Page 49 of Her Courage

And no one—not Patrice, not Rupert, not anyone—could destroy that.

I kissed Lottie passionately, lingering against her lips until I felt her melt against me. When I pulled back, her eyes remained closed for a heartbeat, a soft smile playing across her lips.

"Let me get your coffee, baby girl," I murmured, reluctantly helping her to her feet, then opening the refrigerator.

I grabbed her usual iced coffee—the one I'd prepared last night before bed, knowing she'd want it first thing. The glass was cool against my palm as I set it in front of her, watching with satisfaction as her eyes lit up.

"Thank you, Daddy K," she said, wrapping both hands around the glass like it contained liquid gold instead of caffeine and caramel syrup.

Her cheeks were still flushed from our kiss, her eyes slightly glazed as she took her first sip. I couldn't help smiling at her reaction. The woman made even the simplest actions captivating.

"We're going to try to keep today as normal as possible," I told her, smoothing my hand over her hair. "I have the meeting with Marshall at two, but otherwise business as usual."

"I have department reports to review," she said, nodding. "And I promised Ashlei I'd help her with the new filing system implementation."

"Perfect." I glanced at my watch. "I've got budget meetings all morning, but I should be free for lunch."

The sound of footsteps made us both look up. Andrei and Colby entered the kitchen together, mid-conversation. They fell silent the moment they crossed the threshold, exchanging a look I couldn't quite decipher.

"Good morning," Lottie chirped, oblivious to whatever tension had suddenly filled the room.

"Morning, kroshka," Andrei replied, bending to kiss the top of her head before moving to refill his coffee cup.

Colby squeezed her shoulder affectionately as he passed, but his eyes met mine with a question I couldn't answer. Something was clearly on their minds.

Andrei leaned against the counter, cradling his mug between his large hands. "We're going to the Sandbox this Friday."

The announcement came so abruptly that Lottie choked on her coffee. I patted her back gently as she coughed.

"The club?" she asked when she could speak again, her eyes wide. "Your... I mean, our club?"

"Yes," Andrei confirmed, his amber eyes gleaming with something between amusement and desire. "It's time you saw it properly."

We'd told Lottie about the Sandbox months ago—the exclusive BDSM club we'd founded specifically for Littles and their Daddies and Mommies. A safe space where everyone could freely express their dynamics without judgment or fear.

It was a subset of Scarlet Rose, which catered to the entirety of the BDSM community. We preferred The Sandbox, although we'd never brought a Little there.

She'd been fascinated by the concept but nervous about actually going. We'd agreed to wait until she felt ready.

"Are you sure that's a good idea right now?" I asked, keeping my voice neutral. "With everything going on⁠—"

"That's exactly why it's a good idea," Colby interrupted, settling at the breakfast bar across from Lottie. "We need to reclaim our lives, Kaleb. Show Patrice she hasn't won. That we're not hiding."

I understood their reasoning. Still, concern nagged at me. "Security⁠—"

"Will be tripled," Andrei finished for me. "I've already spoken to Mikhail. The perimeter will be locked down tighter than Fort Knox."

Lottie looked between the three of us, her lower lip caught between her teeth—a habit she fell into whenever she was nervous or thoughtful. "I want to go."

"You do?" I couldn't keep the surprise from my voice.

She nodded, her expression growing more determined with each passing second. "I don't want to hide either. I want to see this part of your lives. The club you built together." Her hand found mine on the counter. "I want to be part of everything."

Pride swelled in my chest. This woman—so brave, so willing to embrace all aspects of our lives despite the challenges.

"Okay," I agreed, squeezing her fingers. "Friday it is."

Andrei's mouth curved into a satisfied smile. "Good. I'll make the arrangements."