AllFreeNovel
Share Us
While making out with Shep in the corner, I wonder if he likes watching as much as Brawn likes being watched, and I can’t wait to find out by bringing them both to my bed one night soon.
“Now, it’s your turn,” Shep says, but I shake my head no.
“This was for you, because you work so hard.” I’ve had plenty of pleasure today. While I wouldn’t reject more, I truly just wanted to give something to Shep as a thank-you for all he does for everyone else.
He grumbles about fairness, but I stop him with a kiss. With a slap to his butt, I say, “Get back to work, mister.”
I decide I very much like having agency. In fact, I’m going to wield it a lot more often to do many delightful things for my guys. Feeling freer than I ever have before, I make my way to Jud’s office. It’s time for a talk with the leader of Eagle Peak.
But when I reach the door, it’s closed. If Jud is in his office, he keeps the door all the way open or cracked. Closed means he’s not here at the moment. Maybe he’s out hunting or running a check on the security cameras. Feeling deflated, I turn to go. I was all amped up to put my foot down and claim my agency, but now I’ll have to wait.
Before my feet can carry me away, I hear my name spoken on the other side of the door. The voice is deep and muffled through the cheap panel, but I think it belongs to Rev, and I could swear I heard him say, “Trouble’s comin’ our way. They know about Cora.”
Who knows about me? What trouble? I strain to hear more.
“Knew that girl would be a problem.” This came from Jud, and the words hit me like an arrow from one of his fancy compound bows. Last night, the guys showered me with presents and the best party I’ve ever had, and now I’m a problem? “We’ll let the troops know tonight. Put our heads together and come up with a plan of action. You got your sermon prepared?”
I lean in closer to hear Rev’s response, and the toe of my new ankle-high boots scuffs on the kickplate. Not wanting to get caught eavesdropping, I back away, but I’m not quick enough.
The door opens, and Rev fills the frame with his lanky body. His goatee twitches with a wry smile. “Looks like a little mouse overheard us,” he says to Jud over his shoulder.
Crap. I’m caught. “I wasn’t—I didn’t try to—I was just going.” Oh, jeez. How is Jud going to punish me this time? I bet it won’t be a nice punishment. Eavesdropping is a more serious infraction than masturbating in his bed and unwittingly leaving my scent there.
But Rev’s still smiling when he guides me into Jud’s office with a strong hand on each of my shoulders. I feel like a little kid whose father is positioning her to apologize to another adult for something she did wrong.
“I’m sorry,” I begin to say as Rev shuts the door, sealing all three of us inside.
But Jud talks over me, uninterested in my apology. “That’s no mouse. That’s my kitten.” Surprising me, he holds out his arm, inviting me behind his desk. While he’s not exactly smiling, he appears more relaxed than I would have expected, considering Rev’s warning about trouble coming and Jud’s assessment of me as a “problem.”
Instead of going to him, I fold my arms and stand my ground in front of his desk with Rev. “I wasn’t trying to listen. I just came to talk to you, and I was trying to figure out if you were inside or not.” Okay, I’m lying a little bit. I wasn’t trying to listen at first, but that changed when I heard my name.
Jud doesn’t give up. “Come to Daddy, kitten. Daddy’s not mad.” He waves his whole hand in a come-hither motion, but my feet are planted.
“You called me a problem,” I blurt out. That probably wasn’t smart, but I can’t help myself. My feelings are so bruised that I’m barely registering the fact Jud called himself my daddy in front of someone else.
Rev cups the back of my neck. The firm hold he has on me soothes some of the bruising. “Hey, now, little one.” He bends his head so we’re practically face to face. “You’re not a problem. The problem is that men are coming for you. From Louisiana.”
My heart thuds in my chest. Men are coming for me? What men? Why from Louisiana? Does this have something to do with the pelican?
I don’t have a chance to voice my questions. Rev is still talking. “I’ll give more details in church tonight, but you need to know you’re completely safe with us. Men might be comin’, but they’ll never get their hands on you.”
“Never,” Jud echoes, and the fire in his ice-blue eyes erases my hurt feelings. “Now, come on, baby. Daddy misses his kitten.” Jud beckons me again, and this time, I go to him. “How are you today?” he asks after dragging me onto his lap. His arms wrap tight around me, and he takes a long, slow whiff of my scent with his nose against my neck. He’s being unusually affectionate, and in front of Rev! It has me on guard.
“Um, I’m good.” I glance nervously at Rev, who winks at me. “Are you… Good?” I ask Jud.
“Better now that you’re here,” he says, and I lean back to stare at him. Rev barks a laugh, and Jud looks between us, confusion written in the crease of his brow. “What?”
“You ought to know somethin’ about your other daddy,” Rev says to me.“When everything’s good, he’s grumpy as a bear, but the second there’s danger to deal with, he’s on his game. He’s only ever content when he’s protecting what’s his.”
As Rev explains, Jud’s arms tighten around me. The action speaks louder than any words. He considers me his, and I like that. I donotlike how Rev keeps talking about danger.
“Other daddy?” Jud asks. There’s good humor in his tone, and again, I lean back to stare at him. I would ask if he was feeling all right, but he looks better than ever. Relaxed, even…happy. His whole face is transformed. He’s not a grumpy bear, anymore. He’s a big, handsome man with a lush beard making a home for a smiling mouth. I guess Rev is right. Jud’s at his best, because there’s danger afoot. I might not get that, but I can see for myself it’s true.
“No rule against a girl havin’ two daddies,” Rev says, oblivious to my musing. “Right, little one?”
I nod, even though I’m not sure what rule book Rev is referring to. I’m off center with Jud acting so different, and I’m worried about these men Rev is talking about. I don’t like the idea of my guys having to fight to protect me. I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me. I’m just getting used to my life here at Eagle Peak. I want things to stay the way they are.
“Are we in danger?” I ask.
