by Lexi Blake
He’d just learned she was involved with the mob and he still wanted to be inside her.
“I’ve got Markovic on it. Apparently he’s got some ties there,” Tag explained. “He was calling some people this morning, and hopefully he can figure out why they put the kill order on her. I put a call in to my Bratva contact. He might have heard something. I’ll ask him about Faith and the senator when he calls back.”
Ten chuckled. He was fairly certain Big Tag had never expected that his wife would come with a full set of Russian mafia in-laws. “You’re still in touch with Dusan?”
Dusan Denisovitch was Charlotte and Chelsea’s cousin. He was also the head of the Denisovitch Syndicate, one of the most successful of the Bratva or the Brotherhood. Dusan had risen to the head when the former leader had been murdered. Ten was fairly certain he was currently in the same room as the man who had killed Dusan’s father. He’d often wondered if Dusan thanked Tag for clearing the way.
“Yep. I can’t get rid of anyone,” Tag complained. “The good news is Dusan’s actually fairly rational for a criminal. He’ll call back when he’s done doing whatever he does. I try not to ask. I’ll have a report for you on Monday.”
He would have to get through the weekend before he found out the truth. He looked over at Theo. Theo believed Faith, but Theo hadn’t seen the things Ten had seen. Theo’d never nearly been gutted by a woman he’d recently finished fucking. Yeah, that had happened to Ten more than once. Theo thought Erin was a handful. He’d never had to go hand to hand with an MSS agent who tried to take off the cock she’d just sucked.
He couldn’t believe in Faith. He had to keep himself apart. It was simply proving more difficult than it usually was. Usually it wasn’t difficult at all. Damn but he wished he knew what it was about Faith that called to him. Her innocence? That could be false. She wasn’t the most beautiful woman he’d ever slept with, but he couldn’t think of a single one he preferred to her. Maybe Theo wasn’t the only one who needed to remember what the hell he was doing here.
“Get me the info I need, Tag.”
Tag’s eyes met his. “I will. What are you going to do about the girl if she’s dirty?”
“Whatever I have to.” It was the only answer he was willing to give. He sighed. “I should get ready. She’ll be back soon. I want to move her over to my place. I can keep better track of her there. Has she eaten yet?”
Theo shook his head. “I asked her to pick up some cereal while she was out.”
Poor Erin. She wasn’t getting a cook out of Theo. “Do you have eggs? I don’t eat cereal.”
Tag’s eyes lit up. “Hey, I could eat.”
Ten sighed and opened the fridge to see what he could do. Maybe cooking would take his mind off the fact that he might have to turn Faith over to the authorities.
Or depending on how bad the situation was, he might have to kill her himself.
CHAPTER SIX
“It has to move fast, Erin. I only have a few weeks off,” Faith said as Erin turned toward the house she and Theo shared. It was in an older neighborhood with plenty of trees. Everything seemed green and pretty.
“I’m not being judgmental. God, don’t think that for a second. I’m simply pointing out that you’ve only known Ten for a few weeks. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“And I thank you for that, but I know the score.” She actually didn’t like to think about the fact that she would have to leave him in a few weeks. She’d never really thought about it with Roger. She’d enjoyed their time together¸ but she’d always been ready when it was time to go back to work. The thought of leaving Ten kind of made her heart clench.
It was because it was new and he was so gorgeous. He was different. Surely she wouldn’t feel this way after a few weeks of spending tons of time together. After she’d actually slept with him, she would likely yawn and go back to her real life. Yeah. That was going to happen.
God, she was going to get her damn heart broken.
She put on a smile. “We’re just having fun. We’re not serious. Not everyone is as suited as you and Theo.”
Erin’s hands tightened on the wheel. “I’m thinking of breaking up with him.”
Faith turned in her seat. “What? Why would you do that?”
“It won’t work,” Erin said, her voice small. “Isn’t it better to rip the bandage off?”
She shook her head, her heart hurting for Erin. What was going on behind the scenes?
“No. Nope. As a doctor I can tell you plainly that it’s a bad idea to rip the bandage off. It tends to do more damage. And what do you mean it won’t work? You two are perfect for each other.”
“I don’t think I’m perfect for anyone,” Erin muttered. “It’s not him. He’s a great guy. I’m not cut out for a long-term relationship.”
Something else was working here. “How long have you two been together?”
She hesitated for a moment before answering. “A year now.”
That was longer than most of Faith’s relationships. “Have you ever had a relationship last this long?”
“No.”
“Then you’re nervous because everything’s going well.” Faith actually knew the feeling. She felt a bit of it this morning. Waking up with Ten had been a revelation. It should have been awkward and weird but it had felt…right. It felt like they’d been sleeping side by side for years. “You need to relax. He’s madly in love with you.”
“I don’t know why.”
“Then ask him.” Communication was important. The lifestyle mentors she’d been around had preached it incessantly. How could a Dom know what worked if the sub never talked to him about it? Sure they were talking about scenes, but Faith had always known when she met the one, she would use that belief in her relationship. She would be open and honest about what she needed.
Was Ten “the one?” Was he the man she might give up her clinic for? She’d always thought she would work until she died, giving her service to the world around her. What if she could have more? What if she could have a family and a husband and love?
“You think I haven’t done that?” Erin’s question pulled her from those dangerous thoughts. “He gives me some bullshit about being strong and feeling like I complete him. I don’t complete anyone, Faith. He doesn’t…he doesn’t even know everything. He’s never met my dad or my brothers.”
“Why haven’t you introduced him? You’re living with the man.” Was she going to introduce Ten to her family? Sure they would be on the island, but there was a difference between “hey, this is my date” and “hello, Dad, I’d like you to meet the man I might be falling for.”
She sounded like such an idiot girl in her head.
“That so wasn’t my idea,” Erin replied. “And I don’t think it’s a good idea for Theo to meet them. I don’t have much contact with my family anymore, but he’s started asking about them. I don’t want those two worlds to collide.”
Ah, so there was the issue. She knew there had to be one buried deep. “You would rather break up with him than have him meet your family.”
“Yes,” Erin answered in a flat tone.
“Tell him. He’ll understand.” She hesitated to bring anyone into her weird family, too. It had been easy up to this point.
“No, he’ll get nosy. Theo’s sticky. He’s everywhere. He won’t just have sex. He’s gotta get all involved and stuff. I’ve gone along with it, but I don’t want to talk about this. I got over it a long time ago. Theo’s not going to let it sit so I should break it off now. Well, soon. I don’t know. I shouldn’t be talking about it anyway.” She frowned. “I think someone’s following us.”
Faith turned in her seat, but all she saw was another car, driving sedately down the street. At that moment, Faith’s cell phone trilled. Her sister. “Why do you think we’re being followed?”
“Because that car turned when I did. It’s a Benz. We don’t have those on this street. I think it’s been following us since we left the drugstore.”
“Or you could stop the car and say hello. Hey, I think you’re speeding, sis. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Faith turned in her seat. Sure enough, she could see her sister’s blonde hair through the windshield. She let out a long breath. At least no one was trying to kill her at the moment. “We’re being followed by my sister. I think it’s safe enough to go home.” She put the phone to her ear again. “Hope, why are you behind me?”
One hand came up and waved vigorously. “I have a seminar at Presbyterian on Monday and I thought I’d say hi.”
“How did you know where I was?”
“Oh, I totally track your cell phone.”
“You what?” She shouldn’t be surprised, but there it was.
“Hey, I once lost you to a rebel army in Ghana. I track your damn cell phone. If I could put one of those pet scanner things under your skin, I would. So let’s get to wherever you’re staying so I can hug you.”
She put her hand over the phone. “It’s my sister. Is it all right for her to come in? If not, I can go with her.”
Erin pulled into her driveway. “No, you can’t. Unless your sister is a trained bodyguard, you won’t be going anywhere alone with her, or have you forgotten?”
She had kind of forgotten. The morning had been more about kisses than someone shooting at her. She hadn’t thought twice about leaving with Erin. Now she wondered. “Are you carrying a gun?”
Erin put the car in park. “Of course. I’ve got one on me and another in my bag. A knife, too. A girl’s gotta accessorize. So you’re sure that’s your sister pulling up in front of my house?”
Hope was already out of the car. It was a Saturday but she was dressed to the nines in a sheath that showed off her slender body and what looked to be five-inch heels. Likely straight from a fashion label’s trunk show. She was carrying her Chanel bag and smiling brightly. “My baby sister! I had to track you down, but I found you.”
She couldn’t help but smile back. When Faith started forward, Erin reached for her elbow.
“Not here. Let her come up. We’ve got cover up here but none in the yard.”
Had Erin really been scoping every place they’d been this morning for assassins? Faith shivered at the thought but did as Erin asked. Her sister strode up the walk. “Hope, I’m surprised, but it’s good to see you.”
“Well, you weren’t coming to me,” her sister complained. “I had to come to you.” She threw open her arms and enveloped Faith in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re home and safe. Tell me you’re never going back there.”
Her sister smelled like money. It wasn’t bad. She smelled really good, but it reminded Faith of everything she’d left behind. She loved her dad and her sister and she didn’t doubt that they loved her, too. But they were all right with the world the way it was. They kind of approved since they were the ruling class. Faith couldn’t live that way. Faith pulled back. “It’s good to see you, too. But of course I’m going back. I’m here through my birthday. I’ll be going home after that. Hope, please meet my friend, Erin Argent. Erin, this is my sister, Hope.”
Erin nodded. “Nice to meet you.”
Hope stared at her for a moment. “You were my sister’s bodyguard?”
“She’s still kind of my bodyguard.” Faith didn’t want to explain Tennessee, but she was probably going to have to.
Erin simply smiled. “I’m watching out for her while she’s here. You know with your dad being who he is, I think it’s important that Faith has someone looking out for her.”
Hope reached out, putting her hand on Erin’s shoulder. “You have no idea how long I’ve tried to explain this to her. Daddy’s got some pull. It places her in a bad position. My god, the girl got kidnapped. You would think she knew this. It’s so nice to meet a woman who gets it. So you’re Erin? She talked about you in her e-mails.”
“Really? God, I can’t imagine what she said.” Erin started moving toward the entry. “Why don’t you come inside? Faith’s staying with me until we head out to the islands.”
Faith followed behind. “I invited Erin and her boyfriend to come with me.”
She hoped Theo was still Erin’s boyfriend by the time they got to the Caymans. They were too sweet together. Erin and Theo did a great job of hiding it, but they were the kind of D/s couple she would like to be part of. Theo was a loving top. Erin was a true partner to him. They cared for each other and gave the other what they needed. In and out of bed.
Could she find the same thing with Master T?
Hope smiled. “The more the merrier. As long as I get to spend some time in the sun with my little sis, I’m happy.”
They both started to follow Erin inside.
A heavenly smell hit her nose. It smelled like she wouldn’t have to eat that granola cereal she’d bought. Erin had gotten a box of something a five-year-old would eat for her and Theo. But whatever was cooking now truly smelled magically delicious.
“Hey, you’re in time for breakfast.” Ian Taggart was sitting in Erin’s kitchen, a baby in his arms.
Her damn stupid heart nearly melted. There was something about a big strong man and a baby that got to her.
Of course, there was also something about a man who knew his way around a kitchen that did something to her girl parts, too. Ten was standing at the stove, flipping what looked like pancakes with an expert hand. Theo was pouring a cup of coffee.
It was a lovely domestic scene.
“But we bought cereal,” Erin said.
“Which we no longer need,” Faith added quickly. “It smells heavenly, Sir.”
“Sir?” Hope stood beside her, her eyes wide. “Oh, Faith, tell me you’re not. Oh. Hello.”
Hope had gotten a good look at Theo, and for the first time in Faith’s memory, her sister seemed to go completely blank. She would practically swear her sister was drooling.
Theo nodded her way, but held his hand out for Erin. “Hello. Baby, Ten decided he could do better than our sad cereal. He’s making pancakes and bacon and eggs. I have to say I’m really surprised that he’s got that skill set. So, why don’t you introduce me to the new girl?”
Erin waved her way. “Apparently Faith’s sister is a paranoid freak who keeps close tabs on her.”
Faith felt all eyes on her. “This is my sister, Hope McDonald. I recently found out she tracks my cell phone. Hope, this is Erin’s boyfriend, Theo, his brother, Ian, and my…friend, Ten.”
Ten turned and held out a hand. “Timothy Graham, but my friends call me Ten. And I’m obviously more than her friend. For now, let’s just say your sister and I are involved. It’s nice to meet you. Would you like some breakfast?”
Hope took his hand and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Graham. Do I call you that or is there some weird lifestyle thing I should call you? Sorry. My sister doesn’t tell me much, but she called you sir so I figured it’s one of those things.”
Faith could feel herself turning beet red. “Sorry. She’s very vanilla. I’ve tried to explain.”
Ten shook his head. “It’s not an issue. Hope, it’s very nice to meet you.”
“And you,” Hope said, though she was still looking at Theo.
Erin seemed to notice. Her arm went around her man’s broad shoulders. “Yes, welcome to our place. Any relative of Faith’s is certainly welcome into our home.”
Theo kissed his girl’s cheek. “Damn straight, baby. Let’s eat.”
Ian slapped a hand on the table. “Now you’re speaking my language, brother. Ten, I’m going to need a fat stack of those pancakes.”
By the time an hour had passed, Faith had found herself completely surrounded by Theo’s crazy family. The women had shown up about fifteen minutes in.
Charlotte Taggart had led the way. The gorgeous redhead had strode in, complaining that someone better put a baby on her boobs because her milk was letting down and it had made yoga class very interesting. She’d pulled out a boob and started nursing her baby at the long dining room table. Phoebe Murdoch had simply grabbed a plate and a cup of coffee and texted her husband to join them.
It was a joyous chaos that somehow filled her soul. It reminded her of the way meals went in her clinic in Africa. They all gathered around and talked and ate and complained about the day. The only difference was these people knew each other. Intimately. Completely. They were a family. They didn’t rotate out every six months.
Dinners at her father’s house were quiet affairs. She could barely remember her mother. She’d been five when her mother had been murdered by a mugger. So when she was actually home and they sat down to eat, it was her father, her sister, and Faith talking quietly about how their day had gone.
There were no women breastfeeding. No men ribbing each other. No one marched in and started making out with his wife while he stole her bacon. Phoebe had vowed revenge for the loss of her precious protein.
She’d loved every moment of it. She’d especially loved it when Ten had sat down beside her, putting a plate in front of her before digging into his own. She’d waited for him. He’d tried to give her the first plate, but she’d stood by him, helping him. It was her place.
She really liked being Master T’s sub. There was something soothing about it. He was a man who put others first. Someone needed to put him first. He needed to know he was important.
This was what had been truly missing from her other relationships. Master T needed her for something more than sex and submission. He needed someone who really cared about him.
“Those people are crazy.” Hope stepped into her room and away from the chaos. “Everyone but the cute one.”