Page 3 of The Thief That Stole Christmas (Indulgence)

Johannes

As a member of a couple of private clubs, I’m no stranger to the term ‘Daddy’.

And I’m never one to yuck someone else’s yum, but I was pretty fucking sure having a pretty little thing call me Daddy was never gonna be on my list of kinks.

But fuck.

My cock perked right the hell up at that.

And suddenly all the little hints become clear.

The cute PJs, the stuffed toy, and all the small things littered across her flat.

She’s obviously very comfortable in her personal space and doesn’t see a need to hide who she is here.

I catch Cameron perusing the room around us more closely now after Little Mouse’s exclamation. Not long before he makes the connection and his face lights up in its own way.

He’s never hidden the fact that he’s into ageplay, and she’s exactly what he’s been looking for.

Not a fucking chance boet.

She’s mine.

Finders fucking keepers.

And then reality comes crashing in and I realize who the hell I am.

She fainted at her first sight of me.

Regardless of the circumstances, there is no way in hell that I’d ever stand a chance with a cute little thing like her.

Her brown hair, previously put up in two buns on the sides of her head, is now adorably mussed, the bangs almost too long, just a smidge away from obscuring her view. Her large, brown, doe-like eyes are peering at us.

She leans over and grabs yet another stuffed bear from between the couch pillows.

Cradling the bear in her arms, she lifts a solitary eyebrow as if in question at the two idiots standing in front of her.

I’ve never been great at flirting.

First because women tend to run in the other direction when they see me coming, and secondly, because I never know what the hell to say.

Now isn’t any different.

So instead of saying what I want to say, which is to inform her I’d be happy to be her Daddy, I open my mouth and insert my foot right in it.

“You should be glad you don’t call either of us Daddy, Little Mouse.

If you did, we’d both be tanning your hide for the stunt you pulled tonight.

What the fuck were you thinking breaking into that house, of all places?”

I immediately regret my words when she straightens her spine and I can practically see the anger rising in her.

Before she can say anything, though, Cameron opens his big fat mouth and lays down his own wisdom.

“Sorry.

Forgive my friend here.

Johannes tends to speak before he thinks.

I, however, do not. And while I took my extra moment to think things through, I’ve come up with some interesting observations.”

Little Mouse still looks spitting mad, but she stays quiet, giving him a chance to say his fill.

“You obviously have some skill to have managed to make your way into our boss’s house.

This means you’ve done this more than once, yet you live frugally.

So that tells me you aren’t stealing for your own gain.

Now, care to tell me why you didn’t just contact Parker to ask for help? Instead of robbing him? Therefore forcing me to arrest you and have you locked up?”

As he says this, he takes his cuffs from his back pocket.

Little Mouse visibly gulps.

And I want to strangle him for frightening her further.

“Dammit, Cameron!”

I bark out.

“I told you, she’s not being locked up.

I won’t fucking allow it.

Fight me on this and I’ll make you disappear myself.

Your mother might be upset with me for a while, but not even Janet is stopping me from putting you in the ground if you follow through on that particular threat. Do you understand me?”

When I’m done raging at him, she looks perplexed, and he looks suitably cowed.

I am Andre’s second-in-charge for a reason.

And just because he grew up around me doesn’t mean he is exempt from my wrath.

With both of them staring at me, I pull out my phone and dial Andre’s number. It rings twice before he answers it.

“What do you have for me? Did Cam arrest her?”

“Nee.”

“Wat de fok, Johannes!”

he snaps at me and I pull the phone away from my ear slightly.

I’ve worked for him for years now, and I know how to handle him. A few more choice words make their way to my ears, and when he finally loses steam I give him my side of the story, all the while looking Zanya in the eyes.

As I tell Andre everything I know, she sinks further and further into the couch, trying to make herself smaller.

“So, what now?”

he asks once I’ve said my piece.

“You’re right. We can’t arrest her. But what else are we going to do with her?”

“I’ve got an idea, but you probably won’t like it.”

Zanya

I suppress a shudder at the words Johannes utters into the phone. If Andre’s not going to like it, I’m not convinced I will.

“We could use someone with her talents.”

There’s a pause when Andre must be responding to his statement. This isn’t quite as bad as I thought. If he has me work for him, I will still be able to do what I need to do.

The sexy younger guy with him, however, does not seem to like what he’s hearing.

“Not a fucking chance! What are you thinking? If we caught her, someone else surely will, too!”

I’m a little offended by his declaration.

The only reason I got caught is that someone fed me bad information.

Yes, I might have been an idiot to work on that bad info, but I’m choosing to ignore that right now.

I’m a bloody good thief.

I’m about to point out my very valid argument but am once again foiled by Johannes when he tells his boss what Cameron said. He then proceeds to share the rest of his less-than-pleasing plan.

“I’ll give her some training first, as I’m guessing the only reason I did catch her was that she didn’t know about the silent alarm.

So, next time we’ll make sure she has correct intel.”

“Uhm-”

I try to interject, but Johannes holds up a finger to silence me as he listens to Andre on the phone. He hums in agreement, then gets a devilish grin on his ridiculously attractive face. That does not bode well for me. The scowl on Cameron’s face matches my mood to a tee.

“That’s perfect. I’ll help her pack a bag and we’ll be back on the property in about an hour.”

He hangs up on the call and looks at his friend.

“You heard the plan. I’ve got a spare room in the gatehouse for her, so I can keep an eye on her there, ensure she doesn’t run off, and she’ll be close enough for the training.”

“Wait a damn-!”

I again, unsuccessfully try to get a word in. This time I’m stopped by a very fierce gaze from Johannes.

“Watch your mouth, Little Mouse. Little girls do not get to speak like that. I might not be your Daddy, but while you’re under my care I’ll be in charge of your training and discipline. Now, go pack a bag and get some proper shoes on your feet.”

Oh damn. I shouldn’t be turned on right now, should I?

That certainly won’t do. Instead of showing them any of my thoughts or feelings, I choose to go with my armor instead.

“What are you gonna do if I don’t listen to you?”

I wanna pull them back the second the words leave my mouth. Only an idiot will ask their kidnapper and potential murderer what they’d do to you if you don’t listen. The words are out now, though, so I straighten my shoulders and look him boldly in the eyes. Even if I have to strain my neck to do so.

“I’ll tell you what, Little Mouse, why don’t you try and see?”

In a huff, I turn around and storm into my bedroom, slamming the door behind me.

When the cute Tatty Teddy poster falls off the back of my door, I go to pick it up, but somehow end up tearing it.

Instantly my eyes tear up and I have to swallow down the overwhelming emotions.

Carefully folding up my poster, I place it on top of my chest of drawers for safekeeping.

When I get back home—goodness knows when—I’ll see about fixing it. For now, I try not to focus on the clusterfuck that is my life.

This was supposed to be easy.

A quick job to buy Rainbow Haven a little more time until I could come up with a more permanent solution.

At the very least, we need to get enough to give the kids a decent Christmas. If this is our last year, it might very well be the only decent holiday they ever have.

Now here I am, about to be carted off to live with the scariest motherfucker in all of East London.

And, apparently, trained by his henchmen.

Sucking up my reserves of courage, I head to the closet and grab a bag. A couple of outfits, knickers and my toiletries are the first to go in.

I hover over the drawer with my special stash, and after a quick pep talk, decide to just take it with me.

I’d rather have it and not use it than miss it later.

My pacifier, blankie, and one of the outfits I like to wear when I’m having Little night get shoved in under my clothes along with BOB. No way I’m going to share a house with the sexy giant and not need BOB around.

A loud pounding against my door gives me a fright, and I let out a little squeal.

Before I can call out, the door is smashed in and Johannes is standing there, all puffed up like The Hulk.

With my heart in my throat, I look at him, waiting to see what he does next.

“Are you okay?”

“Other than the heart attack you just gave me? Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You screamed,”

is the only explanation he gives me.

“You nearly broke down my door with your pounding. And then you did break it down. I’m gonna make a noise.”

Instead of responding to my retorts, his gaze roams my body from top to toe. He then takes in the room around me before zeroing in on my bag.

“You ready?”

“Do I have a choice?”

This time, he just walks deeper into the room, grabbing my bag from the bed. He zips it up and turns back to me.

“Cameron has headed back already. He needs to check on the security at the house.”

He stalks out the door and I follow behind, a mix of anxiety and excitement swirling around in my stomach. Or maybe I’m just hungry because said stomach lets out a loud rumble.

“Did you eat?”

he says, his voice a loud bark.

“Yes,”

I snap back at him.

“What?”

When I don’t respond, he stops in his tracks just before reaching my front door to look back at me. His dark gaze zeroes in on me and I swallow down my nerves.

“I had some cookies.”

He grunts and turns back around. I—for the briefest of seconds—think I’ve won that round when he finally responds.

“We’ll fucking fix that, won’t we.”