Claimed By her Daddies by Laylah Roberts

2

“Pippa!”

She’d just sat down at her desk, sans panties, and with a burning ass when the yell came from down the hallway.

Fuck. That was Aric and he sounded pissed.

Seemed like now might be the time for a strategic exit. Maybe she’d take her lunch break. Sure, it was only ten a.m. and between Satan’s bride and Tavi she hadn’t gotten any work done, but that didn’t matter.

Not with her life on the line.

Jumping up, she grabbed her handbag from under her desk and high-tailed it to the side door. This door was exit-only and led straight outside.

She’d just opened it.

Only to freeze. Because Matek was standing on the other side.

Seriously. How did he do that?

“Pippa!”

She winced. Aric never roared like that. Not only because he was the most easy going out of the four of them, but princes weren’t actually supposed to make a spectacle.

At least she didn’t think they were. That was probably a rule, right?

“Matek, I need to leave.”

He just crossed his arms. Did he . . . did he just smirk? Wait, no. That couldn’t be right. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and looked back into his serious face.

“Now, I’m seeing things. I’m going mad. It’s all the sugar. Got to cut down on the sugar. Will you please let me past?”

He shook his head slowly.

“Why not,” she found herself whining. Part of her was horrified at the sound. She didn’t whine. Well, not in front of other people. Maybe in front of Vivi. But definitely not in front of a freaking prince.

What is wrong with you?

“He’s going to kill me,” she pleaded with Matek. “You have to let me past.”

Slowly, he shook his head.

“Fine! But if he murders me, I’m coming back to haunt you . . . you oversized meatball.” She stomped her foot. She’d never stomped her foot in her life . . . tantrums wouldn’t have been accepted in her house. Likely, her father would have just ignored her anyway.

And had she really called him an oversized meatball?

That’s it. She really needed to get used to wearing orange. She’d pranked one prince, let the other one spank and finger fuck her, and then she’d called this one an oversized meatball.

Her only saving grace was that Kassim knew none of this. And she prayed he never would. Otherwise she knew she could kiss this job goodbye.

“I’m going to look terrible in orange,” she complained, turning away just as Aric stepped into the room. Wow, he must have been yelling for her from halfway across the palace. She was vaguely aware of the door shutting behind her and the heat of Matek’s body. He felt so close, she wondered what it would be like to lean back into him.

No. Bad Pippa. Stop it.

Her mouth dropped open as she took in Aric. In all his green glory. His shaggy hair had a green tinge to it as did his face. Then he held up a hand, pointing a finger at her.

“Pippa Jones, get your butt over here right now.”

Her eyes widened. Nope. Not happening. How was this happening? He wasn’t supposed to act like this.

Also . . . damn, he looked funny.

If she wasn’t so worried about his reaction, then she knew she’d be laughing her ass over this.

“Get. Here. Now.”

She shook her head. Oh no, that wasn’t happening. Besides, what right did he have to be so mad? This is what they did, right? Pranked each other?

“Pippa, I am not playing around with you. Come. Here. Now.” He slapped the side of his thigh, making her jump.

Suddenly, she found herself staring at a wide back. Um, what just happened?

Was Matek . . . was he standing between her and Aric? Why? Did he think he had to protect Aric from her? She had a jar of preserves in her cupboard that was four months old because she couldn’t unscrew the top.

Did he really think she could do any damage to Aric? Besides, she wasn’t going anywhere near him.

Dude looked mad.

This was a bad idea, Pippa. There is having a bit of fun, and then there is turning a prince green.

“Matek, damn it, I’m not going to hurt her,” Aric complained. “You don’t need to protect her from me.”

Matek was protecting her? Aww. That was sweet. No, wait, it wasn’t. Because it was his fault that she hadn’t escaped before Aric arrived.

She poked at his back in frustration.

Turning, he frowned down at her.

All right then. Don’t poke the bear. That was noted. Good and clear.

“I was just going to spank her,” Aric complained.

She squeaked. Spank her? Um, no he wasn’t. What was this? Spank Pippa day?

“You are not going to spank me!” she managed to get out, trying to peek out from behind Matek’s shoulders. Damn man was built like a brick wall. How big was he? Six-six? He had to be at least a hundred and fifty kilos, right? Wait, what was that in pounds? Like close to three hundred?

Sheesh. Any woman who had sex with him would want to be on top, riding him.

“Like a cowgirl. Yee-haw.” She slammed her hand over her mouth. What was wrong with her? Seriously? Was someone drugging her? She was always careful with what she said.

Please, someone save her.

In times like this, she could only think of one thing.

What would Batman do?

Hmm. Likely knock everyone out and make a strategic exit.

Yeah, she was more likely to knock herself out.

Suddenly, she noticed everyone was quiet, and Matek had half-turned so that both men were gaping at her.

“Um, gotta go, bye!” She spun towards the door. Why hadn’t she thought to sneak out while Matek had his back to her?

Idiot.

She let out a squeal as a large arm wrapped around her waist. She kicked her feet back in panic, managing to hit his shins. Although the bastard didn’t even flinch. Was he even human?

“Let me go!”

“What is going on out here?” a deep voice demanded.

Oh shitballs. How had she forgotten about Kassim? She slumped against Matek. Kassim hadn’t raised his voice, but the command in it was clear. Nobody denied him. Nobody.

Let him have mercy on her.

“What is all this noise? What is going on?”

Matek turned to face Kassim. But the bastard didn’t set her down. So she was held against his body, her feet dangling off the ground.

Wow. This wasn’t embarrassing or anything.

She could feel her face blushing bright red. She felt like an unruly toddler whose parent had caught them trying to run in front of a car.

“Matek, put me down,” she commanded quietly.

He just tightened his hold on her. What was wrong with him? She’d never seen him touch another person. Or talk to anyone who wasn’t related to him.

“Well?” Kassim asked, staring at them all with his stern, gray eyes. “Someone best tell me what is going on. I’m trying to work.”

“Yes, and you all interrupted a very important meeting.” Satan’s bride pressed up against Kassim, making it clear what sort of meeting she was talking about.

Pippa growled. Yep, actually growled.

Matek jiggled her up and down. What the hell? Was he trying to make her throw up? What was that about?

“Of course, Aric and Matek, you are welcome to join us at any time.” She ate Matek up with her gaze, making Pippa growl again.

This time, Matek patted her head. What was going on with him?

Then Adele’s gaze moved to Aric and her eyes widened. “Aric? What happened? Did someone do this to you?”

She could feel Aric’s gaze burning into the side of her head.

Please don’t tell on me. Please don’t tell.

“Seems my shampoo was faulty. It dyed my hair and skin green,” Aric said through gritted teeth.

“A shampoo malfunction?” Kassim asked skeptically.

“Yep. Rather unfortunate when I am supposed to go out with Derik and Jonan tonight.”

Derik and Jonan were two of his cousins. Nice enough guys, but they were definitely players.

“Pippa, did you remember that I was supposed to be going out tonight?” Aric asked through a tight jaw.

“Me? Why would I remember that? I only keep track of Kassim’s diary, not yours.” She sent him a sickly-sweet smile, while he glared back at her. “Gosh, I hope you can get the green out in time. I’m not sure that’s a very good look for you.”

“Why you little . . .” He took a step towards her, murder in his gaze and she squeaked, trying to get away. Only problem was, Matek was still holding her with one arm.

Wasn’t he getting tired by now? She wasn’t exactly a lightweight.

“Aric,” Kassim said firmly, making his youngest brother pause. “Perhaps you should go and try to clean yourself up.”

“I’d be happy to help you, Aric,” Satan’s bride offered.

What the fuck was up with this bitch?

“Calm,” a deep voice muttered in her ear. She froze as she realized that voice was Matek’s. He’d just spoken to her. Wait. What? Were pig’s flying? Was it the apocalypse? Was she dying?

And why was he telling her to calm down? She wasn’t doing anything. Oh wait, were those her hands strangling the air, imagining that they were around that bitch’s neck?

Yep, that just might be the case. Whoops.

She dropped her arms and put a wide smile on her face as Kassim looked over at her. “Would you like coffee, sir? Maybe a cupcake?”

He blinked as he stared at her, no doubt wondering why the hell she was offering him coffee when she was dangling from his brother’s arm.

She was kind of wondering that herself.

“A cupcake?” Satan’s bride gasped.

Seriously. What was her beef with cupcakes? Had one hurt her in a former life?

“Kassim will not be putting that poison into his body,” Adele added.

Kassim turned to her, an eyebrow raised. “I don’t think that Pippa is trying to poison me.”

“And if I did, I wouldn’t use my cupcakes to do it, far too obvious. Nah, I’d probably slip something into his tea or maybe his dinner.”

Okay, now everyone was staring at her like she was crazy.

“What? Everyone is going to suspect the cupcakes.”

“Well, they will now.” Aric grinned.

She slumped. Oh thank goodness. She didn’t want him to be too mad at her. She knew he was just joking about the spanking stuff. Friends didn’t spank each other. That was for a far more intimate relationship.

Like you have with Tavi?

Except she had no idea what sort of relationship she had with Tavi. That stuff was confusing as fuck.

“Matek, is there a reason you’re holding my personal assistant like that?” Kassim asked.

Matek just made a grunting noise.

Kassim frowned, looking pained. “Please set her down.”

For a moment she thought he wasn’t going to do it. Then he set her on her feet. Her legs kind of wobbled and she leaned back against him before she realized what she was doing and then she forced herself to straighten. She tidied up her clothes with hands that trembled. Shit, thank goodness she wore a longer skirt. How embarrassing would it have been if her skirt had ridden up to display her panty-less ass?

“Right, does anyone have something they want to tell me?” Kassim asked.

They were all silent. Then Satan’s bride had to pipe up.

“Aric, are you sure this was an accident?” Adele asked. “If you think it was deliberate, you should report it to security. I’m sure there are cameras that could pinpoint the culprit.” She stared right at Pippa when she said that.

Pippa was practically vibrating with fury. How dare that bitch accuse her of doing that to Aric?

Of course, she had done it to him, but still, how dare she.

“Easy.” The deep voice came from behind her and a large hand rested on the small of her back.

What was going on? Was she still dreaming? Please, let this be a dream because if it was reality then she was so screwed. Aric was mad at her. Matek was touching and talking to her. And Kassim . . . was probably about to fire her ass.

“No, I don’t believe that anyone would be stupid or foolish enough to do this to me,” Aric replied.

Ooh, that bastard. She glared at him, her hands curling into fists. Matek sighed from behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder and squeezing.

Okay, she got it. Sheesh, the man didn’t have to say anything to get his point across, did he?

She was calming the fuck down. Maybe.

“Let’s just get this sorted. Aric, why don’t you call someone and see if they can help you get rid of the green. And if you could please refrain from screaming for Pippa from halfway across the palace next time?”

“Why were you yelling for her?” Satan’s bride asked in a falsely sweet voice. “It’s not like she could help. She’s a secretary.”

“Adele,” Kassim said in a warning voice.

“Yes?” She stared up into his face then swallowed heavily, obviously seeing that she’d overstepped.

How do you like them lemons, bitch?

Okay, maybe she needed to calm it on the swearing, even if it was just in her head.

“Watch the way you speak to Pippa.”

Her heart soared at those words.

“All I meant is that she has other tasks which don’t involve helping Aric get cleaned up. But I would be happy to help you, Aric.”

“Think I’ve got it, thanks,” Aric replied dryly. “Could I borrow Pippa for a while, Kassim?”

She sucked in a breath. Shoot. Nope. Her ass couldn’t take another spanking today. This wasn’t fair. He’d put flour in her shoes, after all.

“Actually, I need Pippa right now. We have some work to discuss. Matek, could you please escort Adele out.”

“What? But we’re not finished Kassim,” Satan’s bride whined. She wrapped her arm around his and sent him such a falsely sweet look that she almost threw up. Actually, she kind of did a little in her mouth.

“Are you well, Pippa,” Kassim asked with concern.

She looked round and noticed everyone staring at her. Even Satan’s bride, although she was staring at her in disgust.

“Ah, yeah.” Crap, had she made a noise? Or pulled a face? “Bad taste in my mouth.”

“Probably reflux from eating all that sugar,” Adele suggested. “I’m sure you’d feel much better if you cut out all carbs and sugar. And just between us girls, it does wonders for the figure.”

“It’s not just between us when everyone can hear you,” Pippa told her.

Adele gasped, her eyes going wide.

Oh, whoops. Did she say that out loud? Kassim sent her a sharp look. “Pippa, my office. Adele, I shall see you soon. Aric, go remove the green from your hair and skin.”

Kassim turned away while Matek moved towards Satan’s bride. She gave the big giant a nervous look but moved out of the office after sending Pippa a scathing look behind Matek’s back.

“Well, I don’t think we’re going to be best buds,” she muttered. She tried to step quickly towards Kassim’s office, but Aric snapped out a hand, wrapping it around her wrist.

“Not so fast, brat.”

“Aric, I don’t have time for this. Kassim wants me in his office. He could come out here at any minute.”

Please come out here at any minute.

“Green dye in my shampoo? Really?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied primly.

“I’m talking about you sneaking into my bedroom and putting green dye in my shampoo bottle,” he replied.

“What makes you think it was me?”

“Because only you would be so brazen, brat. You’re going to have to pay for this.”

“I will not!”

“Oh yeah. I hope you’re not fond of sitting comfortably, because you’re going over my knee.”

“You put flour in my shoes!” she snapped back. “Do you know how many pairs of shoes I had to throw out! Do you know how long it takes to get flour out of your shoes? You owe me three pairs of shoes.”

“And you owe me a new head of hair.”

“I don’t know. You kind of look like a giant spearmint leaf. It’s cute.”

“Miss Jones!” Kassim called out from the office.

“Gotta go, nice chat, see you later.” She slipped her wrist from his hold. Whew. Thank goodness for Kassim.

“Oh, you will,” he said ominously, landing a large slap on her ass.

She turned to glare at him. “You know that’s considered sexual harassment.”

“I’m sure any jury would be on my side. Just look at my hair.” He glowered at her once more before leaving.

Okay, maybe the green dye had been a bit much. And perhaps, she hadn’t liked the idea of him going out with his cousins, who were known to sleep around. That was selfish of her though. He wasn’t hers. They were just friends. He could sleep with who he liked. And he was very fond of his hair.

But her shoes! Maybe she wasn’t the most girly girl. Growing up with just her father had meant she was a bit of a tomboy.

However, she did have a thing for shoes.

And he’d ruined three pairs.

So yeah, she wasn’t going to feel guilty.

Quickly, she made her way into Kassim’s office after remembering to grab a pen and paper. Kassim was old-fashioned about most things. He only used technology when it was absolutely necessary. His manners and expectations had taken a bit of getting used to. But she kind of liked the way he was. He always opened doors for her or pulled out chairs. He expected a high standard of professionalism and that’s always what she tried to deliver.

Somehow, she’d failed today. But she’d try to get things back on track.

Kassim gestured to a chair across the desk from him. She sat demurely, keeping her posture straight. There was something about him that just made her want to be better, to do better. He was always so in control. And while she pretended that she was cool, calm, and collected, she really wasn’t. She was a total mess.

She didn’t even have any panties on!

“I’m sorry about what just happened, sir.” He’d told her to call him Kassim, but it didn’t seem right to call him Kassim. So she’d settled on sir.

Which felt far too right.

“Is there anything you want to tell me?” he asked her, lacing his fingers together on top of his desk. As always, Kassim was very put together. He wore a suit that fit him like a dream. His hair was neat. There was no five o’clock shadow for the oldest Prince of Escana.

She stiffened. “Um, like what?”

“Are you all right, Miss Jones?”

What? Where was this coming from? He didn’t ask her personal questions, right? They were strictly boss and employee.

“I’m fine. Is there something wrong with the work I’ve been doing? I haven’t gotten as much done this morning, but I’ll stay later if necessary to get it done.”

He waved that away. “That’s not it. You always do exceptional work. I know you often work past the time when you are meant to go home. Which I’d rather you didn’t do. You need to get your rest.”

She did? Why? Did she look like crap? Oh hell. Maybe Adele was on to something. Perhaps she should lay off the cupcakes. And the tubes of icing. And the pineapple lumps.

She only had pineapple lumps and vegemite because Aleki had his cousins send that stuff over for her from New Zealand. And in return, she made him pavlova several times a year. Nobody else seemed to get the appeal of egg whites and sugar, fluffed up and cooked then coated in whipped cream.

“Pippa? Have I lost you?”

What? Oh shit. Kassim was talking while she was daydreaming about pavlovas and pineapple lumps.

“Sorry, your Majesty, I mean, sir, I, um . . .” Shit. She hadn’t stumbled over her words this much since she’d first come to work for him. This was embarrassing.

“You’re nervous about something.”

Yep, her nerves were pretty much shattered.

“I’m sorry. I’m a bit out of sorts today.”

“You’re not coming down with what Vivi has, are you? Wolfe has been most concerned about her. We were close to flying in specialists.”

Wolfe would want a specialist flown in if Vivi stubbed her toe. But she refrained from pointing out how crazy Wolfe was.

“No, I’m fine. You told me not to try and visit her again and I haven’t.”

He studied her and she resisted the urge to shuffle around on her seat. What was going on? These past couple of months, she felt like he’d been watching her more. But she wasn’t sure why and he’d never said anything.

“Very well. I need you to make travel arrangements. I have a meeting in London. We’ll be flying out next Wednesday. The meeting is set for Thursday. We’ll travel back Sunday night.”

“We?” He didn’t mean her, right?

“Yes, I want you to come with me. My brothers will fly over on Friday evening.”

Um, what?

“I need to come?”

He gave her another of those calm looks. Did anything ever rattle him?

“Yes, you will be traveling with me.”

“But I never travel with you.”

“This time you will be. Is that a problem?”

“No, of course not.” Other than the fact that she was terrified of flying.

Don’t be silly, Pippa. It’s one small plane ride. What can happen?

Crash. Flames. Death.

“We’ll take the jet, then it will come back for my brothers. We’ll all return together.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And book a suite for us. I want us all together.”

“Including me?”

“Yes, Miss Jones. Including you.”

“But I’ll be fine in my own room. A cheaper one. I don’t need to be in a suite with you all. Besides, I don’t know if you can get a suite with five bedrooms.” Well, maybe you could, what did she know?

“You won’t be in a different room on a different floor. You’re staying in the suite with us. We’re in a strange city and it will make it easier for the security team to look after us.”

Oh right. That made sense.

“Do I need to book them a suite too?”

“I think they’ll just need two rooms as they’ll work on shifts. But liaise with Judd as it’s team two coming with us.”

Great. Her favorite thing. Talking to Judd. The man was such a grouch. She swore he needed something to loosen him up.

“Like sex,” she muttered.

“Excuse me?”

Nope. That didn’t happen.

“Right, I’ll get straight on that.” She jumped to her feet and started towards the door. Yep, she was being rude. And acting crazy. But she’d just said the s-word in front of her boss.

“Miss Jones,” he called out as she put her hand on the doorknob. Shoot. She was so close.

“Yes, sir?”

“Please refrain from putting any more dye in any of my brothers stuff, okay?”

Shoot. Shit. She didn’t say anything, just slipped out the door.

And if there was a bark of laughter from his office, well, she knew that she totally imagined that because he never laughed. And he wouldn’t over Aric being turned green.

Really. What was she thinking?

* * *

By the timeshe got to her cottage later on that evening, she was exhausted. This day felt like it had gone on forever. Of course, that could be because she’d spent the day on tenterhooks, waiting for Aric to appear and attempt to get revenge on her. Or for Malik to pop up and say something else. Or Kassim to fire her. Or Tavi to cage her against the wall and spank her for some reason.

“I need to get over this,” she told herself as she reached her door. “It’s insane. I can’t want them.”

What she needed to do was take a bath, get in her onesie and spend some time in her playroom.

She was so busy thinking about ways to make herself feel better that she nearly tripped up over the boxes stacked on her porch.

But what the fuck?

She stared at the boxes in confusion. What was going on? Why would someone stack up shoe boxes in front of her door? Had they been delivered to the wrong place? What was in them?

She reached up to open one then suddenly thought better of it. What if this was one of Aric’s pranks? What if it was rigged to explode? It could be filled with some sort of goo or dye or something.

Did he think she was born yesterday? Stepping away, she stared at the boxes for a while, trying to see if there was any way she could tell what was in them?

Hmm. What to do?

Finally, she decided to call Vivi.

“Girl, I am sooo bored,” Vivi greeted her. “Come visit me.”

“Last time I tried to visit you, I ended up getting a half hour lecture from Wolfe on the way that germs are spread,” she said dryly.

“So sneak in my bedroom window.”

“I am not sneaking in your bedroom window.” She hadn’t been sure about Vivi when she’d first arrived. Pippa found it hard to relate to other women. But Vivi was a sweetheart with a strong core. She had to be in order to deal with Wolfe on a daily basis.

“If you were a real friend, you’d sneak into my bedroom window with a supply of cupcakes. Wolfe won’t let me eat anything but healthy stuff. Honest to God, he tried to make me eat liver last night because he claims it will help build up my immune system.”

“Eww, that’s disgusting.”

“I know, thankfully Aleki and Caleb intervened. But I’m going insane over here.”

“Look, can we talk about me for a minute.”

“Why? What’s going on? Have one of those idiots finally made a move on you?”

“You can’t call them idiots, Vivi! That sort of stuff will get you arrested.”

“Like my guys would let that happen.”

Well, that was true. Her men would never allow anything to happen to Vivi. They adored her.

“Yes, but still. They’re princes. You can’t call them idiots.”

“Uh-huh, you know your scolding might hold more weight if it wasn’t for the fact that I heard a certain idiot had his shampoo tampered with and now resembles a giant spearmint leaf.”

“How do you know that was me?”

“Shoe incident ring any bells? I know it was you. Thankfully, for you, not many people know about your prank war. Because orange does not look good on you, my friend.”

“I know,” she groaned. “He was really mad too. I thought he was going to tell Kassim on me. Look, that’s partially why I’m calling. I have a problem.”

“What sort of problem?” Vivi asked.

“I think Aric is trying to prank me back.”

“So soon?” Vivi groaned. “You two are insane.”

“He must have already had this one in the pipeline,” she muttered to herself. “Thing is, I can’t work out what is going on.”

“All right, what’s happening?”

“I just got home and there’s like ten shoe boxes piled up in front of my door.”

“Shoe boxes?”

“Yep.”

“Put me on camera and let me see.”

She fiddled with her phone then let Vivi see all the boxes piled up.

“Well, hell. What do you suppose are in them?”

“I don’t know. I was thinking maybe I’d like get a big stick and try to open one then jump back in case it’s filled with fake rattle snakes or paint or something.”

“Do you think it’s safe? What if it’s dangerous?”

“It can’t be dangerous. Aric wouldn’t do that.”

“And if they’re not from him?”

She thought about that for a moment. “Security would have checked them. I’m gonna do it. I just need a stick.”

Why was there never a stick when you needed one? She swore whenever she was trying to walk somewhere, one of those buggers jumped out to trip her up. Or they’d give her a heart attack, thinking it was a snake.

Some sticks looked very snake-like.

Yes, she knew how ridiculous that sounded. She was scared of stick snakes.

“Okay, got one. You ready?”

“Yep. Be careful.”

She used the stick to knock off the top box then she jumped back and raised her hands over her face, her heart racing.

“What is it? What happened?” Vivi demanded.

Lowering her arms, she stared down at the items on the porch in shock.

“They’re shoes.”

“What?”

“They’re shoes,” she explained. Then she moved closer and picked one up. “Oh, holy shit. They’re not just shoes, these are Manolo Blahniks.”

“You’re fucking with me.”

“I’m not. Oh God, what if I scratched them?” She rubbed the gorgeous pair of bright blue high heels. Crap, how much were these worth? Likely more than she made in a month.

“Someone must have put them in the wrong place.” She reached for another pair, groaning in delight as she drew out more heels, these ones with a distinctive red sole.

“Pippa? Pippa, are you still there.”

“I feel faint,” she whispered.

“Sit down,” Vivi barked at her.

She sat where she stood, wincing as her already sore ass connected with the ground. Ouch.

“Put your head between your legs and breathe, woman. Shit, should I come over there?”

“No, I just need to find out who owns these.” Maybe. Eventually. Would it matter if she just tried one or two on? “Do you think their new owner would notice if I tried on some?”

“Are they your size?”

“Yep. All of them. Someone went on a spending spree. Oh bugger, what if they’re for Satan’s bride? She doesn’t deserve beautiful shoes.”

“But she doesn’t live at the palace.”

“No, but she could have had them sent here as an excuse to come back to the palace to collect them.”

“Wouldn’t put it past her. It’s a wonder she hasn’t accidentally fallen on Kassim’s dick yet.”

“Vivi!” she protested.

“What? I wouldn’t put it past her. I doubt these are hers, though. She’s got enormous feet. You’ve never looked at them?”

“I try not to look at evil too long. I don’t want to harm my eyes.”

“Fair call,” Vivi told her. “Thing is, her feet are much bigger than yours. Um, Pip-pip?”

God, that nickname sucked. “Yep?”

“Any chance they’re for you?”

“Yeah, right, who’d send me over ten thousand dollars’ worth of shoes?” she scoffed.

Then something came to her. “Uh-oh.”

“Wondered how long it would take to occur to you,” Vivi replied dryly.

“He wouldn’t!”

“Did you tell him about your shoes?”

“Well, yes, but he wouldn’t do this.” She groaned. “He totally would, wouldn’t he?”

“Think so,” Vivi said cheerfully.

“What am I going to do?”

“Be thankful it’s not a prank and wear the fuck out of those gorgeous shoes. Do you think any of them would fit me? I wonder if I put some dye in Aric’s shampoo if he’ll buy me some new handbags?”

Good Lord.

Two hours later, she sat on her fluffy beanbag in her playroom, surrounded by shoe boxes. She had her phone in her lap. She was gearing herself up for this call and she had all her armor on to help support her. Cranky was sitting on one side of her. She was wearing her Batman onesie and her crocodile slippers. When she walked, the crocodile jaws would open and close. They were seriously cute. She had a thing for crocodiles after visiting a zoo with her Dad when they were in Australia. And Batman had been their favorite cartoon to watch together.

Her hair was up in two pigtails which she’d braided.

She also had a tube of pink icing ready in case she needed some false courage. Yes, she knew how bad it was to eat straight icing, but she intended to have a banana afterward for dinner, so it would cancel itself out.

She drew her pacifier from her mouth. Her pacifier helped her when she was feeling anxious or lonely. Some weekends, she spent all her time in her playroom. She even had a small fridge in here and the bathroom was a Jack-and-Jill between the two bedrooms. She watched cartoons, played with her cars or performed surgery on her toys after Cranky tried to munch them. He was a grouchy crocodile.

Blowing out a breath, she brought up his contact.

He answered after three rings. “I still have green hair.”

“Um, well, I don’t know how to help with that.”

“And the palms of my hands are green. I can’t go out like this.”

Good.

“You’re in so much trouble over this, brat.”

“Hey, that’s not fair! You put flour in my shoes.”

“And you think things are even?” he asked in a dark voice.

Okay, that sent a shiver running through her. She wasn’t used to Aric sounding like that. So forceful.

That shit was sexy.

She pressed her legs together. She needed Mr. Buzzy after this.

“Yes, I do.”

“I bought you new shoes. You can’t buy me new hair.”

“About the shoes. I can’t accept them.”

“Why not?” he asked.

“Aric! I threw out three pairs of cheap shoes. They probably didn’t even cost a hundred dollars for the three of them combined. You just bought me ten thousand dollars of shoes. That does not make us even.”

“You can get shoes for less than a hundred dollars?”

“Aric!”

She knew he was playing with her.

“And it was more like fourteen thousand, some of those shoes are limited edition.”

“Aric, that’s a terrible waste of money.” She could only imagine what someone could do with that much money.

There was silence on the other end and her stomach dropped. Shit. She’d said the wrong thing.

“You don’t like them?” he asked coolly.

What was wrong with him? He’d never acted like this around her. There had to be something in that green hair dye. But then why were Matek and Kassim acting odd as well?

The only one acting himself was Tavi. Although, when she thought about it, he’d actually been acting odd for the last three months.

“Aric, I love them. They’re the most beautiful shoes I’ve seen in my life.”

“Good. I know you like pretty shoes and I felt bad after you said you had to throw some of yours out because of me.”

Well, now she felt terrible.

“I shouldn’t have told you that. I mean, they were old with holes in them or the sole was coming away. I should have thrown them out ages ago.”

“Why are you wearing shoes with holes in them?” he asked.

“Um, because I have a hard time throwing out old shoes?”

“I don’t want you wearing shoes with holes them.”

She looked down at her phone to make sure she was talking to the right person. What did it matter to him what sort of shoes she wore?

“Pippa?” he asked.

“What?” Oh shit. What had she missed him saying?

Get on top of your shit, Pippa!

“Do you have any other shoes that have holes in them? How did I not notice the state of your shoes when I was pouring flour into them?”

“I’m sure I don’t know,” she said dryly. “By the way, how did you get into my cottage?” Thank goodness she locked everything away in her playroom, except Cranky.

“How did you get into my room?” he countered.

“Hmm, touché. So about these shoes you bought me . . .”

“Yes,” he said in a warning voice.

“Well, I don’t feel like I deserve them, they were a lot of money and I—”

“Pippa,” he said in a low, growly voice.

Seriously. Was it a full moon out or something? What was going on?

“Yes?”

“You’re keeping the shoes.”

“But—”

“They’re non-refundable. And I chose every pair with you in mind. A lot of thought went into those shoes.”

She sighed. Well, he had her, didn’t he? And the thought of him choosing every pair of shoes did kind of make them special.

Damn, you’re a sucker.

“But if it makes you feel better about accepting them, I’ll donate an equal amount of money to a charity of your choice.”

She sat up straight. “Really?”

They had their own charity organization that Satan’s bride ran for them. Pippa was pretty certain she just did it so that she could get her claws into Kassim.

“Yes. Really.”

“I couldn’t ask you—”

“Pippa,” he growled. “Do I need to come over there and have a chat with you, in person?”

She let out a squeaking noise as she glanced down at herself. Shoot, when did she spill icing on herself? Damn it, was it ever possible for her to eat without spilling something down herself?

“No!”

“You sure? Because I do owe you a spanking,” he told her in a silky-smooth voice.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

She needed to get off her phone and grab Mr. Buzzy. What was up with these guys today?

“That is not happening.”

“Let me know which charity you want to choose.” He ended the call, leaving her sitting there with wet panties and feeling like she’d totally been played.

Shit!