Toni shook her head. “No, somebody was a little tired and needed a nap.”
“And apparently chocolate ice cream,” Dani grinned.
Emma sat down and looked at Toni. “I thought she was being punished.”
“My house, my rules, Emma. You agreed,” Toni smirked.
Emma shook her head. “I give up,” she said. Sticking her finger in Dani’s bowl, she swiped some of the treat. “That’s good, where’s mine?”
Toni merely shook her head. “Nope, this is all for my Dani.”
Groaning, Emma put her head in her hands. “Wrapped, she’s got all of you wrapped around her little finger,” she teased as Dani quietly filled her spoon and allowed Emma a single bite before returning to her treat with a vengeance.
“Brat,” Emma teased as Toni began to laugh.
Chapter Fourteen
It was late Monday evening when Dani and Emma settled into the backseat of the car. Carl was driving them back home, but at the moment both were lost in their own thoughts. Being Monday, they knew that the store had been closed as usual that day, but both women were looking forward to getting back to their normal routine in the morning.
All and all, they’d spent a little more than four weeks with Frankie and Toni, and in that time Dani’s daily spankings as well as her grounding had passed. Life was again back to normal, and returning home was just the icing to their bittersweet cake. It had been a heartbreaking moment leaving, for although they had enjoyed their time with Dani’s extended family, they knew that it was time to get back to their lives. Goodbyes were tearful, but necessary as they promised to be back for Sunday dinner at least once a month.
Not everything was back to normal though. With Sampson still at large, Frankie had promised more eyes watching them, as well as eyes inside the store at all times. He’d made it clear that this was non-negotiable, and Emma was forced to cave when Frankie threatened to chase her with his belt himself.
Dani’s life had also transformed, for she had started to recover more and more of her childhood memories. Her nightly nightmares had been no exception to this. They still plagued her, but if anything, had become worse. The more she found out about her parents’ deaths, the more her imagination seemed to be stimulated. Bits of information, like the supposed time of death, had her waking up at 3:30 every morning like clockwork.
Finally arriving home, Carl helped them carry their things up the stairs to the apartment, only to stop and knock on Emma’s apartment door. The two women were shocked to see it open and a man and woman in their early thirties step out into the hallway.
“Hi, Carl,” the man greeted with a hearty handshake. “We’ve just got settled in.” He turned to Emma and Dani. “Your contractors did a great job in there.”
“But it wasn’t furnished. It was still unfinished,” Emma protested as the young woman stepped aside and opened the door.
“Mr. Zitti had it finished for you, Ms. Gray,” she explained.
Emma turned on her heel and glared at Dani. “Did you know about this?” she demanded.
Dani shook her head. “No, this was all Zio Frankie.”
Emma turned again and faced the man and woman in the hallway. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” she demanded as Carl hid a chuckle.
Running one hand through his dark curls, the man extended the other. “I’m Tod Clark, and this is my wife, Heidi.”
Emma shook his hand before starting again. “And you are here because?”
“Mr. Zitti hired us to be your new part-time employees at the bookstore. You’ve also been so kind as to rent out the newly renovated apartment until we can find something more permanent,” Heidi supplied, her deep brown eyes smiling.
Sighing, Emma looked once more at the blonde and her dark-haired husband. “Fine, but there will be ground rules.” Opening the door to Dani’s apartment, she turned back to them. “The first one being, you make sure to knock before coming in here unless it sounds like we’re being killed.”
Stroking his beard, Tod smirked, “As you wish.”
Dani smiled at the couple and waved goodbye before following Emma into the apartment.
“Is she always like that?” Heidi asked Carl.
Carl shook his head. “No, sometimes she gets upset.” He left the couple with wide eyes as he laughed all the way down the stairs.
* * *
Mid-morning the next day, Emma sat on the couch in the crow’s nest, watching her new employees with a frown. Both seemed nice enough, but after speaking with them briefly, she knew that they were both carrying weapons, and would continue to do so under Frankie’s orders. Glaring as Tod flirted a bit with Mrs. Pemberton, she startled as Stevie suddenly flopped down next to her.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were off today,” Emma quietly demanded.
Stevie put a long arm over Emma’s shoulder and squeezed. “It is my day off, but Dani called me. Something about you and I needing to have a private chat while the new hires got to learn the store today.”
Suddenly stiffening, Emma glanced at Stevie and noticed the set determination in her eyes. “Come on, Emma, everything’s upstairs already.”
“Wait a minute, how did you get in?”
“Dani gave me her keys. Come on, you missed our last appointment, and I’ll be making up for that today.” Standing, Stevie pulled Emma to her feet. “You aren’t in control anymore, Emma Renee,” Stevie whispered in her ear before leading her from the crow’s nest and to the main floor. Stevie released her long enough for Emma to give Dani a kiss before they quickly disappeared up the stairs.
Seeing Heidi start to follow, Dani quickly cut her off. “You can’t follow them.”
“But I need to…”
“What you need to do is leave them alone. Trust me, they’ll be fine.” Dani’s blue eyes suddenly became blocks of ice. “I do not want you or Tod interrupting Stevie and Emma, or waiting outside the apartment door.”
“But Mr. Z told me…” Heidi protested, her blond ponytail bouncing in frustration.
“And I’m telling you to do what I say right now. You and Tod need to learn the store, so head over to Anna and start learning,” Dani directed.
Growling, Heidi turned and did as instructed. Staring absently at the back of the store, Dani unconsciously rubbed her backside. “If Zio Frankie comes after me, Emma, you totally owe me,” she mumbled before heading to the front to make sure Tod was ringing up sales to Emma’s specifications.
* * *
Opening the door to the apartment, Stevie allowed Emma to enter in front of her. Closing and locking the door, Stevie turned back to the glaring redhead in front of her. “Go put on your pajamas and wait for me in the corner.”
“No,” Emma replied, crossing her arms over her chest, looking up into Stevie’s dark eyes.
Holding back a smile, Stevie braced herself for a fight. Knowing Emma wanted, and needed, what she was about to do, Stevie quickly reached out and turned Emma sideways, giving her a half dozen swats with her hand.
“Now, Emma Renee. You have five minutes.”
“No. I didn’t call you, and I’m not ready for this,” Emma huffed as she moved to the couch and flopped down. Picking up the television remote, she turned it on and started to mindlessly flip through channels.
Quickly closing the gap between them, Stevie took the remote and turned the TV off before placing it on top of the bookcase where Emma couldn’t reach it. Returning to the couch, she sat down and pulled Emma over her lap. “I guess we start with a reminder in how to follow directions,” she stated before allowing her hand to fall repeatedly on Emma’s backside.
Giving Emma just enough to make her squirm, Stevie helped her back to her feet, and then took Emma’s hands in her own. “I am in charge, Emma Renee, and the sooner you remember that, the better it will be. Now, go to your room, put on your pajamas, and get into that corner. You have five minutes. If you haven’t followed my directions by then, there will be serious consequences.”
Releasing Emma’s hands, Stevie waited a moment. “Now, Emma,” she intoned quietly.
Sniffing, Emma merely nodded before dragging herself down the hallway toward the bedroom.
Stevie waited the allotted five minutes before following, and wasn’t surprised to find Emma lying on the bed in her pajamas. Saying nothing, Stevie picked up a plastic spatula from where she’d set it on the dresser and sat on the bed. Pulling Emma over her lap, she gave her a dozen swats with the implement before helping her stand once again. Pointing to the corner, she stood when she realized Emma wasn’t going to move. Shaking her head, she pulled Emma to the corner and gave her another dozen meaningful swats with her hand. “Stay here until I tell you otherwise, young lady.”
Looking at the clock, Stevie suppressed her groan. It had been twenty minutes and Emma was still fighting her headspace. Watching Emma, Stevie allowed her thoughts to return to their first conversation and Emma’s insistence that she be allowed to change from top to bottom before they had any major discussions about spanking or punishments. Realizing that this would be their first serious chat about something more than just maintenance, Stevie knew this was going to be a challenge, especially for Emma.
Finally seeing Emma start to squirm, Stevie checked the clock; twenty-five minutes had passed. By the look of Emma, Stevie judged that in another five minutes, she should be ready to begin.
“Emma Renee, come here, please,” Stevie instructed and watched as Emma fought with herself one last time. Turning from the corner, she headed toward Stevie and sat on the bed where Stevie had indicated.
Putting her arm around Emma’s shoulder, Stevie squeezed it before speaking. “We need to talk, young lady.”
Emma groaned, but said nothing.
“Why are we here today, Emma?” Stevie asked, her voice gentle but firm.
Rolling her eyes, Emma huffed, “You know why we’re here, why ask me?”
“Emma…” Stevie warned, drawing out her name.
“Because my brat called you, because she thinks I need a spanking,” Emma whined.
“You know better than that, Emma. It would take more than a call from Dani for us to need some one-on-one time. So I’ll ask you again, why am I about to spank you?”
“Because you’re mean, and get some kinda pleasure from torturing me.”
Stevie couldn’t help the chuckle. “Well, while that might be true, I think that there is something that you need to tell me.”
Emma’s warning bells went off and looked up briefly before studying her hands once again. “Like what?”
“Oh, I don’t know, anything at all? Did you do anything during your time at Frankie and Toni’s that I should know about?”
* * *
Emma gulped; obviously Stevie thought there was something that she had to confess, but for the life of her she couldn’t think of what. She ground her teeth, suddenly upset about being accused of doing something. “No, I didn’t. I was nothing but helpful and calm, and let me tell you, it’s not easy around there—especially with Dani’s antics.”
“Uh-huh.” Stevie moved slightly and put her fingers under Emma’s chin, forcing eye contact. “What about before you left? Something you found out about, like perhaps the fact that you put yourself in danger by not doing a background check on Jason?”
Eyes going wide, Emma began to panic. “How did you know about that? Damn it, first she calls you without telling me, and then she tattles on me. I can’t believe it!”
“Emma Renee Gray, you hold on one minute, young lady. Dani did not tattle on you.”
“Then how did you find out?”
“She mentioned something to Anna in passing on the phone. Anna thought it was important enough to tell me. I was the one who asked Dani specific questions. And, for the record, I had to drag it out of Dani.”
Stevie ran her hands through her curls. “That girlfriend of yours is quite stubborn. It took me five minutes to get it out of her today. She wouldn’t tell me anything on the phone and the only reason she gave it up today was because I wore her down. She did not want to tell me anything.”
Calming down, Emma once more studied her fingers. “Oh.”
“Exactly, now care to tell me why you’ve been so upset today?”
Emma shook her head.
“Then let me try,” Stevie waited until she could once again see into green eyes. “I think you’re upset that Dani called me because you never expected her to do it. I also think it scares you just a bit because in the short time you’ve known each other, she knows exactly what you needed right now. Am I close?”
“I suppose,” Emma replied, pausing for a moment, and searching for the words. “I was going to call you, but, I don’t know, something held me back.”
Stevie pulled Emma closer and placed her arm around Emma’s shoulders. “Maybe you were a little scared? After all, this spanking will be a bit more than just maintenance. You’ve earned yourself a real punishment this time. I know your intentions weren’t malicious, but that doesn’t change the fact that you put all of us in danger. You’re not the only one who could have gotten hurt. We were all there the day of the shooting.”
Emma chewed her lip. “Maybe I am a little scared. I know I screwed up. Don’t you think I realize any one of us could have been hurt… or worse? I’m sorry. I never apologized to you, or Anna, or Dani. Maybe I deserve to be punished,” Emma sniffled, the tears already clouding her vision.
“Hey,” Stevie said, waiting until she saw green. “It was a mistake. We all make them. Someone could have gotten hurt, but no one did. I know you need this, Emma, but it’s more for you than me. It’s a lesson in responsibility; not only as a boss, but as a friend. There is nothing to forgive, do you understand?”
Emma slowly nodded.
“Good, are you ready, then?”
“No, I don’t wanna a spanking, Stevie,” Emma protested.
“Well, if you wanted it, it wouldn’t be a punishment, but that is exactly what is going to happen right now.” Helping Emma stand, Stevie helped her step out of her pajama bottoms before pulling her across her lap again. Patting her panty-covered bottom, Stevie gave Emma a moment to settle in before pulling her hand back and making sure Emma would remember this lesson for a very long time.
* * *
Dani picked at the takeout in front of her. Anna had returned with the food a few minutes ago and Dani had closed the store for lunch so the new employees could get to know the regular ones.
Will had dropped by after his last class and he and Tod were deep in discussion about last night’s basketball game. Dani was sitting next to Anna, who was asking Heidi about yoga and its benefits, but Dani’s focus was in the apartment above her head. She knew that Stevie would be making an appearance any minute, and she was anxiously awaiting being able to be alone with Emma.
“Hey, Dani, you need to eat. They’ll be down when they’re done chatting,” Anna interrupted her thoughts.
Dani smiled sheepishly. “Yeah, I know.” Picking up her burger, she managed a bite. “Pizza burger from Luis’s?”
“Yeah, Stevie’s become addicted. He put them on the regular menu a few days ago. In no small part due to you and Stevie. She loves them so much, we’ve been in there four times the last two weeks.”
Grinning, Dani took a bite of a fry. “Oh, total Luis.” She sighed. Looking at Heidi, she frowned a bit. “Luis makes salads?”
Heidi laughed. “Yes, he even makes fruit cups and tofu burgers.”
“Tofu?”
“I’m a vegetarian,” Heidi explained.
Dani shook her head. “Something is so wrong with that,” she muttered, taking another bite of her burger.
“Don’t take it personal, Heidi,” Anna laughed. “Dani has her own food groups; pizza, burgers, and diet soda.”
Will laughed. “Yeah, but she does eat a vegetable on occasion. I guess Emma decided that junk food really didn’t have its own spot on the food pyramid.”
“Laugh it up,
William,” Dani teased. “I could always forget to sign your check this week.”
“Is this a private party or can anyone join in?” Stevie’s voice asked.
Turning, Dani smiled at Stevie who was coming toward the tables. Getting a nod from her, Dani quickly stuffed her burger and fries back into the bag that had contained Emma’s salad and bolted from her seat, before racing up the stairs.
“Where are you going?” Stevie asked, seeing Tod stand halfway up. Stevie shook her head. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Emma and Dani need some time without extra eyes or ears.”
Sighing, the man ran his fingers through his hair. “But we have our orders…”
“Orders which are to be used with common sense, I’m sure,” Stevie countered. “Let them be,” she instructed.
Shaking his head, he stood, only to be blocked by Will. “Please, Tod, sit down.”
Stevie looked up at him. “I’m sure you wouldn’t want Dani to call her aunt and uncle,” she threatened as the color drained from his face and he slowly sat down again. Turning to Anna, she asked, “Pizza burger?”
“You know it, Luis sends his best,” Anna answered as Stevie smiled and grabbed the bag that Anna waved in front of her.
* * *
Dropping the bag of takeout on the kitchen table, Dani kicked off her shoes and hurried toward the bedroom. Opening the door, she smiled and gently crawled onto the bed where a much more relaxed Emma lay.
“Hey, how are you?” Dani asked, as she gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ve felt better, or at least my backside has,” Emma answered. Looking over her shoulder, Emma waited until green locked with blue. “Coulda done without Stevie knowing that I didn’t run a background check on Jason before he tried to kill me though.”
Dani winced. “I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have said anything. I just thought…”
“That you needed to make sure that I was punished for putting my life—our lives—in danger?”
The Art of Discipline: Running Toward Trouble (The Mockingbird Chronicles) Page 24