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“Elise,” I say, waiting for her eyes to meet mine. “We need to stay together, not be spread out across the city. You should stay here for a bit while this dies down, not just overnight.”
“Oh, Keith, that’s not necessary. I don’t want to intrude,” she says, looking pointedly at Carsen. I know she’s trying to say she shouldn’t stay over if Carsen is here, but fuck that. I want her here with me, where I can keep her safe . . . and fuck her whenever I want.
“No arguments. You’re staying here,” I reply in a more commanding tone.
Carsen chuckles. She’s probably never heard me use it with anyone but her before. “Don’t bother arguing. Once he uses that drill sergeant voice, just forget it.”
“Oh, his ‘drill sergeant voice’? Is that what you call it?” Elise asks, giving in, but in her way. She’s going to stay . . . but she’ll give me plenty of sass while she does it, too. Lowering her voice, she mock-whispers to Carsen loud enough for everyone to still hear her. “I usually call it his caveman voice . . . but I’m no dummy and I only say that in my head so as not to poke the bear.”
Carsen laughs, her eyes twinkling as she glances at me and mock-whispers back. “Poke the bear? Is that when he gets all growly and grumpy?”
I keep my voice deep, but the amusement is obvious as I interrupt them before they can go further. “That’s enough, you two. I’m right here and can hear you making fun of me. Next commentary outta either one of you gets punished.”
Carsen smirks, giving me a raised eyebrow. “I’m basically grounded already. What else you gonna do, Dad? Spank me? I’m too big for that now.”
I laugh at her joke, thankful she seems to be moving on from the trauma of the morning. I harrumph at them both, crossing my arms over my chest and looking down at them mock-threateningly.
Elise laughs too. “I know . . . he’s the worst at punishments, isn’t he?”
Elise’s eyes are flashing fire as she teases, and I silently promise her with my eyes that she’ll definitely be getting a punishment later. Maybe exactly the spanking she obviously wants.
Sarah interrupts us before things go on, probably for the better. “So Elise, for tonight, we’re good, but do you need me to pick up anything from your apartment? I can have someone go with me, just in case they’re scoping your place, but I can get whatever you need.”
“Oh, would you?” Elise asks, relieved. “Thank you! Yes, I need some clothes and bathroom stuff. But mostly, I need my laptop and my knitting bag. Maybe while we’re cooped up here, I can show Carsen a few stitches?”
Carsen’s face lights up as she realizes that our new family dynamic could have some benefits for her as well as me. “That’d be awesome! Thank you.”
A plan in place, Carsen asks to be excused, wanting to see if her phone has blown up with texts from friends at school. As she gets up, I give her a final bit of warning. “Remember, honey. Don’t say too much. Just that I’m your dad.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “I know! Don’t worry.”
I sigh, knowing she’ll do her best. “Just . . . be careful. Everyone’s going to be asking you questions. And I want you to . . .” I reply before stopping, seeing Sarah’s tiny shake of her head. Let her fly on her own, Keith. Even if it scares you. “Just be careful, baby.”
Carsen leans over and kisses my cheek, “I will. I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, Carsen.”
Sarah gets up, grabbing her keys from the board next to the door. “Well, no time like the present. I’ll grab the hunkier of the guards and stop by your place. Think you can text me a list of what you want before I get to your place, or should I just ransack it and grab what I think you need?”
Elise laughs, taking out her phone. “I’ll have it for you. Don’t stress if you can’t, though. Seriously . . . it’s not like I need to meet any deadlines. I’m kind of unemployed at the moment. Be careful, okay?”
Sarah pshaws, waving it off. “I’ve spent years knowing how to look normal after leaving this place, and I’ll have a cute guy with me who knows how to kick ass. He can even help me pack.”
Having a caveman moment, I let out a growl. “But don’t let him touch her stuff, especially not her clothes.”
Sarah smirks, twirling her keys in her hand. “Oh, really? I figured he could pack up her bras and panties while I got her makeup. No?”
I growl, but I know she’s messing with me. She knows better than that. I just couldn’t control myself. “Get out of here . . . and thanks again, Sarah.”
