Some of the tension drains from Gray’s shoulders, but her eyes are bright as ever. “Still, you can’t just bring in a stray without telling anyone, Axel.”
My Little girl lifts her head to glare at Gray. “I am not a stray. And he didn’t rescue me, he kidnapped me. And as far as I’m concerned, you’re all accomplices if you don’t let me goright this fucking second.”
Gray’s eyes narrow. “Watch your language, little girl.”
“Or what?”
I don’t even bother to sigh as Gray advances on the table. My babygirl was bound to discover how strict her Auntie Gray is sooner or later.
Sliding her hand into my Little girl’s dark curls, Gray turns her head as she leans down. “Naughty Little girls who don’t mind their manners get their mouths washed out with soap and their bottoms whipped with Daddy’s belt until they’re crying and begging for mercy. Do you understand me, little one?”
Eyes wide, my Little girl sucks in a sharp breath. “I’m not a child.”
“You may not be a child, but in this house youarea Little girl. And you will do as you’re told or I will spank you myself. We clear?”
Something about Gray’s words or maybe just the no-nonsense tone she’s using clearly gets through to the woman on the table. Eyes wide, she nods as best she can. “Y-yes, Ma’am.”
“Good girl.” Still gripping my babygirl’s hair, Gray glances up at Ford. “Take her to the kitchen, get her some hot cocoa to help her warm up. I need to talk to Axel.”
“You got it.” Reaching for the leather strap across my Little one’s back, Ford smiles. “Let’s go, little one. We’ll get some cocoa with way too many marshmallows, the way your Uncle Colt likes it.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to lecture him about spoiling her, but truth be told she could probably use a bit of spoiling at the moment. She has had a rather traumatic morning, it seems.
But as soon as Ford slides the leather free of the buckle, she shoves off the table, a blur of white tulle and lace as she races for the front door.
“Goddammit.” Ford lets out a resigned sigh. “I’ll get her.”
“No. I’ll do it.” My heart already pounding with the excitement of the chase, I flash my siblings a grin. “I’ve been looking forward to giving my Little girl a taste of her Daddy’s discipline.”
Melanie
Fearand adrenaline pound through my veins as I run blindly through the shockingly giant house. What I thought was a simple log cabin is actually a cavernous mansion with soaring ceilings and giant furniture.
If I wasn’t running for my life, I might be able to appreciate the beauty of it.
But I am running for my life, so I don’t even pause as I race through a nearly industrial-sized kitchen, and then a living room. A sob of relief rises in my chest at the sight of the front door and I don’t stop until I feel the cool metal of the doorknob in my hand. Twisting the handle, I yank the door open, and dart out into the swirling white tempest.
My slippered feet sink into the freezing snow and I stumble, falling onto my hands and knees as I fight for breath. Behind me, a deep voice swears violently a moment before an iron band wraps around my waist.
“Must be out of your damn mind, running out into a goddamn blizzard. Are youtryingto get yourself killed?”
“Let me go, you bastard!”
“That’s it. I’ve had enough of your naughty language, little girl.”
His words pierce the haze of fury in my brain, and I’m violently reminded of the terrifying blonde woman and the threat she issued when I was strapped to that table. My blood turns to ice in my veins and I immediately try to backpedal.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I won’t say any more bad words, I swear!”
“Too little, too late, my little runaway.”
Since pleading didn’t work, I revert back to fighting, kicking and wriggling and scratching for all I’m worth. But I might as well be a kitten caught in the jaws of a lion for all the good it does me. His grip on me doesn’t even loosen as he hauls me back into the house where the woman is waiting, her arms crossed and an odd sort of smile on her face.
“Got a fighter on your hands.”
“I know. Isn’t she great?”
I would swear there’s almost a note of pride in his voice.
