Fragile: Book One in The Everett Gaming Series

by Sera, Drew

  “Sleep well, sunshine,” Anthony whispered to her.

  I drifted off to sleep but woke up around 1:15 in the morning to her broken nightmare that had her whimpering and twisting in the sheets.

  “Fire…’lease…hurts…”

  Anthony and I had a routine for this down too. I’d get the lights on the nightstands while he pulled her in his arms to wake her up. By the time I climbed back on the bed, we had heard some more pleas.

  “No…fire…not the closet.”

  Fucking hell. What had that bastard done to her?

  “Come on sunshine, wake up sweetie. You’re safe.”

  Anthony and I gently jostled her to wake her up and as usual she thinks Anthony is the attacker and she pushes and tries to get out of his arms. I noticed that her pajama shirt was wet around the chest. This must have been a really intense nightmare. When she realized she was safe, the tears started to fall. I held her while Anthony went to get a damp washcloth and a dry pajama shirt for her.

  “Lift your arms, baby,” I instructed and pulled the damp shirt off of her. Anthony pressed the damp cloth over her chest and then her forehead to cool her down some. While we helped her into a dry shirt, I nodded towards the wet spot on Anthony’s tee shirt where Sydney had been laying. He nodded but sat back down on the bed.

  We tried to get her to talk to us about the dream, but she was too shaken. We sat up until close to 2:00 a.m. when she calmed some. She didn’t speak at all during that time except to apologize to us for waking us up. As if she had to apologize.

  Chapter 38

  Wednesday, November 6th

  Colin

  I woke up at 6:00 a.m. before the alarm clock went off. When I reached to shut it off before it screamed at me, I felt some resistance. I turned and saw that Sydney had my tee shirt in her hand around my waist and still had Anthony’s around his sleeve.

  While Anthony got dressed and showered, Sydney and I got some breakfast ready. I told her that starting tomorrow, breakfast would be her responsibility.

  “Yes, Sir. I won’t mess up.”

  We met Matt and Gina for dinner after work and then were going shopping to help Sydney find some clothes to wear to Irons.

  “I know you’ve only been back to work a few days, is it going well still?” Matt asked Sydney after we all ordered.

  “It’s fine, thank you. I…” Sydney trailed off though. Matt kept looking at her waiting for her to finish whatever she was going to say. But when it looked like she didn’t intend to finish it, I prompted her.

  “Baby, finish what you were going to say.”

  “I was just going to comment that it’s nice to be back to work, but I get really tired in the afternoon.” Sydney looked downward as if she was ashamed.

  “It’s understandable, Sydney. Your body has been through a lot. Anything else though, aches, pains?” Matt was playing doctor now. Actually, I was glad he was here to help. Sydney shook her head but I spoke up.

  “Baby, use words. Don’t just nod. Think of it in relation to a scene. What if you were scening and your Dom asked you something? You can’t assume that he’s going to always be able to see you. You have to vocalize.”

  She nodded but caught herself and said, “yes, Sir.” The gleam in Matt’s eye didn’t go unnoticed. He knew he was making Sydney nervous so he backed off some. Anthony brought his arm off the back of her chair and stroked her shoulder. It was his way of silently calming and relaxing her.

  Shopping went well and Sydney got some stuff for Irons. It was all tasteful stuff like black skirts and tops. Nothing revealing. I don’t know if Anthony and I would survive that. Matt and Gina came inside when we got home because he wanted to check on her wrists and a few other wounds. Gina waited in the great room while the rest of us went to the guest room.

  Matt took off her wrist bandages and examined the burns and cuts on the wrist. He turned them over in his hands and then looked up at me.

  “I think she can keep them off during the day. Let them breathe some. But wrap them up at night for a few more nights.”

  He had Sydney lay down so he could take a peek at her abdomen. It didn’t look any better to me and Matt didn’t think it had improved yet either. He checked the belt mark on her side and then a couple of the deeper wounds on her back. Anthony held her hand the entire time though.

  “You’re getting better, Sydney. Keep up on the wound cleaning.”

  Matt leaned over and kissed the top of her head and he and I walked out to the great room. He commented quietly to me about keeping an eye on her abdomen and to call him if she starts running a fever. I wanted to ask him if he was worried about anything in regards to her stomach but I didn’t want to upset Sydney.

  I went back to her room and found her snuggled in Anthony’s arms. She found unconditional comfort in him. Since it was still early I decided now would be a good time to go over some poses with her.

  Given her physical condition now, I let her remain clothed and let her kneel on the rug in the great room rather than the hard wood floor. Even though she was clothed, she looked cute.

  Sydney knew she could stay in her clothes through the weekend, but come Monday she was expected to be naked. I’ve never had problems being around naked people, but I also knew that I’ve never been drawn to another woman like I was drawn to Sydney. Hopefully my dick would stay asleep.

  Sydney mastered the “present” pose almost immediately. I only had to adjust her posture a little here and there. Evan and Seth both required their subs to know and use this pose often. Where I differed from them though was regarding the eyes and head position. They wanted the head slightly downward with eyes looking at the ground. I wanted to see the face and had to see the eyes. A Dom could see so much in a sub’s eyes. It was especially important with a new sub because they may still be afraid to say what they’re thinking or feeling. A Dom could get a good indication of what was going on with a sub just by looking in their eyes. But since I was training her for possibly one of them, I had to use the head tilted downward and eyes on the floor. I knew it pissed Anthony off because, like me, he wants to see the eyes.

  Unfortunately, we hadn’t been asleep very long before she woke up from another fucking nightmare. Anthony and I had to get her talking and to open up about these. They were coming every night and sometimes multiples times a night.

  Chapter 39

  Thursday, November 7th

  Colin

  I walked into the kitchen to the smell of breakfast while I put my tie on. Anthony was sitting at the table in his snazzy black suit and white shirt with a red tie. Anthony got bored easily with clothes and always liked having the latest and greatest trends. His personal shopper handled all of that for him because he hated shopping.

  I poured my coffee then sat down and began talking to Anthony about the meeting we had coming with Cheng Hotels. Cheng had mentioned that he might want to discuss some additional gaming products.

  Sydney placed a plate in front of me and one in front of Anthony. She made us each pancakes, bacon and toast. It smelled great. She sat down next to me with her plate and she started to eat only after Anthony and I started. That was something I mentioned to her the other day and hadn’t expected her to remember.

  Anthony and I sat at Beans sipping on coffee while we watched Sydney settle into her day. She went through the same routine each morning; put her purse away, sharpen a pencil and read over any memos in her inbox. Suddenly she stopped her morning ritual and picked up a bag of M&M’s and smiled. I looked over at Anthony. I knew he put them there.

  “What? They make her smile.”

  Sydney and I drove to work together and Anthony drove himself. I’m not saying he drives recklessly or speeds, but he utilizes what’s under the hood of that car. He easily got here before we did and set the candy on her desk.

  “Did you draw your little sun and attach it to the bag?”

  “Maybe.”

  I tilted my head back and laughed. Can’t he see that she affects
him? He had a huge genuine smile on his face as he watched Sydney’s reaction. When he saw that I was smiling at his reaction, he flipped me off.

  He and I had been laughing and joking around and we didn’t notice a man approach the reception desk. He looked disgruntled and was talking in a loud voice to Katie. Katie was shaking her head and then Sydney went over to assist. Only she didn’t stay behind the desk and started to walk out from behind the desk to speak to the man.

  “Who the fuck does he think he is?” I said as Anthony and I both stood. I looked at Katie and she looked panicked and was walking towards Sydney and the man. As the man reached for Sydney’s wrist he pulled out a knife and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. This was Howard.

  Everything in the next few minutes happened so fast. I hadn’t even seen Anthony move towards them. He pushed himself between Sydney and Howard while I ran over and hollered for security to call the police. Anthony had Sydney’s hands in one of his but he had her at an arms length behind him. His other arm was straight in front of him helping to keep the knife wielding asshole at a distance.

  When Anthony turned his head to make sure that I had her, Howard charged at him, cutting him on the arm. I think it was just on the arm. Fuck, I hoped it wasn’t anywhere else. Sydney struggled in my arms and looked up at me with frightened eyes.

  “Anthony,” was all she could say.

  This girl was worried about Anthony. After all the shit Howard put her through, she’d rather go face him again than let Anthony deal with it. She was panicking and beginning to fall apart. I held her face in my hands and told her Anthony would be fine. And he would be. Anthony could definitely hold his own especially against some fucking asshole that nearly killed our fragile kitten. Oh yes, Anthony would be just fine with this guy.

  Howard began yelling things about Sydney saying how she likes it rough and shit like that. It really pissed me off and Anthony worked to shut the asshole up. Knife wound and all, Anthony went right up to Howard while he was focusing on the security team approaching, and punched Howard in the face. Howard dropped the knife and grabbed his nose as Anthony grabbed him around the neck and slammed him into the glass wall of windows. Anthony twisted Howard’s arm behind his back and yanked upward in one swift move. Howard’s cowardly scream filled the atrium as Anthony broke his arm, which brought a certain amount of pride and happiness to me.

  Security moved in to detain Howard until the police arrived. Anthony reached inside his suit while crouching down and then sat all the way down on the floor. He was surrounded by many employees, leaning against one of the planter walls and was looking around for us. I made eye contact with him and started over to him with Sydney. He shook his head and held up the hand on the arm where I think he was hit with the knife. As he shifted, his suit jacket moved and I saw that his white shirt was now red under that jacket. Security was tending to him and I heard them call out for an ambulance.

  Sydney tried to get out of my arms to go towards him but she didn’t need to see it and Anthony didn’t want to her seeing it either.

  “Baby, we’re going to go sit over here for a few minutes.”

  I led Sydney in the opposite direction and over to a big planter and I pulled her down to sit on my knee and I kept her looking at me or outside the window. Without a struggle, I tugged her sleeve up to make sure Howard hadn’t cut her. She was quiet and I could feel her shaking. Shock. I had to get her out of the atrium. Howard was still yelling about Sydney and if I didn’t have her in my arms, I’d go break his other arm.

  Janice and Katie both came over to see if they could offer assistance but I told them I just needed to get Sydney out of the atrium. I walked with Sydney to the elevator at a slow pace. She was barely moving and kept trying to turn to look back at the scene. I physically put her in front of me and helped her to the elevator. She leaned her body against mine as we waited for the elevator. I felt her body slump and knew she was weakened both physically and emotionally. I had to get her out of earshot of Howard. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into an embrace. I didn’t give a fuck who saw.

  When the elevator opened I ushered her inside. Two guys from Viva Tech, the magazine company from the 4th floor, started to walk in with us. I held my hand up and shook my head. They could see I had a distraught woman in my company and they nodded and backed out.

  We zipped up to the safety of the tenth floor and I kept my arm around her and led her to my office. My secretary, Leslie, stood when she saw us walking towards her. I didn’t even stop. I shook my head and held my hand up and told her no interruptions.

  I pushed my office door shut with my foot and made it to the couch with our fragile kitten. She was quiet still and her eyes looked glassy. I wrapped my arm around her and kept her right up against me so she could feel the heat from my body.

  Now that I had her out of harms way, I fished my cell phone from the inside of my suit and called Leslie.

  “Yes, Mr. Everett?”

  “Leslie, there was an incident in the atrium a few minutes ago. Sydney’s attacker was here and was trying to create a problem. I can’t have Sydney down there now. Anthony got into a physical altercation with the guy and was cut by the guy’s knife. Find Mitch, and go with him and Hannah downstairs and see what assistance you three can offer. The police and an ambulance have been called. Find James and send him into see me.”

  “Oh my! Right away.”

  I tossed my phone on the coffee table and went back to rubbing on Sydney’s arm. A few minutes later there was a firm knock and then James entered. He rushed over and sat across from me looking concerned.

  “I saw Leslie as she was getting in the elevator with Mitch and Hannah.” James glanced at Sydney and then back to me. I knew he felt sympathetic towards Sydney. “God, the poor thing! How can I help?”

  “Here,” I tossed my car fob to him. “In my trunk is a blanket. Give it to Leslie and send her back up with it. Go to the hospital with Anthony and make sure they take him to Vegas Memorial. Matt’s there today and text him on your way.”

  James nodded and ran out the door. I felt a small pinch on my stomach and looked down to find Sydney has grabbed hold of my shirt. She was at least seeking comfort rather than pushing it away.

  “Good girl, baby.” I kissed her forehead and smoothed her hair. “I’m right here.”

  Leslie came back in and brought me the blanket and my car fob. I wrapped it around Sydney and then looked at Leslie trying to get her to tell me that Anthony was okay. She knew what was going on down there and I think she felt it was best that she didn’t say anymore. Which worried me because his shirt was so red.

  “Call Dwayne and ask him to come see me when he gets the chance, please.”

  “Yes, Mr. Everett.”

  I picked up my phone when it vibrated. James.

  “James,”

  “Hannah and I are in the ambulance with Anthony and Mitch is following us in his car. They’re taking him to Matt’s hospital and we should be there soon. His small cut, as you described, is more like a gash. Anyhow, it still doesn’t distract from his hot chest. I’d love to be a fabric his shirts are made of. Mmmph.”

  I rolled my eyes. I knew it wasn’t really bad if James was continuing to playfully hit on Anthony in an ambulance.

  “Thanks, James.”

  I disconnected the call and kissed Sydney’s head again. How much fucking shit can happen to a person?

  “He’s going to be okay, baby. We’ll go see him in a bit. Matt’s going to take good care of him, just like he takes care of you.”

  She didn’t respond but I knew she heard me. Leslie knocked and brought Dwayne in. I didn’t move or try to hide that I was holding one of his employees. Dwayne was a good guy and I didn’t think he was judgmental. And even if he were, I still wouldn’t have moved. I couldn’t give a fuck what anyone thought. Dwayne sat across from us and looked at Sydney.

  “Is she okay?”

  “She will be. Somewhat of a shocking morning, I guess yo
u could say.”

  “Yes, I spoke briefly to Mitch and Katie downstairs. Anthony…” I held my hand up and shook my head trying to prevent him from saying any details about Anthony. Sydney was just starting to calm down. Dwayne realized it and continued to look Sydney over. I went out on a limb and hoped when Sydney came around fully, that she would be okay. I was looking out for Sydney’s best interest.

  “Dwayne, I think Sydney may have prematurely come back to work. She needs some time.”

  Dwayne nodded and said he understood and he’d work on some paperwork for her taking a leave of absence. He stood up to leave but looked down at me.

  “Take care of her, Everett.”

  I intended to do just that. For a brief moment I wondered what Dwayne thought must be going on between Sydney and I. He knew that Sydney had contacted me the night Anthony and I took her to the hospital. He had to have wondered something when one of his receptionists was contacting the president of Everett Gaming. Again, I didn’t really care what Dwayne or anyone else thought.

  I reached up and shook his hand and then he was gone. It was going on an hour and a half since I last heard a word from her.

  “Baby, can you talk to me?” I paused but didn’t get a response. “Okay, I know you just need some time. I’ve got all the time in the world. But I know you can hear me. Are you okay with taking some time off from work, baby?”

  I felt her head shaking back and forth so I pulled back to look at her. She was trying and it fucking broke my heart. Shock is scary for everyone involved. I hadn’t spoken after my parents and brother’s death for a few weeks. Matt’s parents were so patient with me and gave me my space. His dad was a psychologist and would spend a lot of time with me and helped me through the various feelings I had.

  “I n-need to w-work, S-sir.”

  “Why? You need to take some time off relax. Baby, you’re like a ball of nerves that’s been over inflated. You’re going to burst.”