by P Nelson
“I want to hear what the detective has to say.” Calla sat up straighter in her chair, preparing for a fight. Not acting very subbie at all. Was his entire life flipping upside down? Now he couldn’t even top his own sub?
“You need to obey your master. Or did you forget you signed a contract with me.” Flynn flicked his cold gaze to where Calla was watching him. A slight flinch her only reaction.
“This isn’t a scene.” She pointed out.
“You’re right. This is business. My business. You don’t need to worry about what Chamberlain has to say.” Flynn ground out.
“On the contrary. You’re my master and we are in this mess together. I have as much a right to learn what the hell is going on as you.” Calla inhaled and set her shoulders back. An action that would have made Thea, The Cage’s Domme in Residence proud. Here was a sub whose submission was worth fighting for. It was why she was sitting at the table across from him. “Let me help you with this burden.” The last said in a murmur.
“You will tonight when you have a red ass and my cock in your mouth.” He retorted. Far from embarrassing her, Calla shrugged a shoulder.
“Time will tell. I’m not moving, however. If you want to make super secret alpha male plans, you must find a place to hide. I have to warn you however that I’ve learned the house and grounds well over the last week.” Flynn snorted at her statement but turned his attention to Chamberlain. There was no way he would sneak around in his own house like a teenager with contraband.
“What is the news?” Flynn asked Chamberlain again. He was not the man to run away from a fight.
“It’s bad.” Chamberlain stated matter-of-fact tone. Flynn relaxed. This was something he could work with. Crisis. Facts.
“Tell me something the news channels haven’t.” Flynn’s nerves were rock solid. He felt a small measure of control as he waited for Chamberlain’s response.
“You will face charges of corporate espionage. Buying secrets pertaining to the sale of the pipeline, money laundering and a few others bogus claims.” Calla gasped. Her hand drifted to her throat and all the blood left her face. She had wanted to stay and Flynn wondered if she regretted her choice now.
“Come here.” He moved the chair away from the table and opened his arms. Calla stumbled once against the table before righting herself. She pulled herself together and walked over and settled in his lap. “Who’s bringing the charges?”
“The Canadian Government.” Chamberlain’s tone even.
“Makes sense.” Flynn stroked Calla’s back. He felt her elevated heart rate pounding through her body. If she didn’t calm down, Calla would pass out. “There’s no way the stock would’ve fallen so far if it was Enbridge. Are they a part of this play?”
“Can’t say.” Chamberlain clicked his jaw shut.
“Or won’t say.” Flynn stopped rubbing Calla’s back. “From where I’m sitting right now, it would be easy to accuse you of playing me. You are the federal government.”
“You might.” Chamberlain appeared unconcerned. “But I wouldn’t still be sitting here if you suspected that.” His tone was grim. “We’d be rolling over the ground punching the shit out of each other. Most of this expensive looking room would be smashed to bits.” Silence followed his proclamation.
“What are you considering?” Flynn already had a good idea, but he wanted to hear the other man say it.
“There’s something rotten on the fed side.” Chamberlain’s brows came down. “No government officials have any idea about my investigation. It’s been a criminal matter. The fact that they have brought these charges down on you-” Chamberlain’s voice rose an octave, and he sat forward in his seat. “Where the fuck did they get their evidence? Who was the lead on this? No one in my opinion, this is a trap. A very elaborate trap. You are caught.” Flynn went over the details in rapid succession in his head.
“All the charges brought against me come from bullshit gathered by Enbridge.” Flynn stated out loud.
“And it’s being handled by federal prosecutors.” Chamberlain nodded his head.
“The prosecutors have to realize my lawyers will rip them to shreds in court.” Flynn was still looking for the angle here. “There’s more to it. The prosecution has no hope in any of those charges sticking.”
“It’ll still mean a public trial for you. One where your character will be discussed and dissected in the media spotlight for months if not years. Your business practices.” Chamberlains gaze refocused on Calla sitting in Flynn’s lap. “You’re private life. And of it will be scrutinised.”
“You assume this was the intention all along?” Calla’s breathing calmed, and she had brought herself together enough to follow their conversation.
“It might be.” Chamberlain shrugged his shoulders. “This whole shit show could be one elaborate scheme to buy Banroch cheap.” Flynn shook his head.
“No my gut tells me there is more to it.” He stopped rubbing Calla’s back. “What has my lovely ex wife been up to?” Flynn knew Chamberlain had men keeping a close on Melanie. If he believed Arthur, she might have created the Reverend.
“Nothing even suspicious, which is suspicious.” Chamberlain sounded sardonic. “She will not lead us anywhere. Her job is done. What we need to do is find the link in the Canadian Government to Enbridge.”
“I’d start with the committee who recommended buying the pipeline.” Flynn suggested. “This whole thing starts and ends with that stupid project.”
“I’m already on it.” Chamberlain stared at Flynn.
“How long do I have?” He asked already knowing he would have to leave the estate sooner rather than later. Calla would have to stay behind. His heart ached at the thought of leaving her behind, but the stakes were too high. One bullet from a snipers rifle and Calla would be wiped from the earth. The rest he could live with. But losing her. It would kill him.
“They always issue arrest warrants for these types of charges in the morning.” Chamberlain was a matter of fact. “It means the morning news will be all over the prosecutor’s press conference and by the afternoon he or she will have several interviews on prominent talk shows scheduled. A case this big could make someone’s career.”
“Or end it.” Flynn flashed a smile. It was the one he wore when he scented weakness by his enemies. And they had fucked up. They either didn’t know about Chamberlain or they did and discounted his abilities. As far as it concerned Flynn, Chamberlain had just become his number one asset. “I will make calls. Plan to be on the plane first thing tomorrow morning. I want to present myself at the station and post bond first thing in the morning.”
“Good.” Chamberlain nodded in approval. “You will take control.”
“Fuck yes I am.” He stared down at Calla. “The time for regrouping has ended. This is the gambit we’ve been waiting for.” He reached up and pushed a strand of hair away from Calla’s face. “It’s too bad it only lasted a week.”
“We’ll have plenty of time together in Vancouver.” Calla’s false smile broke his heart. “You’ll be on bond, but we can stay in town and face this together.”
“No.” Flynn would not capitulate on this one.
“Again Flynn this isn’t a scene. You don’t get to dictate the rules of your safety.” Calla argued sliding off his lap and staring down at him. If she thought a height advantage would make him bend, she was wrong. Out of the corner of Flynn’s eye, he watched as Chamberlain left the dining room. For once not an avid audience to one of his and Calla’s disagreements.
“Yes I do.” Flynn stared up at her. She was so fucking beautiful. He was about to do something he never, ever thought he would do again. But this was the moment he worked his life towards. A grin transformed his features. Calla appeared worried. And she should.
“I don’t know what you’re selling, but I’m not buying.” Her chin jutted out, eyes narrowing.
“Dr Calla Jones.” He slid off the chair and went down on one knee. Her stunned expression was the only en
couragement he needed to take her hand. “I love you.” The simple words much easier to say when they were to the person he loved more than anything. “I love you. And I know I haven’t made your life easy since we met. But I want to take care of you for the rest of your life. Marry me.”
“Aren’t we supposed to have a collaring ceremony first?” Calla’s question caught him by surprise. He laughed and stood up pulling her into his arms.
“We can have a collaring ceremony too.” He started down into her heartbreaking face again. “But I want to marry you. I want everyone to know we’re together. Fuck the world. I can protect you.”
“Flynn, it’s not about protecting me.” She started.
“Yes or no, Calla.” He gave his voice a sharp edge.
“I love you too.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “I didn’t want to admit it, but as always you’ve turned my entire world upside down.”
“You’ve been doing that since you sashayed into my office and agreed to sign a training contract with me.” Flynn grinned down at her. “Yes or no, sub?” He waited, but knew her answer before she opened her mouth. Her transparent expressions were a part of her. And he loved every single piece of his sub.
“Yes. Flynn Banroch. My master. My Dom. I will marry you.” She stated with a huge smile, but pulled away when he tried to kiss her. “But I want a proper collaring ceremony and I want Master Lovett to preside.”
“Your wish is my command.” Flynn thought his heart my burst. His brought his mouth down on hers in a kiss that sent fire burning through his veins and had his cock nudging her belly. He broke the kiss and glanced over at the table still holding a few of the lunch dishes. Calla laughed in wicked delight.
Chapter Nine
Calla sat in the huge living room with an enormous fire burning in the hearth and stared unseeing out the huge windows onto the back gardens. The rain had turned out to her constant companion for the rest of the afternoon. After Flynn fucked her on the dining room table, he pulled her into the kitchens and announced their engagement to his surprised staff. They recovered quickly. Someone fetched the champagne. Even Chamberlain came down for a glass, his gaze speculative. The whole celebration only took an hour.
Now as she looked out on the dreary afternoon, she speculated over Flynn’s motives. She knew he wanted to marry her. It was in his nature to seize what he wanted. Marriage would be his way of keeping her within arm’s reach and under his roof. It forced her to comply with his wishes, which were to stay here safe on an island in the middle of the Georgia Strait.
She would not be her ultra feminist mother’s daughters however if she stayed at home like a good wife and allowed the menfolk to do all the heavy lifting. Flynn was already showing signs of distress before Chamberlain’s arrival. He rallied after Chamberlain’s news. He was a man of action. The sitting and waiting would never work for a man of his nature. But she understood people. It was why she was so good at her job. A crash was coming and Calla needed to be there to mitigate the fallout.
After assurances of her happiness to read in the living room with a cup of tea, Flynn left her to speak with his lawyers. Chamberlain was also absent, no doubt working to put all the pieces together. This left Calla sitting in the cozy living room wondering how she was sitting here with nothing resolved between the two.
“Would you like more hot water?” Ms Emily came into the living room.
“No thank you. If I drink any more tea, my bladder might burst.” Calla informed the other woman. She found it was best to be blunt with her.
“Call if you need anything.” She bundled up the tea things and walked towards the door.
“I can’t find my luggage and I need to pack for my return to Vancouver this morning.” Calla said and the other woman stopped. It was true. Calla found her luggage gone after coming down from the dungeon the first day.
“Master Flynn left no orders for your belongings to be packed. Only for his. I believe you will be staying with us for some duration.” Ms Emily turned on her heel and eyed her with speculation.
“My plans have not been completed.” Calla said with conviction.
“Master Flynn made his orders specific.” Ms Emily insisted.
“And I will discuss my travel plans with him this evening.” Calla assured her.
“Or you will try to change his mind but he won’t bite.” Ms Emily sighed. “I was wondering about you, but I can see I had it right to begin with.” She walked back towards Calla and set the tea tray down again.
“I’m an adult woman and there is no way I will allow him to leave me behind.” Calla decided too. “My place is beside him come what may.”
“Good girl.” Ms Emily beamed at her and sat down on the couch opposite.
“I’m sorry?” Calla questioned.
“After our first meeting you appeared to let Flynn have his way in everything. I thought you were much more like Melanie than I thought or you were one of these milk-sop subs who can’t hold her own.” Ms Emily waved a hand at Calla to stop her from speaking. “Either way. He needs a strong woman who will do as you said. Stand by his side while the entire world watches.”
“Great.” Calla sighed. “So you’ll find my luggage for me?”
“No.” Ms Emily laughed and shook her head at Calla’s shocked expression. “You will convince Master Flynn to take you tomorrow morning. When you fail, act disappointed. But make no mistake, we’ll get you back to Vancouver in time for him to whip your ass before bed tomorrow night.” Calla shook her head.
“How are we going to manage that?” She hadn’t been sure about Ms Emily most of the week either, but they needed a little co-conspiracy to bring them together.
“You leave the details.” Ms Emily picked the tea tray up as she stood. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to settle everything.” Calla turned in her over-stuffed chair to watch Ms Emily walk out of the room. It didn’t feel right going behind Flynn’s back. Part of having a BDSM relationship was communication. She hammered it home to her patients in the lifestyle and those who came to her workshops to learn more about kink. Flynn would not tolerate any topping from the bottom and if she followed through with Ms Emily’s plan there would be serious consequences. For her ass and for her relationship with Flynn.
“I’ve got you scheming.” Flynn strode into the living room looking alive and present. He’d left his shirt unbuttoned at the top. There was colour in his cheeks and light in his eyes. In fact, to Calla, he looked like he had before all the worries over the Reverend, Melanie and Arthur.
“Not scheming.” Calla stood up and walked into his arms. It felt natural, held against his chest, her cheek resting on his crisp shirt to hear his heart beating.
“Guess I’ll let go of the fact you weren’t waiting in slave pose for me. You’ve agreed to be my wife.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“Caveman.” Calla threw back.
“You want to come with me tomorrow morning.” Flynn released her enough so she could lean back and stare at his face. She wanted to reach out and trace a finger down the side of his face. A part of her wasn’t able to comprehend he belonged to her. Her heart raced as she tried to think of a logical argument to convince him.
“Yes. You need me standing beside you. It will be a stressful time.” Calla let out a long breath. “A trial could last months. As much as I love your estate, I will not stay here for an indeterminate period until you deem it’s safe for me to leave. I have a family. My moms will want to see me. And I have a practice. People rely on me.”
“This is just until I can get a handle on the situation. I’ve already spoken to Linkin and Chamberlain is hunting down the mole in the government. He’ll be much more affective when he has boots on the ground.” His eyes pierced her heart with their sincerity even if his words made her shake her head. “You appreciate what you signed up for when you signed our contract.”
“We need to update our contract to reflect our current circumstances.” Calla reminded him. “We are a team. You
and me.”
“I understand we’re a team.” Flynn smiled down at her like she just handed him the argument. “And as a team, each of us has our own specific jobs to accomplish. I keep you safe. You submit.”
“You know that’s not how our marriage will work right.” Calla tried to step out of his arms.
“Right now things are dangerous.” Flynn’s arms tightened, and he closed his eyes. “If anything ever happened to you.” He shook his head and opened his eyes again. “I would have nothing do you understand? All of this.” His gaze took in the great living room with its precious artwork and expensive furnishing. “None of it would matter. Not money, property, success. You matter. So believe me when I say I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.” It didn’t matter that his words clutched Calla’s heart, and she wanted to melt. That he put her above everything meant so much to her. For a man in his position to make that statement, after everything he’d achieved, she was overwhelmed.
“Thank you.” She tried to make the two words as heartfelt as possible. To make him understand why she fought him on this. “But you listed all the reasons I need to be with you on that plane tomorrow morning. We are a team. So much stronger when we’re together.”
“Nothing you say right now will make me budge on this.” Flynn remarked.
“Don’t force me to take matters in my own hands.” Calla shoved against his chest to get space between them.
“Are you threatening me?” Flynn’s gaze sharpened. Calla threw up her hands.
“Is this our first fight as an engaged couple?” She huffed out. “You only asked me to marry you ten minutes ago.” He stared at her and shook his head. He laughed and held out his arms.
“More like a few hours.” He gestured her back into his arms. “Come, I want to feel your body next to mine.”
“This argument isn’t over.” She grumbled but walked forward.
“I understand. You still think we’re in a negotiation.” Flynn shifted and Calla knew his train of thought had shifted to something else. It annoyed her at how he set aside her concerns until he opened his mouth. “This is my proposition”