Page 16 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 1

Kevin’s head snapped around. “Patty Cakes? This is the Patty Cakes Zee told us about? The same Patty Cakes you disappeared with into your office, never to be seen again?”

“As you can see, and can set Zee’s mind at rest, she’s still alive. That she disappeared without saying goodbye, well, that's a matter between her and me. One, that will be addressed with much haste.”

“What the devil are you doing here?” Sage finally found her voice.

“Oh, this is my brother, Kaden,” Keith was eager to interject. “He’s the golden oldie and the leader of the pack. He’s also the owner of Triple K Ranch and Triple K Secure. The giant next to him is my second brother, Kevin. We are The Triple K.”

“Fuck me,” Sage muttered under her breath. “It seems fate has its knife in for me.”

“You’ll have to excuse her. She has a habit of mumbling. Not a very attractive characteristic but in a way, I find it endearing.” Kaden’s face lit up as he smiled. “Mainly because it offers so many opportunities for corrective measures.”

“Stop that,” she sneered, glancing at his brothers, her cheeks glowing red. “This is hardly the time or the place.”

“Babygirl, I can’t think of a better place,” he said, grinning ear to ear. Without warning, he hitched her over his shoulder, and headed toward the farmhouse. “Or time.”

“No! Put me down! I’m warning you, Kaden Frazer! If you don’t put me down right this instant, I’m going to kick your nuts so far up your ass, you’ll choke on them!”

“Need help, bro!?” Kevin shouted after him, his voice drowned out by the hearty laughter of the farmhands and Triple K Secure operatives.

“Hell no. I can handle little Patty Cakes— Fuck! God dammit, woman, watch the family jewels,” Kaden groaned painfully as she managed to skim one kick over his crotch before he clamped his arm around her legs and pushed her further back over his shoulder.

“Stop!” she screamed, desperately flailing to hang onto his belt in an effort to keep her head from bumping against his legs, or worse, the ground.

“Could’ve fooled me, big brother!” Kevin shouted after him.

Kaden ignored them as he shouldered his way into the house, his squirming cargo firmly held in place. Lowering her in the kitchen, he made no attempt to stop her when she jumped away from him.

“God, you’re beautiful without all that black club makeup.”

Sage’s mouth snapped shut on whatever insult she had intended to spew. He clearly took the sails out from under her with the revered look on his face.

“You don’t play fair, Kaden Frazer.”

“Neither do you.” He leaned back against the kitchen counter—his countenance one of lazy confidence. “I believe proper introductions are in order. Hi, I’m Kaden Frazer. Your uncle and I served together in the military and have been best friends ever since. As my brother said, I’m also the owner of Triple K Ranch and Triple K Secure, the primary owner of Club Rouge, and if memory serves… Daddy to Patty Cakes.”

“You’re not my Daddy.” Kaden could barely hear the words she mumbled, but he chose to ignore her denial… for now.

“So, the appropriate response would be to introduce yourself, Miss…”

Kaden got the feeling she was on the verge of rolling her eyes, but she refrained. The heavy sigh she expelled was enough to indicate a growing annoyance.

“I’m Sage Lewis. My uncle is my father’s younger brother, and my self-appointed guardian since my Dad passed away. I’m a Special Agent at the FBI Criminal Investigation Division, CID, which I’m sure you already know about since it’s why I’m here.” She shrugged. “Unnecessary, in my opinion, but a result of an overprotective uncle.”

“From what he told me, his reasoning is sound.”

“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.” She tilted her head. “Is there anything that he doesn’t share with you? I mean, my business is private for a number of very good reasons and yet he felt comfortable enough to blabber about it to you.”

“I needed information to understand the life-threatening nature of your situation, Miss Lewis. I can’t protect you if I’m not armed properly with accurate intel.”

“That’s just it. I don’t need your protection. I’m thirty-four-years old and have been a covert FBI operative for the past eight years.” She ticked the points off on her fingers. “Not to mention I have a black belt in Taekwondo, and I’m an excellent shot.”

“None of which would serve you well if you’re caught unaware or alone. You have exposed some very powerful men, Sage. Do you honestly think you can protect yourself against the dark assets they have access to?”

“I’m part of a very cohesive team. We protect each other.”

“From my understanding, this specific case you’ve been working on is not a team effort. It was closed down a year ago. You’re acting on your own without the Agency’s approval. Do you honestly think they’re going to be found accountable if this thing turns south?”

“The Deputy Director would never do that.”

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