chapter 4

“It’s all right, Kitten. Remember what I told you.”

“You won’t let anyone hurt me.”

“Good girl. Now, just sit here. You may hang on to me as much as

you need to.”

I nodded and two of my fingers immediately went to my mouth.

Daddy just continued to pet my hair, soothing me. Normally, he’d have

offered me his cock to suck, but not this time.

“Stand, Max,” Victor said. His voice was hard but not harsh. Max

obeyed, his gaze never deviating from me. “What were your instructions

before we came?”

“To stay at your side until you give me leave to move away.” The

man’s voice was husky. Rough. I shivered with equal parts fear and arousal.

I loved Daddy’s rich, smooth voice. Max was the exact opposite of Daddy,

but I was drawn to him in a primitive way. It frightened me because I only

wanted Daddy. I never wanted to be without him!

“And what did you do?”

“I went for little Kitten when I saw her.”

“And what did I tell you about Kitten?”

Max sighed. “She’s precious.” He said it wistfully, but with a sneer.

His gaze was focused on me. I tried not to whimper, so I turned my head

and looked up at Daddy. My fingers were still in my mouth and I sucked

softly. This guy really didn’t like me at all and I had no idea why.

Victor didn’t speak for a long time. “Max,” he finally said. “You

know you have to be punished. Right?”

It sounded like Max snorted before saying evenly. “Of course,

Papa.” Max shrugged out of the shirt and turned around, his back to Victor.

I gasped, my whole being rebelling at what I was seeing. Max’s back was

crisscrossed with scars of all kinds. It looked like he’d been tortured

repeatedly.

“No,” I whispered. “Don’t hurt him, sir,” I plead softly. I looked

from Victor to Daddy, tears in my eyes.

“Shhh, Kitten,” Daddy urged. “Let them work it out. Remember

your own punishment the first day we spent together as Daddy and Kitten?”

Daddy had spanked my bottom. It had hurt but hadn’t harmed me. “I

do, Daddy.”

“Victor will do no more than that to Max. Only in a different way.

One more suited to his body type and strength. It will be harsher than your

punishment, but no more than something meant to correct his behavior.

Neither Victor nor myself would ever harm him like you see he has been

harmed in the past.”

Slowly, Max looked over his shoulder at me, his brows drawn in

confusion. “You’d take up for me? When I was about to pounce on you?”

I shrank back, but looked up at Daddy. I was sure my eyes were

wide with fear and confusion. Daddy just nodded at me, a silent command

to answer Max.

“You’ve been hurt enough,” I said. “I don’t like seeing that you were

hurt when you’re so beautiful and proud. You’re a lion and should be king

of your pride.” I spoke softly, still clinging to Daddy. Unexpectedly, tears

burned my eyes. “I don’t like knowing you were hurt.”

“You just met me, Lil’bit. I’m more animal than man.” He shifted

his gaze. “Animals only respond to pain.”

“Animals respond to pleasure, too,” I whispered.

“This is a punishment, Kitten,” Victor said to me patiently. “Just like

your punishment. What happened after your punishment?”

I thought back. “Daddy held me until I stopped crying and told me all was forgiven.”

“So what do you think will happen after Max has had his

punishment?”

“You’ll forgive him, too?”

“Yes, Kitten,” Victor said gently. “All will be forgiven and Max will

know what is expected of him in the future.”

I nodded my head, one tear trailing down my cheek as I held Max’s

gaze. “I understand.”

Victor turned to Max. “Do you understand, Max?”

The big man lifted his chin, never breaking eye contact with me. “I

do. I’m sorry, little one,” he said to me. “I would have tried to take what

you weren’t ready to give. Your daddy would have killed me before that

happened.” Max looked to Daddy. “Perhaps that was what I was hoping

for.” He bowed his head. “I’m glad you weren’t forced to witness that

violence. A creature as gentle as you shouldn’t have to see something like

that.”

Daddy and Victor exchanged looks. For a brief moment, Victor

looked stricken. Then his expression blanked and he acknowledged Max.

“I’m proud of you for explaining your thoughts. I must stress that, before

your demons get that bad, you should talk to me or Jacob. We can help you,

but only if you let us.”

Max straightened, his head once more going up proudly. “I

understand, Papa. From now on, I’ll come to you when I can’t control the

demons --”

“No!” Victor snapped. “You come to me when they start whispering

to you! You will never endanger yourself in this manner again. The only

acceptable reason to ever put yourself in danger is to protect our little

Kitten.” Victor indicated me with a wave of his hand. “And only if her

daddy is unable to protect her. She is precious and to be protected, but she has many looking out for her. You will be her last line of defense.”

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