“I missed that laugh. I’m gonna go make some afternoon tea.”
“Stick to the list,” Wolfe ordered.
“Sir, yes, sir.” Aleki saluted.
Wolfe ignored him and just stood there, listening to her laugh.
25
“Shall we go over the rules again?” Wolfe frowned down at his notebook.
She wondered if he slept with it.
Aleki groaned. “Dude, she’s got it.” He held up his hand and ticked rules off each finger. “No talking down about herself. No leaving the house without letting one of us know. No skipping meals. No lying. No putting herself in danger. Although, I still think my suggestion should be made a rule.”
Caleb shot Aleki a look. “She’s not spending all her time naked.”
“Not all her time. Just when we’re in the house.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
She shot him a glare but her lips twitched. He was such a fool sometimes. Although she had no doubt that he was half-serious. She liked it when he teased.
“Well, what about sitting on our laps?” Aleki asked. “I don’t think she needs to sit on a chair or the floor when we all have perfectly good laps.”
She rolled her eyes then let out a yelp as Aleki picked her up, setting her on his thighs. “Did you just roll your eyes, baby girl?” he said with a growl. “That’s naughty behavior. I ought to punish you for that. Ten swats, I think.”
“No!” she cried out with a laugh as he carefully placed her face down over his lap. “Aleki! Stop!”
“Be careful!” Wolfe barked. “Remember her arm.”
“It’s not her arm that’s going to get hurt,” Aleki replied. “Rolling your eyes is a serious offense and worthy of great punishment.”
“Caleb!” she cried out.
“Caleb? Is that what you should call me if you want my help?” Caleb asked.
Ooh. That rat.
“Daddy, please!”
His smile made her heart race. She did love pleasing him. But calling him Daddy wasn’t just about making him happy. It felt right. Today in the playroom, he’d spent over an hour with her, they’d moved from coloring to crafting.
Aleki had brought in this plate with cut up finger food and ranch dressing. Which Wolfe had actually approved of. Then they’d all sat there together and eaten with her.
It was the happiest she could remember being in a long time. And she hadn’t worried once.
She wanted more of that.
So yeah, it wasn’t just about pleasing them. It was about her too. It was kind of weird to be thinking about her needs when she’d spent so long caring about everyone else.
“Save me!”
“Nobody can save you from me!” Aleki said and then let out a huge fake, evil laugh. Then he peppered her bottom with quick slaps which barely stung.
“Noooo! Daddyyyy! Wolfieeee! Save me!” She started giggling.
“Don’t be calling for them! They won’t save you! You’re mine now, princess.” Aleki turned her over then stood with her in his arms. “To the living room!”
The living room? He carried her over and held her above the couch.