“As you should be. You’re lucky I don’t borrow your Auntie Gray’s belt and whip your bare bottom right here in front of the entire crew.”
Heat rushes to my face and I instinctively throw my hands behind me to protect my bottom. “Mommy, no!”
“Don’t worry, little one. I have a much morepersonalpunishment planned for you. But first, you need to tell yourAuntie Gray thank you for taking such good care of you until Mommy could get here.”
Turning, I run back to Auntie Gray, wrapping my arms around her waist. “Thank you for taking care of me. Maybe we can come visit you soon.”
“I’d like that very much, sweetheart. It gets a little lonely up there in the mountains with just my goofy brothers for company.”
When I pull away, Mommy is standing right behind me, and she shocks me by stepping forward to pull Auntie Gray in for a tight hug. She whispers something in Auntie Gray’s ear, something that has both of them laughing and sending meaningful looks my direction, and I can’t help but worry whatever she’s said doesn’t bode well for my bottom.
“Come on, little imp.” Taking my hand in hers, Mommy gestures toward the waiting helicopter. “Mommy’s going to take you home.”
Chapter Thirty
Catharina
Though I know it’s not truly that long at all, it feels like forever before Evander finally lands the helicopter back on the island and we’re allowed to disembark. Climbing out of the aircraft with my Little girl’s hand firmly in mine, I wait for Evander to join us.
“You owe Uncle Evan an apology for scaring him, little girl.” Despite the soul-shattering relief of finding my babygirl safe and unharmed, I force my tone to harden.
Alexis drops her gaze to the ground, looking the very picture of a repentant Little girl. “I’m sorry, Uncle Evan. I didn’t mean to worry anyone.”
“Look at me, Alexis Paige.” When my Little one reluctantly raises her head, Evander crouches in front of her so they’re eye to eye. “You are so very loved, by all of us. There will never be a time when we won’t care if you go missing or get hurt. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir. I’m really, really sorry.”
“I know you are, sweetheart. But what did your Mommy tell you when she gave you that locket?”
Cheeks blazing, Alexis shifts nervously from foot to foot. “She said if I took it off I’d get a spankin’ from her and you.”
“That’s right. And do you know why that is?”
“Why?”
“Because we love you, Alexis. And it would absolutely kill us if anything ever happened to you. Come here, little one.”
Sniffling loudly, she throws herself at him, clinging to his neck as he holds her close.
“All right, honey. You and your Mommy have some things to talk about. But I’ll be by tomorrow morning to talk about that locket.”
“Yes, Uncle Evan.”
He releases her, sending her running back to me with a firm swat to her bottom before pushing to his feet, his eyes locking with mine. “Just give me a call when you’re ready for me to come visit. I’ll bring Natalie and they can commiserate over how mean I am.”
Warmth spreads through my chest. “I will. Come on, little imp. Time to go home.”
Gavin greets us at the car, hauling Alexis to him in a tight hug. “Scared us.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispers back, her voice thick with unshed tears.
Placing her back on his feet, he does his best to look stern, but he fails miserably when a smile spreads across his face. “If you really wanted another spanking so soon, you could have just asked. Your Mommy would have been happy to oblige.”
Pink stains my babygirl’s cheeks as she turns and scurries into the car. Meeting Gavin’s gaze, I reward him with a smile of my own. “Thank you. I trust you gathered the supplies I asked for while I was gone?”
“All taken care of, ma’am.”
“Good boy.”
