Page 35 of Daddy’s Hunted Bride

Josie is still carrying on over his shoulder, and even the promise of double spankings doesn’t seem to deter her. Jumping to my feet, I hurry along behind them, scanning my surroundings as we go.

And then I’m gifted with such a stroke of luck, I almost can’t believe it. Josie manages to wiggle herself free of Dane’s grasp and he drops her. For a split second, it seems as though the trees themselves hold their breath as my best friend goes hurtling toward the ground.

Thankfully, Dane manages to catch her at the last minute. But this time when he scolds her, there’s none of the playful teasing I usually hear in his voice.

“That’s it, Josephine Elise. As soon as we get inside, I am taking my belt to your bottom until you can’t sit for a week. And then your Daddy can have his turn.”

“No, Uncle Dane!”

Yanking open the front door, he storms inside, with Tabby at his heels. I hang back, waiting until a count of five to see if he calls for me.

When he doesn’t, I realize this is my chance. Turning on my heel, I race around the house, looking for a car, a four-wheeler, literally any kind of vehicle I might be able to steal.

I just need my luck to hold out a tiny bit longer. And then I’ll be free.

Dane

Knowing my anger is mostly fueled by fear doesn’t make it burn any less hot as I march Josie into the living room.

“Bram! Colt! I need both of you, now!”

Josie freezes over my shoulder. Unfortunately for her, it only takes a few seconds for the sound of my brothers’ heavy footsteps to reach me. And not much longer after that for the twins to make their appearance, wearing identical masks of concern.

“What’s going on?” Bram’s voice is tight with a mixture of anger and worry. “Why are you carrying my baby like a sack of potatoes?”

“Because she decided to throw a literal tantrum when I said it was time to come in so Tabby could get a new diaper, and I nearly dropped her on her goddamn head while trying to carry her into the house.”

While Bram’s expression hardens, Colt smiles down at his babygirl. “Do you need a new diaper, baby?” he croons as he hoists Tabby up onto his hip.

Tabby’s eyes are wide, a sheen of tears coating the golden green. “Y-yes, Daddy.”

“All right, little firecracker. One new diaper coming up, and then you can come spend some time in Daddy’s office. I think Rexy missed you this morning.”

With Tabby taken care of, I set Josie on her feet between me and Bram. And it’s clear from her mutinous expression that even though she stopped her tantrum, she isn’t quite ready to admit to how naughty she was.

Crossing my arms, I match her stare for stare. “You are in a lot of trouble, little girl.”

“I don’t care! You’re being an ass⁠—”

“Josephine Elise Thorne!”

At the sound of her Daddy’s thundering voice, all the color drains from Josie’s face. It’s almost as if she was so lost in her Little space, she forgot consequences existed.

I might even have laughed if she hadn’t almost broken her neck with her theatrics.

Shoving her hands behind her, Josie drops her gaze to the ground. “Sorry, Daddy.”

“Apologize to your Uncle Dane, and then you and I can have our conversation.”

Josie peeks up at me through her lashes. “Sorry, Uncle Dane.”

“Thank you, sweetheart. But you are still getting that whipping I promised you.”

From the corner of my eye, I see Bram’s eyebrows fly up toward his hairline. Other than Ford, it’s generally accepted that I’m the least strict of all our siblings. Except when I catch one of our Little ones doing something dangerous. Then my punishments rival even the harshest of my brothers.

“All right,” Bram says, his voice deceptively calm. “Uncle Dane is going to give you the punishment he promised you, and then you and I can talk. Come here, Josephine.”

Reaching for the buckle on my belt, I tug the leather free as I turn to face my own babygirl. “Vanessa, why don’t you go see if⁠—”