“Ah.” Maxwell’s expression immediately softens and a pressure I wasn’t even aware of in my chest loosens. “That makes sense. I’ll speak with Victoria later, and I’m sure the others would be happy to let their Little ones know as well.”
“I appreciate that. The last thing I want to do is hurt their feelings, but…”
“But your Little girl has to come first,” Gideon finishes with a warm smile. “We’ve all been there, Cat. Nobody thinks less of you for making Alexis your priority.”
“Thank you, Gideon.”
The doorbell chimes, alerting us to a new arrival, and a few moments later Gavin steps into the parlor with both Evander and Donovan close behind, each of them holding their own Little girl’s hand. Natalie’s eyes are rimmed with red, and when Evander releases his hold on her she immediately flounces off toward the other girls without waiting for a kiss. It doesn’t escape my notice that when she settles on the floor beside Alexis, she does so rather gingerly.
Worry creases Camilla’s brow as she tilts her head back for a kiss from her own Daddy before hurrying over to take the spot on Natalie’s other side, their heads dipping close together with Natalie shooting little glares over her shoulder as Evander joins Maxwell on the couch.
“Trouble in paradise?” I don’t even bother to keep the humor out of my voice. Evander indulges his Little girl far more than anyone else in our group, so he only has himself to blame as far as I’m concerned if she’s finally pushed him too far.
As I’d expected, his brows draw together in a scowl as he accepts the glass of whiskey Gavin has poured for him. A second glass is pressed into my own hand, and I offer Gavin an approving smile before shifting my attention back to Evander.
“Little brat thought it would be funny to hide in a damn tree. I knew she hadn’t gone far because she’s wearing her locket, butit took me an hour to track her down. Which I only did because she fell asleep and lost her balance. Thank god Lucas was there to catch her when she tumbled out of the tree.”
My heart lodges in my throat at the thought of my sweet little niece coming to any harm. “I hope you impressed upon her how incredibly dangerous that was.”
Evander gives a snort of bitter laughter. “Why do you think she’s so put out with me? Lucas helped me suspend her from the same branch she’d fallen from and I took my belt to her ass until I was convinced she’d never do something so foolish again. She insists she was never in any danger, regardless of her fall, so she is currently not on speaking terms with either me or her Papa.”
“Sounds like you didn’t spank her long enough,” Donovan says with a knowing smirk, and I can’t help but think how lucky he is that Maxwell is so partial to him. Otherwise, he’d likely earn himself a knife through the ribs for insulting Evander so openly.
“Her bottom is covered with welts.” Surprisingly, Evander sighs and scrubs a hand over his scarred face. “But you might be right. I think her pride is more bruised than anything right now. If she keeps the attitude up, she’ll be going to bed with a very sore bottom.”
“I know you enjoy her antics, but you may need to tighten the reins a bit.” Maxwell’s tone is unusually solemn, even for him. “Giving Doctor D a hard time is one thing. Putting herself in danger is quite another.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I know you’re right. I just hate the thought of snuffing out her spark, you know?”
“I had the same worries about my Camilla.” When we all turn to look at him, surprised, Donovan scowls. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not a complete monster.”
“We’re just surprised to hear you express any kind of doubt,” Jasper says with a boyish grin. “You’re always so sure of yourself, Doctor Dreadful.”
“Yes, well, part of being a good doctor is admitting you don’t know everything—would youstopgrinning at me like that, Jasper, I’m being serious. I watched Camilla’s light dim while she worked for me, and I was determined not to let that happen as her Daddy. But, if I do say so myself, she shines brighter than ever now and I’m plenty strict with her.”
“Hmm.” Seemingly contemplating Doctor D’s advice, Evander looks over to where his Little girl is playing alongside the others, her usual exuberance nowhere to be found. “I’ll think about it. At least when it comes to putting her safety at risk.”
“Now that we’ve got that settled.” Eyes gleaming, Jasper rubs his hands together. “We have a new little niece to spoil rotten.”
Chapter Seventeen
Alexis
I’m only halfway paying attention to the conversation around me as Victoria—no, wait, Tori, because she and the others have all told me to use their nicknames—dictates our play. My mind is, as it always seems to be, on my Mommy.
More specifically, it’s on the scene that played out when we first came downstairs. On Tori running to her, clearly expecting to be picked up. On the confusion and hurt in Tori’s eyes when Mommy bent to give her a hug instead.
Was that because of me? Because I told her how hard it is for me to see the other Littles being picked up and carried everywhere, knowing my Mommy will never be able to do that with me?
And if it was… what does itmean?
I’m no closer to the answer when movement from my right catches my eye and I look over to find Mommy and my uncles making their way toward us. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of them, these six powerful beings, with more money than God between them, so focused on us.
Onme.
They stop in front of us and Mommy smiles, a hint of mischief sparkling in her eyes that either means something good is about to happen… or something very, very bad.
“Come here, Alexis. Your uncles have some presents for you.”
