I reach for her as I shut the door. When she’s close enough, I take her hand and pull her in front of me. “Autumn, this is Eloise and her Daddy, Cannon.”
She gives a small wave. “Nice to meet you.”
Luckily, Eloise is dressed similarly. Cannon would have prepared her for Autumn’s headspace. “You, too. I’m sorry about your father.”
“Thank you.” Autumn turns and wraps her arms around my middle.
I slide my hand between her shoulder blades and hold her close, supporting her emotionally and physically.
Cannon meets my gaze. “We need to talk.”
I stiffen. His bluntness suggests there’s been a development in the case. Grabbing one of Autumn’s braids, I tip her head back. “Why don’t you take Eloise into your playroom while I speak with Cannon?”
She hesitates, glancing at Cannon and back at me. She knows perfectly well that we’re going to discuss something involving her. She’s a smart woman.
But she’s also been in a blissful Little space for a few hours, and I want her to stay there a while longer. Whatever Cannon has to say will need to be delivered to her by me later. I lean my face closer and give her a stern look, brows narrowed. “Do as you’re told, Baby girl.”
She swallows. “But…”
I can’t be one hundred percent certain what she needs from me right now, but I’m going to take an educated guess. “Do you need me to spank you in front of your new friend?”
Her face turns bright red, and she bites her bottom lip hard. Being spanked in front of other people is definitely a need she has. I’m not surprised, and I will give her what she craves, but that has to wait. I don’t want to take the time to discipline her right now. Whatever Cannon has to say is more important.
Autumn releases her lip. “No, Daddy,” she murmurs. It’s not what she wants, but I suspect she recognizes that now is not a good time for me to spank her.
“Playroom, Autumn,” I command. “Occupy yourselves. I’ll let you know when you can come out.”
“Yes, Sir.”
When I release her, she glances at Eloise and lowers her gaze timidly. That doesn’t worry me. She likes to be embarrassed. I’ve learned that much.
Eloise smiles and takes her hand. “I’ve been in your playroom. It’s amazing. Maybe we can color.”
The two girls shuffle away silently.
When they’re out of sight, I turn toward Cannon. “Coffee?”
“Yes.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Autumn
* * *
I’m fidgety and too nervous to be a good host to Eloise, which makes me feel bad. It’s hard to focus, though, knowing Mace is talking to Cannon about Frank.
I spent the morning intentionally ignoring my problems. I let myself be Little to escape, and that was going well until I saw Cannon’s face. His tight expression told me there’s news, and I’m frustrated that Mace is leaving me out of my own problems.
I head for the window and absently stare out.
Eloise joins me. “Cannon has told me about the man who killed your father. I’m so sorry. I know you must be stressed.”
I force myself to smile and nod. It’s helpful that she already knows, so I don’t have to tell her the saga. “I thought he was my father’s friend. I feel duped. My father was blindsided. Mostly, I’m worried that Mace will get hurt or killed or in trouble for going after him.”
“I get that. I felt the same way when Cannon went after the man who ruined my life.”
I startle and turn to face her. “What happened?”
