Page 60 of Kneeling for Daddy
“Because,” he answers, his voice more authoritative, “we don’t have all day. Hurry up and get dressed, little pet.”
I frown, tossing back the covers. After swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I let them dangle over the edge for a moment as I try to wake enough to actually move from this bed. I feel him watching me impatiently. “You’re impossible,” he jests, shaking his head.
“I know,” I brat, rolling my eyes. “I work hard at it.”
A small chuckle rises from him, and he tries to hide the tiniest smile pulling at his lips, forcing himself to maintain his commanding stare. It’sthelook, the one that always ends with him reminding me exactly which one of us is in charge.Even though I know exactly how to pull that look from him.
I pick yesterday’s clothes up from the floor and drag my feet as I make my way toward the bathroom, complaining the entire time. “It’ssoearly… It’sliterallystill dark outside... I just woke up… I haven’t even?—”
“Ani,” Nik interrupts, gripping my chin and forcing my gaze up to his icy blue eyes. His brows arch as his voice drops. “Get dressed. Now. We have somewhere to be.”
Fine. I’ll obey, but only because the urgency of his tone and the way he keeps looking at his watch has me growing more curious by the second. With Nik following my every move, I take the world’s fastest shower, throw my hair into a messy bun, and swipe mascara over my lashes. “Happy now?” I sass, overtly gesturing at my outfit as I make my way to the front door.
I stop in the foyer when I notice the two suitcases beside the door. My eyes dart between them and Nik. “Oh… so… I’m sorry,” I joke, tapping my stomach lightly and wiggling my diamond ring at him. “It’s too late to give me back.”
Nik smirks, a corner of his mouth tilting upward, and his eyes glinting in the lights like he is holding back amusement. “Such a little brat,” he muses, stepping closer. His arms wrap around me, and he pulls me flush to him. He dips his head and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Maybe your Daddy wants to be nice today.”
I laugh, shaking my head.That’s ridiculous.Nik is very muchnota softy. The idea of himwantingto be nicemakes me snicker, even half-asleep. “Yeah, right,” I tease, nudging the nearest suitcase with my foot. “You being nice? That’ll be the day.”
He leans in close, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Try me, little pet,” he whispers. “I might surprise you.”
I roll my eyes again, but I can’t stop the small grin of intrigue tugging at my lips.
The morning air is brisk when we step into the parking garage. Hawk and Damon are waiting in the sleek black SUVs, engines humming softly. Nik hands me off to them and stows the suitcases in the trunk. “You know what to do with her,” Nik barks, his tone terrifyingly serious.
Turning on his heel, he takes a few steps back toward the elevator, and I cry out, “Nik?” He spins around with a huge smile plastered across his face, laughter erupting from him as he saunters back to me. I huff, “You’re such an asshole.”
“I know. I work hard at it.” He chuckles, opening the rear door of the SUV and sliding in next to me. He presses a kiss to my temple as he buckles my seatbelt. “You’re going to need to be patient with this one, little pet.”
As we drive, I watch the GPS since no one will give me so much as an inkling of where we are going or what all the secrecy isabout. As soon as we pass through the Lincoln Tunnel and into New Jersey, I am beyond confused. The car finally comes to a stop on tarmac, very similar to where I landed when Alek had me come here.
We climb from the SUV, and Damon grabs the two small suitcases from the back. “Thank you for taking such good care of her.” Nik shakes Hawk’s hand, glancing toward Damon. “Both of you.”
Hawk smiles, glancing toward me. “It was our pleasure, Nik.”
Lies… I was an unbearable boar when they arrived.
Damon gives a quiet nod, silently echoing Hawk’s sentiment.
“They’re leaving?” I ask, feeling a strange mix of nerves and excitement.
“With Vartan dead and things relatively quiet, there isn’t a need for them to stick around any longer,” Nik insists.
“I’m actually kind of going to miss you guys,” I tell Hawk and Damon, throwing my arms around both of them for a quick hug. “Please tell Gunnar and Jagger I said goodbye.” They both laugh, the sound warm and comforting.
“Will do,” Hawk promises. “But I’m not giving either of them a hug.”
Nik’s hand slides along my side, giving a gentle squeeze and guiding me toward the private plane waiting a few steps ahead. The hum of the engines reverberates through the metal steps, making my stomach twist a little.
“You know,” I shout over the engines, climbing onto the bottom step, “the last time I got put on a plane this early in the morning, I was… getting married off.”
Nik chuckles, low and amused. “Never…” His hand rubs along the small of my back. “I am far too fucking obsessed with you to ever think about sharing you.”
I walk onto the plane, blinking against the dim interior lighting and gasping in surprise. Sitting together is the rest of my family—all of them—and my heart skips. This was planned, and I should have seen it coming.
“What the hell is going on?” I blurt, my voice louder than intended.
Nik’s expression is unreadable when I snap my head over my shoulder. “You’ll find out soon enough.” A slow smile tugs at his lips. He steps closer, brushing his hand against mine, and tenderly pulling me down the aisle.
