by Tori Carson
“Yes, ma’am. I’m right behind you.”
James and Laura walked in silence to the elevator. Once the doors closed, James began issuing his orders. “As we exit the building, I need you to stay within arm’s reach behind me. Once we enter the garage we won’t be stopping until we reach the car. If someone approaches you, I will wave them off. And before you give me trouble, I’ll give you the courtesy of explaining.”
By his pointed glare Laura understood he expected a response. Other than kicking him in the ass, she drew a blank and settled for a quick flick of the wrist, a please proceed gesture.
“Entering and exiting the building, you’re completely exposed. If Simson, or anyone else, chooses to come at you, anyone near you will be a target.”
Laura gave James his due. He knew just the buttons to push to gain her cooperation. While James waited for her acceptance, she studied his face and smiled. It galled him to give her any explanation. Knowing she pissed him off gave her a deep feeling of satisfaction.
The doors opened and she allowed him to go first. She stayed about a foot behind him, shaking her head at the ridiculousness.
Before they passed the security point, James turned to face her. “We’re going to walk quickly. Can you walk fast in those shoes?”
“Yes,” she answered between clenched teeth. Nick was getting an earful as soon as she got home.
James turned and they quickly left the building. It looked odd to see the four door white sedan parked in her spot. As they crossed the driveway, Laura froze hearing a high pitched squeal to her left. Smoke coming from just beyond the sedan paralyzed her with fear. Her brain couldn’t process what was happening. Was there a fire? Laura reached for James as a black SUV emerged from the smoke. James used both hands to shove her toward a concrete pillar. Laura stumbled and slid on the uneven pavement. She landed hard, jarring her entire body, but the roar of the oncoming car triggered her flight response. She scrambled behind the pillar as a sickening thud sounded behind her.
James’s shouted expletive was music to her ears. Laura thought he had to be hurt, but at least he was alive. With shaking hands she reached for her cell phone. Before she could draw it from her pocket, a small explosion had her dropping to the ground in an instinctive move to stay as small as possible.
Laura felt debris fall all around her. Daring a look, she saw James on his stomach in the driveway with a pistol in his hand. The SUV, now missing its blacked-out rear window, was fishtailing toward the exit. It hit the ramp sideways, slamming into two parked cars. Alarms and crunching metal added to the chaos.
Oscar was suddenly at her side, barking orders into a microphone on his shoulder. Sliding doors Laura never knew existed slammed shut, cordoning off the garage, seconds too late to stop the SUV. James, with pistol in hand, was asking her questions. Her ears were ringing. She couldn’t make out what he was saying.
With a groan, James picked her up. Laura struggled. Knowing the SUV had hit him, she had no idea how he was on his feet and walking around. “Put me down.”
“Stop!” James’s terse command came through loud and clear.
Afraid to shift her weight and maybe hurt him further, she allowed James to carry her to the infirmary and set her on an examination table.
Immediately, she jumped off. Standing on her own was a little harder than she’d expected. Her knees quivered and she was light headed. Putting a hand on the wall behind her, hopefully out of sight of the two overprotective men, she waited for the world to stop spinning.
“Don’t manhandle me again.” She pointed her finger in James’s direction. “And get your ass on that table. You were the one hit by the car. Oscar, get him an ambulance.”
“They’re on the way, Mrs B.” Oscar handed her the briefcase she’d completely forgotten about. Knowing the collar was inside, she clutched it with both hands. With her world in disarray, she clung to Nick the only way she could.
James remained standing by the door, arms crossed over his chest. The knees of his dress pants were scuffed, his clothing soiled, yet there he stood, the perfect professional. “You should call Mr Branson before the police do. He has a lot of friends on the force. As soon as one of them hears the shots fired call at this location, they’ll be on the phone to him.”
Laura felt the blood drain from her face. Nick would lose his mind if he received a call like that. She drew her phone from her pocket, but her hands shook so badly, it skittered across the floor. James bent down to pick up her phone and fell to one knee. Before she could reach him, he was back on his feet, feigning he was all right.
“Get on the bed! You’re hurt.”
James wore a smirk, “A,” he raised his index finger, “I don’t take orders. I give them.” Raising his middle finger he continued, “B, you’re a married woman and shouldn’t be issuing orders like that to anyone, but Mr Branson.” He raised his ring finger, “And C, you’re the wife of a good friend. Even though you make my ass tired, it’s my job to protect you.”
“Men! You’re all the same. Absolutely impossible.” Looking at Oscar, she felt guilty for her outburst. “No offense intended, Oscar.”
“None taken, ma’am.” His indulgent smile told her he’d heard this rant before.
James brought up the contact page of her phone and handed it to her. She was annoyed, but said nothing. Laura scrolled down to Nick’s name and hit the call button. As Nick answered his phone, police and security entered the room.
“Nick, I’m fine, but James has been hurt. A car came out of nowhere. He pushed me out of the way and it hit him instead.”
“I’m fine, Nick. Your wife worries too much!” James shouted over the confusion.
Nick started hammering her with questions. Her ears were still ringing and her body was beginning to ache all over. The police were asking questions and annoyed that she was on the phone. She ignored it all and tried to alleviate Nick’s worries.
“Do not speak to the police until I get there. I’m leaving now,” Nick ordered.
Laura put the phone in her pocket. She was relieved when the paramedics joined the crowded room. Whether James would admit it or not, he was injured. She watched as the officer in charge spoke briefly to a paramedic who then headed her way.
“Ma’am, we need to check you out. Make sure you weren’t injured. Would it be possible to go to your office? It would give us more privacy.”
“I’m concerned about James. He is far more injured than he’s letting on. He needs to go to the hospital.” She had no intention of going anywhere until James got the medical attention he needed.
“Yes, ma’am, my colleagues are working on him now. Let’s head up to your office and make sure you’re okay.”
Obviously, he wasn’t listening to her. She’d stated her objection and he continued to press his own agenda. Mrs Branson didn’t repeat herself. Instead she moved farther into the room and sat in the desk chair near Oscar. Both the officer and paramedic continued to speak at her. She was happy to give their comments the same respect they had given hers.
Oscar squatted down beside her. “Mr Branson, just arrived. He should be here any moment.”
“Good.”
As Nick neared the building, Sergeant Chase, a long standing friend, approached him. Nick’s body language must have spoken volumes as Sarge raised both hands in an ‘it’s cool’ gesture.
“Hey, Nick,” Chase paused to shake hands, “your wife is fine. She’s up in the infirmary giving everyone a hard time.” The officer led Nick through the chaos and into the building.
“That’s my girl!” After the elevator doors closed and they were alone, Nick asked, “Any word on a suspect?”
“The vehicle was found ditched a few blocks over. Hopefully, we’ll get a lead from it.” The doors opened to a crowded hallway. “Rich,” Chase shouted toward another officer. “Can you take Mr Branson in to see his wife, please?”
“Sure, Sarge. Right this way, Sir.”
Nick thanked and shook hands with Cha
se, before following ‘Rich’ into the infirmary. Laura sat near a desk along the far wall watching the paramedics examine James. Two men stood in front of her, blocking most of his view. They appeared to be speaking to her. Laura, however, completely ignored them. Nick couldn’t help but smile. Apparently she’d taken his direction to heart and had chosen not to speak to anyone.
Laura jumped from her chair and pushed past both men as soon as she saw him. At once he noticed the blood streaked down both her legs, her disheveled appearance and the briefcase, scratched and dirty, clutched in her right hand.
Shocking the hell out of him, she wrapped her arms, briefcase and all, around his waist. Her forehead came to rest over his heart. Despite being surrounded by people, they took that moment in time for just the two of them.
Nick’s lips touched her ear, “Are you really okay?”
When she didn’t answer aloud, but chose instead to nod, he realized she was fighting tears. He pulled her a little tighter into his arms. Nick knew Laura would want the attention off her. She wouldn’t be happy her façade was less than perfect.
Nick looked at James over the top of Laura’s head, “Were you hit?” All eyes turned to James and waited for his answer.
With a subtle shrug of his shoulders he answered, “A glancing blow, no big deal.”
“He needs to go to the hospital and get checked out.” Clearly the paramedic attending to James wasn’t amused by the tough guy routine and this discussion had been going on for some time.
“Stop arguing with the professionals and get your ass in the ambulance. We need a detailed medical report to help put this bastard away. The extent of injuries makes a difference between felony and misdemeanor hit and run.” Nick was convinced James wouldn’t consider his injuries worth documenting, he hoped by planting the seed of needing the evidence in court, James would be more likely to cooperate.
“Rich, as her attorney, I’d like a private moment with Mrs Branson.”
After much discussion, they were escorted to her office. Behind closed doors, Nick pulled Laura onto his lap. A wistful remembrance of their afternoon flashed through his mind. He could have lost her. Just like that, she could have been taken from him. His heart constricted with such pain he had trouble drawing a breath.
“What am I going to do with you? I leave you alone for couple of hours and look at the trouble you get into.” He had to make light of the situation or he’d end up putting his hand through a wall. The adrenaline spike he’d been dealing with since Laura had called him needed an outlet.
“Trouble found me this time. I was just a bystander.”
He was pretty sure Laura didn’t realize she was rubbing her face along his shoulder looking shell-shocked and forlorn. “What happened?” It didn’t matter that he knew the basic series of events. He had to hear it from her. He needed to know she was really okay.
She shrugged, “I don’t even know exactly what happened. James and I were walking to his car. I heard a screeching sound and saw smoke. Then this SUV just appeared out of nowhere. James shoved me out of the way. The next thing I know he’s on the ground with a gun in his hand. Did you know he was armed?”
Nick nodded. He refused to be drawn into a gun safety conversation. “What happened then?”
She shrugged again. “The SUV never slowed down, it hit several cars and just took off out of the garage. I know it hit James. I heard it.” Laura cringed and shook her head. “I keep hearing the sound of his body hitting the metal, the smashing glass, the air leaving his lungs and his groan of pain as he rolled over the car. I know he is hurt. He’s trying to say he’s fine, but, Nick, he isn’t.”
“Did he fire his weapon?”
“Yeah, I thought it was an explosion, it was so loud. But I think it was his gun. The back window broke into a million pieces. It rained down all over us. I keep picking glass pieces out of my hair. They were even in my pocket. I have no idea how they got there.” Laura paused, seeming to realize she was rambling. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Was anyone else hurt? The driver was crazy. He hit several cars on his way out.”
“Not that I’ve heard. Don’t worry about James. He’s pretty tough. He’ll be okay.” Nick hoped he was telling the truth. James was a good man. He liked him.
“You never came in contact with the vehicle?” He was pretty sure her injuries were the result of landing on the pavement when James pushed her to safety, but he had to ask. He had to know for sure.
“No, I’m fine. Just some sore muscles and a few scrapes. James is the one I’m worried about.”
“My little subbie doesn’t need to be worried about another Dom.” He wanted to see her smile. He’d rather have her angry than frightened.
“James is a Dom?”
Nick found her surprised, whispered tone amusing. With an answering grin he nodded.
At first she bunched up her face in disbelief. She looked so adorable, he wanted to kiss her into submission.
“Yeah, I guess I can see that.”
Nick felt jealousy raise its ugly head. She didn’t need to be looking at other men and wondering what their preferences were. “Let’s get your statement out of the way, so we can get out of here. Answer their direct questions. Do not offer opinions or suppositions. If I put my hand over yours stop immediately.”
“Yes, Sir.” Her lilt told him what she thought of his directions.
“That little slice of sarcasm just cost you two swats.” Her answering grin lightened his mood.
* * * *
As soon as they arrived home, Nick ran a warm bath for Laura. Knowing she loved the smell of her bath salts, he also ran water in the two bathroom sinks and sprinkled in a generous helping to fill the room with the relaxing aroma. He couldn’t risk the salts further inflaming her open wounds. The paramedics had assured Nick, Laura’s injuries were nothing worse than cuts and bruises. Still, seeing her skin abraded and swollen made him angry. He had no idea how he would have handled it, had she been truly injured.
On the drive home, Laura had called both of their children and let them know she was fine. Several news stations had camera crews in front of her building. The kids needed to hear it straight from her that she was alive and well.
Nick lit a few candles and dimmed the lights, wanting a relaxing atmosphere. Once he was sure the water was just right, he went into the bedroom and found her asleep. As much as he’d like to let her rest, she’d be sore as hell tomorrow if she didn’t get into the warm water soon.
“Come on, sleepy-head, into the water with you.” Nick smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and let him carry her into the bathroom.
“Sorry, I dropped off like that.”
“It’s normal. You’ve been through a traumatic experience. Just relax.” After settling her in the bath, he wet her hair then squirted a small amount of shampoo into his hand and began a slow, gentle massage of her scalp.
“Oh, Nick, that feels so good. You’re spoiling me.”
“No, Angel, I’m just taking care of you, as is my right as your Dom.”
“A girl could get used to this.”
Nick grew hard watching her relax under his care. She’d been so uptight and independent for so long, he loved being able to care for her. As he took his time washing her hair, he knew this was an erogenous zone for her. His mind immediately started planning ways to incorporate it into their play.
“Sit up.” He kept a hand on her back to help her. Using the spray wand he washed out the shampoo then eased her back against the edge so he could apply the cream rinse.
Laura had beautiful, thick, healthy hair and he loved running his hands through it.
“Have you heard anything from AJ? Do you know how James is doing?”
“He’s fine. A couple cracked ribs and a minor concussion. You both got lucky.” Damn lucky.
“I was really worried about internal bleeding. I’m glad he was checked out.”
He sat her up again and gave her hair a final rinse. “St
and up, Angel, let’s get you back to bed.”
Pain skirted across her face as she tried to get her legs under her. Nick immediately used his arms to take her weight and help her stand. He used the wand to rinse the suds from her body. She was so compliant, his heart moved to his throat. He liked her full of fire. This Laura scared him.
Nick put his arm under her legs and lifted her from the bath.
“You’re getting soaked,” Laura complained as she put a hand on his chest and lightly tried to push him away.
“Be still. They’re just clothes and I need to hold my girl.” Nick grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her. He sat on the tub edge and began patting her dry. It was a losing battle with her hair dripping all over her. He scooted closer to the wall and grabbed another towel. “Here, do that twisty, flippy thing on your hair.”
She giggled just as he’d known she would. Once her hair was contained he finished drying her off. “Time to get you to bed.”
“I have to do my exercises.” She turned into his chest to hide her yawn.
He stood up and gave her ass a gentle smack. “The only place you are going is to bed. I’m not going to have you tearing up your knees any further.”
“It’s only three days ‘till Mardi Gras.” There was the slightest hint of panic in her voice.
“My dearest Angel, you are perfect just the way you are. No more arguing.” He wasn’t entirely sure he was going to allow her to go. Simson had tried to kill her tonight. Locking her in a safe-room made more sense than taking her to a public event.
Nick sat her on the edge of the bed and towel dried her hair as best he could. He knew she would be upset if she woke with her hair a mess, so he threw the towel in the bathroom hamper, grabbed a brush and a hair tie, then quickly returned to her. Laura was swaying slightly she was so tired. He pulled her forward until her forehead rested on his torso then began brushing her hair. Once all the knots were handled, he braided her hair and tied off the end.
“Sleep, my Angel.” He laid her on the bed, pulled the covers up and tucked them around her. Nick brushed a kiss along her temple. Leaving the room, he turned off the lights.