by Karen Nappa
"Name of Madison?"
"Yes. How did you…" she paused, "… you've dealt with him, I take it?"
"When I tried to get a restraining order against her in St. Louis. Her family has money, and they keep him on retainer." He knew he sounded frustrated. "I guess I'd better call in the big guns, too."
"Jackson Andrews?"
"Of course. If Jackson can't take it himself, he'll send me to someone who can. Do you think I have enough for a restraining order?"
"That's a tough call, Derek. That last threat from her should help, but most of her threats are against Sonja. Why did you tell her you have a new girlfriend?" He heard her chair creak as she shifted.
"I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I hoped that if Angie knew there was someone else, it might help her accept that there wasn't anything between us anymore. Clearly, a mistake on my part." He sighed deeply.
"Talk to Jackson, and see what he says. I haven't been able to get much out of my sources in St. Louis yet, but I'll keep trying. I have to go now."
"Thanks, I'd really like to know what she's been doing since I left town. Let me know when you find out more. Bye."
Derek scrolled through the contacts on his phone, looking for Jackson Andrews' number. He always got a chuckle out of the name because Jackson had told him once that his parents were history nuts and had named their children accordingly. He was named after Andrew Jackson in a backward fashion. The phone rang three times, and Derek was mentally preparing his message when he heard, "Jackson Andrews, attorney-at-law."
"Jackson, it's Derek Kiriakis. How are you?"
"Fine, thanks, but you surely didn't call to ask that."
"Right to the point. I need someone to represent me to get a restraining order against my old girlfriend. Any chance you have time?"
"Possibly. Tell me what's happening."
Derek asked, "Do you want the long version or the short?"
"I'm stuck in traffic. I'll take all the entertainment I can get."
Derek made a rude noise. "It's not funny."
"Let me be the judge of that," Jackson said. Derek could hear the anticipation of a good story in his voice.
Derek started his tale with his and Angie's initial meeting in St. Louis and the speed with which the relationship developed. "I should have realized something was off. She kept pushing for more from me, and every time I tried to slow things down, some crisis would happen that she needed my help. Before I knew it, she was thoroughly enmeshed in my life."
"What kind of crises?"
"Her car wouldn't start one morning. Then she had a mysterious break-in at her apartment and was too scared to stay alone. It felt off, because nothing was taken and the damage was minor, but I let her stay with me. The first time I tried to break up with her, she threatened suicide. I know I should have gotten out then, emotional blackmail is no basis for a relationship, but she laid on the guilt. I got her to slow things down, and the tires on her car were slashed. There were multiple episodes of these things happening, but she couldn't point to any possible culprit, and she didn't want to go to the police. When I finally broke up with her, she did overdose but not seriously."
He paused before going on with the rest of the story. "After that, she started stalking me. She would be waiting for me after work or outside my apartment building. She sent me emails, she texted me, she sent regular mail. I saved it all. I went to the police in St. Louis, but they didn't take it seriously. They looked at who should be afraid of whom—this tiny little girl or me. Even when the tires on my car got slashed and I had a mysterious break-in, I couldn't get any help. I heard that the Kansas City Office of the Department of Children was hiring, so I put in for a transfer. I'd been wanting to be closer to my mother and the rest of the family. I stayed out of the kink scene here for almost a year, because I was afraid she might get word of where I was that way. She has a lot of friends in St. Louis, and she comes from money, which probably accounts for a fair number of her friends. I can't help thinking she might have found me because I joined Club Indigo and got back into the scene."
"That would be difficult to track," Jackson said. "Lots of people go to larger events. St. Louis has the 'Beat me in St. Louis' group that hosts some great parties. If it did happen that way, it was probably innocent. So, what do you want me to do? You can't get a restraining order just because she's come to KC."
"I know that. But here's what happened today."
When Derek finished his account, Jackson gave a low whistle. "A psych hold. Well, that's a start, but you have no standing in that hearing. That's strictly between her, the doctors, and the court. Her threats help your case, as does the recording you made, but I doubt if it's enough, even with the St. Louis pattern. If a judge will even look at the old evidence. Does she know where you live?"
"I don't think so."
"Keep it that way. Vary your routes to and from work. Keep an eye out for her when you leave work. Document every contact. And try to keep her from finding Sonja. Since Angie knows she exists, she's a target once Angie finds her. Why did you tell her anyway?"
"I wasn't thinking clearly," Derek said ruefully. "I know it was a doofus move. It's too late to take it back, though."
"Okay. Here's the game plan. I want you to gather all the material you have and bring it to me, preferably while your ex is still locked up. I'll send a clerk to her commitment hearing. You stay away. It will only encourage her if you show up. I'll call you when I know something."
"Thanks, Jackson. I'll get the stuff to your office first thing in the morning."
"Good deal. I'll call you after Angie's hearing."
Once he was through with the call, Derek grabbed his things and headed out for the night. When he arrived at Sonja's, he kissed her and then said he needed a shower.
"Sure, Daddy. Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes."
Over a dinner of delicious smothered pork chops, green beans, and mashed potatoes, Derek tried to focus on what Sonja was saying about her day, but he was still struggling with how to tell her about Angie and wasn't managing more than nods and grunts at what he hoped were appropriate places. Then the words finally took form in his mind. "Suzie, Yvonne, and I decided we are going to go naked at work for the rest of the week. We think it will bring in more customers. Connor liked the idea so much, he promised to make sure Suzie had fresh marks every day."
"W-what?" He looked at her mischievous face and realized the jig was up. It was time to tell her about his day.
"Sorry, Daddy, but you weren't listening to me. What's wrong?"
"I had a very stressful day, precious, and I think it's only the start of things. Angie showed up at my office this afternoon. She made an appointment using a fake name and a story about child sexual abuse. Angie wore a red wig but didn't try to carry on that nonsense once she saw me. She told me a cock-and-bull story about getting therapy and how I should take her back. I told her no, and she went crazy. She tried to attack me across the table in the interview room. We circled it for several minutes before security arrived. I got the whole meeting recorded, and then she continued in front of the guards and even once the police arrived. They've taken her to the Center for Behavioral Health and are petitioning for a ninety-six-hour psychiatric hold. Her lawyer is coming from St. Louis to try to get her out tomorrow. I talked to Jackson Andrews, and he doesn't know if I have enough evidence for a restraining order, but he's going to look at everything I have, including the stuff from St. Louis."
"Is she threatening you, Derek?" 'Little' Sonja was gone with a possible danger to her man.
"She did at the end, but I'm more concerned about you. I made the mistake of telling her I was with someone, and that's when she freaked out."
"I can take care of myself, Derek. I live in a locked building. I don't go out alone at night. There are always people around at work."
"Not after closing. I know you stay late by yourself several days a week."
"I have work to do, and the restaurant is
all locked up. I'm fine. What would she do to me, anyway? I outweigh her by fifty pounds."
"Don't underestimate her. Under the wrong circumstances, I think she could be violent. I don't want you to take chances. While Angie is a threat, I need reassurance that you're okay. I want multiple check-ins. We'll work out when you can text me and when I need to hear your voice. I want you locked in your car as quickly as possible when you get in. And check the backseat before you get in. Ambush is exactly Angie's style."
"Are you sure you're not going overboard, Derek?" He knew Sonja thought he sounded awfully alarmist.
Derek shook his head. "No, I'm not. Angie is unstable, and I have no idea what she is capable of. We need to prepare for the worst-case scenario."
"Okay. I'll promise to be careful if you do the same."
"Fair enough. I'll get Paula to find out what kind of car she drives so we can keep a lookout for her that way, too."
After they finished eating, they sat down with their schedules and worked out a system for staying in contact that Derek thought was barely adequate and Sonja complained was too restrictive. "I'm not going to be a bird in a gilded cage, Derek. I can take care of myself. I was on my own for a long time before you came along. And who knows? Maybe they'll commit her for more than ninety-six hours."
"You know that's not likely." He reached over to pull her into his lap for a long-overdue cuddle and kiss. She always melted so beautifully in his arms. When they both came up for air, he remembered something else they needed to talk about. "My mother called me this morning."
"Oh?"
"Yes. Mamá has been complaining that she hasn't seen very much of me lately. She made me promise I would come to Thanksgiving dinner at my sister's house and she wants me to bring you, too."
Derek's announcement came as a shock and Sonja looked up at him with big eyes. "Um, meeting the family is kind of a big deal, don't you think?"
Derek fisted her hair so he could make sure she focused on him. "When are you going to realize that I'm serious about our relationship, precious?" She stared up at him. "You are my woman. I am here to stay." He underscored his words with taps on her nose, and she giggled.
"Okay, Sir." He pressed a kiss to her nose and she jumped up to finish cleaning up from dinner.
Chapter 12
D erek got back to his office from what had been an interminable meeting. He sat down to catch his breath and see what he had time to get done with what was left of the day when the phone rang. "Kiriakis."
"Jackson Andrews. Sorry to be so late, but I just got out of court. Good news. Angela Mendoza is on a ninety-six-hour psychiatric hold starting today. That's four days for you to get your game plan figured out before she's released. I caught Judge Edinger in chambers after the hearing, and he says you need evidence of stalking here and now. He also said he found the recording to be strong but not enough. I think he's sympathetic, but he can't do anything unless she starts up again after the psych hold. I think it's the best result you can get at the moment."
"How was Angie at the hearing?"
"My clerk says she was a perfect angel, pun intended. Her lawyer argued that she'd be better off at a private hospital in St. Louis where her family would be nearby, but the judge said that could wait until she'd been thoroughly evaluated here. On Monday, he'll rubber-stamp her release, and she can be with her family in time for Turkey Day."
"Thanks, Jackson. I doubt getting rid of her will be that simple, but it's a start. If we don't see you this weekend, happy Thanksgiving to you and Henry."
"To you and Sonja as well. Bye."
Despite her easy acceptance of the invitation, Sonja was feeling nervous and apprehensive. In five days, she would meet his family! What if they didn't like her? What if she did something wrong? She needed to read up on Greek customs. She needed to—Derek derailed her thoughts by hugging her from behind and pressing his face into the crook of her neck. "I think we need to get your mind off Thursday. Tonight, between 7:00 and 9:00 pm, I want you to give me a blowjob."
Sonja pouted. She didn't like this kind of assignment. It put her in control, and she didn't like that. The best part about being a submissive was that the dominant was in charge of sex.
"I don't want to do this, Daddy," she stated, and he smiled. "You know I don't like being in control when we make love."
"Well, you could look at this as me initiating it. I ordered it, after all. Consider this an exercise in expanding your horizons." He sounded so reasonable. Why didn't it feel that way?
Sonja picked up her e-reader, sat down on the couch with her feet curled up next to her and, before she knew it, was engrossed in the story. He sat beside her on the sofa and stroked her feet while he watched Notre Dame and Penn State play football. She needed to start her assignment but was having a hard time. Should she ask or wait for the program to end? Would he want to watch the analysts talking afterward?
"How long will the game last, Sir?" she asked, hating to disturb him.
"At least forty-five minutes, maybe more."
Damn it! "Do you want to see it through?"
"No, baby girl, I don't need to."
"Would you please come with me to the bedroom, Daddy?"
He smiled and nodded. "Go ahead; I'll follow you."
She walked down the hall, her mind racing. How did Derek want her? Should she take her clothes off or not? On her knees or the bed? So many variables, and she had no idea how to make the right choices.
In the bedroom, she stripped off her clothes but left her panties on. Blowjob, not sex, had been the order. It was warm in the bedroom. Should she turn down the thermostat?
The door opened, and he walked in. Should she say something?
He took off his clothes and lay down on his side of the bed on his back. Sonja looked at him in indecision. Kiss and stroke or go for his dick?
His cock was limp. She wasn't used to that; most of the time, he was 'ready to go'. She took it in her hand tentatively and gave it a few strokes. Was he enjoying this? She looked at his face. His head was resting on the pillow, his face relaxed. She sighed. No help there. She kept stroking and used her special technique where she gave a little twist with her hand when she reached the head of his cock, and the lid filled with more blood, getting longer, thicker, and stiffer in her hand. Now, she was getting somewhere.
She bowed her head and took him in her mouth, creating as much suction on the way up as she could muster. Sonja kept this rhythm up, alternating between her hands and mouth. Thoughts kept running through her mind. More? Less? Faster? She gritted her teeth, well in a figure of speech, because if she did that for real, he would suffer. Sonja grinned around a mouthful of cock at the crazy thought, and the task became a bit easier.
She used her left hand to massage his perineum and could feel his legs tense. With a few bobs of her head, he groaned and the spurts of cum filled her mouth. She licked and sucked and tongued his cock clean. He still hadn't moved.
She left the bed and went to the bathroom to take a shower. She wasn't happy. She felt it had been an okay blowjob. Derek got off, but he didn't seem pleased with her. She hoped to God he wouldn't do that to her again. She would rather be on her knees and have her mouth fucked than repeat this performance.
Derek was still on the bed when she got back from the bathroom, only now he was scratching Snuggles in all the cat's favorite spots. "How are you doing, baby girl?"
"Not great. I usually like giving you head, but that was no fun at all. Please don't make me do it again."
"I can't promise that, but I'll try to make sure you enjoy it more. Truth be told, I didn't enjoy it all that much, either."
"You didn't? But you came." Now, she was confused.
"It's hard for me to have fun when I can tell you aren't, precious. I was hoping to take your mind off Thursday, but I didn't intend for you to stress out over the blowjob. I'm sorry. Come to bed, and let me help you relax."
"That's an easy order to follow, Daddy." She suited her actions
to her words and climbed into bed, carefully shifting Snuggles to his regular spot.
Derek put her on her stomach and massaged all the stress out of her shoulders, neck, and back. She hadn't realized how tight she was. "Better, precious?"
"Yes, Daddy. Would you turn out the light when you're done in the bathroom? I think we can skip my story tonight," she said with sleep already taking her voice.
"Sure, baby."
Sonja was asleep before the lights were out.
Sonja twisted her hands. "Are you sure the pie is enough to take for dinner? Shouldn't we have flowers or wine or something else?"
"Relax, baby girl. Me showing up with a woman will be present enough for my mother, and she's the one who counts," Derek said. "Besides, those sweet potato pies are fabulous."
"But I didn't even bake them myself! Suzie did."
"They don't have to know that."
"Well, I would have baked them myself, but Suzie's piecrusts are so much better than mine."
"Stop worrying. We'll conquer my family one by one if necessary. You're beautiful, and you're not a stalker. That already gives you major points over Angie."
"That's not a very high bar to set, Derek." She hit his chest with the back of her hand.
"Come on. We don't want to be late." Derek picked up his car keys.
"But you said Greeks never start on time? It's only six now. Doesn't that mean we don't have to be there before 6:30?"
"Yes and no. Ordinarily, it would mean anytime between 6:30 and 7:00, but my mother wants to meet you, and we shouldn't be any later than 6:30, and a little before is better in this case. Let's get going." Derek held the door as Sonja picked up the box with the pies.
Derek told her more about his family on the drive over. "Sophia hosts since we talked mother into moving into an apartment three years ago. She's in good shape, but keeping up with the old house was starting to get to her. Now, she and Sophia carry on an oh-so-polite game of 'who's in charge of the party' whenever we have a family do."