Mr. Stone shakes his head. “That isn’t a reason, Victoria Rose. Come here.”
From the corner of my eye, I watch as he pulls Victoria to him, wrapping an arm around her waist. The short blue dress she’s wearing matches mine, and it’s short enough to show her entire diaper when he bends her over.
“Daddy, no!”
Completely ignoring her cries of distress, Mr. Stone lands several hard swats to the tops of her thighs while Victoria dances in place.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but you know better than to lie to your Daddy, Victoria.” He caps off the spanking with two extra hard swats before letting go of his sobbing Little girl. “Are you going to behave yourself now?”
“Y-yes, Daddy.” Sniffling pitifully, Victoria rubs at her bright-red thighs. “I’m sorry I lied.”
Everything about Mr. Stone softens at her apology. “It’s all forgiven, little thief. Behave yourself for Miss Evelyn and maybe we can get a treat when school is over.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
Wrapping her up in his arms, he hauls her up for a long, deep kiss before sending her off to play. My heart twists painfully at the sight of their easy affection.
Will I ever have that with my own Daddy? I can’t imagine sharing that kind of deep, effortless intimacy with Donovan, so unless I’m able to somehow escape the island it seems unlikely.
Just as Victoria settles down with her own pile of toys, three more girls come running into the room. “Tori!” they scream in unison, racing over to throw themselves at their friend.
“We missed youthis much,” Natalie, the newest resident of the island declares, leaning back to spread her arms wide. “You were gone forever.”
Victoria giggles. “It was just two days.”
“It felt longer.” With a dramatic sigh, Juliet presses the back of her hand to her head. “We were bereft without our fearless leader!”
The third girl, Isabella, nods emphatically. “We really were. Are you feeling better?”
“Lots better.” Looking over Isabella’s shoulder, Victoria meets my gaze, her lips moving up in a forced smile. “Did you guys see we have a new friend to play with?”
As one, three heads swivel to stare at me, and for a moment, silence falls over the room. Then Natalie squeals, throwing herself at me much the same as she did with Victoria. “Millie! Oh my gosh, I’m so happy to see you! I thought you were leaving the island for good! What happened?” Pulling back, she waves a hand, batting away the question. “Never mind. I’m just being nosy again. Whatever happened, I’m so glad you’re here.”
The other girls don’t look nearly as thrilled by my presence. But Natalie is still rambling on, spinning tales of all the fun we’re going to have.
And for a few minutes, I’m able to convince myself that even if I can’t have the Daddy of my dreams, maybe I can at least have the friends I’ve always wanted.
Chapter Fourteen
Millie
I was wrong.
While Natalie launches into a story about some trouble she’s recently gotten herself into, the other three girls simply watch me. Juliet leans over to Victoria, cupping her hand over her friend’s ear and whispering something I can’t hear.
But considering she’s staring straight at me as she does, I don’t have to guess what the topic of their whispered conversation is.
“All right, princess.” Mr. Blackwood bends down to scoop Juliet up into his arms, pressing a loud kiss to her cheek while she giggles and pretends to fight him off. “Be good for Miss Evelyn today.”
Glancing down, he spots me sitting next to Natalie and grins. “Millie. I heard a rumor you were going to be here today. You girls be sure to show Millie around and help her feel at home. She’s part of the group now.”
At his words, Juliet’s face scrunches up. “But she’s not family.”
“Juliet.” Mr. Blackwood’s tone takes on a dangerous edge. “I made a mistake letting you get away with being nasty to Natalie when she first arrived. Trust me when I tell you I won’t make that same mistake again. If I find out you’ve been anything other than kind and welcoming to Millie, you will be going to bed with a sore bottom inside and out. Am I understood?”
“Yes, Daddy.” Juliet’s reply is sulky, and the pout on her face clearly says she doesn’t appreciate being told to be nice.
“That goes for you, too, Isabella,” Mr. Drake says, giving his Little girl a stern look. “I expect you to help Millie feel welcome.”
