Page 4 of Melt For Us, Daddy
Despite being several inches shorter than all of them even in her heels, Cordelia held her own. “Holden patted him down before we brought him inside. Now back the fuck off before I make you all back the fuck off.”
That’s my girl. Even as serious as the situation was, it was still hot as fuck watching her woman take on all those big bad Doms.
Turning away from them, Cordelia crouched in front of Jacob, her voice dropping to a low, soothing tone usually reserved for Ivy, and she hated herself a little for the twist of jealousy in her gut. It was petty and mean, and completely uncalled for given the situation. And yet, there it was, and even the silent lecture she gave herself about not being jealous of Cordelia just trying to help someone in obvious need didn’t seem to shake it.
“What do you need to show us, honey?”
Jacob looked up, his gaze darting from one man to the next, but Cordelia lifted a hand, snapping her fingers to draw his attention back to her. “Eyes on me, Jacob. Only me. You ignore them for right now. Understood?”
Everything about Jacob visibly relaxed. His shoulders dropped, the slight tremble in his hands disappeared as he lowered them to his lap and nodded. “Y-yes, ma’am.”
“Good. Now, reach very slowly into your pocket so we don’t spook the goon squad and show me what you have in there.”
A rumble of annoyance rolled through the ‘goon squad’ and Ivy had to swallow a laugh. Not only was it likely to earn her a round of glares from the men, she doubted Cordelia would appreciate it given the seriousness of what was happening. And she was a hell of a lot more scared of her woman’s wrath than any of the men surrounding her.
Obviously Jacob wasn’t scared of Cordelia though, judging by the way he was staring at her, like she was his guardian angel. Then again, he’d never seen or felt the way she wielded a flogger or paddle or crop to teach a naughty little subbie a lesson. And yeah, maybe it was petty, but that knowledge helped to loosen the knots of envy in Ivy’s gut.
Reaching into his pocket, slowly, like he’d been instructed, Jacob pulled out a piece of paper. When Cordelia held out her hand, he placed it into her palm.
“Thank you, Jacob. May I read this?”
“Yes, ma’am. Hannah—my sister—she said I could give it to any of you. Anyone who knows Zachary. She, um, she said she’s been talking to him. Giving him information about our church.”
“Hannah. Fuck,” Holden muttered, pulling out his phone and tapping out a message. “Does she know who he is? Who he works for?”
“No. I don’t think so. She said she thought he was with the police. But she said I could trust him. That I could trust you.”
“And you can,” Cordelia said in that same soothing tone. “Don’t let them frighten you, Jacob. They look mean, but Holden, that’s the giant guy Zach works for, he’d put his own life on the line to keep anyone in this room safe from harm. And that includes you. Do you believe me, Jacob?”
“He would?”
“I would,” Holden confirmed in his usual gruff tone. “Unless I thought you were a threat to my family.”
Rising to her feet, Cordelia spun to glare at him. “Seriously? Lay off the alpha caveman routine for five fucking minutes, Holden.”
“I’ll lay off once we’ve determined he’s not a threat.”
“You’ll lay off because I said to.”
“You aren’t in charge here, Cordelia.”
Cordelia’s lips pulled back in a snarl. “Try and pull rank on me and see how far it gets you.”
Pushing up from her chair, Ivy slipped between Holden and Beckett, her eyes locked on her woman. “Hey. Dee. It’s okay.” Keeping her voice low, just like Cordelia had done with Jacob, Ivy reached for her, running her hands up and down Cordelia’s arms. “Holden’s just trying to help. He loves you and wants to keep you safe. To keep us safe.”
Bottle green eyes snapped to hers and Cordelia’s nostrils flared slightly as she breathed in deeply. The reminder that Holden was protecting all of them, and that everyone included Ivy, seemed to settle her. “You’re right. Of course you’re right. Thank you, blossom.”
Stepping closer, Ivy slid her arms around Cordelia’s neck. “I could really use a hug.”
In reality, it was Cordelia who needed the comfort. But she’d been with Cordelia Summers long enough to know that she wouldn’t take it just then, wouldn’t let herself be seen as weak, not in front of all these people.
But taking care of Ivy was a completely different story. Just as she’d expected, Cordelia wrapped her arms around Ivy’s waist, pulling her close.
“Thank you, baby,” she whispered in Ivy’s ear. “You’re a good girl.”
Pulling back, Ivy flashed her a teasing grin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just wanted a hug.”
Cordelia cocked an eyebrow, but amusement danced in her eyes despite the attempt to look stern. “Uh-huh. We’ll deal with that little lie when we get home.”
