Her Daddy's Jewel (MC Daddies Book 5) Page 25

  Help her? Sure he was. But as Jason’s face grew even colder, she found herself stepping closer to Jagger.

  “What are you doing? Get away from me,” Jagger commanded.

  “I’m trying to help save your sorry butt, asshole,” she hissed back. How ungrateful could this asshole be?”

  “Go stand by Dusty, if I needed your help, I would ask for it.”

  “Fucking stupid idiot. How do I find myself in these positions? Why the hell am I trying to defend you? You’re a complete jerk.”

  “Get somewhere safe,” Jagger bit out at her. “You do not get between two angry men.”

  She swirled to face him. “You’re not getting it, dickhead.

  “Getting what?”

  “I’m not the one in any danger. Pike would break all his fingers before he hurt me. That’s why I’m standing in front of you. Because I’m the only one capable of defending your sorry ass.”

  “You’re defending me?” He gave her a shocked look.

  “What did you think I was doing? Standing here for the fun of it?” She threw her hands up in the air.

  “Jagger has issues,” Sting said dryly.

  “Lots of issues,” Dusty added.

  “Dusty, go to your room,” Jagger commanded. “This has nothing to do with you. And take Pike’s, uh, friend with you.”

  “I’m not his friend. I’m his girlfriend.” Okay, that sounded a bit weird. She sent Jason a look.

  “Not my girlfriend,” Jason managed to say.

  She stiffened.

  “My whole fucking world. And you touched her.”

  Oh great, he was back to this. Why her?

  “She came racing down the driveway on that skateboard. No helmet. No safety gear. I thought she was some crazy friend of Dusty’s. I nearly hit her because I wasn’t expecting someone to come out of nowhere. Afterward, I was upset. Thinking of what could have happened if I hadn’t swerved. Maybe I reacted a bit badly.”

  “And . . .” she said, drawing it out. Perhaps it was petty of her. Did she care? Not really.

  “And I’m sorry,” he bit out.

  “Good boy.”

  She could practically feel his temper ready to explode.

  “And what do you have to say to Dusty,” she prompted.

  Now he crossed his arms over his chest, giving them both an arrogant look. “I’m not going to apologize. Dusty isn’t dating and she certainly wouldn’t be allowed out of the house wearing that.”

  “Wearing what?” a cool voice asked from the doorway.

  They all turned, except Jason, as their mother walked in the door. Oh great. Just what she needed. To be embarrassed in front of Jason’s mom.

  “Jagger has a problem with what I’m wearing and my make-up. Oh, and he nearly ran over Jewel then tried to have her thrown off the property because he thought she was turning me into a whore,” Dusty explained cheerfully.

  “Jagger!”

  Jagger let out a low growl.

  “I’m taking care of him,” Jason promised, stepping towards him.

  “Pike, no!” Jewel decided she had to be more proactive. Just standing there wasn’t enough to protect Jagger.

  She still thought it was ironic she was protecting the big jerk.

  She threw herself at Jason, forcing him to catch her. Then she climbed him like a tree until she was wrapped around him. She was grateful she was wearing jeans rather than a skirt.

  “Jewel, maybe you should step away from him,” Claudia said cautiously. She noticed everyone was watching them tensely. “When Pike is like this, he isn’t himself.”

  Like she’d known he would, he placed his hands under her ass to support her. Something had shifted inside her, she realized. She hadn’t once thought he would take his brother’s side. Or question her. Or do anything other than look out for her.

  Of course, his idea of watching out for her seemed to be beating his brother to a bloody pulp for touching her. But, that was kind of sweet.

  Yeah, there might be something wrong with her.

  “Pike won’t hurt me. He’d never hurt me.”

  She heard his mother suck in a breath, but didn’t look at her. She needed all her attention on the amazing man holding her so gently while his body vibrated with anger.

  For her.

  He grunted in response, proving he was listening. But he still wasn’t looking at her. Reaching up, she grasped hold of his cheeks.

  “Look at me.”

  Nothing.

  “Look at me. Please.”

  Okay, seemed it was going to take more than that.

  “Jason,” she drawled deliberately.

  “Forty-eight.”

  Good, he was still following her. Listening to her.

  “I need you to take me upstairs.”

  He shook his head. “He touched you.”

  “He didn’t know who I was.”

  “No excuse.”

  “He’s your brother.”

  “So?”

  Okay, so nothing she said so far was working.

  “He nearly hit you.”

  Damn it, she couldn’t let Jagger take the fall for that part. That was kind of all on her. There were other places that they could have practiced.

  “It was my fault. I was skateboarding on the driveway. He couldn’t have known I would come racing down. And he didn’t hit me. I only fell off because I lost control. You can’t blame him for any of that.”

  “He didn’t take any care with you.”

  Well, that was true.

  “He touched you without permission. Scared you.”

  “I wasn’t scared.”

  This time he did make eye contact with her.

  She shrugged. “I knew that even if he did throw me out, you’d find me.”

  “Damn fucking straight.” He looked back at Jagger. “Still going to kill him.”

  Jagger let out a breath. “I didn’t know she was yours. How was I meant to?”

  “We were trying to tell you,” Dusty snapped. “What were you expecting? For her to have Property of Pike tattooed on her forehead?”

  Jason let out a low rumble that was less temper and more approval? Shit.

  “Not happening, bud.”

  “Not your bud.”

  She reached up so she could whisper into his ear. “No, you’re my man. My Daddy. Please, Daddy. I’m tired and a bit sore. I need you to take me up to bed and take care of me.”

  Manipulative? Yes. Necessary? Also yes.

  Jason finally looked her straight in the eyes. “You’re bruised?”

  She had no idea but likely. She nodded.

  “Did you even have a helmet on?”

  She shook her head.

  “Damn it, baby, what were you thinking?”

  She bit her lower lip. Drat. Now, his focus was off Jagger. But that meant it was totally and utterly on her. And she had a feeling she was in trouble.

  “I used to skateboard when I was younger. Never wore safety gear then.” It would have gotten her beaten up with the people she hung out with.

  “She’s really good,” Dusty told him.

  “She was going far too fast. If I hadn’t been paying attention, things could have been a lot worse,” Jagger said.

  “You know, I’m starting to regret saving you,” she snarled at Jagger now that he’d turned all of Jason’s attention on her.

  Her ass could still feel the spanking he’d given her earlier. But she had a feeling she wasn’t going to be sitting comfortably tomorrow.

  Jason turned around with her still in his arms.

  “You’re leaving?” Jagger asked with surprise.

  When would he learn to stay quiet?

  “Got to take care of my woman. She comes first.”

  Damn, her heart just melted.

  He leaned his head down to brush his lips against her ear. “And the things I’m about to do to her aren’t for my family’s eyes.”

  Oh. Shit.

  23

  Jason carrie
d her into the bedroom and laid her down on the bed.

  Then without a word, he stripped off every inch of her clothing.

  “Are you going to say anything?” she asked as he ran his hands gently over her, prodding in some spots. When she winced as he moved over her hip, he stopped to gently kiss the developing bruise.

  Each one made him furious.

  Although not as murderous as thinking about the way his brother had treated her. He’d pay for that. He’d just do it when his woman wasn’t around. Or his sister or mother. Mind you, Dusty had looked like she wanted to join in.

  He didn’t blame her. Jagger had no right to comment on her clothes or make-up. She wasn’t a kid. And while Jason didn’t like the idea of her dating either, he also knew that acting like a Neanderthal wouldn’t help. All that would do was make her go behind their backs. Which meant she wouldn’t have anyone watching over her.

  “Pike?” she whispered worriedly as he rolled her over to kiss a scrape on her back.

  Fuck.

  It could have been so much worse.

  “He could have hit you.”

  “That wasn’t his fault.”

  No. That part he didn’t blame on Jagger. He gently rolled her then crouched over her. “You put yourself in danger.”

  She opened her mouth, closed it. Her lipstick was almost completely gone. She must have been licking her lips. A sign of nerves. Then she brought her finger up to her mouth.

  Nope.

  He gently grasped hold of her hand, pulling it away. “No.”

  She gave him a guilty look.

  “Hands under your head,” he ordered.

  She complied.

  “You put yourself in danger, baby blue,” he said seriously. “That’s earned you a punishment.”

  “I was just skateboarding.”

  “On a driveway. With no safety gear.”

  She made a scoffing noise.

  He frowned down at her. “From now on, there is no skateboarding without me. And you will wear all the safety gear that I give you. Understand me?”

  “Safety gear is for wusses.”

  “No safety gear, no skateboarding.”

  “That’s not fair, Daddy.” She pouted. “No one else wears all that except for little kids.”

  “Well, you’re my Little girl. And I care about your safety. So you’re going to obey me on this or you won’t sit for a week.”

  “You’re going to spank me?”

  “Not this time.”

  She narrowed her gaze at him suspiciously. “Why do I get the feeling there’s a but coming, Daddy?”

  “What, other than your butt?” He reached under her to squeeze it. She hissed.

  “Yes. Other than my butt.”

  “Because you’re a smart woman. I’m not spanking you because you just had your first proper spanking this morning and because you’re bruised from falling off the skateboard.”

  “Butttt,” she drawled.

  “But you’re still getting punished for being so reckless with your safety.” He’d been working on getting her to leave his room and the first time she left by herself, she ran into the shittiest member of his family. Jagger wasn’t a bad person. Just quick to judge and cold as fuck.

  “It was just some fun, Daddy.”

  “It wouldn’t be fun if you had gotten hurt and ended up in the hospital.” Or worse.

  Damn, she was gorgeous when she pouted. His cock hardened at the thought of her mouth around his dick, swallowing him down.

  Not now.

  “Did you eat?” he demanded.

  Guilt filled her face.

  “Oh, baby blue, you’re in such trouble.”

  “I got busy,” she defended. “Dusty wanted help with her clothes and make-up. Besides, it’s not long since you left.”

  “That was five hours ago.”

  “Oh.”

  Oh? That was all she had to say? He climbed off her then reached out for her hand. She gave him a wary look as he led her to an empty corner of the room.

  “What are you doing?” she squeaked.

  “You’re spending ten minutes in the corner.”

  “No. I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are. Then while I’m getting you something to eat, you’ll be writing a hundred times that you will always remember to wear safety gear.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring up at him. “No.”

  Oh, the stubborn brat.

  Reaching out, he gently grasped hold of her chin. “While I usually enjoy your attitude, it’s not acceptable right now. So unless you want to wear a plug while standing in the corner, I expect you to get into position.”

  She gaped up at him, her mouth open. So cute.

  He pushed her chin up then turned her towards the corner. “Nose against the wall. Legs spread. Bottom out.”

  “I’d like to lodge a complaint that I think corner time is silly.”

  “Noted and dismissed.”

  She made a growling noise that had him smiling. He sent a text to the housekeeper, knowing that she’d prepare some food for him quickly.

  He drew the chair from his desk and got a piece of paper and a pen, setting her up. He also grabbed one of his T-shirts for her to wear.

  “All right, come here, baby blue.”

  She turned with a huff. Yeah, she really didn’t like corner time.

  Well, tough. He didn’t like seeing bruises on her body. And he knew he would have nightmares imagining Jagger’s car hitting her.

  He crooked a finger at her. She glared back at him, arms crossed. He mimicked her position. “What do you think would have happened if Jagger hit you?”

  “I’d have gotten hurt.”

  “More than hurt. You’d likely have broken bones. Maybe a concussion. If he’d been going fast, it could’ve been worse. You could be dead.”

  “That’s an exaggeration, don’t you think?”

  “I don’t,” he said firmly. “And the fact that you don’t realize that could have happened tells me you don’t take your safety seriously enough.”

  “But I’m fine.”

  “Thank God!” he snapped, making her jump.

  Rein it in. Don’t scare her.

  “Do you know how hard it was for me, having to leave you with Maxwell for those few days? Do you know the entire time until I got you out of there that I barely slept, barely ate? I forced myself to, because I had to be strong in order to protect you. What do you think would have happened if I’d come home to find you broken or worse?”

  Guilt flooded her face. “Okay, I get it.”

  “I’m not trying to be an asshole or controlling, but you know that you’re my entire world.”

  She gave him a knowing look.

  “All right, I’m controlling. If I have to wrap you up in bubble wrap to keep you safe, I will.”

  “You can’t.”

  “Watch me.”

  “I have to be an adult as well. I can’t always be Little.”

  “That’s got nothing to do with this. This is all about keeping you safe. Whole. Mine. I’d destroy anyone who hurt you. You might think I can’t keep you safe from everything, but I’ll damn well try.”

  He expected her to bite back so he was shocked when she nodded then walked towards him. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. So tight.

  “Try not to give me a fucking heart attack or ulcer, huh?”

  “I’ll try. No guarantees.”

  “Sit, write your lines. I’ll be back with a snack soon.”

  “Just a snack?” she asked.

  “It’s nearly time for our dinner date. Don’t want to ruin your appetite.” He winked at her and she blushed.

  As he strode downstairs, he could hear them all arguing in Ma’s study. He crept forward.

  “Jagger, Dusty is going on that date,” his mother said calmly.

  “She’s too young to date.”

  “Got to say I agree with Jagger, Ma,” Sting added.

  “Well, luc
kily, I don’t need any of your agreement. She’s my daughter. And the two of you are going to stop being overprotective cavemen.”

  They were both silent, but he knew that they wouldn’t like that edict. He stepped into the doorway.

  Ma turned to him. “Pike, are you all right? Jewel?”

  He grunted then stared at Jagger. He took a few steps forward.

  “Fuck,” Jagger said with acceptance, taking the punch to the face without fighting back.

  “You’re lucky it’s not more. Touch her or upset her again and you’re in a fucking world of trouble, got me?”

  He didn’t bother sticking around for his brother’s agreement.

  24

  “Do you have to go?” Jewel asked.

  He turned to her in surprise. She’d never asked him not to go somewhere and they’d been here close to a week now. After her encounter with Jagger two days ago, he’d expected her to still stick to their bedroom. But something had changed. She was more confident in her place. Last night, they’d even had dinner with Ma and Dusty. The three women had bonded over tormenting him. Then afterward, Ma had brought about the baby pictures and they’d tormented him some more.

  Far as he was concerned, they could do that every night for the rest of his life if it made his woman smile like that.

  Jagger had been keeping himself scarce, which was for the best. In the end, Dusty had gone on her date. But Jagger had insisted on four bodyguards, which Dusty had a fit over. Jason totally agreed with his brother about that, though. She was their baby sister.

  Today the Fox’s interpreter was going to question the girls. He hated that they’d basically been kept prisoner all this time while he waited. But he hadn’t had much choice. And he knew they were at least being treated a lot better than they would have been if they were still being held by Maxwell. Still, the sooner he got this done, the better.

  “I have to go, baby. I’ve got an interpreter coming today to interview the girls.”

  She sat up straighter. “Do you think they’ll be able to identify Maxwell’s partner?”

  “I hope so. We also need to find out what we can about where they came from and how to get them safely back home.”

  She bit her lower lip. Today she was wearing a shade of lipstick called Bratty Girl. It was one of his favorites. It was neon pink. And looked perfect against her pale skin and dark hair.