Chapter 21 #2
“Good. Communication is important so you need to tell me any time that you’re scared or uncomfortable. And I’ll do the same.”
She nodded.
“And this one is possibly going to be the hardest for you.”
Casey frowned. “Why is that?”
“The third rule is about health and safety. In other words, you’re not to do anything that puts your health or your safety at risk. Like climbing trees. Or trying to create swings. Or driving without a seatbelt on for instance.”
“I never drive without a seatbelt on.”
“Well good, little girl, but that was just an example. I think you understand what I’m trying to say.”
“Sure, but I’d like you to know that that’s gonna be really easy for me to do because I’m always safe.”
“Uh-huh,” he said skeptically. “Well, we’ll see.”
Because if the past was any indication of the future, he was fairly certain it wouldn’t be long until she ended up over his knee for doing something foolish.
“Now, let’s talk about Little time. When you want some Little time you can tell me or just start calling me Daddy. But I’m going to be firmer with you when you’re Little. No naughtiness. No disobeying Daddy. Understand?”
“Daddy! You’re talking like I’m not a good girl when I am!”
“Of course you are. But even good girls can be naughty sometimes.”
She pouted. “Not me, Daddy. I’m such a good girl that you won’t ever need to punish me.”
“All right. That’s good to hear. Now, we need to go and brush your teeth again before I tuck you into bed.”
“Nooo,” she groaned. “I don’t wanna brush my teeth!”
“Are you misbehaving already, little girl?” he asked.
That didn’t take long, did it?
“I’ve already brushed my teeth,” she complained.
“And if you didn’t want to brush them again, then you shouldn’t have had candy.”
Casey grumbled quietly and he shook his head. “Come on.”
“Don’t wanna.”
Getting off the bed, he lifted her, putting her on his hip. Then he lightly slapped her ass twice.
“Hey! What was that for?” she cried.
“That was for arguing when I told you to do something. I’m going to be taking your sugar stash, too.”
“Daddy, no! That’s so mean! It’s . . . it’s gotta be illegal!”
“It’s not illegal. And for all I know, you’ll end up eating some in the middle of the night.”
“Well, of course I eat them in the middle of the night. That’s the best candy eating time. Everyone knows that.”
“No, that’s not the best candy eating time,” he told her as he set her on the counter in the bathroom.
Grabbing her toothbrush, he put some toothpaste on it. When she reached for it, he drew it away.
“No, Daddy will do it for you. Now, open up.”
She swallowed heavily. Then, without a word, she parted her lips.
“Such a good girl for me, aren’t you?” He brushed her teeth and then let her spit before brushing them again. “There you are. All nice and clean.”
“Are you really gonna take my candy, Daddy?” she asked as he picked her back up.
“Yes. You can still have it, but you have to ask me for it.”
“But what if I hurt myself and I need candy to make me feel better? Because that could happen, you know.”
He set her down beside the bed, then drew the covers back. “Climb in. And if you hurt yourself maybe you would be better with a hug.”
“A hug?” she asked.
“Yes. A hug.”
“I like hugs. That might be nice.”
Damn. She was so sweet. He wondered who had hugged her when she’d hurt herself after her mama died.
He needed to find out who her bastard of a father was. And then he had to make him pay.
“Good. I’d like to give you hugs. I think you could use them.” Jeb brushed her hair back off her face. “Now, do you have anything special that you like to sleep with?”
Casey yawned. “Um, yeah.”
“What? Where is it?”
“I have an alligator. Don’t worry, he’s a toy,” she said quickly.
“Whew.” He put his hand on his chest. “I was a bit worried for a moment.”
She giggled. “Did you think that I had a real, live alligator hiding in the closet, Daddy?”
“The thought did cross my mind. So your toy alligator is in the closet?”
“Uh-huh.” She watched as he walked to the closet and found the alligator sitting on a shelf.
Grabbing hold of it, he carried the toy back to her.
“Here you are. Does he or she have a name?” he asked.
“Mr. Pickles. I know it’s a strange name for an alligator. But I got him when I was a kid and I really liked pickles. I still love pickles. A lot.”
“Good to know.”
She drew Mr. Pickles under the covers, holding him tight.
Damn.
Adorable.
He tucked the blankets around them both, then leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Sleep well, baby. Daddy will see you in the morning.”
Jeb waited until she’d fallen asleep then snuck out. He moved down to his office. He opened the email from the private investigator who had run a quick background check on Casey.
Tex had refused to hand over the background check he’d run. He’d just laughed and ended the call. Although, he hadn’t been laughing when Jeb had put in a complaint about Happy and the way he’d treated Casey.
As expected there was nothing in the background check that set off any alarms. But that wasn’t what he was looking for.
There it was. Her father’s name.
George Reynolds the Third.
Hmm. He had heard of him. He did a bit of a quick search.
Right. George Reynolds the Third owned the largest horse farm in Connecticut. Jeb had some connections he could lean on in Connecticut.
It was time to start ruining good old George.