Redemption’s Inferno (Inferno #3)

Chapter 17

A fter making love all afternoon and then taking a nap, they showered and had a late dinner at the hotel. They took a taxi to a club they were both familiar with, where many in the BDSM world hung out regularly, and tried to look like any other couple out for an evening of fun. With Emilie wearing a simple pair of tight jeans, a low-cut leather vest that laced up the front and back, and her long hair falling freely down her back, Chains had never seen her look so sexy. She wore heavy black mascara, making her eyes appear even bluer, and the blood-red lipstick on her lips made him fantasize about having them wrapped around his cock. He’d taken her at least four times this afternoon, and it still hadn’t diminished his desire in the slightest. Something told him he had no idea whatsoever what was in store for him in terms of this whole relationship experiment, but he had to admit it was exciting as hell .

She wasn’t like any woman he’d ever known. Under her demure, gentle exterior, she was tough as nails. He’d seen her bring an experienced dom to his knees at Club Inferno with one flick of a whip—that never even touched the man. He’d also seen her charm his mother, giggle on the floor with her infant daughter, and stand up to a contractor who’d tried to cheat her. She was so multifaceted she almost reminded him of himself, except softer and sexier. And damn, she was sexy. Her round ass swayed in those jeans and he couldn’t help but admire her as she walked. Even as he surveyed their surroundings and made a mental note of the exits—he did this instinctively almost everywhere he went—he didn’t miss the admiring glances she got as she approached the bar .

She ordered a glass of red wine for herself and a pint of ale for him. As the bartender walked away, Chains glanced down at her. “Should you be drinking ?”

“Two sips,” she smiled. “One because I’m going to miss it for the next seven months or so and the second in case anyone is watching .”

He inclined his head. “Good plan .”

They danced and then found seats at the bar, whispering together as Chains finished his beer. He was much more interested in the woman leaning against him than anyone they might run into and he had to admit all he wanted was to take her back to the hotel and have his way with her .

“I don’t see anyone I recognize,” she said after a bit. “And to be honest, I don’t even know what we’re looking for .”

“The idea that someone was asking after you bothers me,” he said slowly. “But it could be anyone—even someone that knew you from your clubbing days, heard about you going to Cuddy’s and wanted to see you .”

She nodded. “Let’s not borrow trouble,” she said. “How about we just enjoy our time together instead of thinking about the past and everything bad thing that could happen. Look what dwelling on the past did to me .”

“All right, love.” He kissed her temple and smiled into her shining eyes. Maybe she was right. He’d been trained to be suspicious of everything but maybe it was time to stop all that and live like a normal person. He would always be cautious, but he didn’t have to be on alert all the time .

“What do you want to do now?” she was asking, yanking from his thoughts .

“Do you want to stay?” Chains asked, wrapping an arm around her neck. “I could put you up on the spider web and spank that delicious bottom of yours .”

She smiled but slowly shook her head. “It’s out of character for me to refuse, but I don’t think so. I’m pregnant. Doing that feels…disrespectful to the child. Can we just go back to the hotel ?”

He pressed a kiss to her cheek, drawing her close to him. “Yeah. I didn’t think about the baby until after I’d said it. You know if I was to spank you, or anything else while you were pregnant, the baby would always be foremost in my mind ?”

“I know,” she nodded. “It’s not about causing physical harm—almost impossible at this early stage unless we did something crazy—it’s about the perception. Even just in my head. If someday either this one or Simone find out about my kink, I want to be able to say, but never while I was pregnant—you and your siblings were always more important than anything else .”

He nodded. “I’ve never had any interest in becoming a father, but if I was to have kids, I think I’d feel the same. Maybe a little harmless bondage, a few swats on that luscious arse of yours…but at a club? No. Just me and you, in private .”

She narrowed her eyes. “So…you’re saying if you were to have children, it would be with me ?”

“Sweetheart, there’s no one else I’ve ever even had an inclination to get serious with. Besides, you’ve already got a kid, and she calls me Uncle Chains—seems to me I’ve been saddled with a kid whether I want one or not .”

She chuckled. “ Sorry ?”

“You’re not!” He laughed, taking her hand as they left the club .

H aving breakfast with Warren the following morning, he gloated without even trying to hide it. As they poured tea and feasted on fruit, cheese and a soufflé he’d whipped up, Warren’s smile was as wide as a house .

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Chains groused, giving his friend a dirty look, “can you stop the bloody gloating ?”

“Why should I?” Warren demanded. “I’m old enough to be your father and you did exactly as I predicted !”

“You’ve never been a father, so how would you know ?”

He laughed. “No, but I’m an uncle and many of my friends are parents, so I know enough! Besides, you know I played you—admit it !”

Chains rolled his eyes. “Yeah—you put Emilie in danger so that I could help her! What if I’d been delayed or something had gone wrong ?”

Now Warren rolled his eyes. “Cuddy knew exactly what he was doing—he’s a bit of a sadist, but he’s mellowed as he’s grown older, realizing not everyone is like that and he has to show restraint with some people if he wants to be respected in the community. I took him under my wing a couple years ago because he spiraled a bit after his mum passed. Now he’s learned control and also become my friend—it was Cuddy who sat at my bedside after the surgery, you know .”

“It would have been many others had you told us!” Emilie snapped .

He smiled. “You were in America with a new baby—darling, that was no place for you. But rest assured, you were never in any danger. Cuddy knows Chains and was keeping everything structured to my specifications; he knew not to block your airway until Chains was there and close enough to see what he was doing. Had Chains been distracted or for whatever reason didn’t react, he was ready to stop everything. He never would have harmed you, love. Please know that .”

Chains grunted but Emilie smiled. “I do, you manipulative old man !”

“It worked then, didn’t it?” He sat back with a satisfied smile and Chains gave him a dark look .

“This is a trial—we’re taking things one day at a time .”

“Well, that’s how everyone does relationships, now, isn’t it ?”

“All right, enough of that!” Emilie shook her head. “Have you learned anything about Nate ?”

Warren looked thoughtful. “I’ve had him checked every way I know how…fairly spotless record. A few small incidents here and there, but in a 30-year career, that’s to be expected. No ties to terrorist groups, no gossip about affairs, no investigations, nothing like that at all .”

“So as far as we can tell, he’s a good guy and genuinely cares for my mum?” Chains looked almost disappointed .

Warren nodded. “Sorry, mate—no reason for you to beat anyone senseless .”

“Well, there’s always a need for that,” Chains chuckled. “Just doesn’t seem that it’s Nate’s turn .”

“So now what?” Emilie asked .

“We go back to Mum’s, relax a few more days and then visit the Browns .”

“And then back to America?” Warren asked, taking a bite of his soufflé and smiling as though he’d just tasted heaven. “Mmm…taste buds were a bit off during chemo but they’re back !”

“Will you come visit us in Las Vegas?” Emilie asked. “I’d like very much for you to meet Simone and my other friends. The weather is glorious and you’d get some of your color back .”

Warren met her warm gaze. “If my health continues to improve, you have my word I’ll come for a visit. I can’t promise anything right now—too many ups and downs and I’m more comfortable in my own bed with my own doctors just a phone call away .”

“Of course.” Emilie squeezed his hand. “But you’ll come when you’re better ?”

“You couldn’t keep me away .”

T he trip home was uneventful and everything was calm at Dolores’ house as well. Nate had moved some of his things in while they were gone and they appeared to be as cautious and unprepared to be living together as Chains was about being in a serious relationship. The two men went out of their way to point out their failings as boyfriends, earning cheeky grins and giggles galore from the women. Dolores looked a decade younger, Emilie thought as she watched her moving about the kitchen, putting away groceries. Her eyes were brighter, her step lighter and her smile was almost girlish. Emilie couldn’t help but wonder if she had that same look, but when she looked in the mirror she only saw the same woman she’d always seen; pretty, but always a little bit reserved, with a sadness behind her eyes that never completely went away .

“You’ve been quieter than usual,” Dolores said to her one day after they’d returned from London. “Are things not right with Darryl ?”

Emilie turned in surprise, the spoon she was using to stir the pudding she was making pausing in her hand. “No, not at all. He’s doing everything I could possibly ask of him .”

“But?” Dolores leaned against the counter and raised her eyebrows. “Come on, love, I know what’s been happening, how your engagement was fake but now you’re quite chummy together… Why don’t you look like a woman falling in love with a wonderful man ?”

Emilie sighed, looking down and absently stirring the pudding. “Because I’m pregnant and the baby isn’t Darryl’s .”

Dolores was shocked into momentary silence. “Pregnant? With your ex-husband? Does Darryl know? How far along?” The words seemed to tumble out one after the other once she’d collected her thoughts .

“It’s complicated.” Emilie told her about her promise to Jamie and how Chains was okay with it. “But I’m afraid it will change once reality sets in…once I’m actually showing, with a big stomach and mood swings and all that. Not to mention later, with a new baby at home and me exhausted, not interested in sex, completely absorbed in a child that’s not even his… What then ?”

“First off, this child will have not one, but two fathers, who are interested in being in its life. You also have your mother spending a great deal of time there so she can enjoy her grandchildren, not to mention a nanny—doesn’t Simone have a nanny ?”

Emilie nodded. “Yes, but I don’t want another woman bonding with my newborn… Once the child is a bit older, like Simone was, it’s different, but in the beginning, I need to be the main caregiver .”

“Is this a rule?” Dolores gave her an innocent stare .

“What?” Emilie frowned .

“Is this a rule, that you have to be the primary caregiver in order to bond with the child? What about women who go back to work six weeks after birth? Those children are left with sitters and daycare providers almost immediately—like Darryl was—and those mothers do just fine. Yes, they may miss a few things, but that’s life…you could miss those things by having the flu or visiting a sick relative. Give yourself a break, love. Darryl’s a smart man and he knows what to expect. If he thought it would be too much for him, he wouldn’t have started this .”

“I hope so.” Emilie pulled the pan off the stove and set it aside to cool. “I never imagined I’d have feelings for him but now that I do, I don’t know how I would be able to go back to just being friends .”

“There’s a lot more than friendship in your future with my Darryl,” Dolores squeezed her arm. “Trust me on this. Now, tell me — ”

“Excuse me, ladies.” Nate came into the room, his eyes on Emilie. “I spoke to my friend with the police in Ashbourne—the Browns are willing to see you. Tomorrow at 11: 00 .”

“Oh, God.” Emilie sank into the nearest chair, a wave of dizziness washing over her .

“It’ll be all right, love.” Dolores quickly sat beside her, gently rubbing her back. “You’ll see. Those people gain nothing by hurting you—and it wasn’t your fault. The autopsy was very specific .”

“I know,” she whispered, her mouth dry. “It’s just so hard. I can picture him just lying there, completely still, his skin so cold…what if they ask about that ?”

“Then you tell them.” Dolores reached over and hugged her tightly. “Do you want me to come with you, love? Sometimes we just need our mums, and since yours is too far away, I’m happy to fill in .”

Emotion overwhelmed her and she nodded as tears splashed down her cheeks .

“There, there, darling, it’s going to be okay.” Dolores held her even tighter, stroking her hair. “This time tomorrow it’ll all be over and you’ll be going home to your daughter and your family. Go on and cry, get it all out, and then stiffen your spine and remember no one forced you to do this—you’re doing it to give everyone a bit of closure. Since you didn’t commit a crime, you could just go about your business, but you’ve opted to do this for them. Remember that .”