It’s clear from the expression on her face that she doesn’t believe me. But that’s fine.
As I said. I have the rest of our lives to prove to her how seriously the Thorne family takes our vows.
Tabitha
Now that I know what to expect from this wedding ceremony everyone keeps talking about, my nerves have calmed somewhat. I’m still not thrilled about being stripped naked in front of everyone but arguing about it will only get me in trouble again.
There’s a quiet voice in the back of my mind telling me to do it. To misbehave so badly they have no choice but to send me home. But the idea of being sent away makes my stomach ache to the point I’m worried I might be sick all over myself. For reasons I can’t even explain to myself, I want these people to love me as much as Daddy says they love Josie and Lanie.
What iswrongwith me?
I don’t have much time to really think about why it’s so important to me to win their love before Daddy sets me on my feet in the middle of the living room. “All right, little firecracker.Daddy is going to go upstairs and get dressed, and your Auntie Gray is going to help you get ready. I want you to be on your best behavior, because if your Auntie Gray has to spank you, Daddy will bend you over and take his belt to your bare bottom before we say our vows. Understood?”
His belt? The brush was bad enough, I can only imagine how much a belt would hurt. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl.” His praise slides over my skin, a gentle caress that leaves me warm and tingly in its wake. “I won’t be gone long and I’ll be right upstairs if you need me.”
I want to beg him not to go, to plead with him not to leave me alone with these strangers. Even though he’s the one who kidnapped me, he’s also the only source of familiarity I have in this strange world I’ve found myself dropped into.
Some of my distress must show on my face, because he doesn’t immediately turn to leave. Instead he drops to one knee in front of me, taking my left hand in his and running his thumb over the ridiculously large stone on my finger. “Hey. Daddy isn’t going anywhere, little one. You’re safe here, I promise.”
“Not safe from Auntie Gray’s brush,” one of the other girls mumbles. The sound of a hand striking bare skin rings out through the room and I glance over to see Lanie rubbing at the back of her thigh as she pouts up at Auntie Gray.
“You’re about to be the one who isn’t safe from my brush if you don’t watch the sass,” Auntie Gray warns.
“Yes, Auntie. Sorry.”
Daddy taps my arm, drawing my attention back to him. “Are you okay, babygirl?”
“Yes, Daddy.” It’s not even fully a lie. I still don’t want him to leave, but I don’t feel like I’m about to have a panic attack, either.
A smile stretches across Daddy’s handsome face. “My big, brave girl. Daddy’s so proud of you.”
“You are?” I can’t remember the last time someone told me they were proud of me, and hearing it from him gives me a warm, fuzzy sort of feeling in my chest I’ve never experienced.
“I am. You’re being so very brave for me right now. And if you can keep being brave just a little while longer, Daddy will give you a very special reward.”
Despite my protests that I’m not actually a child, everything inside me lights up at the prospect of a treat. “Okay!”
Rising to his feet, Daddy presses a kiss to my forehead before turning to his sister. “All right, Auntie Gray. She’s all yours.”
CHAPTER 13
TABITHA
Iwatch Daddy leave the living room, surrounded by his brothers. Leaving me alone with Auntie Gray, Lanie, and Josie. My chest aches, and every muscle in my body tenses to follow him.
But then someone lays a hand on my arm and I look up to find Auntie Gray smiling down at me. “Come on, little one. Let’s get you ready for your big day.”
Swallowing back tears, I nod and let her lead me over to sit on a pillow placed in front of the couch. Even as I try to settle gently on the cushion, the pain from my spanking flares and I can’t help but wince. I am neverevergoing to give Daddy a reason to spank me with that evil brush ever again.
Auntie Gray sits on the couch behind me, while Josie and Lanie sit on the floor facing me. I can’t help but notice Josie also winces when her butt hits the floor, and it almost makes me feel as though we’re connected in some way.
That’s probably silly, though. They’re a family and I’m just… me.
“So, Tabby.” Eyes sparkling with excitement, Lanie wiggles her shoulders like she’s about to get some juicy gossip. “How did you and Uncle Colt meet?”
“Um, at a bar, I think.” Heat creeps into my cheeks. “I don’t really remember last night all that well. I sort of remember sitting down at the bar and meeting him, but after that everything is a blur.”
