Chapter 28 #4
To feel her hands in his hair as she led the way…and took him with her.
Her hand hadn’t moved from his chest, and she studied him for a second, then her lips curved. “After the garbage is taken away, we’ll talk. Then…”
Then. Yeah. “Works for me.”
With hope budding in her heart, Anne turned to deal with the tasks awaiting her. Bad guys, cops, friends, family. And Ben. Ben most of all.
Uzuri first. But even as she headed that way, Kim pulled the little submissive out of the chair, saying, “While Anne talks with the police, why don’t we clean up the mess?”
“Okay,” Uzuri whispered, but she didn’t move.
Guilt ran through Anne. Those men had been after her, not Uzuri. The vulnerable woman shouldn’t have had to endure the resurrection of past traumas.
Anne put an arm around her waist. “Uzuri.”
Her velvety-brown eyes dropped.
With a finger under the subbie’s chin, Anne tilted her face up. Her beautiful brown skin was marred by a bloody scrape along her jaw and a cut lip, making Anne want to start another brawl. “How are you doing, honey?”
“That’s just it. I didn’t do anything.” Shame showed on Uzuri’s face. “Didn’t fight back. Just…took it.”
Ah, so that was what was wrong. Anne shoved her welling pity to one side; it wouldn’t benefit the young woman. “You’re right. You were no help at all in the fight.”
Tears filled Uzuri’s eyes at the merciless statement.
Anne ignored Kim’s gasp and kept her grip on Uzuri’s chin, holding her gaze. “And that means next time you’ll need to do better. You’re going to take self-defense classes, even if you’re scared.”
Uzuri blinked. “But—”
“That’s an order, sub,” Anne said softly, adding a thread of ice. “Am I clear?”
Uzuri was still trembling but resolve firmed her mouth and filled her eyes. “Yes, Ma’am. I will.”
“That’s what I want to hear.” Anne squeezed her waist. “You’re stronger than you think; you just need the tools to prove it.” And I’ll be on your ass to make sure you do. “Now, can you help clean this place up while I deal with the cops?”
Given a command, Uzuri pulled herself together. Relief eased her expression. “Yes, Ma’am.”
Obviously recognizing the Domme’s technique, Kim winked, gave a mock martial arts bow. “Let’s get some bags and pitch everything that’s broken.”
As the two headed for the kitchen, Anne turned to her next task.
“Anne.” Her father pulled free of Travis’s restraining grip. “What the hell was going on?”
Oh, honestly. So much for making amends any time soon. She gave him a disgusted stare. “I can’t believe you called Ben a coward for being nice enough to let me finish a fight.”
His mouth dropped open. “You’re my daughter. I—”
“We’ve had this talk before.” Anne was through with his crap. “Go home to Mom. Maybe she enjoys being treated like a precious figurine that will break if you look at it too roughly—although I’d say she’s stronger than you give her credit for.”
When she heard Ben’s rumbled laugh, Anne glanced his way. He was looking at the kitchen—where her mother stood, hands on hips, staring at her oblivious husband.
“You don’t understand,” her father protested, his back to the kitchen.
“Oh, I do, all too well. My parents raised me to be strong and competent. Deadly, even. It’s a shame my father still thinks his thirty-five-year-old daughter belongs in a playpen.” She waved her hand at the good ol’ boys littering her living room. “Three of those on the ground are mine.”
Her father didn’t move. He just stood there, looking more unsettled than she’d ever seen him. “I’m sorry, Anne.”
An apology? The surprise held her in place. He looked…sad.
Her heart urged her to tell him it was all okay. But it wasn’t. And she rather doubted that his beliefs had really changed. Firming her resolve, she stepped into a Domme mindset. He might be hurting, but remorse was an excellent learning tool. “For what are you sorry? Exactly?”
“I never meant for you to feel less valued. I love you, Anne. Love you fully as much as the boys.” The lines on his face deepened. “But, baby, I can’t stand you doing something that might get you hurt. Killed.”
Before Anne could throw him out of her house, a delicate growl came from the kitchen.
He turned.
Her mother stalked forward. She punched her beloved husband in the stomach fiercely enough to make him grunt.
Anne’s mouth dropped open.
“You hypocrite,” her mother actually shouted.
“When I objected to Travis and Harrison playing football, taking karate, and enlisting, you said, ‘Suck it up, Elaine. Be tough.’ You said a good parent lets her children fly from the nest and cheers them on, wherever their hearts lead them. You told me I was a coward.”
“But…But—”
“Who’s the coward here?” Her mother punched him again—even harder.
Near the door, Travis was laughing his fool head off.
With hand over mouth, Ben was muffling his amusement in deference to her father.
“Elaine,” her father protested.
Her pint-sized mom ignored him and turned to give Anne a gentle hug. “What are the damages, darling?” It was the same question she’d asked her boys when they returned from sports and wars.
Anne blinked back tears. “I’m fine,” she whispered.
Her mother stepped back and frowned at the bruise on Anne’s face. “Put some ice on that, dear.” Her gaze swept over the bodies littering the floor. “Outstanding job. I always knew you could handle yourself as well as the boys.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Her mother turned. “Stephan, we’re going home now. To talk.”
He looked as if she’d invited him to his own execution.
Anne’s sense of humor finally kicked in. “Sounds good. Dad, if and when Mom forgives you, so will I.”
When he opened his mouth to object, she gave him the icy stare that had silenced submissives for years and waved her fingers toward the door. “Dismissed.”
Her mother winked at her as they left.
Anne turned to Travis.
“Jesus, sis, remind me not to piss you off. My balls just shriveled up.”
She sighed. “I really don’t want to hear my brother talking about his testicles, thank you very much.”
When Ben snorted, she smiled, then pointed at the intruders. “Can you and Travis finish securing the bad guys while I jump through the formalities?”
“My pleasure.”
She studied him for a minute. Strong. Brave. He didn’t need to throw his weight around to prove he had courage. He knew he did. He knew who he was and was comfortable with the knowledge.
So he could let her be who she was.
How could she do anything less?
And he’d shared his bad guy with her. Actually been delighted to share.
She had a feeling they’d be just fine sharing other things.
Like a baby.
Like a life.
The cops entered the room—one glanced around and started calling in an ambulance. The other was in the doorway, talking with Jessica.
Raoul pushed past him and into the living room.
Kim shook her head at him. “You’re late.”
He stared at the rough-looking men on the floor for a second. “Are you hurt, gatita?” He looked Kim over carefully, searching for damage.
“I’m fine.”
“Home invasion?”
“An abuser looking for the battered women’s shelter,” Kim said.
Fury darkened his expression, yet he drew her into his arms very, very gently. His gaze took in the graze on Uzuri’s jaw, checked over Jessica, then lingered on Anne’s cheek. “Are you all right?”
“Minor damage to everyone. And Kim did very well. She has an excellent punch, in fact.”
Kim beamed.
“But battles bring back…” Anne let her voice trail off, but he’d caught her meaning. The violence could well resurrect nightmares from his submissive’s past.
He nodded his understanding.
Anne looked at her friend. “Kim, I’m so sorry.”
“For what?” Kim asked.
“It was my activities with the shelter that endangered you.” Although she couldn’t figure out how the bastards had found her home.
Raoul shook his head. “We all volunteer there, Anne. We know the dangers.”
“It’s not your fault,” Kim said. “And I’m really, really glad we were here.”
Anne felt a chill at that thought. She truly would have been in trouble if she’d been alone. After a second, she smiled. “In that case, I very much appreciate the visit, the advice, the help with the…trash”—she glanced at the men being handcuffed by the officers—“and the cleaning up after.”
Kim pulled free of her Master and gave Anne a gentle squeeze. Jessica and Uzuri both came to claim hugs as well.
My posse. “Thank you all,” she whispered as tears prickled her eyes.
After another set of hugs, the women headed out. Hands waving in the air, Kim and Jessica were comparing their fighting techniques and teasing Uzuri about how she’d have to catch up.
Raoul still stood in the center of the room.
Anne frowned. “How did you get here so quickly?”
“I was already on the island. I asked to be their designated driver so I could speak with you afterward.”
“Raoul…”
“My friend, please forgive me for last Saturday,” he said softly. “My worries caused me—”
“I know,” she broke in. “You were right to worry. I wasn’t paying enough attention.” She remembered how Raoul’s ex-wife had blindsided him. How he’d blamed himself for not seeing what was in front of his face. “You realized that, didn’t you?”
“I had told him to talk with you.” His mouth flattened into a line. “That night at the club—”
“You did nothing wrong. And it’s done,” she said. “Thank you for being there for Ben.”
“Is it done?” His lips twitched. “You realize if I don’t inform Z that you’re returning, you’ll have him on your doorstep within an hour…if not sooner.”
She raised her eyes to the ceiling, asking the universe for patience.
Ben appeared and drew her against his side, so solid and warm that she wrapped her arms around his waist to pull him closer.
Raoul’s gaze went soft.
Ben kissed the top of her head and said to Raoul, “You tell Z if he interrupts my time with Anne, I’ll teach Uzuri how to booby-trap every piece of equipment in the Shadowlands.”
“Now that is a very effective threat.” Raoul gave him a respectful nod. “I’ll let him know.”
“Ms. Desmarais? If I could get some information from you?” More police as well as paramedics had arrived.
“Of course.” With Ben at her side, she gave Raoul a kiss on the cheek and turned to give her report.