Family: Out of Business

Promised

EJ's pov

"Where the Hell have you been, piccola ragazza (little girl)?" I questioned angrily, grabbing her roughly by the arm.

"I_I w_was with Au_Aunt Lexie," she sputtered out, clearly startled upon hearing me as soon as she walked through the front door.

"I know whom you were with, Einstein," I said, smacking her on the ass. "I asked where you've been, piccola ragazza (little girl). You need to start listening." I spanked her bottom again. Honestly, you'd think she'd have learned this by now.

Covering her behind with her free hand, she avoided looking at me as she quietly stammered her reply, "I _I ca_can't t_tell you. I pr_promised I wouldn't."

"You really think you're in a position to deny me, Francesca?" I slapped her thigh since her hand was doing a good job covering her butt. I couldn't suppress the grin on my face upon seeing her shocked little look as she hopped up and down. I know that had to sting as my palm was still tingling. If it wasn't so dark in here, I'd no doubt be able to see the bright red handprint left behind as evidence, beneath the hem of her nightgown.

"Please, Uncle EJ," she whined. "I promised Aunt Lexie I wouldn't tell."

"It was wrong of her to ask you to do that and your father and I will be addressing that with her later." I kept hold of Claire's arm so she couldn't take off on me. She looks appropriately uncomfortable right now, which is good.

"Please don't be mad at her, Uncle EJ, this was a special day for her. Oops!" Realizing what she said, my loose lipped niece quickly covered her mouth, freeing up her backside for my corrective discipline, which I swiftly took advantage of by swatting her firmly.

"Do not tell me how to feel, little one, and do not try to defend your aunt. She's in enough trouble of her own accord." I spanked her bum again before she could reposition her hand to provide cover. "And so are you, ragazzina (little girl)."

"OW!" she yelped, trying to pull away from me.

"Shhh! Keep your voice down. If you wake your father, you're really going to get it," I cautioned the twit.

"Then knock it off," she sassed, trying unsuccessfully to get me to loosen my grip. "Why do you keep spanking me, anyway? That's not fair. I didn't do anything wrong," the brat whined pathetically, before yawning.

I know she's got to be exhausted but I'm still furious with her and my stupid-ass half-sister.

"You did nothing wrong?" I questioned, mimicking her obnoxious squealy tone. I spanked her again but not as hard this time. I'm being empathetic like Dr. Gabriella Biasi taught me in therapy. I'm such a good guy. This family is lucky to have me. I wonder why it's taking them all so long to figure that out and come to the same conclusion.

"Yeah!" she stated emphatically, stomping her little feet and breaking me out of my self-reflection.

Oh yeah, back to imparting my wisdom on future Dimerra generations. I swear my work is never done. Shaking my head, I took a deep breath before addressing my latest work in progress.

"You snuck out of the house in the middle of the night. Are you ever supposed to leave the house without your father's or my permission, or without our knowledge of your destination, signorina (young lady)?" I waited somewhat impatiently for her to answer, and God help her if she doesn't answer me correctly. I don't care how late it is. I will gladly sacrifice another five minutes of slumber to pull her over my lap and spank some sense and respect into her.

"No sir, but..."

"Ah ah ah," I interrupted the snot, wagging my finger in her face. "No buts. You broke a very important rule your father and I set in place for you. Didn't you?"