As I whisper what I hope are encouraging words, I press harder on her bladder, rubbing the organ in small circles until, at last, Alexis gasps. The sound of my Little girl filling her own diaper is music so sweet it nearly brings tears to my eyes.
“My good, brave girl,” I murmur, pulling away just enough to shower her sweet round face with kisses. “Mommy is so proud of you.”
“Really?” Pure joy lights up my Little girl’s emerald eyes. “You’re… proud of me?”
“Of course, little imp. You did what Mommy asked of you and nothing could make me prouder than that.”
“I don’t think anyone’s ever said they were proud of me before.”
Now tears do actually blur my vision, but before she can see them, I pull Alexis close to me again, meeting Maxwell’s gaze over our Little ones’ heads. In his eyes, I see my own emotions reflected back at me. Anger at whoever hurt this sweet girl, and relief that she won’t ever have to deal with them again.
Chapter Nine
Alexis
Tucked into my crib later that night, I stare up at the ceiling, trying to piece together how exactly I got to this strange place. I’m certainly not the first person to swindle rich old men out of their money, but the universe seems intent on punishing me for it.
Or at least, Catharina does. Though I’m not really sure there’s much of a difference between karmic justice and her will, when it comes down to it.
What else does she have planned for me? I can’t really imagine anything worse than spankings and soap and pissing myself in front of other people—fuck my life, that wasso freaking humiliating—but then again, I wouldn’t have been able to imagine those things either before she got her hands on me.
So if this is just what she’sstartedwith, then surely she has worse things up her sleeve, right? Or is she starting with the worst of it, so I don’t fight as hard on the rest?
Either option seems plausible, and I’m not waiting around to find out which one it is. There has to be some way off this island.
I could sneak back onto the plane. But then I’d have to figure out when someone would be using it, and hope they’re flying to the states. It’s pointless to escape the island if I just end up stuck somewhere else with no money and no passport.
What about food? Sure they probably grow some here on the island, but it’s not large enough to sustain the population here, I don’t think. Not with the variety of foods I’ve already experienced. Just for the cookies alone, they’d need a sugar farm, access to cocoa beans, wheat for flour, vanilla beans. Not to mention mills and such to process those things. So it stands to reason they’re getting food from somewhere.
Butwhere?
The need to know is like an itch under my skin. Everything in me wants to climb out of my crib and sneak out of this house to find the answers and get back home.
If I do that, though, there’s zero chance I’ll actually be able to escape. Even if there is a ship or something bringing them food, there’s no guarantee it’s here right now. And even if it is, I’d still have to get out of my crib, out of the house, and find the docks in the dark. It’s much more likely I’ll be caught by Catharina before I’m able to even get out of the house, which will only earn me another trip over her knee—at the very least.
No. Better to play along for now, observe and take note. Map out the island to the best of my ability.
And when the time is right…Run.
Catharina
“Rise and shine, my sleepy little girl.”
In her crib, Alexis whimpers and rolls onto her tummy, pulling the blanket up over her head. “Go ‘way.”
Adorable. My heart stutters in my chest at the sight of her, flushed and rumpled with sleep, her fiery hair a frizzy halo around her head. I really should have Gavin send off for a silk pillowcase to protect her curls. For now, I have a very busy day planned for my sleepy Little girl.
“Time to get out of bed, little one.” I keep my voice light and cajoling, in the hopes she’ll obey on her own.
No such luck.
Pulling the covers even more tightly over her head, she lets out a sound that almost sounds like a growl. “I said goaway.”
The bite in her tone has me raising a brow, even though she can’t see it. She can, however, hear me just fine, so I infuse my next words with enough steel to remind her exactly who I am. “Alexis Paige. Is that how you speak to your Mommy?”
“It’s how I speak to people who don’t let me fucking sleep.”
So much for starting our day with snuggles and kisses. Spankings and soap it is.
