Page 81 of Her Hero Daddy

They locked pinkies briefly before Haylee walked over to Kane.

Kane helped her into the passenger seat of the SUV and buckled her seat belt as he normally did, but he didn’t linger or speak while he completed the task, and she hated the feeling that gave her. When he got in the car and started driving, she studied his face.

“Are you mad at me?” she asked softly.

“Yes.”

A one-word answer. Yikes.

“Are you giving me the silent treatment?”

“No.”

Maybe just a level above the silent treatment.

Kane pulled into his driveway and parked. She didn’t move or attempt to get out of the car.

“Do you hate me?” she asked quietly.

Kane turned toward her. “What? No! Haylee, I am angry. You scared the shit out of me today. He had a gun, and he was actively using it. You put yourself in immediate danger. You deliberately disobeyed me, and you were very naughty for Keith. So yes, I am angry with you. I am not giving you the silent treatment. I am trying to calm myself down because if anything would have happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I love you with every fiber of my being, and that is why I am so angry. I could never hate you.”

Tears started falling as he spoke. She felt awful. He was out there trying to protect her, and she put herself at risk. She was supposed to be his Little and follow his rules, and she’d failed terribly. Kane reached his hand over, gently wiping the tears off her cheeks. His gaze, which had been as dark as stone earlier, had changed back to warm brown.

“I love you, Haylee. But what you did today was completely unacceptable. I can’t lose you, baby alligator.” His voice cracked slightly as he spoke, causing her to sob harder.

“I’m so sorry, Daddy. I feel like the worst person ever, and I deserve whatever punishment you give me. I j-just don’t w-want you—” Hiccup. “—to be m-mad at—” Hiccup. “—me.”

Kane got out of the car and went to her side and lifted her gently out of her seat, carrying her inside the house. Once they were inside, he sat down on the couch and pulled her into his lap with him.

“Listen to me, little girl. You are not the worst person ever. You are the most amazing person I’ve ever met. You have become the love of my life. You will be spanked, very thoroughly, and grounded, and you will also write an apology letter to Keith. But once your spanking is over, all will be forgiven. I think my anger is coming from the fear I felt when I saw your face in the car. It scared me. I think I’m more disappointed that you didn’t trust that I would be okay and take care of things and come home to you. But I also understand that you were scared and felt like you needed the reassurance that I was okay.”

Burying her face in his chest, she nodded.

“I love you, Daddy.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I love you too, baby.”

Kane held her on his lap for a long time. She listened to his heartbeat, and he rubbed her back gently. As much as she wanted to get her punishment done and over because her tummy was in knots thinking about it, she didn’t want to move from his embrace. It was her safe space.

After a long while, Kane stood and carried her to the kitchen, setting her on the counter.

“We need to eat something. You haven’t eaten in hours.”

He started opening cupboards and rummaging through the refrigerator.

“Daddy.”

Kane turned and walked over to where he’d placed her, putting his hands on either side and trapping her in place.

“Can you please give me my spanking now? I just want it done and over with. My tummy is all nervous about it, and I need to know that you’ve forgiven me.”

He studied her for a moment before nodding.

“Okay. Let’s go up to your room.”

Helping her down from the counter, he held her hand and led her up to the nursery.

“Strip naked. I will be right back.”