean a lot to me, and you are my friend.”
Rainey felt touched Echo thought of her as a friend.
“Are you safe?”
“Oh, yeah. The only thing he would do is spank me. He’s done it once, but not since then.”
“Did you consent to it?”
“Well, kind of, but not really. But it’s okay. I deserved it.”
“Do I want to know?”
“Probably not. He’s been keeping a closer eye on me since I did that.”
“Has he threatened to spank you before?”
“Oh, plenty of times. Honestly, I thought he was all bark and no bite. But he proved me wrong with that spanking. My ass was on fire for several days. It was not fun.”
Rainey didn’t know how to respond. It sounded like she had everything under control, but Rainey was still worried for her.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Is he listening to our conversation?” Rainey grew paranoid. Maybe she shouldn’t ask this over the phone.
“I’m okay and he isn’t listening in. He probably could, but I threatened him thatif he did listen in, it wouldn’t end well. He chuckled and told me he wouldn’t for now. Who knows what that means, but he isn’t. I promise. And if you are still concerned, I can use my other phone. He doesn’t know the phone number as it’s not under my name.”
“No, it’s okay. If you don’t think he’s listening in, it’s fine. Well, if he were listening in it wouldn’t be a problem. I guess. I don’t know.”
“Whoa. Are you okay?” Echo asked. “You sound a little shaky. Do I need to come over? I know he isn’t with you because he is leaning against his bike across from my house.”
“Does he do that a lot?”
“Lean against his bike and watch me? Yeah, he does. Kind of cute if you think about it. My protective, growly, and annoying protector.”
“Is that healthy?”
“Who knows, but probably not. Anyway, what can I help you with?”
“Is your mysterious man’s club dangerous?”
Everything in Rainey wanted her to say no, they weren’t dangerous. Then she would know Pete wasn’t part of it.
“I mean, sure. They aren’t really on the right side of the law, but I know Deccan wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. I don’t think they hurt innocent women.”
“But his men are all bad?”
“They do some bad things. I don’t know what, but he’s said he isn’t a good man. Why?”
“I just. I need a favor, like I said before.”
“I can’t say yes or no until you tell me what the favor is.” Echo chuckled.
“Right,” she breathlessly said.
“Take a deep breath for me. Are you sitting down?”
“Yeah.”
But it was a lie. There was no way Rainey could sit down right now. Not when she was about to ask to meet Deccan. She had only seen him once, but he looked terrifying.
“When you’re ready, you let me know.”
“I don’t know if it would be possible, but I need to meet with him to ask him some questions. Just him. Not any of his other members.”
“Why?”
Should Rainey tell Echo?
“I promise I won’t tell anyone. I mean, if Deccan asks, then I’ll have to give him something. He won’t want to just meet with you.”
“I think he knows someone I used to know. Someone I don’t need or want in town. Things could get dangerous for me, and I just need to make sure he actually isn’t here.”
“Shit, girly. Have you told your Daddy?”
“I haven’t, but I’m going to after I talk to Deccan. I need to talk to him sooner rather than later. Maybe tonight? You can be there if you want.”
“I’ll ask him, but we aren’t exactly on the best terms at the moment. Kind of cursed him out and ran before he could get me. Anytime he leaves, I go out in public, so he can’t do anything.”
“Are you safe?”
“Oh, yeah. I am safe. Don’t worry. He won’t actually hurt me. He’s told me that several times.”
“If that changes…”
“I know; I’ll go to the police. However, I don’t know how much they’ll be able to do or keep me safe. I’m pretty sure Deccan is the one keeping me safe.”
“Thank you,” Rainey whispered. “I owe you one.”
“I’ll text you the details once I ask.”
“Thanks again.”
Rainey hung up and took several deep breaths in. Anxiety ran through her body as she thought about meeting with Deccan. What if when she went, he brought Pete with him?
Should she tell Daddy about it so he could go with her? She shook her head. Daddy wouldn’t let her go if he knew what she was trying to do. But she needed to do this. She needed to figure out if Pete was in town or if she had a stalker on her hands.
Rainey placed a hand on her stomach and started to rub. She hoped it was neither, and the note she got was a little prank. But deep down, she knew it wasn’t. No one would tell someone to get rid of their baby.
It was a threat.
One she should tell her Daddy about, but she needed to meet with Deccan first. Then she would tell Daddy.
“Hey, Little girl.” Daddy walked into her office.
She screamed, turning around and placing a hand on her chest. Before she could stop herself, she peed into her diaper.
“Shit, Little one. Are you okay?”