Page 66 of Cage

I blink several times, trying to work up the courage to look her in the eye. If she rejects me, I’m not sure what I’ll do.

She reaches up and cups my face between her warm hands, searching my face. “Please don’t ever let me go,” she whispers.

We stare at each other, our gazes promising each other something. I’m just not sure what exactly. She asked me not to let her go. Does she mean it? Because now that she’s said it, I’m never letting her leave me. Not now, not ever. She just sealed her fate. All it took was that one request. Ember has my whole heart in her grasp for the rest of our lives. I’ll burn the entire universe just for her to give me a piece of hers.

“What are you going to name your baby?”

Ember stares at the doll, considering my question. “Piper Rowie Adams.”

Fucking adorable. Although once I marry this Little girl, it will be Piper Rowie Black. I’ll keep that little piece ofinformation to myself for now, though. I still need to figure out what the fuck is going on with her dad and this threat.

“I think you and Piper need to lie down for naptime while I get some work done.”

Her shoulders drop, and she looks around the disastrous office. It really does look like a pastel bomb went off in here. I guess that means I need to get to work on a playroom for my Little girl. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but there’s no way I’m allowing her to return to DC. If it’s up to me, she’ll never even see her asshole father again.

“Naps suck.”

The corners of my lips twitch. “Don’t say suck. That’s a naughty word.”

She shrugs. “It’s better than saying ‘fuck naps.’”

Narrowing my gaze, I clench my jaw to keep from laughing. “Ember Elizabeth. Do we need to go into the bathroom and have you taste the soap?”

Her mouth drops open, and she stares at me like she can’t believe what I just said. “Daddy, that’s so mean. Do you really think you should let me taste soap? If you do that, I might toot bubbles, and then what? There will just be tootie bubbles all around the room. Nobody wants that.”

Jesus Christ. She’s been spending far too much time with Rowie. I’m going to have to put a cap on that. Otherwise, I’m going to have two Little girls running circles around me.

“Up,” I growl as I nudge her down from my lap. “Bed. Now. Before youreallytalk yourself into trouble.”

As we leave the office, I grab a pair of training panties and a nightgown. Time to start pushing her boundaries.

I follow Ember into her room, frowning as we step through the doorway. No. Not happening. This isn’t where she belongs. “You’re sleeping in my room from now on.”

She turns and looks up at me, rubbing her thumb over her chin. “But this is my room.”

“Not anymore, firefly. I’ll move your things into my room later. Let’s go.” I take her by the hand and lead her into my ensuite bathroom. “Time to go potty.”

Ember hesitates, glancing at the toilet and then back at me. “Can you go out?”

“No. We’ve already established that I will help you in the bathroom whenever we’re together.”

“So I don’t get any privacy?” She puts her hands on her hips, and it’s fucking cute. My sassy Little firefly.

“That is correct. No privacy, no space, no secrets.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Does that meanIget to be in the bathroom whenyouuse the toilet?”

I smirk and wink at her. “Yeah, baby, if that’s what you want. I’ll even let you hold it for me.”

Her eyes practically pop out of her head. I don’t know why she’s so surprised. I’m pretty sure she already knows that boundaries don’t exist for me. If my girl wants to follow me into the bathroom, I’m certainly not going to tell her no.

Ember lets out a huff and shakes her head, muttering under her breath about me being a stubborn donkey. Then she pulls down her panties and sits on the toilet while I lean against the counter and wait. When she doesn’t immediately pee, I turn on the faucet, letting the water run.

“Kick your panties off,” I instruct as I finish cleaning her up.

“Why?”

As I wash my hands, I look at her in the mirror. “Because I’m going to change you for naptime.”

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