Page 37 of Savage

“Nope. Nope. Nope. No thanks you.” She did not want to know what one of those would feel like, his hand was hard enough.

“It’s up to you, baby girl. You get to choose whether or not to listen to Daddy and follow his rules, which means you ultimately get to choose whether or not you will ever have to experience one of those. Now, since you picked choice number two, let’s get you and your pink behind, to bed.”

In the bedroom, Savage helped Savannah wash her face and brush her teeth before he tucked her into bed, smoothing her auburn hair away from her face. "What story would you like me to read tonight, princess?"

"Cinderella," Savannah murmured, suddenly feeling very sleepy.

As Savage read, his deep voice rumbling softly through the room, Savannah got sleepier and sleepier. When he finished, he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Savannah's forehead.

"Sweet dreams, my little girl," he whispered.

Savannah's eyes fluttered closed, a contented smile on her lips. "Night-night, Daddy."

CHAPTER 14

SAVANNAH

Ican do this.

I can do this.

I’ve got to do this.

Unlike the pep talk she’d given herself outside of The Citadel, this time, Savannah knew she had backup. She wasn’t alone. Around the park, different members of The Watchmen and their friends from Valhalla, kept watch. Yesterday, she’d had a blissful day exploring her little side with Savage and today, she was about to give bad information to a notorious biker gang.

The closer she got to the bench, the harder her heart thundered in her chest. She clenched her fists, nails digging into soft palms. "You can do this," she whispered, forcing herself to breathe. "Just stick to the plan."

The plan. Just after breakfast, Savage had driven her back to The Watchmen’s clubhouse. They met with Detective Dax Allard, who Savannah found herself quickly warming up to, Lucky, Irish, Arrow, Rampage, Kylie, Mad Dog and Slash. All the officers were there. It’d been overwhelming at first, but with Kylie, sitting on one side of her, and Savage on the other, she’d relaxed. None of them blamed her, they let her know that from the start. Slash, a scary looking man with a scar down his face,had just returned from a mission working with a private security company they’d called The Elite. They’d quickly caught him up on what was going on and then spent the next hour role-playing with Savannah, making her comfortable with the lies she’d be telling.

Now, as she got close to the park bench, doubt crept in, twisting her stomach into knots. What if Tim saw through her lies? What if he hurt her? What if…

She shook her head, pushing the thoughts away. Too much rode on this meeting going well. Her freedom. Her sister and her niece’s futures. Maybe even their very lives. And now, there was another layer added on. Savage.Daddy.She didn’t want to disappoint him or let him down.

Savannah's eyes darted around the park, seeking reassurance. That's when she spotted Arrow, sitting casually on a bench across the way, playing on his phone. His presence was subtle, almost unnoticeable to anyone not looking.

As she walked by Arrow, he gave a nearly imperceptible nod as their eyes met briefly. The calm radiating from him helped give her courage. Arrow was there. Not even ten feet away. They’d probably picked him to be out in the open because he looked the least like a motorcycle club member. Wearing a flannel button down shirt and jeans, he looked like any other townie.

She squared her shoulders.I’m not alone. I can do this.With one final deep breath, Savannah plastered on a smile and quickened her pace. Tim was just ahead, already waiting. It was time. Her stomach twisted into knots, she swallowed down the acidic bile rising in her throat and approached Tim.

“Sit down,” he ordered. She sat on the bench at the opposite end, keeping space between them. “This better be good. We don’t like it when people go off book. We are the ones in charge, not you. Next time, before you decide to quit the job, wearranged for you or move out of the fucking motel, you clear it with us, first. I don’t care what fucking Savage or any of the other bastards in The Watchmen tell you to do. You find a way to do what we tell you. Got it?”

What was she supposed to say? No one in hell would she listen to Tim over Savage.

Playing the part, they’d practiced, she looked down at her lap and nodded. “I understand.”

“Now, what is the information you have for us? It better be fucking good. I don't appreciate having my time wasted”

She fought to keep her voice steady as she spoke. "It's about a secret ride the officers are planning. They’ll all be there but without the rest of the club or anyone else. Just them, the eight officers.”

"A secret ride?" Tim scoffed, crossing his arms. "And how exactly did you come by this information?"

She swallowed hard, mind racing to recall every detail the Watchmen had drilled into her. "Like I told you, I’m in. Savage thinks I’m his little, exactly like we planned before I got here. I overheard him on the phone with Lucky, he thought I was asleep."

Tim leaned in closer. "Details, Savannah. I need specifics. Where’s the ride heading?”

“Out to Falcon Ridge,” she said, her tone measured.

He narrowed his eyes. “And who’s leading it?”

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