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Returning my gaze to Jasper’s face, I try to calm my racing heart as I glare at him. “I’ll get out if you promise to take me right to the airport.”
“That isn’t how this works, princess.”
“You can’t keep me here. It’s-it’s imprisonment or something.” I may be a little loose with the law, but even I know this is illegal as fuck.
“Or something, I’m sure. And that might be an issue if we had pesky things like laws and governments to deal with.”
“So, what? You just created your own fucking country?”
Holding his hand out flat, palm down, he wiggles it from side to side. “Technically, the island is under the rule of a neighboring country. But you’d be amazed at what people can be convinced to overlook with the right amount of money in the right hands.”
Dread settles heavy in my stomach. “There has to besomeoneon this island who will help me.”
“I can assure you, there is not. So what’s it going to be? Are you going to be a good girl for Daddy or do you need another spanking to help you behave?”
My ass clenches at the memory of his hard hand blistering my skin and I shake my head. “No more spankings, Jasper, I’m serious.”
“Then I suggest you start doing as you’re told. Starting with how you are supposed to address me.”
Fuck. I really, really do not want another spanking.
I also really,reallydo not want to call my stepbrother…Daddy. It’s wrong on levels I can’t even begin to explain and bile rises in my throat just at the thought.
“Jasper, please.” Drawing on years of practice getting what I want from our parents, I widen my eyes until the sting causes them to fill with tears. My bottom lip trembles, just a bit, before I roll my lips together as if I’m trying to hold back tears. “Please just let me go home. I’ll do whatever you want if you just send me back.”
He steps closer to the crib, lifting a hand to cup my cheek, the pad of his thumb brushing at a stray tear with such tenderness it makes me ache. Not for him, but for this promise of something I know he isn’t capable of giving me. The corners of his mouth lift in the ghost of a smile as he leans in, his lips hovering just over mine.
And for a moment, just a moment, I think he might kiss me. And I’m shocked by how tempted I am to close the gap between us, to press my lips to his.
“My sweet little princess,” he murmurs instead. “Do you really think those crocodile tears are going to work on me? I’ve watched you twist my father around your little finger for nearly ten years, Juliet. I know all of your tricks. And I am not moved.”
Fuck.
The hand on my cheek slides down to my neck, and his fingers wrap firmly around my throat. Not with enough pressure to block my airways, but with just enough for me to know he could if he wanted to.
He could end me, right here, right now, and nobody would be the wiser.
I am not turned on by that. I amnot.
“Now.” His voice is practically a purr, and my stomach twists in response. “What is my name?”
I may be a spoiled fucking brat. But I’m not an idiot. And my pride is not worth my life.
Licking my suddenly parched lips, I swallow hard against the palm of his hand. “D-Daddy.”
And just like that, the monster disappears, and my cocky, somewhat goofy stepbrother returns with the flash of a smile. “Good girl. Time to get you bathed and dressed. We have a big day ahead of us.”
Chapter Four
Jasper
It’s a delight, keeping Juliet on her toes. Her confusion and fear are nearly as intoxicating as having her over my knee.
Even more intoxicating is the knowledge that she is not unaffected by our play. I saw it in her eyes when I had my hand around her throat. Need, raw and naked, and nearly a match for my own.
Who knew the perfect Little girl had been right in front of me all this time?
Leaning over the lowered bar of the crib, I scoop her up to carry her into the closet. She’s a bit taller than Victoria, but still a perfect bundle in my arms, and she wraps her arms around my neck, clinging tightly to me as we walk.