Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Autumn
I’m fidgety and too nervous to be a good host to Eloise, which makes me feel bad. It’s hard to focus, though, knowing Mace is talking to Cannon about Frank.
I spent the morning intentionally ignoring my problems. I let myself be Little to escape, and that was going well until I saw Cannon’s face. His tight expression told me there’s news, and I’m frustrated that Mace is leaving me out of my own problems.
I head for the window and absently stare out.
Eloise joins me. “Cannon has told me about the man who killed your father. I’m so sorry. I know you must be stressed.”
I force myself to smile and nod. It’s helpful that she already knows, so I don’t have to tell her the saga. “I thought he was my father’s friend. I feel duped. My father was blindsided. Mostly, I’m worried that Mace will get hurt or killed or in trouble for going after him.”
“I get that. I felt the same way when Cannon went after the man who ruined my life.”
I startle and turn to face her. “What happened?”
“I was basically duped like you, except I was younger. I was in high school. The school’s police officer blackmailed me and sold me. Long story short, I eventually escaped, but I was living on the run.”
I gasp. “That’s awful.” Her problems were much bigger than mine.
She chuckles, but her tone isn’t filled with humor.
“Oh, it gets worse. I have very bad luck. Recently, my car broke down on the side of the road. A man stopped to help me. A voice in my head told me to turn him down, but I accepted, of course. He kidnapped me and held me for ransom. Guess what he wanted in payment?”
I almost can’t breathe. How horrible. “What?”
“June. He was her ex-husband.”
Now, I’m horrified. I grab Eloise’s arm. “June?”
“Yep. But Cannon and Blade followed June to the house where her asshole ex was holding me. If you’re worried about their ability to handle shit, let me assure you, there is no need. That fucker is no longer walking the Earth.”
I flatten my free hand over my heart. “And the police officer?”
She grins. “He’s with June’s ex. The reason I’m telling you this isn’t to freak you out, but so you’ll know these guys who work for Black Blade Protection are the bomb.
They don’t fuck around. They don’t get caught, nor do they leave evidence.
They will find the piece of shit who killed your father and send him to spend time with every other asshole who’s been disposed of before him.
In hell with the ones who hurt June and me. ”
She’s blunt, and I appreciate that. I throw my arms around her and hug her. “Thank you for telling me that.”
“You’re welcome.” She hugs me back.
When we release each other, she holds me at arm’s length, hands on my shoulders, eyes locked on mine. “They will find him, and they will rid the world of the likes of such scum.”
My heart rate is fast, mostly from absorbing so much information. My problems seem like child’s play compared to what Eloise went through. And, apparently, June.
“I’m scared,” I admit.
“Understandable. Believe me, I was, too. I was also skeptical and found it difficult to trust any man, including the one who rescued me from that hell-house and took me home.”
I hug her again. It’s my turn to express sympathy.
“I’m sorry, Eloise.” At least I wasn’t living with that kind of mistrust. Until I learned about Frank’s betrayal, I’d never experienced anything like this.
I’ve lived a stress-free life, filled with love and everything I needed.
I’ve never known danger or fear. For Eloise, those emotions were a way of life.
One thing is certain now. I know Mace will dispose of Frank so I never have to worry about him again. It’s been hard to wrap my head around, but Eloise has helped me see that there is far more darkness in the world than I have ever known, and men like those who work for Blade are the good guys.
“Hey, what’s going on in here?”
We both turn from the window at the sound of June’s voice as she skips toward us.
Eloise lifts one arm from around me and opens it so that June can join in the group hug. Seconds later, the three of us are clutching each other. A weight lifts from my shoulders. I barely know these women, yet I sense we will be lifelong friends.
I’ve never had close friends. Not really. I was an odd child who spent all my free time with my father. I didn’t mind. I never thought about it or realized I might be missing out on anything.
Now I’m finding something I never knew I was lacking. Solidarity.
When we release each other, I wipe my eyes. I don’t want to cry. I’m kind of happy. This isn’t a time to be sad.
“You two looked so serious when I came in,” June says.
Eloise smiles. “I was giving Autumn the short version of what you and I have been through and how our Daddies fixed things.”
“Ah. Good.”
I glance down at my dress before taking in Eloise’s and then June’s and start giggling. “Such a serious conversation for three people who should be coloring and pretending the world is a perfect place.”
June shrugs. “Sometimes it helps to take a step back, put on our adult panties, and face reality.”
She’s right. It’s fascinating how they’re able to do such a thing, and I’m starting to understand how this dynamic works.
Being Little can be something I participate in as often as I want.
It’s okay to let myself hide, but it’s also okay to confront my fears.
The line is blurred. I can step over it, back and forth, if I need. I make my own rules in a way.
I glance at the door to the playroom. I’m torn. I don’t like the men discussing things that pertain to me behind my back. I’m sure Blade has joined Mace and Cannon, which means whatever has happened is serious enough to call in the boss.
Is Mace babying me? I don’t think so. I think he’s protecting me. I should trust him. I do trust him. But I also want to know what they’re saying.
I break away from my new friends, staring at the open doorway as I shuffle in that direction.
Pausing with my toes up to the line, I take a deep breath.
I realize what I’m thinking has nothing to do with Mace’s meeting with Blade and Cannon.
That’s not why I’m going to cross the threshold to this room.
Nope. I’m going to step over this line because I’m stressed, and I need the release I’ll get from disobeying Daddy.
Eloise and June flank me. Eloise strokes my arm. “Do you want him to spank you?”
I nod.
“In front of us?” June asks.
“Yes.” I glance at June and then Eloise. “Is that okay?” I should ask them first. This isn’t just about me. If they watch me get punished, they will be included in a way that might make them uncomfortable. I should have thought of that earlier.
Eloise threads her fingers with mine. “Have you ever been disciplined in front of other people?”
I shake my head. “No. Not in real life. Until I arrived here, I’d never even faced my Little outside of my head.
The only times I’ve been spanked were in my imagination, but sometimes in my mind, I like other people to witness my humiliation.
Is that weird?” I’m trembling, hoping my new friends don’t run from the apartment and never speak with me again.
“Not at all,” June says. “Lots of people like witnesses to their punishment. It’s a common kink. And I don’t mind being a voyeur if that’s what you need.”
“I don’t either,” Eloise agrees, giving my hand a squeeze.
“Does Mace know this is something you want?” June asks.
Eloise giggles. “If he didn’t before this morning, he does now. Autumn pushed his buttons the moment I arrived. I don’t think he’ll be surprised.”
“Do you think he’ll be mad?” I ask. After all, he’s sort of working. Even though the case he’s focused on involves me, this is his job. It’s what he does for a living. I don’t think he will ordinarily appreciate me interrupting him when he’s in a meeting.
“I’ve never seen Mace mad,” June says.
“Me neither,” Eloise adds. “I’ve never seen any of the men who work with Blade get angry. Not at us anyway. They might get furious when they discuss taking down a bad guy, but their Daddy side doesn’t allow them to take their frustration out on women.”
That’s good to hear. My heart is racing as I stare at the threshold. I need this. I want Daddy to purge the stress and pain from me. I know he can do that with his palm, and I bet the experience will be even stronger if I misbehave with June and Eloise as witnesses.
Not just June and Eloise, but also Blade and Cannon. That’s an important detail. But for some reason, I’m more focused on my friends. In my mind, I’ve visualized them empathizing with me. They’re the ones who will wince on my behalf. After all, they have also been spanked, right?
I jerk my gaze back and forth between them again. “Do your Daddies spank you?”
June smiles. “Nearly every day.”
Eloise covers her mouth to stifle a giggle. “Same.”
I blow out a breath. Thank goodness. Is there anything else about this odd plan that needs any other consideration?
“It’s okay,” Eloise says, releasing my hand. “Do what you need to do. We’ll follow you.”
My mind is made up. I step over the line into the hallway and march into the great room. I can feel my friends at my back as I approach.
Daddy is sitting at the island with Blade and Cannon. They each have a mug of coffee in front of them. Daddy lifts his gaze. His expression is startled for a split second, brows raised, mouth open, but then he softens and almost smirks.
“What are you doing, naughty girl?”
I stop a few feet away and plant my hands on my hips. “I want to be included in your meeting. It’s not fair for you to discuss things that affect me behind my back.” My voice is sassy. There’s no way for him to take me seriously.
He rounds the island, approaching me. “What did I say, Baby girl?” he asks, cupping the back of my neck.
My friends were right. He’s not mad. He’s going to play along. I can sense it. I’m trembling. This is a huge step. It’s something I need.
I realize I haven’t answered his question when he lifts a brow.