Page 19

“Aw, don’t be angry, little bit. Give it a chance, I think you’ll like it here.” With another squeeze, he puts me on my feet between him and Jasper.
“You were right as usual, Cat,” Jasper says, running a hand over one of my braids. My heart leaps at the touch, and I silently berate myself for enjoying even a second of his attention. “She looks adorable. Did you tell your Auntie Cat ‘Thank you’, princess?”
Something akin to dread settles in my stomach as the weight of three expectant stares settles on me. I should obey. I should just play along while I’m here, until I can figure out some kind of plan.
But the knowledge that I’m stuck here has settled like a burr under my skin, and the fact that I unwittingly did this to myself only makes it itch more. “No.”
Jasper’s smile doesn’t waver as he gives my braid a playful tug. “What do you say when someone does something nice for you, Juju?”
My bottom clenches involuntarily, as if it’s trying to remind me that misbehavior has consequences on this island. Consequences I am not willing to face again any time soon.
Still, I’m not quite ready to give in. “Can we just go? Solene is waiting.”
Now Jasper does frown. “Juliet. Say ‘Thank you’ to Auntie Cat, or we will go to Solene’s without you and you can stayhere with Richard while we pick out your wardrobe ourselves. I already know your general size, and Solene will be happy to make any adjustments we need later.”
Dammit. He knows exactly what button to push to gain my compliance. I might have been stubborn enough to earn myself another spanking, but I’m not about to leave my brother in charge of my wardrobe.
“Thank you, Auntie Cat,” I mumble without bothering to look at her.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
Nothing about her tone says she’s bothered by the interaction, and I feel a little niggle of guilt about being so shitty to her.
Nope. None of that. She’s just as much a part of my brother keeping me here as anyone. I refuse to feel guilty for giving them back a little bit of their own.
“Good girl,” Jasper says with another gentle tug on my braid, and damn my heart for fluttering a bit at the praise. Shifting a bit, he gestures to the man beside him. “Juliet, Richard runs the household, so if there’s anything you need or want and I’m not available, you can ask him.”
Richard winks. “As long as your Daddy says it’s okay.” Leaning down, he drops his voice. “I have to say that when he’s around.”
“Don’t encourage her, Rich.”
“Now what’s the fun in that?”
Shaking his head, Jasper picks me up and settles me on his hip, shooting a mockingly stern glare in Richard’s direction. “If you spoil her, you’ll have to deal with her tantrums.”
Richard’s smile turns indulgent as he tickles me. “Aw, she’ll be a good girl for us, won’t you, Juju?”
“Maybe,” I say with an uncharacteristic giggle.
“Brat. You two better get going before Solene turns into a holy terror. Her Mommy will have all our heads if that happens.”
“Say goodbye to Richard, Juju,” Jasper says in the same sing-song voice one might use with an actual toddler.
I roll my eyes, but I’m not quite ready to test any of them by outright disobeying, so I wave. “Bye, Richard.”
“Bye-bye, sweetheart. Enjoy your day out! And bring me one of those lemon scones from the bakery if you stop by.”
Jasper carries me out to the waiting car and as we pull away from the house, all I can think is what a bizarre fucking day I’ve had.
And it’s not even lunchtime.
Juliet
The ride to Solene’s is filled with conversation, mostly between Jasper and Auntie Cat, though they do try to draw me in by asking what kind of dresses I might like. But since I doubt they’ll appreciate my honest answer of “Anything that doesn’t make me look like an overgrown toddler” I simply shrug and look out the window.
It isn’t until the car parks on the street just outside a storefront withSolene’sin giant script above the door that I allow myself to feel excited. Solene was one of my favorite designers and a good friend before she just up and disappeared.
Without waiting for the driver to let us out, I dive for the door and shove it open. Jasper and Auntie Cat call after me, but I ignore them and make a run for the front door of the shop.