Page 49 of Daddy’s Hunted Bride

Josie and Tabby share a look, and Josie shakes her head at us. “We’ll leave the monsters to you two. But right now, we have a fort to build and we better get started before Auntie Gray comes up here and decides we all need some incentive to work faster.”

That gets all of us moving, and monsters fall to the wayside as we drag blankets and pillows into Auntie Gray’s room to set up our fort. And even though I’m still not thrilled about the movie selections for the night, Dane’s promises and my friend’s infectious excitement soon override any disappointment.

Maybe this will be kind of fun, after all.

Dane

After Vanessa disappears up the stairs, I turn to face my sister, who is staring at me through narrowed eyes. “Something on your mind, little sis?”

Her eyes narrow further. Gray really hates being reminded she’s the baby of the family. Which is, of course, why I bring it up when I’m looking to push her buttons.

“Do you really think that’s appropriate? Letting her watch those kinds of movies?”

“Yes.” I’m not going to explain myself more than that. As far as I’m concerned, I’m Vanessa’s Daddy and if I don’t have a problem with her watching scary movies then neither should anyone else.

“What if she has nightmares? What if she scares the other Littles?”

It’s my sister’s genuine concern that moves me. Stepping forward, I place my hands on her shoulders and squeeze gently. “Gray. We all know they’re not literally children, despite how we treat them. Vanessa’s been watching scary movies her entire life, and if she tells me she can handle it, then I believe her. And if I’m wrong, well, I’ll deal with the fallout.”

I can feel the tension leave her shoulders as she sighs. “I know. I just… worry.”

“That’s what makes you such a good Auntie. And what will make you such a good Mommy or Daddy, whichever you choose to be, when it’s your turn.”

Leaning in, I press a kiss to her forehead, earning me an eyeroll in return, though she can’t hide the blush on her cheeks as she pulls away.

“All right. Enough sappy shit. I’ve got a gaggle of Littles to go wrangle.”

“Good luck. Let me know if you need any help.”

Pausing at the entryway to the living room, Gray looks over her shoulder, her lips curved up in a smug smile. “Thanks, but I’ve got this. You go have yourself a nice little break from chasing after your brat for the past week. You're looking a bit tired, old man.”

With that parting shot, she heads for the stairs. But her words have planted a seed in my mind, so I go searching for my brothers.

Auntie Gray isn’t the only one who knows how to have a good time.

CHAPTER 21

VANESSA

Okay, I was wrong. Movie night isn’t kind of fun.

It’s the best.

Eli not only brought us dinosaur chicken nuggets—which Tabby went absolutely nuts for—but a whole assortment of sweet treats and snack foods as well. Brownies, popcorn, candy, and enough other junk to make four Little girls sick to their stomachs before the night was over.

Even the movies were a lot more fun than I’d expected. Or maybe it was the company. “Blanket Fort” Gray was a lot more fun than regular Auntie Gray, though she didn’t hesitate to spank Lanie’s bottom when she got a little too rowdy and knocked over a whole bowl of potato chips.

The only wrinkle in the night was when she insisted on giving us all a bottle and changing our diapers before tucking us into bed. It’s embarrassing enough when Dane does that stuff, and I nearly got a spanking of my own for refusing. But the other girls all did it, and my competitive side got the best of me in the end. No way was I going to be seen as the scaredy-cat of the group.

That was nearly an hour ago, and we’re all meant to be asleep, but I’m too revved up to do more than lie in my little nest of pillows and blankets and stare up at the twinkling fairy lights above me. Soft snores and the sound of deep breathing surround me, telling me my friends aren’t having the same problem.

Maybe this is my chance. Sneaking past a horde of sleeping Little girls and Gray is going to be tricky, but not nearly as difficult as trying to escape Dane’s arms. I’ve tried, every single night, but the man is inhumanly strong and even the smallest noise seems to wake him. One night I did manage to get out of bed, but I only made it to the door before he caught me. Luckily for me, I was able to convince him I just needed to potty, which was embarrassing and earned me a lecture about how Little girls don’t use the potty they use their diapers, but otherwise spared me the spanking I know for sure I would have gotten if he’d had any inkling that I was trying to sneak out.

Pushing slowly up in my “bed”, I look around, trying to find an opening I can sneak through. Gray is sleeping in front of the main “entrance” but it’s a fort made of blankets. Surely there’s another way in and out of this thing.

A hint of light peeks through between two carefully hung blankets just behind Josie and I inwardly cheer at the sight. Moving as quietly as I can, I twist until I’m on my hands and knees, and begin my crawl toward freedom.

“Nessie?”