Shit. He wanted to discuss that now? After the mind-blowing exchange we just had? Why did he want to rehash my ugly behavior now? Couldn’t he wait and make me grovel in the morning?
Joshua chuckled. “You’re as easy to read as a novel, sweet girl. Yes. We’re going to discuss this now… then you can sleep.”
I squared my shoulders and nodded. “I meant it when I told you before that I was sorry for being so rude and hanging up on you. I don’t know what more I can say other than I’ll never do it again.”
“No, you won’t, because I won’t tolerate it.” His even tone didn’t hold a drop of anger or disappointment. “I denied your orgasm for a reason, but you chose not to accept it. Instead, you slammed up your walls and pushed me away, refusing to accept my Dominance.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Sir.”
“You now owe me two punishments, little one.”
“Two?” I blinked. “So you’re not going to accept my apology?”
“Oh no, I accept your apology wholeheartedly. The problem I have is that you didn’t communicate with me—well, that and calling me a son of a bitch and hanging up on me. I didn’t like that very much, either.”
“I supposed asking for a postponement of my sentence to get some sleep is out of the question?”
“Absolutely.” He smirked then patted his lap. “Climb up here and lay across my lap. Let’s get this over with, so we can both put this behind us and get some sleep.”
Joshua’s lackadaisical tone confused me. It lacked a level of disappointment, and felt passive in a weird way. Where was the anger… the censure? Punishment was supposed to come with a heavy dose of guilt, a need to make amends for displeasing the Dom. The way Joshua presented it felt almost as undeserving as the spankings I took at Genesis.
When I didn’t move, Joshua silently shifted on the bed, watching me closely.
“Do you need to hear that I’m not pleased with you? That I’m annoyed by your lack of respect and that I am disappointed in you?” Using that damn potent Dom voice, dripping with scorn, he narrowed his eyes.
Bingo. Yes, it was exactly what I needed, because almost instantly a black oily sludge raced through my veins. Contrite and suffused in rejection, I rose from the floor, and positioned myself over his knees.
“I’m sorry, Master,” I whispered heartily as I glanced at him over my shoulder.
Joshua leaned over and kissed my cheek. “I know you are, because you’re willing to prove it to me, little one.”
Straightening, he drew his hand into the air. I dropped my head. Clenching my eyes and squeezing my butt cheeks together, I waited for the pain.
He landed his hand with a stinging slap.
“Ouch,” I groused. “That hurts.”
Joshua chuckled. “Yes, it’s supposed to. That’s why it’s called punishment.”
“How many of these do I have to take?” I hissed.
“As many as I think you need. Stop complaining and count for me, girl.”
Turning up the volume on his Dominant edict, a shiver rippled through me as he slapped my ass again, harder.
“Two,” I yelped.
“No, that’s one, sweetheart.”
“But you already—”
“I can start from the beginning again if that’s what you’d like?”
“One,” I shouted.
Somewhere between swat fourteen or fifteen I’d sailed away. The whispers passing over my lips ceased to be numbers; instead they’d faded into moans and whimpers. With Joshua’s strong arm banded around my waist and a decadent fire melting through my tissue, I lost myself in a buoyant void of peace.
I realized the spankings had stopped, replaced by the gentle caress of his hand over my blazing backside. I didn’t know how long he’d held me before moving me onto the mattress; time had lost all meaning. Cold sheets fluttered over my skin, followed by his long, lean body pressed against my chest. I could feel the reverberation of his voice, as he threaded his fingers through my hair, but couldn’t link meaning to his words; the synapses in my brain were fried. But I felt the approval in his tone, and that filled my heart with joy as the darkness carried me away.
The feel of waking in his arms was perfection, and a soft smile curled my lips as I snuggled closer. With my ear pressed to his chest I listened to the strong, steady rhythm of his heartbeat and for a few blissful minutes, forgot all about Davis, his threats, and our friends waiting at the cabin.
The sound of Joshua’s cell phone ringing from far away in the suite broke my bliss. Remembering we’d abandoned our clothes in the bathroom the night before, I shifted to go get it, but Joshua cinched me tighter, refusing to let me move.
“Let it go. If it’s important they’ll call back,” he murmured. His eyes stayed closed and his face lax, as it had been in sleep.
“Mmm,” I purred. “Marvelous idea.”
Peeking up at him, he opened one eye and smiled. “I could get used to this.”
“So could I.”
“Oh really?” He asked, as both eyes popped open in surprise. “What happened to the monoga-phobic woman I knew a few short weeks ago?”
“You happened to her.”
“Works every time,” he smirked.
“Ah,” I gasped, mocking insult. “So that makes me what… Another notch in your bedpost? Another nameless, faceless woman used to stroke your ego?”
“It’s not my ego I like you stroking, little one. And you’re certainly not a notch in my bedpost. You’re mine, and I’m keeping you. Deal with it,” he replied with a mock scowl.
“Hrmm,” I pouted. “You make me feel like I’m a stray dog you want to take home.”
“No, I’m not into puppy play, little one. Are you?”
“No! I like the way you make me pant, but I refuse to bark.”
“I’ll not make you bark, but I sure had you howling last night when I spanked your ass,” he laughed. “Speaking of which, how’s it feeling this morning? Sore?”
“I haven’t rolled over yet. I’m afraid to.”
A mischievous smile curled on his lips before he repositioned himself, tugging me beneath him. The warm sheet chaffed my tender tissue, but when he settled his strong body over mine and his thick cock nudged my pussy, the discomfort vanished.
“How about now?” he whispered as he dipped his head and kissed my neck.
“Now works for me,” I purred spreading my legs open.
Joshua laughed, nipping his teeth upon my pulse point. “Minx. I was talking about your ass.”
“You can have that whenever you want it, too, Master,” I moaned.
Sliding my lips over his chest, I left a trail of soft kisses as I cupped his ass and ground my tingling pussy against his cock. Wedging a knee between my legs, Joshua spread me open farther before gripping his cock and aligning it against my opening. Just as he lifted his hips to slide inside me, his phone started to ring again.
“Fuck. Don’t move,” he muttered as he climbed off me and sprinted toward the bathroom.
Seconds later he swaggered back in, phone pressed to his ear, and his hard erection all but begging for my lips. Even though he told me not to move, I couldn’t resist toying with him. Sliding from the bed, I dropped to my knees, flashed him a devilish grin and opened my mouth.
Joshua narrowed his eyes and shot me an angry glare. Fisting his cock he stepped in front of me, inching closer and closer to my waiting lips. As I leaned forward to gobble him up, he swayed back and shook his head. Dammit, he was going to make me sit and suffer, and wait for permission. I issued an inward growl.
“That’s no problem. Send it to me, and I’ll have her take a look.”
I didn’t know whom he was talking to, and at that particular moment I didn’t care. Rocking side to side on my knees, massaging my clit between my weeping folds, I stared at the clear bead of pre-come growing on his cock. Parting my lips, I slid my tongue over my bottom lip with a seductive tease.
“Sure, of course. I’ll call you back with an answer.”
His voice remained calm, but the sinful expression lining his face spoke volumes. Joshua’s self-restraint was cracking beneath my brazen enticement. Drawing his lips together in a tight, angry line, he slapped his cock against my lips, sending the bead of pre-come landing on the tip of my nose. With an impish grin I gathered it up with my finger and slid it over my tongue. Moaning softly, I closed my eyes and savored the taste.
“You too. I’ll be in touch soon.”
He didn’t even say good-bye. Joshua simply ended the call, tossed his phone to the bed, then crossed his arms. He glared down at me, his nostrils flaring. “I have a belt, and I’m itching to use it on you, girl.”
“I’m sorry, Sir, it’s just… I couldn’t help myself. You came back in the room all nice and hard… looking so damn sexy. I caved. A girl can only take so much temptation.” I bit my lips together to stifle a grin.
“So this is how it’s going to be? You, constantly topping from the bottom, and trying to usurp my authority every chance you get?”
There it was… that harsh tone of disapproval. The smile fell from my face and I shook my head. “No, Sir. I was just having fun. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m not upset. I’m disappointed. Your spirit is unique, Mellie, and I never want you to lose it, but I specifically told you not to move. We’re not going to get very far if you insist on challenging me every step of the way, girl.”
“I know, Sir. I’m sorry.”
Inundated with remorse, I issued a heavy sigh. Joshua reached down and cupped my chin. Tilting my head back, he stared into my eyes as he brushed his thumb over my lips. A ghost of a smile tugged his lips, and his expression softened.
“You’re not to beat yourself up over this, sweetheart. I’m simply setting ground rules, but I think I just found the key to unlock that gorgeous submissive inside you.”
I couldn’t help but notice the gleam of delight dancing in his eyes. Still, it didn’t erase the guilt lingering within or the worry of repercussions to come.
“That was Pruett on the phone. He’s sent over the surveillance footage from your neighbor. He wants you to look at it and ID Walker. Come on, hop up on the bed.”
“Okay,” I replied softly.
Helping me off the floor, Joshua snatched up his phone then sat next to me on the bed as he opened up the mail program. Staring at the screen, we watched a tall heavy-set man in dark clothing, sunglasses, and a baseball cap exit a black sedan. Giving a conspiratorial glance over his shoulder, the camera caught a surprisingly clear view of his face.
“What the…” I whispered. “That’s not Davis.”
“No. It’s not. Who is he, Mellie?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen that guy before in my life. Can you go back and pause or something?”
“Sure.” Joshua rewound the video, stopping the feed and enlarging the image.
Staring at the man’s round, fat cheeks and a bulbous nose, I shook my head. He looked nothing at all like Davis Walker. “I don’t know who that man is. Why is he stalking me?”
“You’re sure? He’s not a disgruntled client or something?”
“I’m positive. I’d eat the cost of a job and start over before I’d let a client down.” Perplexed, I gazed at the stranger’s face, racking my brain for even a hint of recollection. There was none.
“Maybe Walker hired this guy to do his bidding. Maybe he didn’t want to get his hands dirty.”
“You mean like a hit man?” I choked.
“I don’t know. It’s not Walker, and you don’t recognize this guy. I’m just trying to find some logic here. Where’s your purse?”
“Over there, next to my suitcase.” I pointed across the room. “Why?”
“I want to see if you have any new message, sweetheart,” Joshua explained as he snagged my handbag before re-joining me on the bed.
Even with all his hateful and threatening messages, I never truly thought Davis Walker was crazy enough to follow through with any of them. But now, the idea that he might have hired someone to do… god knows what to me, a surge of fear, bigger than ever, careened through me.
“Joshua, I’m scared.”
Turning, he pinned me with a sympathetic yet determined look. “No one is going to hurt you. Whoever this nut case is, he’s going to have to kill me before he’ll get to you.”
Fear was lodged in my throat and I trembled, but I managed to give him a resolute nod. Joshua leaned in and kissed me, then tugged the blanket from the bed and wrapped it around me. Standing, he pulled a pair of jeans from his suitcase and put them on. I numbly watched him as he turned on my phone and started reading my texts. With an angry expression he flipped the device off and tucked it back in my purse.
“What did he say?”
“Nothing much, spewing shit about some welcome home torture he’s planning for us.” Joshua scrubbed a hand through his hair. “But since we’re not going home, I’m glad we’ll disappoint the prick.”
I nodded mutely, questions and fears swirled in my brain.
“Come on, baby. You’re still shaking. I’m going to fill the tub for you, and I want you to try and relax while I make some more calls, okay?”
“Will you stay in the bathroom with me?”
My quivering voice drew a look of alarm to settle over Joshua’s face.
I couldn’t mask my fear. Riding a seesaw of one emotional high one minute and bottoming out the next, my self-confidence felt shredded. Stripped bare and made vulnerable by Walker’s masterful manipulation, I feared he’d succeed in taking mine and Joshua’s lives and every ounce of sanity before my torturous end.
With a slow, concerned nod, he took my hand and led me to the bathroom.
Reclining in the hot bubbling water, my own bewildering emotions frightened me almost as much as Davis’ threats. Grasping for something resembling normalcy, I reached down deep to find strong, capable Mellie beneath the sublime wings of my submission, but I couldn’t find her anywhere. I was too mired in a worried sludge; even the warm water surrounding me couldn’t wash it away.
No matter how I strived to keep Davis from crafting me a victim, each new disturbing piece of information seemed to thwart my resolve and lock me in a foreign mental prison.
Joshua paced the room, making one call after the next. As if sensing my despondent mien, he sat on the edge of the tub and frowned.
“Don’t you dare give that prick the power to steal your spunk, Mellie. If you do... the bastard wins.”
He wanted me to fight Davis, to be strong and independent. But Joshua also wanted me to be pliant and submissive—for him. He didn’t understand… it didn’t work that way. I couldn’t be both… at least not at the same time. Turning off my submission completely might be a deal breaker, and the thought of losing him through all this shit felt like a knife to the heart. But I couldn’t steel myself and try to win the war with Davis unless I tossed away the sweet serenity Joshua had resurrected inside me. It was a no-win situation.
Slunk down in the spa tub, I closed my eyes, wishing the bubbling water would leach away my conflicted emotions. Half listening to Joshua’s conversation with Ian and halfway searching for ways to keep both sides of myself intact, I couldn’t relax.
“Can you run the image I just sent through your face recognition software?”
Joshua’s question bled through my brooding. Turning, I watched him pace. Tall and lean. Powerful and tender. He was the epitome of Dominance and protection.
Will you honestly be able to walk away from him? Turn your back on the light he’s brought back to your life?
A single tear slipped down my cheek and I quickly wiped it away. This wasn’t the time or the place to start mourning his loss. I had to pull up my bootstraps and ready myself to battle Davis. But god, how my heart was shattering to pieces.
“I understand about the sunglasses. Just see if you can get a bead on him. Okay, call me back if you do. Thanks.” Joshua knelt next to the tub. Concern stamped his face. “What’s wrong?”
Reaching out, I trailed my wet hand over his cheek. “I’m sorry, Joshua. I can’t do it. I just can’t.”
“Do what, baby?”
“I can’t be a submissive to you anymore.”
He recoiled as if I’d slapped him across the face. “Okay, hold on a second. I need you to explain that that statement to me, little one.”
“I can’t do both. I can’t be strong and tough and not fall apart, and yield to you like the submissive you want me to be. I can’t do both… I can’t switch those two pieces of me on and off—not without becoming a victim to Davis or failing you. I don’t want to lose you in all this mess, but until it’s all over, I can’t be your submissive.” Even through the tears burring my vision, I saw a tender smile spread over Joshua’s lips.
“Oh baby. You’re not going to lose me. When it comes to Davis, I’d rather see you spit and fight than see you lost and afraid, like you are now.” Wrapping his hand around my wrist, he placed my palm against his heart. “Let me save your submission for you, Mellie. I’ll keep it right here, safe and sound, okay?”
“But you said…”
“I know what I said, but sweetheart, things have changed. I don’t know who we’re dealing with anymore. Ian’s trying to find that out and so is Pruett now. But if getting you through all this, emotionally whole means I have to deal with Mouthy-Mellie—” He shrugged. “So be it. Just call me a son of a bitch again, and everything will be fine.”
“I won’t,” I sniffed. “I swear I won’t.”
“At least not out loud, you mean?”
I chuckled and nodded, then sobered. “I don’t know if I’m really submissive, Joshua.”
“Excuse me?” He blinked. “Did you not see the same woman I did in the mirror last night?”
“Yes, but that’s different. I mean, I saw that side of myself, but the other side of me wasn’t even in the same room last night. There are tons of subs out there that are strong and compliant. Why can’t I be more like them?”
“Because everyone is different. Don’t compare yourself to others, girl. Remember the analogy about the shoes?”
I nodded, wiping my tears.
“You still haven’t broken them back in yet. It’s too soon. I told you they were going to feel uncomfortable, remember?” He smiled as I nodded once more. “I’m not going to let you toss them back in the closet and slam the door, Mellie. I’m just letting you go barefoot again so you can feel a firm foundation under your sexy feet. Understand?”
Choking out a sob of relief, I wrapped my wet arms around his neck and clung to him.
“Shhh. Don’t cry, baby. I’m not going to let you leave me. We’re going to get through this together, I promise.” His conviction fused me, all the way to my soul.
Joshua wasn’t going to let me shut him out. He wasn’t going to let me get lost or tangled up in the strings I still hadn’t figured out how to unravel. No, he had every intention of being by my side, to guide and lean on when I needed him, to protect and care for me through the dark and through the light.
Strumming his fingers up and down my spine, he feathered kisses over my hair as he held me tight, and I realized that somewhere along the way, I’d fallen in love with him. But ironically there was no panic, no stranglehold of fear, just an overwhelming warmth surrounding and filling my heart. Why wasn’t I freaking out?
Because you’ve searched for him your whole life; you’ve just been too stubborn to admit it. Wanting—or god forbid—needing a man made the mighty Melinda Carson inadequate. Joshua makes you stronger; you finally understand that now. Your irrational fear of commitment wasn’t about losing someone close to you again. Deep down you knew that you’d never be whole until you found that one perfect person. All the men before him were nothing but stepping stones… leading you to the mountain. Joshua is your mountain, Mellie, and you damn well know it.
That little voice inside my head was right.
Every man I’d dated wanted to change something about me. That’s why it was so easy for me to walk away from them, but not Joshua Lars, aka Master Stephen. No, he accepted me—imperfections and all—without forcing me to fit into some preconceived mold. He wanted to cherish my submission, nurture it and help it grow; not force it down my throat until I choked. Only a true Dom would put the emotional welfare of his submissive before his own needs.
Joshua had accused me of blindsiding him, but it was crystal clear; he’d done the very same to me. Leaning back from his embrace, I sniffed and issued a tiny, trembling smile. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’d do what you always do, princess… kick ass and take names. So put your boots back on. I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy the show.”
Something about his unabashed glee kicked my suspicions into high gear. “You’re not going to keep a little black book of transgressions and punish me for the things I do or say later, are you?”
He laughed. “Now, would I do something that devious?”
“In a heartbeat.” I grinned.
“No, little one, I’m not. You find the headspace you need to cope. I’ll get your sexy ass back on the straight and narrow soon.”
“Okay. I’ll do my best to behave, but no guarantees.”
“I didn’t expect any.” He kissed my forehead and stood back up. “I need to call Pruett back, then I’m going to pluck you from the tub and drag you into the shower with me. We’ll grab breakfast on the road, because…” His expression turned serious. “We need to keep moving.”
On the road again, Joshua held my hand as I kept my focus off Davis and let my mind flutter through all the ways Joshua touched my heart. The miles stretched into hours, interrupted only for bathroom breaks, fuel stops, drive-through fast foods, and an occasional switch of driver duty. Though we’d received numerous phone calls, and made even more, there was no news. Ian wasn’t able to come up with anything from the image Joshua had sent him. The sunglasses he’d worn resulted in inconclusive matches. Ian was sorting through a mountain of ‘maybes’ that would take days instead of hours, and even then there was no guarantee of a match.
When I spoke with Sanna, she sounded a bit calmer, but I could tell she was a nervous wreck. I needed to wrap her in my arms before she’d be convinced that I was perfectly safe. James and his fellow officers had been scouring the city, both on and off duty, searching for Davis, but had no new leads as to his whereabouts. I tried to tell myself that no news was good news, but I wasn’t doing a very convincing job of it. The closer we got to Chicago, the higher my anxiety rose.
After two days on the road, Joshua stopped outside Joliet to re-fuel and grab some lunch. An hour and a half later he turned onto a gravel road dark and canopied by the huge trees that lined it. Reaching down, he squeezed my hand.
“We’re almost there, little one.”
“Good. I don’t want to have to get back in this car for a week.” I laughed, relieved and happy to see my family again.
As we pulled up to the massive lodge, I blinked. In my head I’d pictured a small rustic cabin; instead I stared at a huge majestic, plantation-looking mansion. The tall, thick trees surrounding it made it feel like an impenetrable fortress. I knew now why Joshua had brought me here.
As soon as he put the car in gear, the front door burst opened and Sanna came rushing off the porch and down the stairs. She hopped impatiently next to my window with tears in her eyes and my chin began to quiver as I ripped away the seatbelt and jumped from the car.
Yanking her into my arms, I held her tight.
“Oh Mel,” she sobbed. “I’ve been so damn worried about you.”
“It’s okay, baby. I’m here. Joshua took real good care of me, and got me here safe and sound,” I murmured as I held onto her for dear life.
“Savannah, you and Mellie get inside,” Dylan barked from the porch. “We’ll unload the car.”
I felt my sister tense as she let go of me and gripped my hand. Scowling, I watched as Dylan bounded down the stairs, a long rifle slung over his shoulder, and join Joshua as he opened the trunk.
“What’s he so pissy about? Is he mad at me for causing such a mess?” I whispered to Sanna.
“No, and you didn’t start this. That prick-faced Davis Walker did,” Sanna replied, leaning in close to my ear. “Dylan’s gone off the deep end. He’s in soldier mode. I don’t like it, and I’m worried about him. He doesn’t want me going outside, and acts like snipers are hiding in the trees, surrounding the place or something. Nick and Drake are the only sane ones here right now.”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head before shooting a quick glance Dylan’s way.
“Savannah,” Dylan warned as he narrowed his eyes.
“We’re going, Sir,” she called back sweetly. Tugging my hand, she ran toward the lodge. I almost tripped trying to keep up with her.
Drake and Nick stood at the doorway, armed with guns, and gave me a quick welcoming hug. I couldn’t miss the way they scanned the perimeter, watching as Dylan and Joshua unloaded our belongings from the trunk.
Once inside, Sanna took me on a tour of the lodge. Inside the kitchen she grinned and threw open her hand, presenting a regular drip-style coffee maker.
“The minute I saw that, I thought of you.”
I started to laugh, but something inside me cracked, and sobs came out instead.
“Oh, Mel. Mel, don’t cry.” Enveloped in my sister’s arms, the damn burst open wider. “You’re here now, and we’re all going to keep you safe. That rat-faced bastard isn’t going to hurt you.”
Pulling back, she forced a smile. “Trust me. My badass Master, Commander Dylan Thomas out there, won’t let a fly’s fart inside these walls.”
Choking on a sob, I nodded. “I won’t die and leave you alone, Sanna. I swear.”
“No. You won’t. I won’t let you.”
Both of us were crying when Joshua entered the kitchen. He took one look at us and shook his head. Ian strolled up behind him and smirked.
“On second thought, let’s grab the beers and head out to the sunroom. There’s a little too much uncontrollable estrogen in this room,” Ian chuckled.
“Where’s your compassion, man?” Joshua chided with a sour expression. “Go ahead, I’ll meet you there in a few.”
“Ah, I see how it is. You’ve not only lost your heart but your sense of humor, too. You’re so fucked, man.” Ian chuckled as he tossed Joshua a beer and sauntered out of the kitchen.
“I don’t find anything funny about beautiful women crying, asshole,” Joshua called out to his friend before casting a frown toward Savannah and me. “Come on, you two. You’re killing me here. Dry those eyes before you two end up getting something to cry about.”
“Holy shit, he just said what Dad used to say when we were little,” Sanna laughed.
I covered my hand over my mouth and started to giggle.
“Oh, fuck me. So that’s the thanks I get for trying to console you two?” Joshua grumbled with a grin. “I’ll be with Ian if you need me.”
“Oops,” Sanna squeaked with a wide grin.
Joshua issued her a playful wink. “Since you got my girl to smile again, Savannah, I won’t nark you out for your language to your Masters, this time.”
“Thank you, Sir. You just saved my backside. Dylan’s head is in a strange place.”
“I can tell,” Joshua exhaled deeply. “Don’t worry. Nick will keep him grounded, girl.”
Savannah issued a pensive nod as Joshua turned and walked away. Looking back at me, she nibbled on her bottom lip. “What do the messages that Davis sent you say? I know they’re bad, but nobody will tell me what they are. I don’t think they wanted me worrying more.”
Plucking my phone from my purse, I turned it on and clenched my teeth. There were several new texts, and I had to force myself to read them.
Unknown: It won’t be long now, bunny. My little funhouse is all set up ready and waiting for you and that so-called Master you’re spreading your legs for.
Unknown: Tell me, cunt. Why are you letting that prick ass motherfucker sweat and grunt all over you? I’m a better lover and you fucking well know it. I’ve got a knife and I can’t wait to scrape his worthless seed out of our pussy. Keep him off you from now on bitch. When I’m through with him he won’t be able to fuck you again.
“Oh, god,” I whispered as I stood shaking.
Unknown: Where are you bunny? Don’t make me come looking for you. You won’t like what I’ll have to do to you if I have to hunt you down, you miserable cunt.
Unknown: Hiding on me, slut? Wrong choice, bunny. I’m coming for you.
I cast a glance at Sanna, who’d gone ghostly white. Turning on her heel, she began screaming for Dylan at the top of her lungs.
“Sanna. No,” I hissed.
Within seconds every male in the house pounded into the kitchen, guns ready and eyes wild. Body tensed and poised to kill, Dylan stepped up and gripped Savannah to his chest.
“What is it, kitten?”
“Davis… Mel’s phone... Oh god, Master. He’s crazy. Davis is a lunatic. He’s going to take a knife and…”
“We turned your phone off for a reason, Mellie,” Joshua scowled. “Give it to me. Everyone you need to talk to is right here.”
“You can’t keep shielding me from his threats,” I hissed, shoving the device back into my purse.
“Mel,” Sanna whispered.
“No,” I snapped. “Look, I’m not going to—”
“Stop,” Joshua interrupted. “Giving me your phone isn’t a sign of weakness, Mellie. Yes. I want to shield you from his vile threats, but allowing me to do that isn’t an act of submission.”
“You promised me I could do, act, and say what I needed to, remember?” I countered.
“And you still can. I’m not asking you as your Dom, I’m asking you as a friend. Give me your phone so you don’t have to subject yourself to any more anxiety.”
The other Doms in the room stared at Joshua as if he’d grown three heads. “Since when did you turn to the vanilla side?” Ian asked in absolute disbelief.
“It’s complicated,” Joshua replied with an unhappy expression. “Until we sort this shit out, Mellie is her own woman. It’s the only way she feels she can keep Davis from taking her control.”
Drake smiled. “You’re a wise man, Joshua.”
“No, I’m just willing to do whatever it takes to make sure she comes through this unscathed, mentally and emotionally.” Turning his attention back to me, Joshua held out his hand and waited.
When I made no move to give it to him, he sighed. “Fine. If you need to keep control of your phone then do it, but as a favor to me, don’t read any more of your messages unless I’m with you. Is that a good enough compromise for you, Mellie? If not, I’ll be more than happy to draw some hard limits. Are we clear?”
His scolding was like sandpaper chafing my pride, and its burn warred with my melting heart. Joshua went to such lengths—laying aside his pure Dominant nature—to ensure I kept my wits about me. I shot him a sharp nod of my head.
Ian let out a low whistle. “Somebody make some popcorn, this is going to be fun as fuck to watch.”
Drake’s big body shook in silent laughter and an unladylike growl rumbled in the back of my throat.
“Why don’t we go upstairs and unpack?” Joshua suggested, trying to redirect my mounting ire.
“Fine,” I replied in a clipped tone as I flashed a sarcastic smile at Ian.
“Second door on the right at the top of the stairs,” Dylan instructed. “Your room is flanked between us and Ian, and Drake is right across the hall.”
“Isn’t that cozy,” I flippantly interjected, still irked that Ian felt obliged to ridicule my need for control. “I’m all warm and fuzzy.”
“Mellie,” Joshua warned as Dylan bristled and moved in close.
Cupping my chin, Dylan zoned in on my eyes. Compassion and anger swirling in his aqua blue pools. “You should be. Ian and I are both expert marksmen. It might be what keeps your smart little ass alive.”
And didn’t that make me feel like a total raging bitch?
“I’m sorry… everyone,” I exhaled on a heavy sigh. “I know you all are here to help me and I’m acting like a spoiled child.”
“It’s okay, Mel,” Sanna whispered. “You’ve earned the right to. After reading the stuff Davis is sending you, I don’t know how you’re still keeping it together.”
I gave Sanna a little shrug. Gratitude began warming as I scanned the faces of those who had put their lives on hold to come and protect me; I paused on Joshua and smiled.
“I’m getting by with a little help from my friends.”
“Good girl.” Dylan nodded solemnly. “Just keep your shit wired tight. We’ve got the rest.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Joshua guided me out of the kitchen and everyone grabbed a suitcase and my boxes of files before we headed upstairs. Once inside the room, I smiled. It was massive with a king-sized four poster bed situated along the west wall. Tall, wide windows lined the north side of the room. The sheers had been pulled, concealing the forest outside.
Dylan stepped up next to me as I inched the creamy fabric open and glanced outside. “Keep away from the windows as much as you can. Ian will close the hurricane shutters at dusk.”
“Okay.” I nodded then stepped back as the fabric fell back into place.
“You two get unpacked. Dylan and I are going to start dinner soon,” Nick informed us as he paused and darted a look at Joshua and me. “Glad you both made it here safely.”
“Me too. Thank you… both of you, for taking such good care of Sanna.” My chin began to quiver as I looked at both Nick and Dylan. Biting back my tears, I inhaled a deep breath. “I’m sorry I never told you two that before. You’re the loves of her life and everything she’s ever needed to be complete.”
“She needs you too, girl,” Nick reminded with a soft smile.
But I left her. Guilt spooled, playing the same worn out tapes that had sung in my psyche for years.
Ian’s cell phone rang. All heads turned expectantly as he answered with an unusually serious tone.
“Fantastic,” he smiled. “Give me a sec. I’m heading to the office now to pull it up.”
My brows tugged together as Ian turned and walked out of the room. Dropping my purse on the bed, I followed him back down the stairs and into a large study. The relaxing room had been overrun with computers and printers all linked by coils of power cords snaking across the floor.
Ian slid into a tall leather chair before rolling up to a large desk to begin pounding on a keyboard. Peering over his shoulder, he gave me a cursory glance before opening a document.
Side-by-side images of the unknown stranger appeared on the screen. One was the picture Pruett had e-mailed to Joshua, the other a mug shot. The facial features were identical. I didn’t need to see behind the sunglasses of the original image to know it was the same man.
Ian scrolled down further and we both scanned the information his source had provided. The man stalking me was Gordon Tideway. Forty-seven, six foot one, 285 pounds, brown hair, hazel eyes. His address was in a sketchy part of Chicago and he had a long list of breaking and entering charges as well as several for vandalism. He’d served a short stint in the Cook County jail for assault with a deadly weapon in his early twenties. Gripping the back of Ian’s chair, I continued to read. Tideway had spent the past seven years in Statesville Correctional Center—a maximum security prison in Joliet—for statutory rape, extortion and murder for hire. He’d been released just sixty days ago and was currently on parole.