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“I can’t spank her.” She wasn’t healed enough for that.

Tobias nodded. “I know, but there’s no reason she can’t go into the corner and do some lines.”

“You’re right. I’m ready.”

Tobias patted him on the back. “I’m going to tidy up, then get some more firewood from the shed so you’ve got the house to yourselves. Be back soon.”

Jenner walked back into the playroom to find the slime station in a mess and Immy in the corner with her spellbook out. Abe had packed it and her wands for her. Along with Snowy, of course, and Miss Pippa Porker.

“Immy,” he said sternly. “What do you think you are doing?”

She waved a hand at him. “Shh, Daddy! I’m creating!”

Jenner walked over and plucked the wand out of her hand.

“Hey! Daddy! That’s rude, you can’t just touch a wizard’s wand like that!”

“It’s also rude to ignore Daddy when he’s talking to you,” he told her. “And to disobey him. What did I tell you to do before you started practicing your spells?”

“But Daddy! I’m busy! I don’t gots time to clean.”

“That’s too bad. Because now you’re going to have to spend some time in the naughty corner.”

Her mouth dropped open.

“And then write some lines. Come with me.” He took her hand in his.

“No! Wait, Daddy! You can’t mean it!”

“I do mean it.” He ignored her trembling lower lip and led her to the naughty corner. “Sit in the chair. You’ll spend five minutes in the corner and I don’t want to hear any noise or see any squirming.”

“I’ll clean the slime station!” she cried.

“I’m sorry, baby girl. But you should have done that earlier. Sit.” He gave her a stern look.

She gave him another pouting look, but he didn’t cave. He knew she was testing the waters and he needed to start as he meant to go on.

Immy would learn that she needed to listen to both him and Tobias. In Big or Little headspace.

Immy sat with a sigh. He settled into the armchair and drew out his phone to check in with Sampson.

Still nothing going on there. And no sign of Isaiah over the past two weeks. Which really worried him. What was Isaiah thinking, taking off like that on his own?

Fuck.

Where was he?

Jenner hated not having control over Immy’s safety. It was making him antsy. And it meant he wanted more control in other areas.

He glanced over at Immy. Nothing could happen to her. He wouldn’t survive it.

“Immy, come here, please,” he said.

She stood and turned, then moved toward him. He opened his arms and she stepped between his legs. Carefully, he picked her up and held her on his lap.

“I love you, baby girl.”

“I love you too, Daddy.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Are you okay?”