14. King
FOURTEEN
KING
K ing’s grip was firm but not rough as he guided Ella through the clubhouse, his jaw tight. Kade and Doc led their Littles in the opposite direction, leaving King alone with Ella as he pushed open the door to his small apartment.
The moment they were inside, he turned and shut the door behind them. Ella stood there, her hands twisting together, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she peered up at him, looking uncertain.
Part of him was pleased. Pleased that she felt safe enough to push the boundaries, to test the limits of their growing dynamic. It told him she trusted him. But another part of him, the part still rattled by the sharp bite of fear that had clenched his chest when she hadn’t come when called, needed Ella to understand that what she’d done wasn’t going to be ignored.
He exhaled slowly, running a hand down his face before leveling her with a steady look. “Go and stand in the corner.”
Ella’s eyes widened, her lips parting slightly in surprise.
King arched a brow, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “That wasn’t a suggestion, Little girl.”
Her shoulders slumped slightly, but she obeyed him, shuffling over to the empty corner of the room. She hesitated once more before finally turning to face the wall, her hands clasped in front of her.
King let a beat of silence settle before he spoke. “I want you to listen to me carefully, dollface. I know you were playing with the others. I know you were having fun. And I love seeing you happy. But when I called for you and told you I was going to count, I wasn’t just being bossy—I was worried.”
Ella didn’t move, but he saw her tiny shoulders tense.
“You might not officially be my Little girl yet, but that doesn’t change the fact that when you’re here, I consider youmine to protect. That means I’m responsible for you. And if something were to happen because you didn’t listen—” He exhaled sharply, forcing down the knot in his chest. “I can’t let that slide, baby. I need to know that when I tell you to do something for your safety, you’re going to listen. I’m really strict when it comes to safety because, in my line of work, I see a lot. More than any person ever should. So I worry more than some of the other Daddies. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
The room was quiet except for the sound of Ella’s breathing, and then?—
A sniffle.
King’s chest ached, but he knew he couldn’t give in yet. She needed to learn.
He let her stand there for a few more minutes, letting his words sink in. Letting her feel the weight of them.
Finally, he said, “Come here, Little one.”
She turned slowly, her face pink, her big eyes glossy with unshed tears. His heart squeezed, but he kept his expression steady as he patted his thighs. As soon as she was close, he reached for her.
King kept his hands firm but gentle on Ella’s hips, holding her steady as she stood between his thighs. Her red-rimmed eyes were sad from her timeout, her small sniffs tugging at something deep inside him. But he had to stay firm—this was important.
“I want to be your Daddy,” he told her firmly.
Ella’s breath caught, and she nodded immediately, like she’d been waiting for him to say it.
His lips twitched into a small smile. “And I want you to be my girlfriend, too. Do you want that?”
Another nod. “Yes,” she whispered.
He ran his hands up and down her sides. “Good girl.” Then his expression turned serious. “But being your Daddy means I have responsibilities, baby. My job is to keep you safe, to make sure you follow the rules and obey. When I told you to come out and you didn’t, that was naughty.”
She bit her lip, her hands fidgeting at her sides.
He gave her a pointed look. “You disobeyed me, and worse, you made me worry. That means there are consequences.” He let his words settle before continuing, “You deserve a spanking.”
Ella’s breath hitched, her cheeks turning pink, but she didn’t argue.
“I’m going to put you over my knee and spank your bottom,” he told her resolutely. “And once it’s done, it’s done. All is forgiven. You’ll be able to go back to playing with your friends, and we’ll move on.”
She sniffled, but after a moment, she gave a tiny nod.
King reached up, cupping her cheek, his thumb swiping a stray tear away. “Later, we’ll go over your rules and boundaries together. But for now, let’s get this over with.”