Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 9
The cast and crew looked shocked. Kole scanned the crowd and tried to note any expression that looked different. That could be the person targeting Gabby. Now with the director talking, the range of emotion on their faces varied from relieved to anxious and even angry. A few looked decidedly green.
“I can’t believe they’re closing down production for two weeks and sending everyone away,” Gabby whispered into his ear. “There are a lot of people not here.”
“They’re smart if it’s as rampant as it appears,” Kole mentioned and nodded to a man who looked pale as he stood on the edge of the crowd, slightly apart from the others. Almost on cue, the man turned and stumbled away from the group.
“Oh, no!”
Kole contained his smile at her heartfelt sympathy toward a man she probably didn’t know. He turned his attention to the final instructions from the director. An idea popped into his head and he pulled out his phone to check directions and distance. That would work.
As he guided Gabby away, the crowd dispersed to gather their belongings. He helped her into the trailer before saying, “I have an alternative for us. Would you like to see my home? It’s about eight hours from here by car. We’ll be more comfortable there than in the hotels they planned to scatter everyone else across.”
“Safer, too,” Gabby answered. “You live close to here?”
“I have a home in a community—SANCTUM. Friends of mine established it and have settled there. The last nails went into my room a few months ago.”
“Are you going to live there permanently?” she asked, leaning against the wall.
“Eventually. I should warn you, it’s an age play community. All the founders are Daddies who wanted to create a secure place where their Littles could be safe to live as they wished.”
“You have a Little?”
He looked at the tears that had gathered instantly in her eyes and kicked himself. Stepping close, he shook his head as he brushed her hair back from her face. “I have a Little now. No others.”
“But have you had a Little before?” she pushed. “Is that why you built your house there?”
“I built my house there because that’s my dream. To have a Little girl who can enjoy the safety and security of being at SANCTUM. I wouldn’t take just anyone there. Protecting the other Littles is very important. I want to take you there.”
“Really? You think I’m the one you want to have with you there?”
“Yes.”
He could tell his simple answer made more of an impact on her than any elaborate explanation. She was his. Kole stepped forward to wrap his arms around her and pull her close. When she rested her head on his shoulder and snuggled close, he closed his eyes to treasure the intimacy that grew between them.
“Isaac could never be a Daddy, even with coaching. Most of the audience watching won’t recognize the difference, but I can. It’s hot, but it’s not this,” she whispered.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg, Little girl.”
He squeezed her a bit closer and dropped a kiss on her hair. “Shall we gather our things and head home?”
Gabby lifted her head and nodded. “That sounds wonderful. I’m having trouble thinking of my house as home after the invasion.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. SANCTUM is safe.”
“Anywhere with you feels protected.”
“I’m glad. Come on. Let’s grab our stuff.”
“Did you ever unpack?” she teased, looking around to spot his duffle sitting zipped and ready to go.
“Nope.” Kole kissed her laughter away before shooing her into the bedroom.
He lifted the suitcases onto the mattress for her to fill before gathering the rest of the tacos and other perishables from the fridge. Kole alerted Gabby he was leaving before carefully locking the door behind him. As he walked to the dumpster near the catering area, he listened to the conversations that swirled around.
People were mingling around the common areas. Most stood a precautionary distance apart, but some huddled to whisper confidentially. The biggest subject was who was sick and what were the symptoms. The bug seemed to cause extensive stomach problems that had even resulted in a camera man being admitted to the hospital. Eventually, all the camera operators had caught the illness.
Hard to film without a crew.
Keeping his distance, Kole used the hand sanitizer now scattered everywhere before returning to the trailer. “Just me, Gabby,” he called through the door before opening it.
She met him at the door. “I’m almost finished packing.”
Pausing, she turned to face him with KittyCat cuddled against her body. “I don’t want to abandon PupPup here. I think he made it to the set. He’ll think I don’t love him anymore.”
Kole walked forward and wrapped his arms around her. Using any spare time he had, he’d looked everywhere for the stuffie. The culprit who’d taken him had the pup hidden in his personal effects. Gabby had been brave without her cherished toy, but leaving with him unaccounted for would be the biggest challenge.