Page 34 of Daddy’s Hunted Bride

Crouching down beside the sandbox, Dane gives one of her blonde braids a playful tug. “You know Lanie’s tougher than a little twisted ankle. I’m sure she’ll be fine, sweetheart.”

Ugh. I don’t want him to be so damn nice. It’s actually kind of cute, the way he distracts the other Littles by showing them how to build the perfect sandcastle.

And when he looks up, his brown gaze latching on mine, my breath catches in my throat. Fucking hell, he’s sexy.

Why couldn’t he just be a normal guy?

As if caught by some magnetic force, I make my way over to the sandbox and kneel beside Josie. Her smile flashes, bright and full of excitement, and guilt twists in my gut.

I’ve known Josie for close to a decade and in all that time I’ve never seen her looking so happy. So… carefree. As if all the weight of the world has been lifted from her shoulders.

Maybe I’m wrong about the lumberjacks. Maybe they aren’t as bad as I think they are. Maybe⁠—

No. Fuck no. Regardless of how happy Josie seems, it’s just brainwashing or something. There are plenty of pictures of smiling, happy people in old cult photos and such. I still need to get us the fuck out of here.

Although, if she really is as happy as she looks, maybe I shouldn’t try to take her with me. It might be a better plan of action to find myself a way out and go find help. Bring some kind of support back with me.

The local cops, maybe. Or the FBI.

Yeah. I bet the Feds would be really interested in a former mafia family keeping women as prisoners in the mountains of Colorado.

So I guess that’s the plan. Find a route of escape for myself and bring in the cavalry. And hope they don’t decide to “relocate” again before I can return.

“Um, Uncle Dane?” Cheeks blazing bright red, Tabby tugs on Dane’s shirtsleeve.

Dane smiles down at her, and something ugly twists up inside me. Something that wants to slap that sheepish look right off Tabby’s face. “What is it, sweetheart?”

“Can I go back inside? I, um, need to potty.”

A thoughtful frown tugs at Dane’s lips. “I don’t want you wandering around by yourself. Probably best if we all go inside for a bit. I’m sure Josie and Vanessa will need new diapers soon too.”

The mere mention of a diaper has heat flooding my face. But before I can protest, Josie beats me to it, her voice pitching up to a childlike whine I’ve never heard from her. “No, Uncle Dane! We’re having so much fun! We don’t wanna go inside!”

“Josie.” Dane’s voice holds a hint of warning. “I can’t leave you and Vanessa out here alone. We’ll all go inside, get some water, and everyone can get fresh diapers.”

“But I don’t need a fresh diaper.” Josie continues whining, her bottom lip pushing out in an admittedly impressive pout.

“Then you can come inside for a rest.”

“No!” To my shock, Josie screeches the word at the same time she flings a plastic shovel straight at Dane’s head.

“All right.” Moving with a grace that makes my tummy flutter in a not-at-all-unpleasant way, Dane rises to his feet and scoops Josie up, tossing her over his shoulder even as she screams out her protests and pummels her fists against his back. “Vanessa, Tabitha, come with me.”

“Are we in trouble?” Tabby’s big hazel eyes cloud with tears, her bottom lip trembling dangerously as she slowly pushes to her feet.

“No, sweetheart. As of right now, Josie is the only one who is going to get her bottom spanked.”

Relief flashes over Tabby’s face and her shoulders seem to sag with it. “Oh. Okay.”

Glancing over at me, Dane cocks an eyebrow. “Unless my Little girl is planning to be naughty as well?”

Part of me is tempted, if for no other reason than to prove he doesn’t control me.

But I have plans, and those plans necessitate his attention being diverted… elsewhere, for as long as I can manage.

“No, Daddy,” I respond, widening my eyes with faux innocence. “I’ll be good.”

A smile curves his lips. “Good girl. Come on, let’s get you girls inside.”