Page 55 of Her Courage

This was all I wanted—her safe in my arms, heading home to our family. After years of darkness, of isolation, of believing I didn't deserve happiness, Lottie had brought light back into my world. Into all our worlds.

And I would do anything—anything—to protect that light.

Including reminding my stubborn little girl about the importance of following rules designed to keep her healthy and rested.

But that reminder would have to wait until we got home. For now, I was content to hold her close, watching the city lights pass by as we made our way back to where we belonged.

Together.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

COLBY

Ichuckled as I read Andrei's text to Kaleb, imagining Lottie's reaction when she found herself over his knee tonight. "Her ass is going to regret losing track of time again."

Kaleb looked up from his phone, a knowing smile playing across his lips. "She never learns, does she?"

"I don't think Andrei wants her to," I replied, my voice dropping conspiratorially. "I suspect he lets her go past eight just so he has an excuse to punish her."

Kaleb barked out a laugh. "You might be right. He's been in a particularly good mood since she started testing boundaries."

We moved through the kitchen, preparing for their arrival. I set out glasses while Kaleb checked on dinner warming in the oven—a lasagna I'd made earlier, knowing we might need something that could wait. Our routines had become effortless, domestic in a way that still surprised me sometimes.

The sound of tires on the driveway alerted us to their arrival. Through the kitchen window, I could see Oscar parking the Audi. The back door opened, and Andrei emerged with Lottie thrown over his shoulder, her legs kicking uselessly as she protested loudly enough that I could hear her muffled complaints through the glass.

"Let me down, you overgrown caveman! This is undignified! I'm a company director now—I have a reputation!"

"And your reputation will still be intact after I redden your bottom," came Andrei's calm reply as he carried her toward the house.

Kaleb and I exchanged amused glances, moving to meet them at the door.

Oscar followed behind them, his expression perfectly professional despite the twitching corners of his mouth that betrayed his amusement. He caught my eye as he passed, giving me a subtle nod before retrieving a container from the refrigerator.

"I'll be in my quarters if you need anything," he said, gesturing toward the French doors leading to his apartment in the back. "Though I suspect you'll be... occupied."

"Thanks, Oscar," I replied, unable to suppress my grin as the security chief gave us a wave and made a hasty retreat. He'd learned early in our arrangement with Lottie that a strategic withdrawal was sometimes the wisest course.

Andrei carried Lottie up the stairs without pausing, his large hand squeezing her ass possessively as she continued her protests. Kaleb and I followed, our laughter echoing in the stairwell.

In our bedroom, Andrei sat on the bench at the foot of the bed and pulled Lottie sideways over his lap, holding her steady with an arm banded across her midsection. Her honey-brown hair fell forward, obscuring her face, but I could see the telltale flush creeping up her neck.

I took my usual seat in the armchair positioned with the perfect view of proceedings, my breath already quickening in anticipation. No matter how many times I witnessed Andrei disciplining Lottie, it never failed to arouse me.

"Charlotte," Andrei's voice shifted into that deeper register that always made Lottie shiver, "do you know why you're being spanked?"

"Because you're a controlling tyrant who thinks he owns my time?" she shot back, her tone decidedly bratty.

My eyebrows shot up. She was particularly feisty tonight.

Andrei's hand cracked down on her ass without warning, the sharp sound making my cock twitch in my pants. Lottie yelped, more in surprise than pain given the relatively gentle nature of that first swat.

"Let's try that again," Andrei said evenly, not a hint of irritation in his voice despite her sass. "Why are you being spanked, kroshka?"

Lottie squirmed on his lap, clearly realizing she'd pushed too far. "Because I worked past eight," she admitted, her voice softer.

"And why do we have that rule?"

"Because you care about me getting enough rest and not overworking myself," she answered, properly contrite now.