Page 12 of Savage Daddies
Axel and Nash.
They appear downright furious, but once they notice I’m in pain, their anger fades and they look upon me with concern. Before I can draw my next breath, they’re already at my side, helping me brush off the bugs. Axel holds up my arm and inspects it.
“Red ants,” Nash says. “We have some salve in the truck that’ll stop the sting.”
They move me further away from the fallen tree while gazing at the ground, as if looking for more of the offending bugs. I peer between the savages, feeling both foolish and angry. I’m a fool for walking on the road so long where they could easily find me, and I’m angry at myself for not being able to remain in my hiding spot. I’m also livid with Axel and Nash. How dare they think they can simply take me, just because they found me in the forest outside Emerald? It’s not my fault their people don’t have enough women. I’m not the one who tainted their water supplies.
Tears burn in my eyes and I push the brothers away.
“I’m not going back with you!”
“Yes, you are.” Axel’s deep voice is thick with conviction. He grabs me and leans down, so close I can feel his hot breath wafting against my face. His eyes darken. “You’reours, little girl. The sooner you can accept that, the easier things will be for you.”
I feel the warmth of tears on my cheeks. “I don’t want to be yours! I want to go home!” Then I kick him with all my strength, the hard tip of my hiking boot impacting upon his shin.
His gaze flickers with surprise, but he doesn’t so much as flinch. I prepare to kick him again, but before I can manage it, he tosses me over his shoulder and carries me toward the road. I pound my fists on his back and wiggle around, but my efforts only earn me a few sharp smacks to my upturned bottom.
“You stupid assholes!” I scream. “Put me down! Let me go! You motherfuckers!” I continue to spew the worst language I know, the most inappropriate insults I’ve overheard the Workers using on one another. I yell until my throat burns, and even then I keep going.
“You’re already in enough trouble as it is, young lady,” Nash says sternly as he walks beside us, interrupting me. “I suggest you calm down and stop using such naughty language, or the punishment you have coming will be so much worse. I have half a mind to cut a switch and take it to your bottom right here and now.”
“She deserves a switching,” Axel says, “but before we punish her, we need to make sure she’s okay. She’s been out here for hours without food or water. As far as she made it down the road, I imagine she didn’t get much sleep last night, if any. Naughty little girl probably snuck off right after we both fell asleep. We’ll punish her—and it will be a severe punishment—but first we’ll let her get some rest.”
“Agreed,” Nash replies. “I’ll run ahead and get the med kit ready.”
Weary beyond comprehension, I cease my struggles and go limp over Axel’s shoulder. I close my eyes as Nash runs off. They’ve caught me. They’ve caught me and I doubt I’ll get another chance to run away, at least in the foreseeable future. Then I remind myself of the knife in my pocket. I can’t reach for it in my current position, but I’m sure it’s still there.
Dare I use it as a weapon?
My stomach lurches. I don’t know how to fight. I can’t imagine actually stabbing someone. The very thought of even attempting to inflict such violence upon another person makes me ill.
Finally, we reach the road. Axel sets me down on my feet, but he doesn’t release me. He stares at me for several seconds while holding me out by my shoulders, a look of suspicion filling his dark gaze. Still keeping one hand on me, he reaches into the front passenger side of the truck and pulls out a canteen of water. He passes it to me and I drink greedily, thankful to finally quench my thirst. Once I’m finished, I hand the canteen back to him.
“Thank you,” I mumble quietly.
“How did you cut the ropes?” He sets the canteen aside and returns his hands to my shoulders, moving closer and crowding me against the truck. “Do you have a knife on you, little girl?”
Shit. Was he reading my mind? My eyes widen and my mouth drops open, but I can’t form a reply. I simply shake my head and stare at my feet, hoping he believes me. Though I don’t think I can bring myself to use the blade as a weapon against the savages, I still don’t want to give it up. If they tie me up again, maybe I’ll be able to attempt another escape.
“She’s lying,” Nash says as he rummages through a med kit. “Those ropes were definitely cut with a knife.” He pulls out a small jar and opens the lid as he approaches me. He dabs a cooling salve on the red marks on my arms, and the stinging of the ant bites instantly ceases.
Before I can thank Nash, Axel places a finger beneath my chin, forcing me to look up into his dark, unfathomable stare. “Young lady, I’m only going to ask you one more time. If you lie to me, I promise you’ll regret it sorely. Do you have a knife on you?”
“No, I don’t.” I lift my chin higher and glare at him, but despite the brave front I’m trying to put on, my hands tremble at my sides and it feels as if an endless shudder is moving through my whole body. I just lied to Axel’s face. What will he do if he finds out? I really don’t want to know, but I suspect I’ll soon find out. A tingle races across my behind and I resist the urge to reach around and cup my bottom cheeks. All the while, Axel keeps looking at me, his dark gaze pinning me in place.
“I hope, for your sake, that you’re telling the truth, Josie,” Nash says, “but we’re still going to frisk you.” He moves closer, and now both savages are standing in front of me, staring at me with displeased expressions. Though I’ve never had a father, I suddenly feel like a naughty little girl who’s in trouble with her daddy. Or this case,daddies. I gulp hard and hope he’s just bluffing.
“Turn around, spread your legs wide, and place your hands on the truck.” Axel nods at the truck, waiting for me to comply.
“What?” I try to retreat, but my legs weaken under their increasingly stern gazes. How can they make me so nervous with just a look? I don’t understand it, and I furthermore don’t understand why I’m becoming flushed and achy between my thighs. I tell myself it’s simply because I haven’t had a VR sexual relief session recently and my body doesn’t understand they are actually real men.
Men I should fear.
Men whose touch I certainly shouldn’t crave.
“You heard Daddy Axel,” Nash says. “Now be a good little girl and get into position so your daddies can frisk you. If you don’t obey us, we’ll pull your pants and panties down and spank you right here on the side of the road. Anyone who happens to drive by will see a naughty little girl getting her bottom reddened by her daddies.”
Though we’re in the middle of nowhere and I doubt anyone else will drive by, the prospect of witnesses still makes my face heat with shame. Heart racing, I slowly turn around, spread my legs, and place my hands on the truck.
