Heal Me [Club of Dominance 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Becca Van

  Kara’s eyes were closed. Her cheeks were flushed and perspiration dotted her brow and upper lip, but she was in subspace. The muscles in her face were slack and her mouth was hanging slightly open.

  “What happened to your parents, Kara?”

  Nixon stepped up onto the step and pressed his front against her back, and from the way his brother’s shoulder was moving, he was also fingering her pussy. Kara moaned but then she began talking. There was a dreamy quality to her voice, which let him know she was under them dominance spell. And even though he tried not to react to each word she spoke, his muscles became tense.

  “She carried me for the full nine months and just before she had her sixteenth birthday she gave birth to me. My mother didn’t want anything to do with me, not that I really blame her. She’d already signed me over to the state before I was born. She walked out of that hospital and a week later took her own life.

  “My mother was raped when she was fifteen. One of her neighbors caught her coming home from school, held her down, and sexually violated her. She was only a fucking kid. I asked the head of the orphanage to help me find out about my parents at the same age. God, I wish I’d never even tried to find them. I would have been better off not knowing that my mother couldn’t find any love in her heart for me, an act of violence.”

  He looked over at Nixon and saw that his brother was having a hard time controlling his emotions, too. The pain and horror he could hear in her voice damn near broke his heart and even though he wanted to hold her, comfort her, he knew if he touched her she could come out of subspace.

  Once she started speaking, it was like she couldn’t stop. Everything they wanted to know came pouring out of her mouth as if she needed to purge the pain and horror from her heart and soul.

  “The bastard who fathered me was arrested and incarcerated. One of the other inmates killed him. He got his just desserts as far as I’m concerned. My mom’s parents didn’t want anything to do with her and died without knowing their only child was already dead.

  “Some of the older girls found out about my conception and took great delight in tormenting me. They didn’t realize what they were doing. They were just as angry at the world as I was.”

  Kara was nearly incoherent now but she yelled what she said next.

  “So much heartache, death, and destruction from one asshole’s act of violence. How could someone do that to another person? Tell me how?”

  Kara screamed out her agony.

  By the time she was done, he and Nix had tears in their eyes, but there was no way they would ever let her see them. She didn’t need their sympathy or pity. What Kara Benjamin needed was pure, unadulterated love and they were just the two men to give it to her.

  The tears and sobs were coming fast and hard. Nate started removing the strap from across her upper back while Nix undid the one over her hips, and when he started to release the wrist restraints, Nixon worked on the ones around her ankles. When she was free, Nix scooped her up into his arms and carried her across to the king-size bed on the other side of the room. He sat down on the edge with Kara in his lap and held her while she cried her eyes out. Nate sat down beside them and rubbed her back and arm as she continued to cry.

  Finally the tears slowed and she started shaking in reaction. Nate pulled the covers of the bed back and after Nixon placed her in the middle of the mattress he stripped down to his boxer shorts and climbed in with her. Nixon took his clothes off, too, and then spooned her from behind. The occasional hiccup still wracked her body but Nate was pleased that she clung to him like a lifeline. When she’d calmed down even more, he grabbed the bottle of water he’d placed on the bedside table earlier and held it to her lips. After she’d had her fill, he wiped the tears from her face and just held her against him. Minutes later her breathing evened out.

  “Do you think she’s going to try and keep us at a distance again?” Nix asked.

  “I don’t know. I fucking hope not.”

  “She’s been to hell and back hasn’t she?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I can’t believe those girls at the orphanage weren’t punished for how they treated her.”

  “Me either, but we don’t know the sort of lives they had or where they came from. Punishment may have made things worse for them. Who’s to say they weren’t beaten or molested by their parents?”

  “This world is so fucked up sometimes.” Nixon sighed and snuggled in closer to Kara.

  “It’s not the world that’s fucked up, Nix. It’s some of the people in it.”

  “Ain’t that the truth! So what do we do now?”

  “We love her, bro. We show her how really special she is and hope to God that she eventually believes it.”

  * * * *

  Kara came awake with a jerk and a start. She felt the warmth at her front and back and immediately knew she was in bed with Nate and Nix. She consciously relaxed her muscles and listened intently. She was glad that they were still asleep. Their deep, even breathing indicated she hadn’t disturbed them when she’d come awake. She lifted her head from the pillow and glanced around the dimly lit room and noticed she was still in their dungeon. She needed to use the bathroom but wasn’t sure she could get out from between them. Her body felt sweaty and sticky and she wanted to get a shower.

  When she turned her head and saw Nixon’s handsome face, so relaxed and young looking, warmth filled her heart. She looked over at Nate and was glad he had his back to her, but they were both plastered up against her sides and Nix had his arm wrapped tightly around her waist. She shifted and gently clasped his wrist with her fingers and moved his arm aside, then held her breath when he grunted in his sleep and rolled over, giving her the room she needed to move.

  Kara got out from beneath the covers and crawled down to the end of the bed and quietly slipped out of the room. She sighed with relief that she hadn’t woken them but she also felt a little guilty about that, too. She had a feeling if they woke up without her between them then there was going to be hell to pay, but she’d worry about that later. She headed to the bedroom at the end of the hall and the enclosed toilet in the en suite bathroom. After taking care of her needs, she got into the shower and washed her body. When she was done she dried off and then remembered that her clothes were still in the room Nate and Nix were sleeping in, so after brushing her teeth with a new toothbrush, she went into the bedroom and rummaged through the dresser for something to wear. She grabbed a large T-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts and pulled them on.

  The sun was just coming up and as she went to peek out the window, the events of last night came back to her. A low moan of despair erupted from her mouth and she crumpled to the floor. A loud explosion reverberated in her ears and she covered them, trying to block it out. She choked back a sob and tried to inhale, but the air was so thick she couldn’t get enough oxygen into her lungs. She glanced around frantically and saw the smoke and fire. Panic assailed her making it even more difficult to breathe.

  Kara screamed when arms lifted her from the floor. Her heart was racing and no matter how hard she tried to breathe she couldn’t. Darkness closed in around her and even though she tried to fight whoever held her, it was a useless endeavor. Her energy was sapped from her, right along with her lack of oxygen and consciousness.

  * * * *

  “Fuck, she passed out,” Nixon yelled as he carried Kara away from the burning bedroom and smoke. He didn’t stop until he was outside in the yard far enough away from the house so that none of them would get hurt if there was another explosion.

  Nate was on his cell phone to 9-1-1 reporting the explosion and the fire, but when he’d finished his call, he knelt down beside him and Kara. “Shit, we should have thought to get a quilt or something.”

  “Don’t you dare go back inside,” Nix ordered. “Get one of the first aid kits from my truck.”

  Nate rushed away to where Nix’s truck was parked on the drive away from the house. He’d never been so thankful that he’d washed
his truck yesterday morning and left it out of the garage. The house was already going up in flames and the attached garage could be a death trap. He’d seen the results of smoke inhalation and burns from house fires and was damn sure he wasn’t about to let his brother or their woman get hurt when it wasn’t necessary.

  Nix gently put Kara on her side and ran his eyes and hands over her body looking for injuries. He couldn’t find anything except a small burn on her thigh. He sighed with relief that she hadn’t been seriously hurt, but he was worried about her unconsciousness.

  Nate came hurrying back with the kit as sirens got closer but they ignored them. Nixon checked Kara’s head in case she’d hit it on the floor or the bed but he found no contusions or cuts. Just as a fire truck pulled into the driveway and firefighters spilled from the cab, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He studied each fireman and then he looked around to see if anyone else was watching, but other than their neighbors there were no strangers about. Still, the uneasy feeling wouldn’t let up.

  Nate was either too intent on examining Kara to feel it or he was just ignoring it. His brother listened to Kara’s chest and heartbeat and nodded at him when he was done.

  “She’s fine. She’s not showing any signs of smoke inhalation and her heartbeat’s strong.”

  Just as Nate finished speaking Kara moaned and her eyelids fluttered open.

  “Kara, are you okay?”

  She went to sit up but Nixon placed a hand on her shoulder to keep her down.

  “I’m fine. What’s happened?”

  “Don’t you remember the explosion?”

  “Wh—”

  When she went to sit up again Nix and Nate helped her in case she was unsteady, but she seemed all right.

  “I–I remembered what happened last night.” Kara paused to inhale deeply and then she exhaled slowly. She watched the firefighters for a moment and then she looked back at them. “I was embarrassed about what I told you and went into a panic.”

  Nixon cupped her face between his hands and then leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead. “You have nothing to be embarrassed, ashamed, or afraid of, honey. None of it was your fault, Kara. Do not carry the shame and guilt around with you anymore. If you want to lay the blame at someone’s feet then do it to the man who raped your mother.”

  Kara looked into Nixon’s eyes for a long time and then she moved her gaze to Nate’s.

  “You aren’t looking at me any different.”

  “Why would you think we would, baby?” Nate asked. “We’ve already told you that none of the blame was yours. How could it be when you were just a group of cells forming in your mother’s womb?”

  Nix reached over, clasped her waist and lifted her into his lap. Nate wiped the tears from her face and they all looked up when a shadow fell over them.

  “Nate, Nixon, what the hell happened?”

  Chapter Twelve

  It was really hard not to laugh out loud and draw attention to himself. He stood behind a large hedge across the road and no one even knew he was there. Not even the neighbors who’d come running out their house to see what was going on. He’d stayed crouched in the shadows and they’d passed him within only a few feet. Dumbasses. He rubbed his hands together with glee.

  He’d been really smart and placed a tracker on the truck before throwing that homemade bomb through the bedroom window. He wouldn’t have to follow them to know where they were at all times. He could turn up and they’d never be the wiser. When he walked by them at the hospital, they hadn’t even given him a second glance. They didn’t even remember that he was the brother of one of their dead patients, but that was okay. In fact it was a good thing. There was no way they would even think of him or his brother. They probably didn’t even remember losing his sibling in that cold, emotionless hospital, but he would never forget.

  But they’d also given him more ammunition. The woman one of the fuckers had carried out of the house was going to be his. They would suffer the way he’d suffered. Having to stand back and have someone they cared for in someone else’s hands was going to be very hard for them to endure. Especially since they didn’t have a clue who he was or who was taunting them and out to make them suffer, just like he had, and still was.

  From the way they had checked the woman over, they were both doing the slut. By the time he’d finished with her she’d know what it was like to be with a real man. Those assholes couldn’t be any good in bed if she needed both of them servicing her. He was going to change that. He would bide his time and then when everything fell into place he would take her, and when he was done with her, he was going to kill her. No one would ever know who he was or where she had gone, but he would. He would have had his ultimate revenge. He didn’t need any accolades or publicity. This was about pure, unadulterated retribution.

  Oh yes. He would have the last laugh.

  * * * *

  Nate helped Kara to her feet and after introducing her to Detective Gary Wade, again, they explained what they thought had happened. Now that Kara was calmer, she was able to remember more details and told them that a Molotov cocktail had been thrown through the window.

  “Who have you pissed off?” Gary asked.

  “No one that I know of,” Nate answered.

  “Me either.”

  “What about you, Kara? Do you have a crazy ex in the closet somewhere, or have you angered someone enough to warrant this?”

  “No, Sir.”

  Gary smiled at her. “Gary’s fine, honey.”

  Kara blushed.

  By the time the firemen had put the fire out, the house looked like a mess. Nate wanted to go inside and check out the damage but since it was now a crime scene Gary wouldn’t let him. “The forensic guy is on his way. Why don’t you head to your parents’ ranch and I’ll contact you as soon as I know anything?”

  “Come on, baby, let’s go.” Nate clasped her hand and began to lead her toward Nix’s truck.

  “Wait!” Kara tugged on his hand and pulled free. She looked at Gary. “Do you think I could go in there and get my license and apartment keys out of my jeans pocket?”

  “Where are they?” Gary asked.

  Kara glanced toward him and her cheeks turned a pinker hue.

  “In the playroom,” Nix answered before he could.

  Gary turned and headed inside without saying a word. He was back moments later with Kara’s clothes.

  “The playroom’s intact.”

  Nate nodded and looked at Kara as she dug into her jeans pocket. She held up her keys and license with a triumphant smile.

  “Can you take me home? I have washing to do before work tomorrow.”

  Nate didn’t want to let her out of his sight. He had a bad feeling about being targeted by some fucker and was worried that now that Kara was with them, she could become a target, too, but he didn’t want to scare her by voicing his concerns. And until they knew for sure that they were being targeted and it wasn’t just some kid trying to get his rocks off by creating havoc, he would keep his mouth shut.

  “I’d prefer if you stayed with us.”

  “No. I have to go home.”

  Damn it all to hell!

  “We’ll take you home on one condition,” Nixon spoke up.

  “What’s that?”

  “You call or text us every hour, on the hour, until you’re ready for bed,” Nate said. He wasn’t sure what stipulation Nixon was going to give but he liked his own more. If by chance they did have someone out to get them, and now Kara, they wouldn’t have too much of a time delay if something happened.

  “Why would you…”

  “Take it or leave it, baby. If you leave it then we all go to our parents’ ranch.”

  “Fine. I’ll call or text you every hour until I go to bed.”

  Nate helped her up into the cab of the truck and after making sure she was buckled in Nixon turned the ignition on and they headed out. Both Nate and Nixon kept their eyes on the mirrors but neither of them saw anyone
following them. He was a little less tense but still uncomfortable about leaving her on her own.

  After parking the truck in the street they walked her to her door. Nate walked inside and after checking to make sure everything was safe—which earned him a glare from Kara—he felt better about leaving her.

  “Come here, honey.” Nixon pointed to the spot on the floor directly in front of him and Nate had to hold in his smile when she obeyed Nix instantly. He cupped her face between his hands and then kissed her passionately, deeply, hungrily. If Nate hadn’t nudged him, Nix may not have stopped kissing her until they all ended up in her bedroom.

  Nate shoved Nix aside, pulled her into his arms, and slanted his mouth over hers. He kissed her with all the pent-up emotions he’d been keeping locked inside when he heard that explosion. He had never felt that level of fear ever before and hoped he never had to experience it again. His tongue swept the interior of her mouth and then slid against hers. When she started rubbing her breasts against his chest he knew he had to stop before he lost total control. All he wanted to do was strip her down and fuck her hard and fast to completion but she wasn’t ready for that intensity from him, yet.

  He wanted to wrap their woman up in cotton wool and keep her safe, but he knew she would baulk at that. Better yet would be to take her to the ranch and tie her to his bed, but again, he knew he couldn’t do that so he was going to have to be satisfied that she was willing to contact them.

  Like hell.

  Maybe they should hire someone to look out for her when they couldn’t. The more he thought about it, the more he liked knowing that someone would be watching over her when he and Nix couldn’t. He would have to discuss it with his brother on the way to their parents’ ranch.