Page 53 of Tormenting Me

I nod. “I’m gonna check on her before I leave. If you need anything, you call me or my uncle, okay?”

“I always do.” She laughs.

I knock before entering the bedroom. Evie and two other girls are sitting on the bottom bunk of a bed. She smiles at me, seeing my face.

“Do you know your full name, princess?” I ask, hoping she knows so I have something to work with.

“Evelyn Mazzy Coronado, I’m nine and a half.” She says proudly.

Damn, I was so close.

“I’ll check on you in a few days,” I say, heading towards the door. Tiny arms wrap around my middle, and I look down to see her hugging me. I pat the top of her head, then crouch to her level. “You’re safe now, princess. I won’t let anything happen to you now.”

Once outside, I text Layne and update her on the situation and let her know I am on my way home.

Layne: Drive safe, Buainteoir.

While my initial plan got sidetracked, I realize that saving this little girl is far more important. The drive back from South City to Layne is silent as I sit with my thoughts. I’ve just added more to my plate, and I have even less time to deal with Bannister now. On Monday, I’ll start finding a loving family for Evie. Uncle Robert handles that part of this for me, having a list of meticulously vetted families to take kids from situations like this.

I pull up to the gate, punching in the code, and driving through. The lights are on in the loft. It seems Layne couldn’t fall back to sleep. As I lock the door behind me, I turn to head upstairs, but suddenly my nose is hit with the sinfully delicious scent of cinnamon.

“Aw shit,” I smirk, taking the steps two at a time and entering the living space.

My woman made cookies.

I stop and watch my beautiful wife dancing around in the kitchen with headphones on, wet hair and one of my shirts on. No bottoms.

I’m definitely going to make a permanent no bottoms rule for her.

As I watch Layne move gracefully in the kitchen, the scent of cinnamon enveloping the air, I can’t help but feel a rush of warmth and love. It’s moments like these that remind me why I do what I do. For Siobhan, for Layne and little girls like Evie. They deserve someone to give a shit about them.

Why not me?

I walk towards her, a soft smile playing on my lips. Layne notices my presence and removes her headphones, her eyes lighting up as she sees me. With a mischievous grin, I playfully tease, “You know, I think it’s time we establish a permanent ‘no bottoms’ rule for you.”

She chuckles and playfully rolls her eyes, her wet hair clinging to her shoulders. “Oh, really? And what’s the punishment for breaking that rule?” she asks, a hint of challenge in her voice.

I look at the counter and a rack of oatmeal raisin cookie, still hot, sit cooling. My mouth waters.

I step closer, wrapping my arms around her waist, pulling her closer to me. “Well, I think I’ll have to come up with a suitable consequence,” I suggest with a smirk. I grab a cookie, breaking off a piece and popping it in my mouth, burning the shit out of my tongue.

“Ow, hot,” I mumble, shifting the cookie around in my mouth to get it to cool faster.

Layne laughs, her eyes sparkling with love and happiness. “They’re still hot,” she says, leaning in to kiss me softly. In that moment, everything else fades away, and it’s just the two of us, lost in each other’s embrace.

When Layne pulls back, she looks me over, and I wonder if I look as emotionally drained as I feel.

“Milk or Whisky?” She asks, pulling a glass down from the cabinet.

I come to a pause, allowing myself a moment to take in a deep breath and gather my thoughts. I murmur the word “Whisky.” My chest feels heavy, as if a weight is pressing down on it.

“Wanna tell me about it?” Layne pours a double shot of whisky and slides it in front of me.

“Maybe in a little bit. Right now, I want to drink this.” I bring the glass to my lips, downing all of it. “And eat my favorite snack.”

Layne picks up a cookie to hand it to me.

“That is not my favorite snack, Ma Petite Mort.“ I lick my lips as my eyes trail down her body. I lift Layne into my arms, carrying her to our bed. “If you’re not sitting on my face in five seconds, I’m going to spank you.”

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