Page 23 of Daddy’s Oath (The Daddy Guard #2)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lana hung her head as she sat on the bed in Ace’s room.

The feeling of guilt and shame that washed over her had her stomach in knots. She wrung her hands and bit her bottom lip. Chancing a glance at Daddy, she saw he was still giving her that look. The one that said she was in for it.

Man, that might be worse than a spanking!

Maybe.

She was probably about to find out, she figured.

“Honey, you knew that spying on us was wrong.”

Opening her mouth to speak, she found her mouth dry and her tongue stuck. Swallowing hard, she cleared her throat and then said, “But you were talking about me. Why can’t I know what’s going on?”

What are you doing, Lana? Don’t argue with him! It would probably be better just to take your punishment and move on.

She found the nerve to look up again. Gosh, Daddy was so sexy even as he stood over her, his arms folded, a look of displeasure in his eyes. But she couldn’t maintain eye contact for very long under the weight of his stern gaze. She lowered her head again in just a few seconds.

“Yes, Sir,” she admitted, giving the answer she should have given the first time.

“There are several reasons, actually. One, I don’t want you to worry.

That’s my job. I’m going to protect you at all costs.

Your job, little missy, is to trust me. And have fun.

I know that last part might be difficult with everything going on, but try to think of this as a vacation.

You’re off work for a while. You are staying in a big, old mansion with another Little.

Athena has lots of fun activities planned for you each day.

Just enjoy it. That’s an order directly from Daddy, little girl. Do you understand me?”

Lana tried to speak again but found the need to clear her throat once more. “Yes, Sir,” she managed to croak out again.

“Now, the other reason I didn’t want you to overhear is because I don’t want you to get some silly notion of stepping in and trying to help. I’ll not have you in harm’s way.”

Indignant, Lana sat up straighter. Momentarily forgetting her remorse, she countered, “That’s why you won’t send me in as bait. But think about it! We could draw them out! It’s the perfect plan and?—”

Daddy held up his hand. “Enough, little girl. We’re not even discussing that because it’s not an option. Look at me, because I want to make sure this gets through.”

Lana gulped. Fighting the urge to lower her gaze back to the floor, she kept staring into his eyes.

“You’re only proving my point: you don’t need to listen in on our plans.

It involves you, yes. Obviously. But your job is trust. And obey.

Our job is to protect and get these people off your back once and for all.

But we can only do that if you’re a good girl.

I can’t be worried about you when I’m supposed to focus on the problem at hand. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Sir.”

He nodded. A long, heavy moment passed before he added, “I’m going to give you some licks with my belt, honey. It’s for your own good.”

“What?” she cried.

Ace uncrossed his arms, cutting off the view Lana had of his bulging biceps. Not that now was really the time to be looking or anything…

She realized just how serious Daddy was when he began unfastening his belt. And if that didn’t get her full attention, the accompanying swoosh as he pulled it from the loops of his jeans certainly did!

“Is this your first spanking, honey?”

Lana was speechless as she stared, her mouth gaping, at the man before her holding the folded, doubled leather in his hands.

“I asked you a question, little girl. Is this your first spanking?”

After choking down the lump in her throat, she said, “Yes, Sir.”

“I know it’s scary. But you’ll get through this.

Just ask Little Iris.” He chuckled. “When I first met her, she was timid and shy. Life had been hard for her. Now, though, well… she’s thriving.

Eating more. Laughing more. Getting into all kinds of trouble.

Which means she’s getting spankings, too.

” He paused and offered a reflective smile.

“But this isn’t about her. It’s your turn to learn the hard way.

So come on. Dress goes up. Diaper goes down. Bottom in the air.”

Lana was on autopilot as she complied. None of this seemed real. Just days ago, she only dreamed of having a Daddy. But she was so shy and withdrawn that she figured it never would have happened.

Now, though, there she was, her dress hiked up, a thick diaper around her ankles, and her bare bottom up high as she bent over the be.

Holy cow!

Life sure could throw some major curveballs when you least expected it.

It wasn’t time to contemplate the strange nature of the universe, though. She had to brace for impact. Because Daddy’s belt was about to slap against her cheeks any second.

Could she take it?

She was about to find out, she figured.

“Since this is your first spanking and this is all new to you, I’m going to go easy. Only five swats. But next time, little girl, your punishment will be considerably worse. So, I suggest you follow the rules.”

The unforgiving leather smacked against her skin. As jarring as the sound was, the sting was far worse.

Lana yelped as the heat set in across her bum. She barely had time to accept the first lick before the second one landed.

Holy crap! If that was what he considered going easy on her, she’d hate to feel the sting of Daddy’s belt when he was really hell-bent on teaching her a lesson.

Her bottom lip began to quiver. She could feel her eyes growing damp.

The third swat brought even more searing pain. Now, the tears were falling. She was thankful five was all she was receiving.

Those five swats were more than enough. Daddy had her attention. It would be a long time before she broke the rules again.

The spanking finished just as Lana began sobbing. But as awful as the sting in her bottom was, it felt equally wonderful when Ace put his strong hands on her shoulders, gently turned her around, and pulled her in close for a tight hug.

“That wasn’t how Daddy wanted your afternoon to go, honey. But do you understand why you needed that spanking?”

Lana whimpered as she nodded.

Ace picked her up and sat on the bed. Once she was nestled securely on his lap, he continued.

“I thought about letting you slide on that. It might not sound like a very big deal, listening to our conversation. And it’s not that I’m a stickler for every little rule or overbearing or anything.

But this pertains to your safety. When it comes to that, you bet I’m going to be strict. Do you understand, honey?”

“Yes, Sir.”

The dread and pain the spanking had brought melted somewhat as Ace gingerly kissed the top of her head. Lana sighed and buried her cheek deeper against his hard chest.

“I’m sorry, Daddy. I know you’re trying to keep me safe. I’ll be a good girl from now on.”

He kissed the top of her head again. She melted even more.

She didn’t want him to stop there.

Go down to my lips! My neck. Explore my body. Please, Daddy!

“I bet you will be,” he said, patting her bottom.

The affection felt good, but those cheeks were still tender, and she winced under the heaviness of his hand.

“I bet Little Iris is finished with her spanking now, too. It’s time for us to make you dinner. Come on, honey. Let’s get a fresh diaper on you and get downstairs.”

Lana didn’t argue, but she wasn’t really interested in dinner yet.

What she was hungry for was right there in the room.