The Art of Discipline: Running Toward Trouble (The Mockingbird Chronicles) (23 page)

Laughing, Emma shook her head as they continued to work. Before they knew it they were done, and found themselves camped out on the sofa with Toni and Giuliana watching some reality show.

Bored, and wishing that Emma would allow her to go back to the carriage house, Dani was glad when Giuliana motioned to her, giving her an excuse to escape the reality TV hell. Getting quick visual permission from Emma, Dani followed Giuliana through a section of the house she’d never been in and then down into the basement. As Guiliana pushed open the door at the foot of the stairs, Dani couldn’t stop smiling.

“Yeah, great, isn’t it? Pop converted this part of the basement into a playroom for us.” Giuliana moved toward the large couch and sat down. “However, as the boys got older, it evolved and he added the mini bar, the big screen TV, and all the video games we could want.”

“Not to mention all the old toys left from when you were kids,” Dani added, hitting the face of a cartoon character and grinning as it popped back up. “Oh, and is that a piano?”

“Yeah, we used to bang on it when we were kids,” Giuliana commented. “I’m sure it’s not even in tune anymore. It used to be upstairs, but Pop moved it down here a few years ago.”

“It’s pretty,” Dani commented, looking at the baby grand. It looked odd stuffed in the corner like it was, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it as Giuliana regained her attention.

“Oh, and I haven’t shown you the best part, Dani.” Moving toward the far end of the room, Giuliana moved a curtain to reveal a large sliding glass door. “I know you and Emma aren’t supposed to leave the grounds, but I understand how you just need to get away sometimes. Pop thinks the door doesn’t open,” she grinned, “but we had it fixed ages ago. Plus, if you stick close to the siding, the camera won’t see you.”

Dani moved and put her arm around Giuliana’s shoulders. “Is this how you manage to get the pizza?”

“One of my secrets,” Giuliana smiled.

“Clever,” Dani nodded. “And don’t worry, your secret is safe with me, cousin,” she replied, her brain going into overdrive for what she could do with this new revelation.

* * *

Dani closed the glass door and smiled. It had been two days since Giuliana had shown her the secret exit. Two days and two escapes later, and still nobody was the wiser. This time, she had even managed to run to the gate through the woods on the property, carefully avoiding the security cameras. She’d found the perfect hiding place for the bike, and a crack in the stone wall where she could slip through and get out to the road without going anywhere near the main gate or its cameras.

She was excited, and couldn’t help giggling to herself. Taking a few minutes to calm down, she explored the basement a little more thoroughly. She glanced again at the piano. She used to play a long time ago—a lifetime ago, but couldn’t bring herself to actually touch it. There were too many bad memories associated with it.

Instead she turned to the shelves of toys and board games. She found a magic 8-ball, and an old set of Legos. She also found an old art kit, but unfortunately the paints and markers had dried up long ago. There was some potential down here, if she ever got really bored, but the door would always be the bigger distraction. Freedom meant more than any toy.

Finally calm enough to rejoin everyone, she headed upstairs and found Emma and Toni still busy in the kitchen. Coming up behind them, she gave her godmother a kiss on the cheek and her girlfriend a kiss on the lips before being made to go wash up and join them for a late lunch.

* * *

The second week at Frankie and Toni’s had come quickly. It was Wednesday again, and although Emma and Dani had fallen into an easy routine with the family, both were looking forward to returning home and to the bookstore. Repairs had progressed without them, and the bookstore had been fitted with a top-of-the-line bulletproof window. Emma had also given her blessing for the store to reopen and Anna, Stevie, and Will had been working on shorter hours so they wouldn’t lose their clientele.

Emma hung up her phone and placed it on the nightstand. Scooting over, she snuggled with Dani before speaking. “That was Stevie. She says that the store is doing fine, but there is still no sign of Jason.”

“That’s odd,” Dani remarked quietly. “I hope he’s okay.”

Emma frowned. “Me too. The police have been looking for him, but he hasn’t been seen on campus, or anywhere else apparently.” Emma paused in thought. “Will says that Jason’s roommate hasn’t seen him since the day before the shooting, and he hasn’t attended any classes either.”

“Maybe we need to talk with
Zio
Frankie. I’ll bet he’ll have some ideas; besides, I want to ask him when he’s going to let us go home.”

“Sounds good,” Emma replied. She looked at the clock on the nightstand. “Come on, we better get moving, I don’t want to be late for dinner again. I’m tired of being on dish detail.”

Dani smirked. “Me too, but you have to admit, we’ve had a great reason the last three nights.”

Emma rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help returning the smirk as she slid off the bed and headed to the door.

* * *

Later that night after dinner, Emma and Dani were sitting on the comfortable couch in Frankie’s study, their faces a mask of their feelings. He was sitting across from them in his wingback chair with a look of apology on his.

“You can’t be serious,
Zio
Frankie; we have to go home.” Dani was the first to speak and as she did so, she stood and began to pace. “I can’t take this anymore. Maybe if the shooter has a target again, he’ll come back and the police will get him.”

Emma sat back and watched as Dani continued to walk the floor and mutter to herself. Turning her attention back to Frankie, she asked, “How much longer can you expect us to stay here, and what do you think of the fact Jason has disappeared?”

“I think we need to look into this Jason Parker,” Frankie replied, pausing in thought. “Maybe he got scared, ran back to family, but the fact that nobody can find him bothers me.”

“Me too, but seriously, how long are you going to keep us trapped here?” Dani demanded sharply.

Narrowing his eyes, Frankie looked at Dani. “Sit down, Danielle, and watch your tone.”

“I don’t want to sit down. I want to have my life back!”

“Danielle, sit down, please.” Emma voice was light, but the meaning clear.

Huffing, Dani sat down next to Emma and leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m listening.”

“I’d like you to stay for at least another week, so I can check out Jason. If you need to, you can go to your offices here in Chicago to do some work, and Emma, maybe we can set something up for the bookstore.”

“Thank you, but I talked to Stevie and Anna tonight. They’ve been working shorter shifts, as we are short-staffed, but I think it’ll be okay until we get back.”

“Danielle, what about you?” Frankie asked gently.

“Does it matter?” she huffed. “You’re not going to let us go until you check out Jason and there isn’t really anything I need to go to the office for. I’ve been working remotely for months.” She rolled her eyes. “I just don’t like being trapped here.”

Frankie scooted to the edge of his chair and leaned over, tapping Dani on the knee. “Alright, Danielle, I know you’re upset,” he said, looking her in the eye, “but I am not going to risk your life because you want to go for a jog. Do you understand me?”

Dani looked at her hands and nodded slowly. “I understand.”

Frankie then smiled and stood. Walking around the coffee table, he bent down and kissed both women on the temple. “Good, I’m glad we have that settled. Now, good night, ladies; I’ll see you tomorrow.”

* * *

“I can’t believe we have to stay another week,” Dani grumbled as Emma crawled into the bed next to her.

“I know, but we should know more by the end of the week and Frankie did say we could head into your office if you needed to.”

“Oh, great, we can be babysat in my office? What fun that will be,” Dani griped.

Rolling over, Emma propped herself up on her elbow. “Look, sweetie, I know you aren’t happy about this. Neither am I, but for right now, it’s what we have to do to stay safe.”

Rolling her eyes, Dani lay down and turned off the light. “Whatever,” she intoned, facing away from Emma.

Sighing, Emma reached over Dani and turned the light back on. “Okay, let’s talk.”

“I don’t want to talk,” Dani whined.

“Okay then, let’s have a chat instead.” She sat up and pulled herself against the headboard.

Dani rolled over and eyed her warily. “What do you mean, a chat?”

“I mean, how long has it been since I’ve spanked you?”

Dani’s eyes were suddenly wide open. “Why?”

“Answer the question, Danielle,” Emma responded evenly.

“Four days,” Dani cautiously replied.

“Well then, perhaps you are overdue.”

“But I didn’t do anything, Emma,” Dani protested.

“I don’t call that attitude, nothing.” Emma patted her lap for emphasis. ”Right now, Danielle.”

“I don’t think so, Emma.” Dani shook her head as she rolled back over.

Both of Emma’s eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”

“I’m tired,” Dani moaned. “Just leave me alone so I can go to sleep.”

“You want to be left alone? Fine.”

Dani tightened her jaw as she felt Emma slide out of bed. She then winced as she heard the bedroom door open and close with a little too much force. Now alone in the room, she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. This day had just gone from bad to miserable. She let out a loud sigh before willing herself to get up and follow Emma.

Finding Emma on the sofa downstairs, Dani frowned as she caught her wiping away a tear. Sitting next to her, Dani took Emma’s hand and gave it a gentle kiss. “I’m sorry, Emma. I didn’t mean it. You’re right, my attitude stinks.”

“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left you alone like that. We’re both stressed, and today didn’t make anything any easier. I was hoping to go home as much as you were,” Emma responded, lifting Dani’s hand to her cheek, caressing it softly.

Dani lowered her eyes. “If you still want to spank me, I won’t fight you.”

Emma gave Dani a half-smile and leaned over to kiss her forehead. “You have no idea how much that means to me, Dani, but maybe you’re not the one overdue for a spanking.”

Dani looked up, her brow wrinkling in confusion. “But…”

“It’s Wednesday,” Emma said softly.

Dani’s eyes suddenly went wide with understanding. “It’s the third Wednesday of the month. If we were home, you’d be sleeping on your tummy right now.”

Emma blushed. “That’s one way to put it. I guess it really didn’t hit me how much I was needing it, until I found out it wasn’t going to happen.”

“Is there something I can do, maybe I can…”

Emma shook her head. “No, you can’t, sweetheart. But I appreciate the offer.”

“Maybe Stevie could come up here, visit us?” Dani tried, but Emma shook her head again.

“I don’t want to put her and Anna in any more danger. Bringing them here would just bring attention to them.”

“Well what about
Zia
Toni or
Zio
Frankie? Bet Nick or Vinnie could even…” Dani stopped again, seeing that raised eyebrow from Emma.

“It doesn’t quite work that way. I’m beginning to truly care for your extended family, Dani, but I can’t say I trust them enough to ask something like that. Besides, it could backfire, and that’s a risk I’m not willing to take.”

“I seriously doubt anyone would really hurt you, Emma, beyond the obvious,” Dani smirked.

Emma shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. Not everyone accepts or understands our lifestyle. Some people think of it as abusive. I wouldn’t want your new family to take you away from me.”

“That’s absurd. I’m an adult; it’s not like they can sue for custody. Besides, Emma, if they asked me to choose, they’d lose.”

“That’s sweet,” Emma smiled. “But again, with Frankie’s connections, you might not be given a choice.” Dani looked down, digesting her words. Giving Dani a moment, Emma spoke again. “Dani, do you ever feel like I push you too far, or that I’m too hard on you, or hurt you… too much?”

Dani chewed her lip for a moment. “Honestly?”

“I always want you to be honest with me, Dani.”

“I don’t really like being spanked. It hurts, and it can be scary sometimes. But,” Dani continued, seeing Emma frown. “I like the way that it feels afterwards. I like being able to cry, and get all the fear and the frustration out. I like how you hold me and make me feel loved. And I think, most of all I know that no matter what, you always do what you say. I like being able to count on that. It’s something I’ve never really had before, and until I met you, I didn’t realize I was missing.” Dani then echoed Emma’s frown as she saw Emma’s eyes get watery, and then a tear run down her cheek. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, sweetheart, you didn’t say anything wrong.” Emma tucked a stray lock of hair behind Dani’s ear, and then offered her hand. “Let’s go back upstairs.”

Dani took the hand as they both stood. Getting to the foot of the stairs, Dani looked up at Emma, who was just in front of her. “Um, Emma, are you still gonna spank me tonight?”

“Oh, yes,” Emma’s eyes twinkled, “but I think it’s time to teach you that spanking can be so much more then punishment.”

“What?” Dani asked as she paused, halfway up the stairs.

Emma turned. Standing one step above her, they were now nose to nose. Smirking, she pressed Dani into the banister before finding her lips and taking her breath away with a kiss.

“Wow,” Dani mumbled, when they were forced to break for air.

Emma raised an eyebrow, snaking her hand around Dani’s waist and grabbing her backside. Giving it a firm squeeze, she bent her lips to Dani’s ear. “I want you upstairs, naked, and in the corner, now.”

“Naked?” Dani squeaked.

“Naked,” Emma repeated, tapping Dani’s backside gently.