Page 24 of Daddy’s Hunted Bride

“My naughty little fox. When Daddy tells you to stay put, that means you stay exactly where I put you. Understood?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Good girl. That’s ten with Daddy’s hand for disobeying, and then you can have your presents.”

Before I can ask what kind of presents, he has his arm wrapped around my waist, and his hand is peppering the tops of my thighs with sharp, stinging spanks. The pain from my multiple punishments last night comes flaring back to life and I can’t help but dance and cry out as he swats me.

After the final spank falls, he scoops me up, and even though I hate myself for it a little bit, I instinctively wrap my arms around him.

“Shh, little one. Daddy’s right here. It’s okay.”

And to my never-ending shame, I do actually feel a bit better as he bounces me in his arms. My sniffles are no longer for show, but the inevitable result of trying to hold back tears as I bury my face in the side of his neck.

“Poor little fox,” he murmurs, patting my back exactly like one might to help settle a fussy baby. “You’ve had a rough start, haven’t you?”

“Uh-huh.” Okay so maybe now I’m deliberately making my voice sound a little extra pathetic. But I can’t help but that that if he feels sorry for me, he might start to feel guilty about keeping me prisoner.

It is, as far as I’m concerned, as good a plan as any I’ve come up with so far.

“Poor baby. I know it’s been hard, but I think you’ll like what our family has planned for you. Let’s get you dressed so we can get to our post-wedding celebration.”

Carrying me back to my crib, he sets me on my feet inside the small prison and pulls a worn t-shirt from under his arm. It’s unbelievably soft, which I enjoy, and I find myself smiling in spite of everything as I hug the shirt to me.

“Can’t forget Nessie,” Dane says with a chuckle as he hands me my new stuffed friend. Plucking me from the crib, he carries me over to the door connecting our two rooms and pushes it open.

We’re greeted by a room full of his entire family, and the loud, familiar cry that turns my blood to ice.

“Chivaree!”

CHAPTER 11

VANESSA

Oh hell no.

Absolutely no fucking way am I letting myself be put on display for their perverted entertainment all over again. If I have to kick Dane in all the places to escape, I will.

For now, I lean into my role as his baby, clutching him tightly and pitching my voice up to a terrified whine. “Daddy, no! Please don’t!”

Pausing beside the bed we shared last night, he frowns. “What’s wrong, little fox?”

“I don’t want you to do that again. Not in front of everyone,” I whisper, adding another dramatic little sniffle for good measure.

To my aggravation, his chest rumbles with laughter. “Don’t worry, baby. This is a very different kind of celebration. You’ll see.”

Despite my inherent distrust of the situation, I’m curious to see what he means, so I loosen my grip on him long enough for him to settle at the head of the bed with me on his lap.

Axel steps forward first with Lanie perched on his hip. A warm smile spreads across his face as Lanie leans forward to hand me a brightly wrapped package. “This is from me and Lanie. I made it, but I’ve been teaching my Little one how to use the wood burning tools and she did your initials.”

My curiosity increases tenfold as I rip the paper from the large wooden… cutting board? The wood itself is perfectly cut with sleek edges and a gorgeous dark red finish. And while the initials were clearly engraved by a much shakier hand, it is kind of sweet to know the gift was handmade with what I’m sure they consider to be love.

“Thanks. It’s beautiful.”

Taking the board from me, Dane bounces it in his hand and grins. “You’re getting better at this, brother. The balance is almost perfect for a naughty little bottom.”

It takes a moment for his words to register, and when they do I can only stare at him in shock. “You can’t spank me with that!”

“I can, and will, if necessary. Just ask Tabby.”