by Joannie Kay
"Kelly?" Kari looked at her. "Are you pregnant?"
Kelly smiled and then nodded. "I just found out this morning, and I'm so excited!"
"Does Nevin know?" Kari couldn't believe he would let her take on this assignment if he did."
"No... and please don't tell him. He will want me to take a leave of absence right away, and I would go nuts at home right now."
"He's going to turn your bottom red when he learns you've kept this from him," Kari predicted.
"No he won't," Kelly grinned. "He won't spank me if I'm pregnant," she stated knowingly. "Please, Kari. I want to do this for you and Jake. After we know you're safe, I'll tell Nevin, and my Lieutenant."
"I'm not going to let you get hurt protecting me, Kelly," Kari stated firmly. "No more hiding unless you hide with me, or I tattle, too."
"Kari!"
"Kelly!"
"I feel as though we're sisters," Kelly said emotionally, and then hugged the other woman. "I can't imagine telling anyone else the things I share with you."
"I don't have any siblings, but I would be honored to be your sister," Kari answered. "Let's talk babies..."
* * *
"I hope the girls are behaving," Nevin said to Jake as he dropped into a chair across from the other man's desk.
"Do you think we need to check up on them?" Jake asked in concern. Nevin's uncanny instincts were legendary in the department.
"I already did... Just called and talked to Kelly. She's all bubbly; says they're having girl fun and talking. She had one visitor and Kari did what she was told to do," he told Jake. "Guess that little lesson you gave her took pretty well," he added with a familiarity that spoke of friendship.
"Not a good way to start a marriage," Jake grumbled, still feeling bad over the incident.
"She loves you; told Kelly that," Nevin shared with a grin. "Those two have a lot in common. Kelly considers Kari more of a sister than she does those two brainless wonders who are her biological sisters."
"So, why the frown?" Jake asked.
"Something is off," Nevin frowned. "I know Kelly. She's hiding something, but she doesn't lie, and they aren't doing anything they aren't supposed to be doing. They haven't been outside, aren't on the phones. Things seem normal. She gave me all sorts of instructions for laundry tonight, and on how to do Gracie's hair in the morning," he shook his head. "Like I'm going to do more than brush it out..." he growled.
"Do you want me to ask Jenna to come over and help out in the morning?" Jake offered. "It might give her something to do that won't get her read end paddled."
"Nope. You keep her at home. It's one thing if you or Jase whack her, but I don't have the patience you do, and she might not like it if I whop her one."
Jake hooted with laughter. "I need to find a guy who knows how to deal with her sass," he admitted, and then said, "Seriously, she's a handful right now. I don't trust her not to mix into this mess because she wants to get even to what Darles did to her friend Deborah."
"You'd better put someone on her, Jake," Nevin said at once, "or send her over to help with my girls. I can keep an eye on her that way," he offered.
"I put Officer Aiken on her, with strict orders not to put up with any of her crap."
"He's a green kid," Nevin said in surprise.
"And anxious to please. Jenna will find him cute," Jake grinned at his friend. "All he needs to do is turn those blue eyes on her and she'll melt, and hopefully behave."
"What if she tells him to go to hell and gives him the slip?"
"I warned her she might try that," Jake shook his head. "Jase is working, and I can't stick him with her, and I've got to find Darles. Aiken will have to do his best, and sit on her if she won't be reasonable."
* * *
"You're a cute little handful, honey," the man reached out to grab Jenna's arm.
"Let go of me, moron. You're drunk!" Jenna tugged on her arm, and when the man didn't release her, she made a fist and slugged him in the nose!
"You bitch!" the man roared and drew back a fist to repay her in kind. The blow Jenna expected didn't come, but instead she found herself freed.
"Leave the lady alone," her rescuer said by way of warning.
"Look, pretty boy, that girl slugged me and all I done was offer to buy her a drink."
"You put your hands on her. Now back off." The man lurched forward, but overbalanced and went crashing to the floor, out cold.
"Thanks," Jenna smiled at the handsome man who came to her aid.
"You shouldn't be in here, Miss Tobias."
Jenna's smile immediately disappeared. "Who are you? How do you know my name?"
"I'm Linc Aiken, and your brother is my Lieutenant. I've been assigned to protect you, and I sure can't do it in a place like this. We're leaving for your home right now," he said firmly.
"You can leave when you want; I'm not going anywhere."
"You're too pretty to be so stubborn. Let's go."
"I said 'no'," she told him.
"Oh, I heard you," he nodded affably. "You owe the bartender anything?" he asked.
"No, she don't," the man answered. "Get her out of here before she gets herself hurt," he warned under his breath.
"Thanks," Linc gave the man a nod, and made a mental note to call that bit of information in to the Lieutenant just as soon as he got Jenna out of the place.
"I'm tired of your silly little games, girl, but if caveman is what you want, then caveman is what you'll get!" he spoke loudly, and then beat on his chest a bit, all for dramatic effect.
"What are you doing?" Jenna hissed angrily.
"Getting you out of here, princess," Linc answered. "Easy or hard, makes me no difference." He bent down and scooped her up over his shoulder, and when she started kicking her feet and beating on his back with her fists, he reached up and smacked her backside. "Settle down woman! The cavewoman is supposed to come along quietly!" he pretended to be just a bit drunk.
"Put me down, you moron!" Jenna yelled. "HELP ME!" she cried out as he headed for the door.
"Hell, honey, they're gonna help me if you don't stop kicking. You tell me you want a Caveman, and when I give you what you want, you act like a spoiled little bitch!" he kept his words slightly slurred. "Now settle down so we can go home and get to work makin' those babies you want, sugar!" he slapped her bottom once more, and the people standing around watching curiously hooted in laughter. Linc continued to make jokes the whole of the way to the door, and kept drowning out anything that Jenna tried to say in her defense.
Once outside in the parking lot, he walked swiftly to his car, but was suddenly aware that three men were following. He quickly shoved Jenna in the car and told her to lock the door, and turned to face the three.
"Give her up, boy, and you won't get hurt," one of the men smiled.
"She's my wife, and I don't give her up to anyone," Linc replied calmly. "I protect what's mine, so move on unless you want to find out the hard way."
"You aren't too smart, are you, boy?" the man asked as he took out a knife and flicked it open.
Chapter Nine
Jenna was terrified as the three men drew knives and came at the handsome young police officer who'd carried her out of the bar! She took out her cell phone and called Jake for help. He answered immediately, and listened as she told him what was happening. She knew she sounded hysterical, but she was hysterical, and just didn't know what to do. She hadn't realized that Darles would send so many men after her! Jake told her to stay in the locked car, and promised he would be there as soon as possible. Jenna prayed that he would hurry because Linc was definitely outnumbered.
Linc calmly watched as one of the men nodded to the others, and the next couple of minutes happened as if in slow motion. Linc remained focused and calm, and by the time it was all over, the three men were lying unconscious on the pavement. They'd drawn a crowd, and obviously someone had called 911 before he could call it in himself. Two cruisers came flying into the parking lot and officers ju
mped out; Linc pulled his badge and held it out to identify himself as a police officer. Another car pulled in right behind the other officers, and Jenna jumped out of Linc's car and ran straight into her brother's arms.
"Jenna, are you all right?" Jake asked, taking note of the fear in her pretty eyes.
"They were trying to take me, Jake. Linc didn't let them. He risked his life to save me!" she burst into tears. "I didn't know what to do!"
"You did the right thing by calling me," Jake gave her a hug. "Officer, do you need medical attention?" he asked Linc.
"No, sir. I'm fine," Linc responded.
"You did a fine job, Aiken," Nevin nodded in approval.
"Sir, the bartender warned me to get Miss Tobias out of the bar before she got hurt. I think he might know something that would help with your investigation."
Jake nodded, and then said, "Bring Jenna with you, and we'll sort this out in my office."
"What about my car?" Jenna asked.
"What about it, young lady? As of right now, you don't have a car. You were told to keep your butt at home tonight. You're damned lucky that Officer Aiken takes his job seriously and found you. He wasn't ordered to do so. I suggest you think about that and what might have happened to you if he wasn't here to save your butt."
Jenna wanted to die of embarrassment at the public dressing down, but she wisely knew it wasn't the time or place to push her eldest brother. He was angry with her, and anything she had to say on the subject would have to wait. When Linc opened the car door for her, she got in without a word. It was going to be a long evening... and then she'd have to face her Ma, too!
"You're the one who called 911?" Linc asked as he started his car.
"I called Jake," she answered, and then admitted, "I was afraid for you, Linc."
"You did the right thing to call for backup," he smiled. "Thanks, Jenna."
"No... Thank you for protecting me," she looked at him. "They were Darles' men and they were trying to kidnap me for him. I was trying to bring him out in the open so Jake could arrest him. The man hurt my best friend," she tearfully explained. "I only wanted to help and I nearly got you killed in the process! I'm so sorry!"
"I've been in worse situations," Linc confided. "This wasn't so difficult, and I had an added incentive, to keep them from getting to you."
"You're very nice, Linc," Jenna whispered emotionally.
"Well, I try to be, but I'm going to be blunt, little girl. If your brother doesn't warm your fanny for this stunt, I will."
Jenna gasped angrily. "You have no right to say that, and you had no right to treat me the way you did inside that bar! You smacked me several times!" she accused. "I still have your handprints on my bottom!"
"Good," he grinned. "I was trying to get you to shut up, and it was pretty darn effective. You know you had no business going to that place, Jenna. You were told to stay home, and I wasn't a bit happy when I got to your house and found you missing. It took me several hours to find you, and that drunk was about to fist you in the face!"
"I can take care of myself!" she indignantly complained.
"Yeah, I saw how well you could do that," he growled, pulling into the police station's parking garage. He pulled into his assigned space, and then hurried to catch up to her when she jumped out of the car and took off running. He grabbed her arm and spun her around. "Little girl, you are just begging for a spanking. Settle down now, or it's going to happen right here," he warned.
"I'm going to tell Jake that you mistreated me!" she promised.
"He'll give me a commendation," Linc replied, grinning.
"Ohhhhh, I hate you!"
"You're just mad because you know I'm right," he marched her inside the building, nodded at the guard, and then took the elevator to the third floor, where Jake's office was located. Once they were inside the small office, he seated Jenna on a chair with a hard thump. She immediately jumped up and slapped his face as hard as she could. Linc rubbed his stinging cheek, and then shut the door before turning on the pretty young brunette. "You just bought yourself a trip over my knee, little girl," he promised, his blue eyes glittering like blue chips of eyes.
"You wouldn't dare!" Jenna backed away from him. He followed. "I'm serious, Linc... I'll tell Jake and he'll kick your butt!" She backed even further as he continued to come closer. "Okay, I shouldn't have slapped you... I'm sorry!" she apologized. He grinned and backed her right up to the window that looked out over the street. In the next second, he snagged her wrist and pulled her over to one of the wooden chairs in front of Jake's desk. "Don't you dare!" Jenna yelled in a pleading tone of voice. "I said I was sorry!" she reminded him.
"You're only sorry because you're going to get a good spanking," Linc told her, easily tugging her down over his knee even though she was struggling and trying to stop him from doing so.
Jenna was so embarrassed she didn't know what to do. Her skirt was really short... perfect for clubbing... but it exposed entirely too much of her while in this awful position. "Let me up," she begged, trying to reach back and tug the hem down to cover herself.
"This skirt should be burned," Linc said in disapproval, giving her bottom a sound spank right below the hem and leaving a red handprint on her sit spot. "Your butt is practically hanging out," he told her. "If you were mine, I guarantee you wouldn't be wearing this ever again!" His hand fell again, and then he shoved the scrap of fabric up to show her panties, which were equally skimpy.
Jenna was mortified. "Pull down my skirt, Linc! Please! What if someone walks in here?"
"I guess they'll see you getting your almost bare butt spanked," he said, and then proceeded to do just that, reining spank after spank down on her bottom and sit spots until Jenna was crying and begging for mercy. Linc wasn't inclined to be merciful. He spanked her for not staying home when she was told to do so. He spanked her for dressing like she was selling herself, much to Jenna's shame, and he spanked her for antagonizing the drunk to the point she was almost beaten, and he spanked her for giving him a hard time getting her out of the bar... and then, he finished the spanking by giving her ten really hard spanks, all to her sit spots, for slapping his face!
* * *
"You don't want to go in there just yet, Jake," Nevin reached out to stop Jake before he got to his office.
"Why not?" Jake demanded.
"Your sister might be embarrassed if you walked in right now. That kid Aiken just finished spanking the daylights out of her. He's wiping her eyes right now and talking to her, but she's pretty emotional. You picked the right man for the job, for sure."
"I had a feeling he would be able to deal with her, but it still doesn't set well with me that he took it this far."
"I spanked Kelly within twenty-four hours of noticing her," Nevin admitted in embarrassment. "The little fool nearly got herself killed to save my life," he confided in his friend. "It was so damned brave of her, and it went on her record that way... but as a man, she scared the hell out of me, and I spanked her that night." Not very nice of me, considering, but I loved her already. Then, after we got married and had a fight... a bad fight... she came to me and asked me why I was letting her get away with acting like that? She wanted us to have a domestic discipline relationship within our marriage. I was trying to be the modern husband, and it wasn't what she wanted." He grinned. "Kelly told me that you and Kari have the same type of marriage... and it could be your little sister needs the same type of man? You have to let her take her lumps, Jake. She slapped Aiken hard, and he probably has the handprint on his face. Little Jenna needed a spanking."
Jake took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I figured on doing it myself," he admitted. They waited another few minutes, and then Jake walked on in, pretending not to notice when Linc took his arm from around his still sniffling sister.
"Jake...?" she asked for his attention, and when he raised his eyes to look at her he could see she'd been crying. "Jake, I'm sorry I didn't listen to you and stay home tonight... but do you think t
hey would have come there to get me?" she asked, sounding more like a scared little girl than a young woman about to graduate from college.
"That is why I sent Officer Aiken to protect you, honey," he said patiently, and then added in a stern tone of voice. "I had your car taken to the house, but the keys are mine for the time being. You are grounded, little sister, and if you fuss at me, you'll get another spanking. Is that perfectly clear?" Her face turned scarlet, but she nodded. "I am well aware of what happened in that bar before Officer Aiken carried you outside, and I hope you know how lucky you are he went beyond the call of duty to find you tonight. He didn't deserve your sass, and he certainly didn't deserve to have his face slapped. Am I making myself clear?" Jake knew he was being hard on her, but the handprint on Linc's face was still a bright red and had to sting like hell. "You deserved that spanking, little sister, and if Linc hadn't already tended to the matter, you would be over my knee tonight getting the same damned thing. Are we on the same page now?" he asked.
"Yes, Jake. I am sorry. I really am. I just wanted to do something for Deborah! She's in so much pain right now, and she is terrified Darles will come after her. I thought I could..."
"Set yourself up as bait...?" Jake asked in a strangled voice. "Jenna, honey, what were you thinking? You had no protection whatsoever... You aren't carrying a gun, are you?" he demanded, and was around the desk in the next second, grabbing her handbag. He found exactly what he expected to find. "Good God, Jenna! This is illegal!" his voice was hoarse. "I'm going to have to arrest you!" he wanted to cry.
"It is too legal, Jake. I'm of legal age to own a gun. I have a concealed carry license," she announced, and then she had to giggle when he looked at her in such obvious relief. "I know how you feel about people carrying guns, but I did this all legal, and I took classes, too. I'm not irresponsible, big brother. I love you too much to embarrass you by doing something illegal and stupid." She got up and put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "I just have to help you take care of Darles."