“A Little girl,” Ford says, his tone reflecting the worried expression in his eyes. “I know we’ve talked about it, prepared for it, but now it’s just so…real. What if we fuck it up?”
With my tie as good as it’s likely to get, I turn and clamp a hand on my youngest brother’s shoulder. “You’re a great uncle to the girls on the island, Ford. And I have no doubt you’ll be an amazing uncle to my Little girl. I’m sure it’ll take some getting used to, but we’re in this together, just like we always have been.”
Bram smirks. “Besides, if we don’t put those nurseries we all insisted on including in the housing plans to use soon, Gray is likely to have all our heads on a platter.”
Everyone but Ford laughs. Because Bram is absolutely correct. When we first started planning the giant house we now all call home and I first put forth the idea of including nurseries for the Little girls we all hope to have some day, Gray was the holdout. Not because she doesn’t want a Little one of her own, but because it was significantly more expensive and Gray watches every penny we spend like a hawk. If we went through all that expense only to not actuallyusethe nurseries, she would be likely to murder us all in our sleep at some point.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out to see Gray’s name on my screen. “Speak of the devil,” I mutter as I swipe the text open. “Gray says she and Melanie are on their way down. Time to take our places, boys.”
We all head for the living room, where the couches have been pushed to either side to make an aisle of sorts for my Little one to walk down. Elias is waiting for us at the end of the “aisle”, gripping an old worn Bible in his hand.
He cocks a brow as I take my place beside him while the rest of our brothers settle on the couches to bear witness. “Nervous?”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
“Seems like a thing a man should be at least a little nervous about. Taking on a Little one is a big responsibility.”
“And it’s a responsibility I’ve been preparing for my whole life. I’m fine.”
“Glad to hear it. Because here comes your bride.”
I turn to look toward the stairs where Gray has a grip on my Little girl. She’s worked some kind of magic on Melanie’s hair, twisting the braids up into a style that hovers that line between sweet Little girl and gorgeous woman. They descend the stairs together, with Melanie’s dress trailing behind them. I don’t evencare that she bought it with the intention of marrying another man.
She’s mine now, and that’s all that matters.
Arm in arm with my sister, she makes her way down the aisle, fear flickering over her delicate features. And I know then that I am as depraved as our brothers on the island, because her fear only makes me more eager to finally claim her as my own.
But when they pause in front of me, Gray makes the mistake of loosening her hold on my Little girl to pass her off to me. And that half second is all it takes for Melanie to break free, gathering her skirts in her hands as she takes off at a run.
Sighing, I shrug out of my suit jacket and toss it to Gray. “Looks like I need to go chase down my little runaway.Again.”
Melanie
Just like itdid that first time I tried to run from Axel, my heart feels like it might actually beat out of my chest. But unlike that first time, I have no clue where I might run to. Leaving the house is out of the question, because not only do Inotwant to get lost in a blizzard, I’m also not eager for a repeat of my earlier punishment.
I just need somewhere to hide until I can think of a better plan.
Glancing over my shoulder, I let out a shocked squeak as my heart slams into my ribs at the sight of Axel just a few feet behind me. Instinct takes over and I head for the stairs, racing up tothe second floor and down the long hallway that leads to Auntie Gray’s room. Slamming the door behind me, I lean against it, dragging air into my burning lungs as I look around the room.
I can’t hide here forever. Auntie Gray already told me she’d spank me herself if I tried. But maybe it will give me the time I need tothink.
Behind me, the doorknob jiggles, followed by Axel’s booming voice. “Melanie. Open this door right now, little girl.”
“Sorry! This is aNo Boys Allowedarea!” Fucking hell, Isoundlike a child.
“Little girl, you have until the count of three to open this door before I decide you need your naughty bottom spanked red again. One.”
Trapped. I’m trapped, with nowhere to go. I don’t know what I was thinking, running from him. There’s nowhere in this house I could hide wheresomeonewouldn’t find me.
My frantic gaze lands on the window beside Auntie Gray’s bed. Maybe I should just take my chance with the elements. There’s always the possibility I could stumble across someone willing to help. Another house, a town,something.
“Two. I am running out of patience, Melanie.”
And I’m running out of options.
Fuck.
“Three. Gray, open the door.”
