Page 87 of Daddy’s Fortitude

She threw both hands up into the air in clear exasperation, but at least she was feeling more alive now, more positive.

That dark cloud of doom had lifted off her. And she felt lighter, so maybe arguing with him wasn’t a bad thing. Perhaps that was what was giving her purpose to keep going.

Hmm. What happened when she no longer had him to argue with, though? Arguing with Kevin wasn’t nearly as much fun.

“You can’t ban me from leaving the house or from going on buses. That’s ridiculous.”

“Of course I can. I just did. And I’m pretty sure I just said no arguing. Also, the time for leniency is gone. So if you break the rules again, you’re going to get your butt spanked.”

26

Was he kidding her right now? Had he really just said that?

She remembered when he’d threatened her with a spanking a few days ago. And she’d failed to tell him that that definitely wasn’t happening. So she should do that now. Make her stance clear.

Because there was no way that she was ever going to let him spank her.

Not happening.

No.

And now she was protesting too much.

Urgh.

“You are not spanking me, Ammo Grayson.” She pointed a finger at him for emphasis.

“And what if that’s what you need in order for you to behave yourself?”

“What if I don’t want to behave myself?”

“You won’t be doing things that put you in danger or risk your health any longer, Aimee Charleston. Did we not have a conversation earlier about how I’m taking charge?”

“I didn’t agree to that. I didn’t even agree to you moving in.”

He just gave her a look. “I can take care of you better if I’m living with you. You need constant supervision.”

She huffed. “I do not need constant supervision. You are making me sound like a child. And, anyway, I don’t put myself at risk.”

“Sure you don’t. You didn’t faint last night because you barely ate or drank then insisted on going to work. Or sneak out and go on a dangerous bus ride.”

“In no way was that a dangerous bus ride.”

“A stranger was in charge of your safety. That makes it dangerous.”

“Dear Lord,” she grumbled.

But she really didn’t feel like arguing this point with him any longer. People took bus rides all the time, every day, with strangers driving the bus and strangers sitting on the bus, and no one thought anything of it. So why had he suddenly decided that bus rides were so darn dangerous?

She had no idea.

“But this naughtiness right here is completely unacceptable. And is going to get you into a lot of trouble, young lady.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked. He was making her head spin. And not in a good way like the merry-go-round did. “What right do you have to threaten me?”

He held up the envelope of money. “This is unacceptable. How did you get it?”

Dear Lord. “How do you think I got it? I stripped off my clothes and ran naked down the middle of the main street, and people threw money at me. That’s how I got it.”