The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The First Collection Frost, J (good beach reads .TXT) 📖

to do with my time than be playground monitor to a bunch of subs who just resent the interference. I’ve got rapists to catch.” He shoots me a dark look. “Why would you even think of me? And what about Ryan? He’s Master of Training. You weeding him out, too? He’s your fucking friend.”

Better and better. This guy’s going to deck me before the end of the night at the rate we’re going.

“He is my friend and I’m not trying to weed him out. It seems to me like he’s struggling. And it was Maude who thought of you. She asked me to have a word.”

Theo chuckles. “Fuck, she’s a busybody.”

“No argument there.”

* * *

When we reach the Western Room, I knock once before opening the door. Since I saw Charlotte on the desk as we passed, I anticipate that Austin’s in with Emily, so I won’t be waking her.

Inside, I discover that Emily’s drawn a crowd. Austin, Justine, and DirtyGurl are curled up on the bed with her like they’re having a pajama party. Maude and Javier are back in their chairs, watching the subs indulgently. Ten’s returned, drawn up a chair between them and is sitting with Hunter kneeling on the floor between his boots. Uncharacteristically for Ten, he’s running his fingers through Hunter’s hair as he watches the group of subs on the bed. He looks almost tender.

“It’s a party,” I say, stepping into the room.

“You’re invited, Daddy,” Emily says, holding a hand out to me from where she’s lying on her side under her binkie with Austin rubbing her back.

“Good to hear, my baby. What happened to sleeping some more?”

“I really feel like I might be finished sleeping for a while, Daddy, but I promise I’ll nap after you go. Promise-promise.”

Her language and tone tell me she’s still in littlespace. It’s always tough for me to be firmer than marshmallow with her when she’s in littlespace, but tonight it’s impossible. “Okay, sweet girl. That’s a deal. You ready for something to eat?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

I turn to the others in the room. “I’m ordering. Anyone else?”

My offer breaks up the party. Javier heads off with Ten and Hunter to do a scene. Maude excuses herself to run an errand. Austin goes to relieve Charlotte on the desk with a promise that he’ll be back when his shift ends. Justine kisses Emily on the cheek before she scoots out the door with a nod to me and Theo. DirtyGurl follows a step behind.

As the colorfully tattooed, blue-haired submissive nears me, she pauses and nudges me with her elbow. “If I bring edibles, can I visit Emily tomorrow, Master Logan?”

“You can visit Emily tomorrow, but no edibles,” I tell her sternly.

She gives me pleading eyes, which is tough to do given the ferocity of her eye-makeup, but she manages. “I’ve ridden a wooden pony before. Emily’s going to hurt tomorrow.”

“Good thing we have plenty of painkillers. Absolutely no edibles. Come after lunch in case we sleep in. Call first.”

Her pretty face twists but she gives me a little curtsey. “Yes, sir.”

Theo, who has watched our exchange with a raised eyebrow, snorts. “I want a curtsey out of you the next time we scene. And a sir when you answer me.”

“Are you Emily’s gatekeeper?” DirtyGurl asks. Without waiting for a response, she says, “Then you don’t have what it takes to get a curtsey or a sir.”

“Oh, I have what it takes,” Theo responds with an evil grin. “Friday night at eight. Reserve the medical suite.”

DirtyGurl looks startled, but she nods at him.

Before she takes a step, he grabs a handful of her brilliant blue dreadlocks and pulls her head back. “That’s a ‘yes, sir,’ girl.”

Her eyes dilate. “Yes, Master Theo.”

“Don’t be disrespectful.”

“No, Master Theo.”

He lets her go with a hard swat on her leather-covered ass. “Bad girl. We’ll be starting the scene with discipline for that. Guess you have your own time on the pony to look forward to.”

She gulps and ducks out the door.

Theo and I shake our heads in unison as we watch her go.

“Challenging,” I say to Theo.

“Like climbing fucking Everest,” he responds. “But seeing her hit subspace makes the effort worthwhile. You ever scene with her?”

“Since training? Hell no, she scares me.”

Theo chuckles. “Yeah, you have to get past that. Underneath the hair and the tattoos and the attitude, she’s an absolute sweetheart.” He tips his chin at Emily, who is curled on her side on the bed, her binkie pulled up to her chin, watching us. “Your girl could do worse for a friend.”

Interesting. DirtyGurl is not who I would have picked as a friend for Emily, but my little girl can make friends with anyone, so if Emily likes her, I won’t stand in the way.

“Good to know. What do you want for dinner?”

“You paying?”

“Sure, but that means filet mignon is off the menu for you.”

“Filet mignon is always off the menu, you shit. It’s an Italian restaurant. Order me the fish special.”

“You got it.” I move over to the bed, sit down on the edge, and stroke Emily’s hair. “What do you feel like, baby doll?”

“Salad, Daddy.”

“Try again.”

“Calamari and salad?”

“Calamari, yes. Salad, no.”

“Salad’s nice, though.”

“You can have salad at home any time. I want you to have something more nourishing than bloody lettuce, but not too heavy on your tummy.”

“Salad and tortellini in brodo?”

“Calamari and tortellini in brodo. If Daddy gets tiramisú will you have a bite?”

“One bite.”

“One big bite.”

She holds her finger and thumb an inch apart. “Medium-sized bite.”

“Big bite and Daddy will sprinkle chia seeds over everything you eat tomorrow.”

Her little nose wrinkles up. So cute. “Chia seeds for breakfast doesn’t sound very nice, Daddy.”

“Okay, we can forgo the chia seeds for breakfast. Have you met Master Theo?”

“No, Daddy.” She peers around me, giving Theo bright, inquisitive eyes. “Hello, Master Theo. It’s nice to meet you.”

Theo comes over to the side of the bed and sits down in the chair Maude vacated. He leans forward, putting his elbows on