Amy hadn’t known she was being followed, and as she thought about it, another disturbing thought came to her. “All this time you’ve spent with me over the past couple of days—you were working, weren’t you? I was your assignment.”
“We were still trying to figure out if it was a credible threat or the ravings of a drug addict. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to worry needlessly. I was planning to be around anyway, so I insisted I be primary on your security detail.”
And she’d all but insisted he leave and go to work. She’d been afraid he’d get in trouble, and she’d shooed him out the door. It had also been easier to get her work done without him underfoot. No matter how unobtrusive he tried to be, having him around was distracting. He was handsome and sexy and hers.
He opened his door, and light flooded the interior. “I’m going to sweep the house, and then I’ll bring in our bags.”
“I don’t have any bags.” Except for the clothes on her back, she had nothing.
“I had Dustin pick up a few things for you.” He got out of the car. “Stay here. I’ll only be a minute.”
Amy watched lights come on in the cabin. As cabins went, this one was large and nicely kept up. The exterior had light yellow vinyl siding and a wide front porch with four rocking chairs arranged side by side. The inside, which she got to see moments later, consisted of a long living room that ran all the way to the kitchen in the back. A large dining table defined the dining room as a divide between the living room and kitchen. A combination bathroom and laundry room was off the kitchen. To the left, a hallway led to three bedrooms and another bathroom. It was cozy and homey, but some décor choices didn’t make sense.
“What are all the hooks for in the ceiling?”
“Bondage. They’re screwed into the rafters, so it’ll work for suspension. One of the bedrooms is set up as a dungeon with a St. Andrew’s cross, two different bondage tables, a spanking bench, and a pleasure-torture chair.” He didn’t grin lasciviously or get a twinkle in his eye, so she figured that room was off-limits to anybody but Dustin and Layla. “We’ll take the front bedroom. It’s the guest room. Give me a second to get the rest of the bags from the car, and then I’ll make up the bed.”
“I can help.”
“No. You’ve been through enough. Sit down and take it easy.”
Amy stood in the middle of the large room, staring after him. She wished he’d give her a task, something to make her feel useful, but he seemed intent on coddling her. Sinking down on the sofa, she folded her hands and waited while Jordan made two more trips in and out. Then she followed him into the bedroom. When he spread the fitted sheet over the mattress, she went around to the other side and tucked it in.
“You don’t have to do that. You’ve had a tough night, little one. Let me take care of you.”
His command would have worked better if he didn’t look so exhausted himself. “I slept in the car, and you’ve been up all night. Let me help, and then we can both go to bed. I’ll even sleep naked because I have no clothes that aren’t stained and torn.” She tried for a cheeky smile, but it came out tired and sad. “I’m the submissive, remember? I need to take care of you.”
He fluffed the top sheet in the air and let it float down to cover the bed. “You can wear one of my shirts to sleep. I told Dustin to get you some clothes, but I don’t know if he had time to get everything. He only had an hour to get supplies and the car for us.”
The idea of Dustin picking out her clothing did not appeal to Amy at all. Besides, there was no way he knew her size. Layla’s tiny frame couldn’t be more than a size four, where Amy bounced between fourteen and eighteen. Men were notoriously bad at guestimating that kind of thing.
Jordan set a travel bag at the foot of the bed and opened it up. Amy recognized it as having been shoved behind the seat in his truck. She expected him to pull out the shirts, jeans, boxers, and socks she knew he kept in there, but instead he extracted women’s clothing. Two shirts and two pairs of yoga pants looked to be about her size. She was pleasantly surprised. He threw a plastic-wrapped package of six panties on the pile, and then he added two bras. One was an underwire, and the other was a sports bra. It was all her size.
“Wow. I think it will fit. I’m impressed. Wait, this means you told Dustin my size.”
Jordan frowned. “I didn’t even think to tell him your size. I should have. Lucky for us, Dustin is good with women’s clothing. He says it’s a gift and a curse. I can’t see the downside of getting it right, though.”
There was a downside to people knowing her size. That was information she didn’t share. The only way Jordan would find out was if he looked at the tags in her clothes. Still, she wasn’t about to get upset that Dustin had bought clothes that would fit her. Upon closer inspection, he’d also chosen styles she liked. “I’ll thank Dustin when I see him next.”
The rest of the clothes in the bag were Jordan’s. He grabbed a pair of sweats and a shirt, and he tossed a shirt to Amy. “He forgot pajamas for you, so wear my shirt. Come on. Let’s take a shower before we go to bed. You’ll feel better once you’re clean.”
She followed him to the bathroom and waited patiently while he got the water going. This would be their first time showering together, so she had high expectations.
And she was doomed to disappointment. He washed and conditioned her hair carefully, and then he gently cleaned away all evidence of her ordeal from her skin. She expected that since they were both wet and naked, he’d want to get frisky, but he didn’t make a move. She chalked it up to fatigue. He’d worked all day and night. In bed, he curved his body around hers and held her securely in his arms. She fell asleep in seconds and stayed asleep until he woke her by easing his arms away.
“You don’t have to get up yet, babe. I’m starving, though, so I was going to make lunch.”
Bright light filtered around the blinds. Amy sat up. “I’m hungry too. Is there any food in the house or do we need to run to the store?”
“I brought food. Just relax. I’ll take care of everything.”
Amy watched him leave the room, and a heaviness settled over her heart. He felt guilty about what happened, and that was killing the fragile relationship they’d just begun to build.
Chapter Sixteen
Two nights with Amy should have been heaven, but it wasn’t. No matter how well Jordan took care of her, she only became more withdrawn. He’d surprised her with a coloring book and colored pencils, and she had yet to touch them. Mostly she wandered around the house aimlessly or read from the novels she found in the master bedroom. They were in hiding, and that meant they needed to stay inside and out of sight. Though Dustin’s cabin was in the woods, the main road wasn’t far, and it was the height of tourist season.
The morning of the second day, Friday, he was startled to hear pounding on the door. Amy was in the bedroom, reading or sleeping, and he’d just finished cleaning up the breakfast dishes. He grabbed his gun and hurried to the front of the cabin. Amy hovered at the mouth of the hall, and he motioned her to get out of sight.
“Who is it?”
“FBI. Your ass is grass, Monaghan.”
He recognized Malcolm’s voice and his impatience. Opening the door a crack, he found both Malcolm and Darcy on the porch. “What are you doing here?”
Malcolm pushed the door wider, and Jordan stepped back to let him in. “Visiting my dead sister-in-law. I tell you, it’s wonderful to be on my honeymoon and get news like that over the television.”
Darcy rushed in, her eyes darting around the room. “Where’s Amy? Is she okay?”
Amy came out from the hallway, rushing at her sister with arms wide open. “I’m okay, and I’m sorry I worried you.”
The women embraced tightly, and Jordan was struck by their physical similarities. They were definitely sisters. “We drove by your house on our way here.” Darcy’s voice was muffled because her face was buried in Amy’s shoulder. “I’m so glad you weren’t inside. It’s
a shell. Keith said they had propane tanks wired to your alarm system so that when you opened the door, a timer started. I didn’t even know you had an alarm system.”
“I didn’t know it worked.” Amy came up for air, so her words were clearer. “I thought it was disconnected.”
“It was,” Malcolm said. “Whoever did this knew what they were doing. Propane tanks were hidden in the front closet, under the kitchen sink, and in the hall closet. The crews working the scene are trying to save what they can.” Darcy reluctantly released Amy, and Malcolm took her place. He squeezed her tightly. “I can’t tell you how good it is to see you safe and sound.”
Darcy grabbed a bag from the porch. “We can’t stay long. We’re part of the sting operation to get those fucking bastards. But I brought you some of my clothes. Dustin said he sent two outfits for six days. That’s not enough.” She pulled Amy toward the bedroom. “Let’s go in here where we can be alone and those two can have their FBI powwow.”
Jordan motioned toward the kitchen. “I have a fresh pot of coffee brewing.”
“I’ve had enough coffee. Darcy made us leave at four in the morning. She’s been beside herself with worry, and seeing Amy in person was the only thing that would calm her down.” Malcolm took a seat at the table. “On the plus side, if the sister of the corpse is a mess, it makes the funeral more believable. On the negative side, we had to tell her parents that Amy is a really dead. They’re liable to not show up to the funeral otherwise.”
“They’re interesting people.” Jordan poured himself a cup of coffee, his second of the day, and joined Malcolm. “Are my parents and brothers and sisters planning to attend?”
“Jamie and your parents are already at your apartment. Your mom plans to pack up your things and take them back to Wisconsin. Dustin is storing your sex toys and rope at his place. No sense in giving your mom a heart attack.” Malcolm grinned, but it was more grim than happy. “The rest of your family is flying in today. We’re not telling them you’re alive. The fewer people who know, the better.”
Though Jordan didn’t want them to have to go through the heartbreak, he recognized the need for secrecy. “If I survive this, they may kill me.”
“Maybe. Let’s focus on the positives, though.” Malcolm got up and opened the fridge. He lifted a carton of milk. “Is there any cereal in this place?”
Jordan pointed to a cupboard. “What positives? Amy has lost everything, and now my family thinks I’m dead. Bowls are to the left.”
Malcolm found the right cupboards. He poured milk over his cereal. “You and Amy are together. Though, now that you mention it, she doesn’t look like a well-loved woman. Does she blame you?”
“No. She was mad at first because I didn’t tell her about the threat or that we had her under protective surveillance, but she got over it. Right now, she’s depressed, but that’s to be expected. She lost everything—her home, her business, all her possessions. That’s a harsh thing to bear.” Sadness settled in his heart as he thought of the enormity of her loss.
Malcolm scowled as he chowed down on a granola-based cereal. “Keith said you were being an idiot. Please tell me you’re not coddling her and letting her bask in depression.”
“She’s mourning the life she’s spent a lot of time building.”
“A life she still has.”
“Everything of her business is gone. Her computer, her files, sample books, contacts, client lists, and all the supplies she’s amassed—everything was destroyed.” She’d been crying over it earlier that morning.
Malcolm waved dismissively. “She can rebuild her business. It’s probably not going to be as difficult as she thinks. This case is all over the news, and you can’t get better advertising than that.”
His buddy had lost his mind. Jordan’s expression soured. “She didn’t ask for any of this, and it’s all my fault anyway. She never would have stumbled over that body if I hadn’t not kissed her at your wedding.”
With a snort, Mal pushed away his empty bowl and took Jordan’s coffee. “Let me know when you decide to get down off that cross. Dustin is in the market for a St. Andrew’s for his dungeon at home, and he could use the wood to build one.”
Jordan snatched his cup back before Malcolm could take a drink. “Get your own. There’s a whole pot. Or better yet, leave. I can do without you riding me. I’m the one who knows how to handle a little, not you.”
This time, Malcolm sighed. “You’ve got it bad, not that I expected less. It might take you forever to move on a woman, but when you do, you’re all in. That’s probably why all your exes still send you Christmas cards.” He put his hands on the table. “Look, I’m not denying that Amy has been through a lot, and I’m not minimizing it. But she’s a strong woman. Don’t treat her like she’s fragile just because she’s also a little. She’s resilient and smart, and I can’t help but think that you’re letting her down.”
“Did Keith put you up to this?” Jordan clenched his fists. Being younger than the rest of them, he was often treated like a kid brother. As the oldest of six, he chaffed under such handling. “She’s my little, my girlfriend. I know what’s best for her.” Except that he’d expected her to retreat into a different headspace to deal with what happened, yet she hadn’t.
Malcolm nodded. “I’m going to tell you what I know about Amy, and a lot of it is stuff you probably already know as well. She’s generous and kind. She has a deep and abiding need to take care of the people in her life. She’s inquisitive and industrious. Sitting here doing nothing will kill her spirit. She’s had her world turned upside down, the figurative rug yanked from underneath. She needs your guidance and a firm hand. If you’re not going to be the pillar of strength she needs, then you have no business being in her life. Now, I can see that you love her, but you’re letting the guilt override your better sense. You’re an excellent Daddy Dom, and she needs you to be at the top of your game.”
Love her? Jordan hadn’t considered that he’d fallen head over heels, but as Malcolm spoke, the realization hit him like a fist in the gut. He wanted to fall asleep with her in his arms, wake up next to her warm body, make love to her often, and fill her life with happiness. He couldn’t imagine an existence without Amy by his side. He tucked his injured pride away with his guilt and nodded at Malcolm. “Noted. Now tell me what you know about the op. What’s changed?”
Malcolm’s frown didn’t disappear, but it did ease. “Nothing, as far as I know. We’re gathering intel and putting the pieces in place. They raided the New Day Church yesterday. Lockmeyer said they found where the bomb was assembled and a list of robbery targets. The propane tanks they used were small, only five pounds, but there was enough to do the job. Dare is going through the computers we seized, and I’ll be giving him a hand when I get back. Avery and Lexee found addresses for property owned by the New Day Church. They’re getting warrants this morning.”
Darcy threw some bags on the bed and hugged Amy again. “Please don’t die again. I can’t lose you.”
With a small, uncomfortable laugh, Amy squeezed Darcy tighter. She was so glad that her sister had come for a visit. Jordan was wonderful, but she needed more. “I’ll try not to.”
“Okay, I’m done crying.” Darcy wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’m going to focus on the positives, as Mal keeps telling me to do. Check out what’s in the bags.”
Amy dumped the nearest bag on the bed. It contained lingerie. She held a deep red bustier up to her body and looked in the mirror. “Interesting choice. You know, I was late getting home because I stopped at the mall and picked up a cute bustier and skirt combination. It’s probably dust right now.”
Darcy bit her lip as she eyed the lingerie. “I’m not sure about that one. It looks fabulous on me, but somehow it doesn’t seem right on you. It’s too harsh. You need a soft pink or purple. I looked up this Daddy/little thing while I was on vacation. It seems a lot like you.”
Not ready for the change in direction, Amy took a second to respond. “You
knew Jordan was planning to talk to me?”
“Yeah. Jordan told Malcolm to lay off looking for a Dom for you. Mal said that Jordan was the kind of guy who thought through something from every angle before making a move. He certainly took long enough.” She grinned, and her blue eyes sparkled.
Warmth traveled up Amy’s neck as she thought of exactly how thorough Jordan could be. “Well, you were right about sleeping with a Dom. They are very attuned to their partner’s pleasure.”
Darcy dived onto the bed and rested her chin in her hands. “Tell me everything. Start with when I left the reception. I saw the way he was looking at you, and he didn’t let you far from his side the whole night.”
Amy perched on the mattress next to her sister and let loose with the details. By the time she finished, she felt as if a huge weight had lifted from her shoulders. She’d done nothing wrong, and none of this mess was her fault. It wasn’t Jordan’s, either.
Silence fell over the room as she finished speaking, and Darcy waited for more. “Amy, you’re stuck in a cabin with your Daddy for six uninterrupted days. Why are you so miserable?”
“Besides the fact that my house and business blew up? Besides the fact that I have to restart my business from scratch and find somewhere else to live?”
Darcy nodded. Her sister knew her too well to think she’d throw in the towel because of a setback like that.
Amy sighed. “Jordan hasn’t been at all dominant since it happened. At the hospital, I called him an asshole. I thought he’d punish me, but since we’ve been here, he’s done everything for me. He won’t even let me cook or do dishes. He caught me folding the clothes and putting them in drawers, and he made me stop. He finished it. I just wish he’d give me a chore or a task, like he did before we started going out, when he was just my Dom and not my Daddy or my boyfriend.”
Darcy sat up and cupped Amy’s face in her hands. “Honey, have you told him any of this?”
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