Page 48 of Irish

Makenzie giggled and swung Irish’s hand, fully emerged in her Little headspace. “I know she was invited,” she sang.

“Oh? Did Margot finally invite him? Last I heard, she was still fuming over him lifting her off the ladder in the greenhouse.”

“Nope. Not Margot.” Makenzie grinned.

“Then who invited him? Irish turned to look at her and she just shrugged. “Princess, who invited Savage.”

“I’m sure he thinks Margot did,” she said sweetly.

“You just said Margot didn’t invite him.” Irish stopped walking and frowned down at her. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do nothing, Daddy.” She tugged on his hand. “Come on! I want to play!”

He didn’t budge. Instead, he squatted down next to her. “Listen to me closely, princess.”

She sighed, and tried to tug his hand forward again. When he refused to move, she gave him. “Okay Daddy, I’s listening but you need to hurry up, you’s wasting my playtime.”

“There won’t be any playtime if you don’t listen to your Daddy. You are not to interfere with Savage and Margot. They don’t need a bunch of little girls playing matchmaker.”

“We don’t has to play matchmaker,” she said looking at him through wide eyes. “Uncle Savage already matched himself with her. He growled it out all across the street. Margot stomped on his foot and said no then ran away to Day & Night and slammed and locked the door. Daddy, it was so funny.”

“Say what now?” Irish stood back up and she grabbed his hand once more and pulled him toward the door. “Never mind, you can tell me later. Promise me you won’t get involved.”

“I promise.” She said, crossing her fingers behind her back.

“Go on, princess. Your friends are waiting,” Irish murmured, his voice a warm rumble that danced down her spine. Makenzie beamed up at him and with one more gentle squeeze of his hand, she let go and scampered toward the sound of giggles and playful chatter emanating from the designated play area.

“Kenzie!” Trinity's voice sang out, and a chorus of excited hellos followed. Margot, Mia, Veronica, and Paisley gathered around Makenzie; their faces lit up with genuine delight at her arrival. Within moments, she was swept away toward the arts and crafts station. Her past fears and trust issues had dissolved over the last few months like sugar in her Daddy’s sweet tea.

“Look what I brought!” Veronica announced, holding up a box of princess tiaras, each sparkling with pretend gems. The group oohed and ahhed, selecting their crowns with care, entering their shared fantasy world.

“Princess Makenzie,” Mia declared, placing a delicate silver tiara atop her friend's curls. “You look just like a real-life princess, like Cinderella!”

“Only if Cinderella rode on the back of a Harley,” Makenzie quipped, her laughter mingling with theirs, light and free. She marveled at how these women, each from different walks of life, accepted one another without judgment.

Trinity twirled around, her skirt billowing around her like a cloud. “Do you think he’s going to come?” she asked Makenzie, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

“Uh huh. I hope so,” Makenzie said.

“Who are you talking about?” Margot asked.

Makenzie glanced back at Irish, catching his eye for a brief moment. He nodded subtly, a silent pledge of protection and care. She turned away with a contented sigh, her soul full of happiness. She’d finally found a place where she could be her truest self, surrounded by friends who understood the beauty of surrendering control to find freedom.

Together, they dove into their play, the outside world fading to a whisper as laughter and make-believe filled the room. In this space, Makenzie was no longer burdened by doubt but lifted by the certainty of trust and acceptance.

Irish

Irish's gaze followed Makenzie as she merged with her circle of friends. He leaned casually against the cool wall of TheCitadel, the low thrum of music and muted conversations of the BDSM club a familiar backdrop to his watchful presence.

Beside him, Lucky threw a playful shout across the room, “Trinity, stop running! Walking feet inside!” She turned and stuck her tongue out at him, causing a burst of giggles to ripple through the group. Savage smirked, his eyes scanning the scene with the same protective sharpness that marked all the Spartan Watchmen officers.

“Hey,” Bull's voice cut through Irish's observations, “sorry I missed all the fun in New Jersey. Savage filled me in. Sounds like she took a plea deal and is going to be spending some time in federal prison.”

“The depth of deception that woman pulled off. Over three dozen inditements were handed down. Between the tens of thousands of dollars, she extorted from people, the defamation, doxing, wire fraud, harassment and internet crimes she committed, it’ll be a while before she is free to hurt anyone else.” Irish said.

“Glad to hear it. That has to make Makenzie feel better,” Bull said.

“The girls are already having fun, aren’t they?” Savage said, approaching the men along the wall. They turned to see the girls standing in a row, painting on easels.

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