Page 309 of The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The Second Collection

“They already know about it and don’t care. No one but a bunch of ex-cops with their thumbs up their asses would, Bren.”

I let that sink in. “I’ve felt bad about it, Sir.”

“Stop feeling bad. I feel like I dodged a bullet there. Napa was telling me they kicked Wreck out after he got a DUI conviction. Instead of getting their brother help and keeping their arms around his shoulders while he got sober, they left him to sink or swim on his own. That’s not a brotherhood, Bren. It’s not something I could live with. My days with Rolling Blue would always be numbered because the first time they kicked a brother out for something like that, I’d be out the door with him. Set that aside. Next?”

Is there anything more? I could say that I’m not sure about us lasting, but he said he doesn’t have any doubts and mine feel insignificant now that we’ve talked about them.

“I think that’s all I’ve got, Sir.”

“That’s all you got?”

“It is, Sir. Would you please collar me?”

His eyes ignite. “It would be my pleasure.” He reaches out to my side and picks up the long strip of black leather. “Kiss the collar, my snuggleslut, and ask me to put it on you.”

I press three kisses to the smooth material. “Please, Sir, would you put your collar on me?”

“Sit up and lift your hair out of the way. I don’t want to catch you.”

His consideration—the way he always ensures I’m safe and comfortable, even when he’s about to hurt me—makes another tear roll down my cheek. Mac leans in and kisses it away before helping me sit up with a hand between my shoulders.

The clasp of the cool leather around my throat makes me catch my breath. The constriction increases as Mac works the buckle then loosens and drops to rest against the base of my neck. The panic I felt at handing my club collar to Chess leeches away slowly. I exhale and feel everything settle.

“Thank you, Sir.”

Mac tips my chin up and gives me a deep kiss. “You’re welcome, sweetheart. I’ve collared you today because you needed it, but if you want a formal ceremony like Emily’s when I give you the collar I’ve had made for you?—”

I shake my head. I’ve had ceremonies. They didn’t sprinkle any magic dust over the relationships. “I’d rather it was just you and me.”

He smiles. “I’m not one for big productions, either. You realize, of course, that I’m going to have to claim your holes again.”

“What? Wait, Sir, I’m barely recovered from the last time!”

Mac chuckles as he strips my robe off.

Mac doesn’t quite break my pussy during what he laughingly calls his “second claiming,” but I’m decidedly sore as we head back to my apartment. I’ve agreed, a little grudgingly, to spendthe night at Logan’s, but I need a change of clothes and some supplies. Mac’s planning to watch a game tonight with Logan and he promised I could use the time to sketch. I’m holding him to that so I’m not stressing about the designs I’m working on over the weekend. Being with Mac has been so much fun that it’s tempting to just blow off work until our mini holiday comes to an end, but I know I’ll be a ball of nervous knots come Monday if I do that. I’ll give Mac control over everything except when it comes to my business. I need to keep a handle on things there and not let the distraction of my new relationship derail me.

When we reach my shop, Jules, the piercer, is behind the desk finishing up a sale of body jewelry to a goth-looking couple. The high buzz of the gun is coming from Nicky’s cubby, but Fareena’s area is silent.

“Hey, Jules. Everything good?”

She looks up at me while she waits for the couples’ credit card to process and rolls her eyes. “Fareena had to bolt. Her kid’s sick.”

I let out a breath and scratch the back of my neck. “Can you stay until close?”

“Yeah, no problem. Nicky already asked me.”

Thank the Benevolence I have two super-competent staff. I wave my thanks to her as I lead Mac back towards the stairs up to my apartment. He slides his arm across my shoulders. “Problem, sweetheart?”

“Yeah, Reena’s struggling with her childcare. I’m trying to be understanding, but she needs to sort it out. I made a rule about having two people in the shop at all times and she keeps leaving me short.”

Mac chuckles and squeezes my shoulders. “Maybe once Logan’s kid arrives, I should start a day-care.”

“Master Mac’s day-care?” I can’t control a giggle.

“Those would be the best-behaved kids in the country.”

“I don’t doubt it, Sir.”