Page 54 of Until Daddy

“I doubt it will do much good.” He already sounded defeated, as though the battle were lost before the first firing of the cannon.

“You think they should just roll over?”

He put the plated meals onto the kitchen table and gestured for her to sit. “I didn’t say that. But they are a non-profit organization that isn’t backed by the city or the state. Seeing as there are city and state shelters throughout Chicago, they are going to have a hard time convincing the city council that they are needed.”

“They aren’t competing against the other shelters, they are trying to save this particular one from being turned into a hotel and overrunning the others with over a hundred women in need!”

“I know that, Carissa, and watch your tone.” He lifted an eyebrow and pointed to her chair again.

Sinking into it, she stared at him while he took his seat across from her. They weren’t going to get anywhere. Barron Croft was Jamison’s father. He may have taken a big step in standing up to him at dinner days ago, but there wouldn’t be much else he could do.

“You promised you wouldn’t let this happen, you said you’d stop it.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“I know I did, and I’m going to look into what options I have. I just meant their protest won’t have the effect they are looking for.”

“They want me to join the protest. I’m off on Friday—”

“No. Absolutely not.” He shook his head. “Those protests can get dangerous. I’ve seen them, and my father isn’t going to just sit by and let his building become a focal point of their campaign.”

“We have every right to protest peacefully,” she reminded him. Was he really going to just let his father win?

“Yes, they do. What I’m saying is my father will have the police there to make sure nothing gets out of hand. And he’ll portray them as rioters, not protesters.”

“Rioters?”

“I told you, my father is ruthless, especially when it comes to his company. He won’t just let them make him look bad.”

“And I bet he has just as many friends at the damn news stations as he does on the fucking city council.” She shoved the plate away and jumped up from the table. Not only had his mood soured, but her own started to wither and die as well.

Jamison pushed his chair back, caught her wrist and yanked her over his lap in one quick motion. She barely registered the action until her stomach made contact with his strong thighs.

“I told you about your language and your tone, young lady.” He flipped up the skirt she’d worn for him—which she now regretted doing—and laid a heavy hand on her upturned bottom. A finger traced the words on her panties. “I think we can take these off. You aren’t being a good girl right now.” He yanked down the panties, took them completely off and tossed them on the table.

“I didn’t do anything!” He’d just been so pleased with her. How could things go so wrong, so fast?

“Your tone of voice has been unacceptable, and now you’re cursing again.” He delivered one hard swat to the up-curve of her ass.

“You’re avoiding the issue.” She struggled against him but he wrapped his arm around her waist, keeping her immobile.

“We’ll talk about the shelter after you’ve taken your spanking and we’ve dealt with your behavior.” His hand pulled away and crashed down on her, again and again.

She wiggled and pushed and tried to avoid his heavy palm. But he was relentless.

“You were just so happy!” She tried to appeal to her earlier win with him.

“You were a good girl then, now you’re being naughty. I told you Daddy will take care of you. I promised you that, and I still mean it. And right now, that means getting the bad attitude out of my little girl.”

“No!” She bucked up at him, but he easily trapped her in place with one leg. The spanks rained down on her upturned backside. He didn’t spare an inch, peppering not only her bottom but her thighs as well.

“Yes. My bad girl will learn not to talk back, not to curse, and not to use that tone of voice with me. Just because you don’t like my answer, doesn’t mean you get to throw a fit.”

The punishment seemed to stretch on forever. Tears spilled over, dripping to the kitchen floor. He wasn’t going to stop, not until she submitted, not until she had learned.

She could have used a softer tone. She didn’t need to curse and push her plate like some insolent brat. It had started out so nice, he’d been happy, had been pleased with her surprise, and then she’d gone and ruined it all. She’d started to throw a fit when she didn’t get her way.

“I-I’m sorry, Daddy!” she cried, trying to block his hand with her own. She was easily captured and restrained, and he continued the spanking as though she hadn’t moved.

“Almost done.” He softened the blows but the slaps continued.

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