Page 64 of Cutter

“Putting it behind you would be liberating.” She gave him a quizzical look. “What’s a hard limit?

He snorted a chuckle. “That got your attention, didn’t it?”

“Never heard the expression before.”

“The expression goes hand in hand with safewords. Should we have breakfast first or get into the conversation? Your decision. How hungry are you?”

“Oh, Daddy, I’m starving. The coffee is making it worse.”

He spoke as he walked to the stove. “I can make a regular breakfast with eggs, toast, and bacon, or… Have you ever had a BLT?”

“Never tried it and sounds awesome.”

“BLT it is. Go wash up quickly and change your PJ’s. This won’t take long.”

“Can’t I eat dressed this way?”

“No. That’s not good table manners. I’ll change you if you don’t get going.”

Emily stood in place, grinning slowly. Her eyes glinted with a wicked expression. The order he’d given had piqued her rebellious streak, and she was going to challenge him. If she thought that would earn her a fun spanking, he should correct that notion right away.

“Emily, I don’t always spank. I have other methods. Don’t push me, kitten.”

“But, Daddy,” she whined.

Nope. Cutter wasn’t tolerating that. “Go. Change. Now.” He paused for effect. “Or face the wall with no food.”

“Yikes,” she squealed, then ran back to her bedroom.

“Good girl.” She didn’t hear the compliment, but that was okay. Emily had obeyed, and that was all that mattered to him. She was learning his ways and falling in line. He was all for coddling and spoiling her silly, but only when appropriate.

Emily came out of her bedroom in a subdued mood. Eyes lowered, she sat at the table and folded her hands in her lap. She’d changed as he’d told her, and her outfit was adorable. The light blue top with matching buttons and ruffled shorts had a pattern of tiny flowers. He’d never paid that much attention to clothes, but he did now. A compliment would go a long way.

“You look lovely, sweetheart.”

She gave him one of her glorious smiles, and his heart melted on the spot.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“I’ll get your food in a moment.”

Cutter kissed her head, then finished fixing her sandwich. He placed the plate in front of her, and Emily wolfed down the BLT and chips in a few bites. No wonder she’d moved when he threatened to put her on time-out without food.

She started to remove the used dishes, but he stopped her, clasping her wrist. “No, baby. I’ll take care of this. No chores for you today. Tomorrow, you’ll have a full day. You have a lot to inform and discuss with Captain Weaver.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I feel bad that I’m not pitching in.”

“Why? You’re not taking advantage of me. I want to do this. Caring for you in every way is my pleasure. Understand?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

The Darcy matter popped into his mind again. After putting the dishes in the sink, he returned to the table. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something important.”

“Okay.”

“During the party on Friday night, a stable of women were brought to the saloon for the entertainment of male guests. One approached us. Her name is Darcy. Even though she was made up and wore adult clothes, we could tell she was a young girl. Later that night, when Darcy spoke with Blade at the clubhouse, she confirmed she was a minor.”

“How did you…?”

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