Chapter 31
It’s getting late, and Memphis hasn’t called. I don’t want to interrupt his evening out, but I’m sure he wouldn’t leave me waiting. Not without a text at the very least. I turn my phone over and over in my hands. Fuck it, I’m calling him.
As I swipe the screen open, it rings, surprising me so much I almost drop it stopping me from seeing the caller id. “’Lo, Memphis?” I answer, not knowing why I make it a question. Who else is going to be calling me?
“Yeah, hi. I’m sorry it’s so late; it’s been quite an evening.” Memphis sighs, there’s more to that sigh than just tired from a night out. “I need to tell you something but promise me you won’t freak out.”
Of course, people only say this when there is something to freak out over. “I’m not going to promise that, because it’s obvious that it’s going to. What’s happened?”
“It’s Simon. He saw me tonight, and he didn’t look very happy. Then Finn told me that he’d gone all stalkerish after I left, checking my flat out all the time. He didn’t believe I’d gone, and he started to pester Finn too.”
Not panic, my arse. “What the fuck, Memphis? You need to come home, babe.”
“I’m staying with Finn. We’ve been out tonight, that’s why I’m calling so late. He still hasn’t sorted out what he wants to do with Matt. And that’s why I’m here, isn’t it, to make sure Finn is okay. I’ll be fine.”
“Not if he knows where Finn lives. Jesus, this is crazy. How dangerous is he?” I’m going to get him this weekend, earlier if I can send Saint in my place.
“Yeah, that’s true, and honestly, I think he’s pretty fucked up; he’s been banned from all the clubs for hurting too many boys and littles. I’m not going to go out looking for him. I’ll be staying in now, especially at night. It’ll be okay, I promise.”
“Fuck no!” I shout out, fury and fear rampaging through me simultaneously. “I’ll be up at the weekend to collect you. I’ll bring help with me, so we can get you packed up safely. Finn must be fed up of tripping over all your furniture.” I try to lighten my concern.
“I knew you’d want to do that, but you don’t have the time to spare. You’ve got schoolwork to do and the kids at the gym at the weekends; you can’t let them down.”
“Knox will cover the classes. Your safety is more important.” I’m not negotiating this with him. “I’ll come straight from work on Friday. It shouldn’t be late when I get to you, but it will take longer than usual, the traffic will be busy on the A1 on Friday night.”
“Royal, listen to me. I’m going to be fine. I’m only telling you because I don’t want any secrets between us. Get this term over with, and I’ll come back when you’re free for the holidays. I’m positive Finn will be all sorted by then.”
“No. This isn’t open for discussion, Memphis. You’re not safe there, and as your boyfriend and your Dom, I will do what I have to do to keep you protected. I’ll be with you on Friday night.”
The line goes quiet. I know he’s still there and that he must be talking himself down from turning this into an argument or saying something that he’d regret.
Maybe I should’ve thought of what I was saying before barrelling along with demands.
We’re still very new, and my bossing him around could be difficult for him to accept.
“You may be my Dom, Royal, but you’re not my keeper. I miss you; I want to be with you, but it’s going to be all right here. I’m staying with Finn, and I’m going to be careful. I won’t go looking any trouble.”
Shit! Okay, I’ve got the approach all wrong, and he’s got his defences back up.
I can’t stop being protective, and he should know that.
Now I’ve got to work out how to find this Simon bloke and get him to forget he ever knew Memphis.
Why does this have to come up at the busiest time of the school year?
Saint is too busy, as is Knox. I can’t keep asking Drake, but I know he’s the one I need for this.
He’s perfect for this job. All I hope is that he’s not off on one of his secret jobs.
He’s never completely divulged what he actually does for a living.
And while he was in the military for some time; he didn’t mention special ops and secret missions.
Never saying anything specific, but he would come home after weeks away and would be drawn, tired, and sometimes very thin.
Knox always said he was a spy, and Drake never confirmed or denied it.
Which in Knox’s opinion is proof enough.
I don’t even know if he’s still away. I’ll call him in the morning.
“Fine, but please call me when you finish work, and let me know if you’re going out, not to check in, but just to let me know you’re okay. I can’t help being worried about some crazy stalker ex looking for you.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry it’s so late. I’ll let you go and get some sleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye, Royal.”
“Yeah, G’night, Memphis,” I say and end the call.
Despondency floods through my chest. This was supposed to have been a happy conversation, not one that’s put me in my place about our relationship status, or lack of it, and worry over a jealous stalker ex.
He is right about getting some sleep. I’m not sure how easy it will be, but I’m surprised how tired I am when my head meets the pillow.
When my alarm goes off, my groggy brain and tired eyes refuse to cooperate, making getting out of bed harder than usual.
Until I remember Memphis and our conversation and the call I need to make to Drake.
Not until I’ve had a shower and coffee—it can wait until then.
It’s still not a guarantee he can help, but it’s worth a try.
I’m surprised when he answers on the third ring. “Royal, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing that needs that kind of response. Stand down, soldier,” I chuckle, knowing it will cause a reaction from him.
“I’m not a fucking soldier, arsehole. What do you want to call me before seven in the morning.”
“Memphis. Or more specifically his ex, Simon Mansbridge. It seems he’s a bit too angry over Memphis ending their relationship.” I explain the rest of what Memphis told me. “Now that he knows my boy is back in the city, I think he’s a potential threat to Memphis.”
“Sounds like a nutjob. These kinds of guys don’t usually plan to hurt their target.
Normally, it’s just to frighten them enough they’re prepared to meet them again.
But with him, I doubt that’s the case. The banning from his BDSM club shows he’s losing, or lost, his reasoning over your boy.
Which brings me to my next question, does this have anything to do with the other guy, Matt Bennett? Because I have info on him now.”
“He sounded scared last night; I would’ve been in my car and on my way before he’d finished speaking, if I could get away from school, and you know it.
I managed to piss him off though by going all alpha shit, but we’re okay.
” I’m pissed off with him, even though I know he’s not playing with me; he hasn’t said anything that isn’t true.
“Give me as many details as you can, and I’ll check him out.
It will only be a computer search to start; I can’t get over there for a couple of days.
I may be able to find enough on him to send him a message, telling him to back the fuck off.
It’s very easy to empty a bank account and crash his credit rating without getting out of my chair. ”
“Fuck, I’ll be sure to never fuck you over. You’re scary.” I laugh at him.
“I already have all I need on you, Royal.” His laugh is deep and a little bit dark. Just what the hell does he do? “I’m guessing Memphis doesn’t know about this.”
“No, I don’t need him to right now. I’m happy to tell him if he’s at risk, but not yet.” I give him all the details I know about Simon, and it seems exceedingly little. Drake seems to think it’s enough to start.
“Let me know if Memphis gives you anything more on him.”
“I will and thanks. I’m keeping this from our dads. You know what Pops will be like if he thinks one of his brood is in danger.”
Drake is momentarily quiet. Then when he speaks, it is soft, melancholy even. “Why do you think I don’t discuss my work? I can’t have his worry on my mind when I’m out in the field.”
“I’m kinda worried now that I know you’re not always safe.” This proves the ignorance is bliss policy, and I’ll have to be careful I don’t let anything, not that there’s much, spill.
“You don’t have to be. I’m out of a lot of that stuff now,”—he pauses. “I’ll get back to you in the next twenty-four hours.”
We say our goodbyes, and while I should be getting breakfast and my lunch ready for the day at school, I’m thinking of all the things Drake could be or could’ve been.
What does Saint know? Probably more than me, the two brothers are close, not like the two of us, but he took the younger teen under his wing.
Their wish for an alternative lifestyle more in tune than mine and Knox’s desire for our more ordinary, but valid, jobs.
I’ll try to make time to call the studio on my way home.
I wonder what Noah’s take on Memphis’ situation is.
I’m pretty sure he’ll be livid for Memphis and will have Saint in the car as soon as they close for the night.
It was a surprise to me to find out that Memphis and Noah had become friends and would spend time together.
I can imagine the conversations they have, especially after the punishment Noah was put through at Sunday dinner.
School turns out to be one drama after another.
Teenagers with drama only an excess of hormones can cause seemed to be around every corner I turn.
Tears over exams, over boyfriends and girlfriends, having periods, not having periods.
I don’t know why I’m the go-to target for all the problems they have or believe they have.
A knock on my office door makes me groan, mumbling What the fuck now? under my breath.
“Is this a bad time?” Noah asks as he pops his head around the door.
“For you, no. For any more students with problems, yes. They can go away and work the problem out. I’ve become the school’s unpaid counsellor.”
“Ah, the problem of being the sexy schoolteacher. You shouldn’t be so approachable or good-looking.”
“Fuck off, you’re hardly one to talk. The whole school has a crush on you. Leaving all that behind, I was going to come and see you and Saint tonight. You more than him, really.”
“What’s up? Is it about Memphis?” Concern is written all over his face.
“Yeah, kind of. Did he tell you much about his ex?” I hope I’m not breaking any trust between them.
“A little, he was a bit of a bastard. A bit rough with his hands outside of any scene. It’s strange because I thought Memphis said Simon was his Daddy, but he never acted like one. Or let Memphis be little. Has he started calling him again?”
A flash of fury runs through me. I don’t know about this. What else has he been keeping from me? My face obviously shows my surprise when Noah speaks again.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Royal. I thought you knew.” His face turns fiery red with embarrassment.
“What else did he do? Because this arsehole knows Memphis is back in Lincoln.”