“Sir?” Millie says, her voice a high-pitched squeak of terror that has my hackles rising. At least, I think that’s what this sudden protective feeling is. I’m not really sure what hackles are or what it feels like when they rise but the saying seems to fit.
“I don't pay you to socialize, Camilla. Have you finished taking Natalie’s vitals?”
“No, Sir. I’m sorry, Sir.”
Tears glisten in her pretty gray eyes before she ducks her head and temper sparks in my chest as I glare up at the man in the doorway. “Do you have to be such a jerk about it?”
The man’s eyes widen in surprise. “Excuse me, little girl?”
“You heard me. She was just beingnicewhich is how nurses are supposed to be. Don’t you want your patients to feel comfortable?”
That cruel glint I noticed in his eyes earlier brightens and the corners of his lips curve up in a slow, wicked smile. “My patients’ comfort is not my top priority. Ensuring that all the Little girls on this island remain healthy is my only concern.”
“So you have to be an asshole to your nurse to make that happen?”
Behind me, Evander sighs. “Obviously I didn’t do a good enough job of washing your mouth out yesterday.”
“Obviously,” the doctor deadpans.
“I’d apologize, but I’m not sorry for telling it like it is. He’s being mean to poor Millie for no good reason.”
“She has a point, Doctor D.” Evander’s chest vibrates with laughter. “You are being a bit of an asshole.”
Doctor D just smirks in response. “If you knew anything about my profession, you’d know that’s a badge of honor. The better you are at your job, the more of an asshole people perceive you to be.”
“Well then you must be top of the fucking class.”
Millie gasps at the same time Evander sighs again. “All right, kitten. That’s enough of the naughty language. One more and I will have to punish you.”
From the doorway, the doctor frowns. “Little girls need structure and discipline. You really shouldn’t allow this behavior to go unchecked, Evander.”
“We pay you to ensure our Little ones are healthy, not to criticize how we discipline them, Doctor.”
Spine straightening, Doctor D inclines his head ever so slightly. “My apologies. Camilla, let me know when you’ve finished here so I can complete my exam.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Still wide-eyed and looking stunned, Millie waits for Doctor D to leave before she leans in, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Nobody hasevertalked to him like that! You might be my new hero.”
“I don’t care what kind of contract you signed, you still deserve to be treated with respect in the workplace, Millie.”
She frowns, then gives a slow nod. “Maybe you’re right…”
“Of course I’m right.” Leaning over, I pat her arm encouragingly. “But we should probably get through all the vitals stuff before he comes back.”
“Right. Yes, of course.”
As she gets to work on my blood pressure again, Evander presses a kiss to my temple. “My ferocious little lion,” he says with another quiet laugh. “I'm so proud of you, baby.”
“Even though I said a couple naughty words?”
“Yes. You stood up for someone you saw being mistreated, even at the risk of getting your bottom paddled. My brave, naughty little kitten.”
“If I’m being honest it didn’t even occur to me you might spank me.” Though it probably should have, now that I think about it. “I was just somad.”
“I know, kitten. And while I am very proud of you for standing up for Millie, I will spank you if you’re that rude again without a good reason. Understood?”
That seems fair, if I’m being honest. “Yes, Daddy.”
