Keeping Katie (Syndicate Kings Book 5)

My butt is on fire, yet he keeps spanking me. Tears burn my eyes and worry over anyone hearing us disappears, replaced with a swell of emotions bubbling to the surface.

“You’re not alone anymore, Katie. I’m right here. I can take a lot off your plate if you’ll just let me. You don’t have to do everything anymore.”

A sob lodges in my throat. It feels like my heart is cracking into pieces. “Why would you want to take all of this on?” I say as my tears start to fall.

He pauses a second, then spanks each cheek once, harder than before. “Because I care about you. I watch you and see the kindness and selflessness pouring out of you. It’s one of my favorite things about you. But it’s also something that needs to be managed because you’re not putting yourself first. So, guess what? I’m going to put you first.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and try to clamp my lips together so he doesn’t hear me as I break. The sadness I’ve been holding in for so long bursts free. My tears soak the papers under my face.

“I’m just so tired,” I sob.

“I know, baby girl,” he murmurs, then starts to spank me again. “We’re going to change that. I won’t allow you to push me away. I’ve been patient, but now it’s time for me to take control. And you’re going to be my good Little girl and let me, aren’t you?”

Can I? I want to, so badly. I’m scared. What’s the worst that could happen? He could break my heart. He could die. I don’t know if I can handle losing another person I love. Oh my God. I can’t possibly love him already.

He pauses and rubs my ass, soothing some of the sting as I continue to cry.

“It’s time to let go, Katie-baby. It’s time to let Daddy take care of you. Yeah?”

Sniffling, I shift my eyes to him. He’s staring down at me as he strokes my butt. There are so many what-ifs, but I’ll regret it if I don’t see where this goes.

Take a leap of faith.

“Yes, Daddy.”

He watches me for several seconds before giving a sharp nod. Then he starts spanking me hard and fast, and my tears pour out of me as I kick my feet and struggle against his hold.

“This is what happens when you try to push Daddy away. I won’t allow it, baby.”

His reassurances heal something inside of me. I know my parents couldn’t help getting sick and dying, but in a way, it felt like they abandoned me.

“I’m sorry,” I cry out. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”

He stops, gently pulls me up, and wraps me in his arms. “You’re not alone anymore. Whatever’s going on, you need to talk to me. I have a lot of resources.”

I nod and clutch onto him for dear life as he slowly and carefully pulls up my panties and jeans, then buttons them for me. I’m glad I skipped makeup this morning because otherwise, I’d be a total mess.

He wipes my cheeks with his thumbs. “I want you to write down the name of the insurance company for me. I’ll reach out to my realtor and ask her to get your parents’ house up for sale right away. Are you sure you want to sell it? Is it the house you grew up in?”

Sniffling, I shake my head. “I don’t care about the house. My mom only kept it for as long as she did because she wanted to die in the same place my dad did. The house never meant anything to us. It’s this shop that means the most. I grew up here. When they were opening it, they couldn’t afford employees, so they worked non-stop, and I was always here too. But if I don’t pay off the medical bills within thirty days, they’re threatening to put a lien on the shop.” A sob breaks loose again. “I can’t lose Twisted Bean. It’s all I have left of my parents.”

He tightens his hold on me and shakes his head. “You’re not going to lose anything. Daddy won’t let it happen. Write down the name of the insurance company.”

I take a step back and look up at him. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to handle it. Trust me, baby.”

It might be naïve of me to trust him already, but I do. “This isn’t your problem to deal with.”

His eyes turn stormy. “Do we need to revisit the part where I pull your pants and panties down and you get your bottom spanked? You’re mine, baby. Which means your problems are mine. So I will deal with them, and you’ll be a good girl and let me.”

Yikes. Stern Grady is…hot. Sheesh. I’ve seen him be a bit firm and bossy, but right now, he’s absolutely not messing around.

With a sigh, I nod and grab a scrap of paper from the desk. When I hand it over, he cups my face and leans down to kiss me.

“That’s my good girl.”

A shiver runs down my spine right to my pussy. Good girl. I like being his good girl.

“I want you to stay with me tonight,” he says. “What do you need from your apartment?”

My eyes nearly pop right out of the sockets. No way is he going to my apartment to rummage through my drawers. I’d be mortified if he found my footie pajamas. Or Thor.

“Oh, um, I’ll run home after work and grab some stuff,” I blurt out.

He stares at me as the corners of his lips slowly slide into a smile. “Afraid I might see your little pink vibrator, baby? Daddy already saw it when you were in the bathroom.”

When my mouth drops open, he chuckles. “I wanted to know more about my girl.”

“You looked in my drawers?”

He shrugs. “If you’re expecting an apology, I’m not giving one. When it comes to you, I have no boundaries.”

The black Escalade I’ve seen over the past week comes to mind. No. There’s no way that was him. Stalking is over the top. Even if the idea of it makes me feel hot all over. God, I need help.

“I’ll go get some stuff after work and then come over,” I reply.

“Okay, baby. If you insist. Bring the vibrator, though. And several changes of clothes.”

Cocking my head, I scrunch my face. “You said you wanted me to stay the night. Why do I need more than one change of clothes?”

That panty-melting smirk appears on his face again, and he leans down to brush his lips over mine. “Because once I have you under my roof, I probably won’t ever let you leave again.”

Somehow, that feels more like a promise than a threat. I laugh anyway because, obviously, he’s joking.

His phone dings several times. He scowls at it, then slides it back into his pocket.

“I should get back to work.”

He peers down at me, frowns, then runs his index finger along my jaw. “I don’t want to leave you after punishing you.”

I don’t want him to leave, either. I want to curl up in his lap and snuggle while he holds me, but I can’t tell him that. He’s a busy man. Surely, he has things to do.

“How soon before you can be off?” he asks. “I’ll wait for you.”

“You don’t need to wait for me. I was off an hour ago, but I was going to stay until close so I could give Tom some extra pastries I made.”

He narrows his gaze. “Who the fuck is this Tom guy? Why is he so important to you?”

My tummy flutters, and part of me wants to giggle. I like jealous Grady. It might be unhealthy to like having someone so possessive and obsessive, but I think it’s exactly what I need. It’s also what I crave.

“Tom is a long-time customer. He’s like seventy years old. My parents were friends with him, and he still comes by almost every night at closing. I give him hot coffee and pastries. I don’t want him to go hungry.”

He stares down at me, seeming to consider my words. “And he’s homeless?”

I nod. “Yes. I’ve offered to let him sleep in the coffee shop on numerous occasions, but he always turns me down. Anyway, I made his favorite scone.”

The way his eyes turn hard again is adorable. Not that I’ll tell him I think so because the last thing I want to do is hurt the man’s ego.

“You’re making another man his favorite scones?” he asks like he can’t even fathom the thought.

“Did you miss the part about him being almost seventy?” I giggle and roll my eyes.

“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Little girl. I don’t think I like you cooking for another man. Maybe I need to meet this Tom guy.”

Shit. This is backfiring quickly. I might like Grady being a bit jealous, but there have to be some boundaries.

Then, he smirks and winks at me. Oh. Ohhhh. He was joking.

“I trust you, baby girl. But, he’s safe?”

Nodding, I smile. “Yes. Tom is safe. He’s just about as protective as you are.”

That makes him relax his shoulders. “Nobody will be as protective of you as I am. I’m glad he looks out for you, though.”

“Go back to work. I’ll be at your house in a few hours.”

He frowns. “I don’t want to leave you. Especially after a punishment.”

The cracks in my heart start to heal. Why is he so amazing?

“I’m fine. I promise. I’m really happy right now, actually. I think I needed that.”

Letting out a sigh, he brushes his thumb over my cheek. “I want you to let me know when you leave here, when you get to your place, and when you’re on your way to my house. Understand?”

It’s probably not healthy, but I love how over the top he is.

“Yes, Daddy. I understand.”

“That’s my good girl.”

Why, yes. Yes, I am his good girl.