Page 21 of Double Daddies (Dirty Daddies Anthologies #8)

Chapter Eight

A week later

Double D Acquisition’s private hangar at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Texas

Elle

The early morning sun painted streaks of amber and rose across the Texas sky as the sleek black limousine pulled up to the private hangar. Elle’s stomach twisted into knots as the driver stepped out and circled around to open her door.

“Here we are, Miss Fitzgerald.” The older gentleman smiled at her with knowing eyes. “Are you certain about those bags? Mr. Gould and Mr. White were quite specific about not requiring any luggage.”

Elle smoothed her sundress while fighting the urge to bolt for the umpteenth time since he had picked her up. Why she chose a dress when she was much more comfortable in jeans was still a puzzle.

“Thank you, James. I appreciate the reminder, but I’m not going anywhere without my bags. It’s a well-known fact that a girl needs her essentials.”

His wide smile turned her cheeks hot. “As you wish, miss.” With efficient movements, he removed her suitcases from the trunk.

Moments later, standing beside her luggage, Elle’s heart was in her throat as the limousine disappeared from view.

Suddenly, she felt very alone with the massive hangar stretched before her.

Its steel and glass exterior reflecting merrily in the dawn light was in direct conflict with her raging emotions.

The Double D Acquisitions sign gleamed like a beacon, but to Elle, it seemed more like a warning.

“Of course, not only do they have a flashy helicopter, but they also have to have a plane to match,” she said scornfully as she stared at the commanding private jet with its black exterior and gold logo.

Elle’s pulse quickened as concern about what awaited her inside that plane once again flared to life.

More concerning was how it would change her life.

She wasn’t naive. Three months might not be a lifetime, but the magnetism and power the two men wielded warned her that the impact of living with them for that long would make its mark on her for years to come.

“This is freaking madness.” She clutched the vintage vanity case tighter, seeking its familiar weight that always comforted her when she traveled. This time, it was ominously missing. “I should have my head examined!”

I tend to agree since they specifically instructed you not to bring anything . Her inner voice mocked her defiance. She glanced down at the two suitcases that she had packed with carefully chosen outfits.

“Well, that’s just bullshit since they can’t possibly know what I need or what my tastes are. I refuse to—Ugh! Stop whining. You’re here now,” she berated herself.

Still, she couldn’t stop her mind from conjuring images of what awaited her. The two powerful men had already demonstrated their dominance over her and had made their expectations crystal clear. Her skin prickled at the reminder, but she resolutely shook it off.

“Well, it’s done. Might as well bite the bullet.

.. seeing as you don’t have any other choice.

” The words echoed in her mind. “I should’ve taken that damn paint back the moment I got the eviction notice,” she grumbled.

“Then I wouldn’t have been in this predicament.

” Pressing her lips together, she wheeled her luggage toward the waiting attendant.

Yeah, well, regret always comes too late, her inner voice taunted her.

“Morning,” she greeted the redhead.

Her professional smile didn’t quite mask her surprise. “Good morning, Miss Fitzgerald.” A perfectly manicured hand gestured to Elle’s bags. “You weren’t supposed to bring any luggage.”

For heaven’s sake! Did the entire state of Texas know about that? Elle’s spine indignantly snapped into a straight line as she desperately channeled confidence she didn’t feel.

“Well, I did. Is that a problem?”

“Not to me, Elle.” The smile she flashed warned Elle of repercussions she hadn’t considered when she disregarded the duo’s order. “Please, follow me.”

Each step up the aircraft stairs felt like climbing a mountain. Elle’s knees threatened to buckle. The designer heels suddenly seemed like a poor choice. The luxurious interior of the jet beckoned in a world of cream leather, polished wood, and crystal accents that spoke of unimaginable wealth.

Following the attendant, Elle’s breath caught in her throat. The air grew thick with tension as two familiar figures came into view. Drake and Damian sat like kings on their thrones. The matching leather chairs were positioned to command the space.

“I’m so screwed,” she muttered under her breath as their penetrating stares pinned her in place. Her pulse skipped at the predatory gleams in their eyes.

“What was that, miss?” the attendant asked.

“Nothing,” Elle managed to croak. The luggage suddenly felt like lead weights as their gazes dropped to her suitcases.

Drake’s jaw clenched with a muscle ticking in his cheek. Damian’s fingers drummed once against his armrest in a warning sign she was learning to recognize.

“Hmm, see that, Damian? It seems our Little already needs a… refresher.” Drake’s deep voice carried enough authority to make her shiver at the implication. “What did we say about luggage, little baker?”

Elle’s fingers tightened around the handle of her vanity case. “I know what you said, but?—”

“No buts, Elle.” Damian’s voice cut through her protest. One finger invited her closer. His voice lowered when she didn’t move. “Come here, little one.”

Elle’s feet remained frozen to the spot. Her heart hammered against her ribs as Drake’s eyebrows pulled together into a warning line.

“The first rule of being our Little is following instructions.” Drake’s tone held a dangerous edge. “I believe we made ourselves clear about the luggage, and Damian just issued you a clear instruction you choose to ignore.”

“You did, and he did, but—” Elle swallowed hard, but with determination, she tilted her chin in defiance. “No woman goes away for months without her own belongings. I most definitely—” She bit back the words as Drake’s eyes darkened. Her throat was suddenly dry. “Well, I just thought?—”

“That’s the problem right there.” Damian got up and stepped closer. Her senses immediately kicked into overdrive at his looming presence. “You thought you knew better than your Daddies.”

A shiver ran down Elle’s spine at his words. Her gaze darted between them, noting the tight set of their jaws and the intensity in their eyes. Then his words registered.

Daddies? What the hell is he talking about?

“Amanda.” Drake addressed the attendant without taking his eyes off Elle. “Please store Miss Fitzgerald’s luggage. She won’t be needing any of it.”

“Yes, sir.” The attendant quickly gathered Elle’s bags, but she refused to let go of her vanity case.

“That too, little baker.” Damian’s hand extended toward her prized possession.

She defiantly hugged it closer. “No. This is special. It was my grandmother’s and?—”

“Elle.” Drake’s warning tone made her breath catch. “Hand it to your Daddy.”

“Again, with the Daddy shit? Just what the devil is going on here?” she said in a breathless voice, but at the warning flash in his eyes, she reluctantly handed over the case.

Damian smiled at her confusion as he passed it to the attendant, who left quietly to place everything in the storage area.

“Don’t worry, little one. We’ll make sure it’s kept safe.”

“Look, this is going to be three months of hell if we don’t set some boundaries,” Elle said as she took a step back from Damian.

“I am my own person.” She pointed between the three of them.

“You can call me your little whatever all you want, but that doesn’t mean I am suddenly going to turn into a mindless doll. ”

“Hmm, it seems our little baker is more of a vandal than we initially thought,” Damian said with a pleased smile. Elle could swear he even licked his lips in anticipation.

“How much of that contract did you actually read, Elle?” Drake asked as his large hand wrapped around her upper arm, guiding her firmly toward the seating area.

“All of it.” She glanced sideways at him as his fingers tightened around her arm. “Well, I did, but I was so distracted by the threat of jail that I didn’t quite take in or understand most of it.”

“Then let me compress the content for you very briefly,” Drake said as he fastened her seatbelt once she was seated.

“The only boundaries are the ones we already set for you in that contract. As long as you adhere to those rules, your transition as our Little will be as easy as baking your favorite pie.”

“Transition? I thought this was only a three-month commitment.” Her eyes narrowed on them as they sat down.

“I don’t care what that contract said. A transition means permanency.

There will be none of that, nor do I have any intention of changing who I am or my beliefs just because you say so or had the audacity to put something as unbelievable as that into a legal document. ”

The plane’s engines hummed to life. Elle found herself flanked by the two men. The door sealed with a decisive click, taking with it the only means to escape.

“As Damian said not too long ago,” Drake drawled as the plane started moving toward the runway. “It’s up to you how easy or difficult becoming our Little is going to be.”

Elle simmered as his response indicated nothing of what she had just said had made an impact on him. When Damian’s breath ghosted over her ear, she realized they didn’t on him, either.

“Welcome to your new life, baby girl.”