Bringing Home Danny Read Online Free Page B

showed his irritation with an exaggerated sigh and a roll of his eyes.
    “ Go clean up your mess,” Mitch said through gritted teeth, trying to contain his own temper.  
    Danny took a small step away and shrugged. Not happy with his response, Mitch sent him propelling forward towards the aftermath of his culinary missile with an encouragingly harsh swat. He then stood with his arms crossed while his youngest partner clumsily tackled his task.  He had a hard time figuring this one out. How could someone appear so sweetly vulnerable one minute and defiantly stubborn the next? He was never quite sure if the boy needed a hug or a smack. It was unsettling; he didn't like second-guessing himself. It also didn't help that Antonio, the soft touch, was pleading his case. "Yes, he had come close to hurting TJ. Remember, he was already punished for that misdeed and served his time."
    Served his time? Maybe. Learned his lesson? Mitch was not convinced. “That may be,” he said out loud, “but he and I have unfinished business.”
    Listening to Mitch and Antonio talk about him as if he wasn't there wasn't helping Danny to contain his ire. He reminded himself how miserable he was in the corner, and how he wished he could undo the events that led him there.
    “ Fuck!” The expletive escaped Danny's lips as he struggled to scrape dry oatmeal acting like glue from the wall.  
    “ Watch your mouth, Danny, unless you want it washed out with soap before the morning is over.”  
    Danny grumbled something unintelligible at Mitch's threat.
    “ I suggest you get your temper under control and your tongue in check, or this will turn out to be a very long and painful day for you.”  
    Danny knew he was expected to answer with a 'yes, sir,' but the words refused to drop from his lips as he attempted to extract them from his mouth. Mitch could see the anger flare from his eyes and decided to move the proceedings along. He pulled Danny away from his scrubbing, picked him up under his arms and plopped him on the granite counter top. Drawing a painful hiss from Danny, Mitch leaned over so they could be eye to eye. He placed each hand firmly against the counter effectively trapping Danny between them. If Danny could have swallowed, this would have been an appropriate time to gulp.
    “ Now that I have your full attention, little boy, tell me what was the last request I made of you before I left the kitchen?”  
    Danny could feel his heart beating faster, and a large lump wedged itself in his throat. Mitch watched Danny's eyes grow wider as he leaned in closer so that their noses were almost touching. He prodded along a response with an, “I'm waiting.”
    Danny licked his lips before answering, “To empty my bowl.”
    “ And, did you think that by hurling it at TJ you were fulfilling those expectations?”  
    “ No, sir.”  
    “ Oh good, so we are in agreement. Now, what did I say would happen if those expectations were not met?”  
    Danny took a moment to think. “You really didn't say.”
    “ No? Well, you're a smart boy. What did you think would happen?”  
    “ You'd be mad and I'd get punished,” Danny said, with an unintentional whine.  
    Not willing to let Danny off that easily, Mitch leaned in close again and asked, “Punished how?”
    Although he had plenty of experience with it on the receiving end, it was still hard to say. It was such a babyish word. However, Mitch's stern and unwavering glare spurred Danny to respond.
    “ A spanking?” he questioned in a small voice, losing his resolve to push any further.  
    Mitch smiled with triumph and stood straight to give Danny space. “I'm glad we are both finally understanding each other.”
    He lifted Danny off the counter. Steering him by the arm to the kitchen table, he told him that he intended to keep his promises, stated or implied. Fear ripped through Danny's nerve endings, turning his blood cold. He watched with trepidation as Mitch unfastened his belt buckle