Page 109 of Hidden

“Fuck me sideways. He’s been under in Colombia all this time, hasn’t he?” Gage whistled.

“So you think he’s the one slipping me packages?”

Peter nodded. “I know he is. It all adds up now. I’m an idiot for not thinking of it sooner.”

Carrie chewed on a fingernail. “So… does that mean I helped and you’re not going to punish me?”

Peter narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you mine, little one?”

Carrie nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

“And did I tell you not to go back to that club?”

“Yes, Sir.” She dropped her gaze to her lap.

“Then yeah, you’ve earned a little discipline, I think.”

She didn’t argue, and Peter took it as a win.

“We’ll deal with it later. Get your ass in the bedroom and get into bed. I’ll be there as soon as I say goodnight to Gage.”

She bolted out of the chair and down the hall without another word.

Gage chuckled and stood. “I should get some sleep, too. I’ll see you in the morning?”

Peter shook his head. “I called my boss and told him I had a family emergency. I’m off for the next few days as long as Upwood behaves and I don’t leave town.”

Gage nodded. “I’ll wait to hear from you then. Want me to see if I can call Boomer in?”

Peter walked him to the door. “No. We don’t want to blow his cover unless we have to. Let me see if I can back channel and find out which agency he’s working for these days.”

In the bedroom, Carrie was sitting in bed naked, hugging a pillow.

“Is Ripley a good guy?” she asked timidly.

Peter sat on the bed next to her and held her hand. “Boomer is one of the best. And just so you know, if he knew you were my submissive, he would have dragged you out of there and beat your ass himself last night.”

“Are you going to spank me?” she whispered.

He chuckled darkly.

“You have no idea how much trouble you’re in, young lady. A spanking is the least of your worries. But first we need to get some sleep. But her’s your first assignment. Until I say otherwise, you will follow me anywhere I go. If I’m staying in one place, you’ll kneel at my feet. If I go to the bathroom, you follow me and kneel outside the door. While I’m cooking, you kneel where I can see you at all times unless I give you different instructions. Understood?”

Carrie’s nostrils flared as she exhaled a long breath before nodding.

“You can answer me better than that.”

“Yes, Sir.” She turned her head to the side, avoiding his gaze.

He cupped her chin and turned her head toward him again. When her eyes met his, they were glistening. Bending his head, he pressed a kiss to her lips, coaxing her gently to open to him. Her lips parted, and he plunged his tongue between them, deepening the kiss. The taste of salt hit his tongue, and he realized she was crying. Breaking away, he cradled her face in his hands.

“What is it, gorgeous?”

Her voice trembled. “I just wasn’t expecting you to be nice to me let alone kiss me that way after I told you what I did.”

Whoa. Poor girl. His lips flitted across her forehead as he tried to think of the best way to reassure her. “Yes, you’re in trouble. But that doesn’t change how I feel about you. In fact, it’s because of how I feel that you find yourself in the trouble you’re in. But I will never withhold affection from you as punishment. That’s cruel and defeats the purpose of discipline. Besides, I enjoy kissing you, and just because you’re being punished doesn’t mean I shouldn’t enjoy you.” He winked and leaned in to kiss her once more.

“I know we need to sleep, but can I ask a couple of questions?”

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