by Avery Gale
*
BODE TILTED HER FACE up so her watery eyes met his and his frustration with her crumbled. She hadn’t been planning to leave—she’d been trying to exorcise the thought.
“You sing like an angel, Storeen. We’ll make sure we introduce you to Josie Morgan.” Her eyes went wide, and she started shaking her head. He was surprised she’d recognized international pop superstar’s, Josephine Alta, married name. “Shhh. She’s a lovely woman and her husband, Colt is a friend of the Wests.”
“Spitfire, how did you come upon your appreciation for oldies music?” Liam didn’t want her worrying about performing in front of one of the biggest names in the music business. It was true they’d met Josie several times. Hell, they’d provided security for her on a number of occasions, even before they moved to the states.
“Mechanics at the tracks. I mean… they rarely listen to anything recorded after 1980. Well, unless it’s country and even then, they are really persnickety.”
“Persnickety?” Bode couldn’t hold back his chuckle. “Damn, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone under seventy use that word.”
Liam had started wrapping her arm and he nodded in agreement. “I’m damned impressed with your singing, Spitfire.”
“I learned early I could calm down the storms in the garage when things were going to hell if I sang. The craziness eased and everyone could focus on solving the problem rather than raging because the wrench they needed wasn’t within reach.”
Fucking hell, no wonder the pit crews like having her around. She was the calming breeze who cooled the hot heads and made the shop run like a well-oiled machine.
He studied her reaction when Liam pulled the bondage tape from the marble ledge behind him. He’d wondered if she would recognize it for what it was, and her soft gasp assured him she had. Goosebumps raced over her skin and her breathing hitched, but she didn’t ask either of them what they planned with what Bode considered one of the best things ever invented. Hell, you could bind a sub in seconds without worrying about knots or chafing. He loved using it to “dress” a sub for a night at the club because unwrapping them always reminded him of opening a gift.
Once Liam finished securing the waterproof wrap over her wound, he stepped up to the control panel and began programming the shower. He shook his head and laughed.
“Who would have ever thought you’d have to push so many buttons to take a shower. Hell, I tried to use this shower when we first moved in and finally had to ask for help.”
“I probably won’t get to stay long enough to learn how to run it. I assume there’s a locker room downstairs with showers, so I’ll use that if you aren’t here.”
Bode wasn’t sure she realized she’d said it aloud, but it didn’t matter. They were going to derail that train of thought, right now. Framing her face with his hands, Bode forced her to look at him. He held her firmly in his grip—not harshly enough to bruise, but there would be no question who was in control.
“I know your case manager drilled those thoughts into your head, but we’re telling you to banish them. Right fucking now because you aren’t going anywhere.”
“That’s right, Spitfire. Even if MI6 got wind of this, which they won’t if we can prevent it, we wouldn’t let them take you. Despite what happened on the dock, you’re safer here than anywhere they would send you.”
Bode nodded. “And let me give you a tip. Don’t insinuate that the Prairie Winds team can’t protect you because you’ll find out how dominant Kent and Kyle West really are.” For the first time since they’d walked into Gus’ office, Bode saw a flash of unease in her eyes. He found an odd sense of satisfaction knowing she wasn’t comfortable with the prospect of being dominated by anyone besides the two men standing in front of her now.
“Give me the towel, Colbie.” The heat in her gaze burned hot and bright. Sucking in a gulp of air, she slowly unwound the plush terry and set it in his outstretched hand. Anything he might have said halted on the tip of his tongue. The woman was perfection in the flesh. She might not be every man’s ideal, but there wasn’t a thing about her he’d change. Her breasts weren’t huge, but they’d fit his hand perfectly. Dusky pink nipples drawn into tight points begged for decoration, and in time, he hoped to convince her to pierce them. Just imagining jewels dangling from small gold hoops sent a surge of blood to his cock.
Bode let his perusal slide sensuously down her torso and hoped she’d feel it as the visual caress it was. Liam moved behind her, and Bode watched her shiver when he leaned down to press a kiss where her shoulder and neck met. She shivered at the simple touch, and Bode made a mental note—it was the first of many sensitive points he hoped they’d discover. Liam’s lilting voice whispered against her damp skin and her nipples puckered so tight, Bode knew the buds must ache for their touch.
“You are beautiful. I swear, God let his angels carve their likeness in ivory and then sent you to Earth. You’re a precious gift. Lean back, baby. Let Master Liam help you. We’re going to wash out that punk rocker color.”
She’d leaned back against Liam’s chest, but came up so quickly, he instinctively reached out to steady her. Cursing himself when she yelped in pain, Bode apologized, “I’m sorry, baby. Damn, I didn’t think. I was worried about you falling. Are you okay?” He didn’t think he’d grabbed her hard enough to open the sutures, but they’d need to check.
“Yes. Sorry I jumped, but if you wash out the red… well, my natural hair color is sort of distinctive.” She pulled her lower lip between her teeth.
Watching her chew on the tender flesh made him want to push her against the smooth marble wall and cover her lips with his own. A blistering kiss would give her something else to focus on, but her fear needed to be addressed. Using his thumb to pull her battered lip from between her teeth, Bode shook his head and leaned down to press a chaste kiss against her swollen lips.
“Sweetheart, it’s time to reclaim your life. They’ve already found you. It’s time to stop hiding.”
“It took me forever to recognize myself in the mirror. I’m not sure I can deal with another stranger staring back at me.” Her voice cracked, and he knew she was nearing the edge.
It felt as if someone had reached into his chest and squeezed his heart. Bode wondered how anyone had the strength to endure witness protection. Those brave enough to try, lived every day in fear. The pain of having everything they knew and loved stripped from them was more than most people could endure. He hadn’t considered the loneliness of having a stranger staring back from the mirror.
“Let us reintroduce you to the woman who knocked the wind out of us one rainy night in London. A woman who’s been strong enough to start over and who can face whatever comes because we’ll be standing behind her, ready to help in any way we can.”
“Let’s hope your confidence isn’t misplaced.” She’d spoken so softly, he might not have realized she’d said anything if he hadn’t been watching her. Rather than issuing the reprimand on the tip of his tongue, he brushed his lips lightly over hers and helped her lean back against Liam. Giving the shampoo bottle a hefty squeeze, he lathered her short tresses and smiled when red-tinted water cascaded down in a waterfall of color before disappearing down the drain. Damn, he was glad to see the harsh color fading from her hair.
Ten minutes later, she stood in front of the mirror and burst out laughing, the sound bordering on hysteria. Bode stepped in front of her to block her image. He’d had enough experience with his sisters to recognize the coming meltdown.
“It’s pink. It’s fucking pink. I can’t go out with pink hair. I look like a sun-faded flamingo. It’s sticking out in every direction. I’ll probably scare small children. The hell of it is, I have the bird legs to go with it.”
Liam’s eyes were wide with concern and Bode wanted to shake his head at his friend’s confusion. Having a brother, ten years his junior, had done little to prepare Liam for Colbie’s reaction. Bode, on the other hand, had lived through his sisters’ numerous hair
crises and knew how big a deal it could be. He’d made the mistake of laughing at his older sister’s reaction to a bad haircut. She’d given him a trim of his own that night while he slept. He’d been forced to wear a hat for weeks, but he’d learned a damned valuable lesson.
“The ladies at the spa said it wouldn’t all wash out the first time. And you have an appointment with them in a few days.”
“A few days? Seriously? I can’t help out in the garage with pink hair. I’ll never hear the end of it. The caretaker is supposed to be back tonight, so I’d planned to meet him at the garage in the morning. He’ll think I’m a flake. Hell, I’d think the same thing. I look like a hormone-crazed, middle school kid trying to get the attention of the boys who don’t know what to do with their dicks.”
Her voice had raised almost a full octave by the time she finished. Bode was startled by the outburst, but his surprise at her over-the-top response was eclipsed by the delighted female laughter from the door. Sharing a bathroom with an older and younger sister had rendered Bode immune to modesty, and he chuckled at Liam’s mad scramble for a towel.
“Dammit, Tobi,” Kent West’s deep voice bellowed from the hall, “you can’t just walk into someone else’s house.”
“I think I just proved I can. And holy hell, sister, those are a couple of fine fellas you have there. People don’t surprise me very often, but I have to tell you, the closet hairdresser thing was a total shocker.”
“Your Masters don’t beat you enough, Tobi.” Kent chuckled at Bode’s observation as he led his wayward wife out of the master suite. Bode noticed Colbie hadn’t made any effort to cover herself. She’d obviously become comfortable with her body during her time at Castle Masters. That ease would serve her well since they lived on the top floor of one of the country’s most popular BDSM clubs. And it’ll make it much easier when she learns we want her bared to our touch—always.
Chapter Twelve
TOBI FOUGHT THE URGE to roll her eyes at Kent’s lecture about respecting other people’s privacy. The man was the king of open doors. During the design and building phases of their new house, he’d continually threatened to remove all the interior doors from the plans. It had been their daughter who’d finally convinced him to leave them in place. Kodi had inherited her mother’s impulsiveness, but she’d also learned how to sweetly manipulate people. The little imp had her dads wrapped around her finger since she’d taken her first breath and she used it, shamelessly.
Kameron’s, Kodi’s twin brother, calm was second only to his brilliance. He loved spending time with his grandfathers and if they weren’t available, he could usually be found in Micah’s office or the control center. Kent and Kyle had warned the staff it didn’t matter how helpful he was, he had to be out of the building a full hour before the club opened. Seemed her open-minded husbands didn’t feel those relaxed views should apply to their elementary school aged son.
“I called out several times and no one answered. I thought the men were working and when I heard Colbie’s squeal, I ran to help.” She paused long enough to lean against him and bat her eyes in an overly dramatic gesture. “You know how I am. Always rushing in where angels fear to tread. I’m an angel of mercy. Yes, indeed, Florence Nightingale has nothing on me.”
“That you are, baby, that you are. The question is how can we manage it so you don’t see and comment on other men’s assets?” Dozens of ideas streamed through her mind, but Colbie and her men chose that moment to walk into the room. She’d asked Kent to follow her upstairs to check on Colbie when he’d surprised her by arriving home several hours before she’d expected him. If I’d known he was so close, I’d have held out for a two-fer.
“Colbie, I’m so happy to see you’re feeling better. I wanted to check in before Kent and I went home.” She let her gaze flick to Liam and Bode and grinned. “I’d say I’m sorry for barging in, but it would be a lie.” To her relief, Colbie leaned her head back and laughed.
“I’d have never believed it, anyway. All things considered, I doubt Liam and Bode are the first naked men you’ve ever seen. I would imagine living in a penthouse over a kink club is very enlightening.”
Tobi got the distinct impression there was a story behind Colbie’s comment and she was looking forward to learning more about her new friend.
“For what it’s worth, I think your hair is funky and cool. But, I sure hope Kodi doesn’t see it or I’m sure she’ll want to color hers, too. It will have to be some bizarre fusion of contrasting colors. She’s been redesigning our displays because we aren’t… and I quote, using hues to draw the eye in the most efficient way. Can you believe that nonsense? Some demon gave her a color wheel and put a design app on her iPad. When I find out who is responsible, I’m unleashing the hounds of hell on them. Or maybe I’ll just send her to their house to help them redecorate.”
“I’d like to say Tobi isn’t usually like this,” Kent shook his head and sighed, “but you all know better. Come on, before you get into any more trouble. You’ve seen for yourself Colbie is fine, and I need to take the edge off before we hit the club tonight, or I’ll have you stripped and bent over in the reception area. I’ll never last until the scene Kyle has planned.” Tobi’s eyes widened and a grin spread over her face.
“Scene, huh?” He shrugged as if he hadn’t just spilled the beans. Grabbing his hand, she waved at Colbie and tugged on his arm until he started moving toward the elevator. She could only imagine how ridiculous they looked, her five-foot-nothing-self towing Kent along behind her like an overgrown pull toy. Giving the trio watching them one last wave as the elevator doors slid closed, Tobi grinned. “Later. Places to go, Masters to do.”
*
COLBIE WATCHED THE elevators doors close, then burst out laughing. For the first time in over a year, she allowed herself to become lost in the moment, just absorbing the joy she’d felt watching Tobi’s antics. When she finally regained a semblance of self-control, she saw Bode and Liam smiling at her.
“That’s just about the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard. One I hope we get to hear more often in the future.” Liam’s words calmed her in a way she hadn’t expected. She wasn’t sure if it was the compliment or the fact he’d alluded to them having a future together.
Bode pushed away from the counter where he’d been leaning and pulled her close. “We had planned to do a walk-through downstairs this evening, but if you don’t get some rest, we’ll table it until tomorrow night.”
“So, if I don’t take a nap, I don’t get to go to the party?” She’d been joking, but Bode’s glare told her he hadn’t seen the humor in her remark.
“It’s our responsibility as your Doms to take care of you. Everything we do will be to that end.” The shift in his voice and body language gave Colbie her first real glimpse of Master Bode. She’d seen a similar change in Deacon and had marveled at the marked difference between the man who was her godfather and the Master at the club. She suspected there would be a similar difference between the gentle lover she’d just showered with and the Master she was seeing now.
Liam shifted so he was close enough she could feel the heat from his arm against her own. She suspected those differences would be more understated in Liam. If he could, he’d use charm to dominate. When he slid the backs of his fingers down the side of her cheek, the touch brought her back to the moment.
“There will be times our commands won’t set well with you. Times when you feel we’re being overly restrictive or we’re treating you like a child. But I want to assure you, we’re well aware you aren’t a child.” The gleam in his eyes said he was remembering their shower. “We won’t always explain our reasoning. There are times when the element of surprise will add to your pleasure. As we begin, we’ll focus on learning about each other.”
Colbie realized she had to learn about two people and they only had to learn about one. “I want to point out I’ll have two people to become familiar with. Two people to try to please. What happens if you give me conflicting ins
tructions? Is one of you in charge over the other?” Colbie felt herself winding up and knew she was headed for a crash. Damn, they might be right about resting.
Liam pushed his fingers through her hair so that the warmth of his palm pressed against her cheek. “We’ll use this as a teachable moment, Spitfire. You are dangerously close to crashing, so we’ll table this discussion until later. But the short answer to your question is, no. Neither of us is in charge of the other, and it will never be your job to keep the peace between us. Those discussions will be between Bode and myself.”
She felt blindsided as a crashing wave of exhaustion hit her full force. Is it from the injury or a reaction to the stress of the entire episode? Sleeping didn’t hold any appeal because every time she closed her eyes the entire scene on the dock replayed itself. Swaying on her feet, Colbie shook her head trying to clear the cobwebs. The sudden sensation of falling came to an abrupt halt, and she realized she was being cradled in someone’s arms. Maybe I could sleep if you just held me? Would you do it if I begged? I don’t want to be that scared ever again.
*
LIAM WATCHED HER sway unsteadily on her feet before her eyes rolled back. He’d already been reaching for her when her knees folded out from under her, and she dropped into his waiting arms. Bode had growled a litany of curses as he led the way to the bedroom. He’d already tossed the comforter onto a nearby chair and was pulling back the covers when her slurred words made them both freeze.
“Did she just say she wants to be held, so she can sleep?” Bode blinked at him as if he couldn’t believe he’d heard it right.
“Yes,” Liam grinned. “Knowing her subconscious is seeking comfort in our arms gives me a tremendous amount of hope. Text Kyle that we’ll be busy the rest of the day.” The first time she was naked in bed, she needed to be between them. Later they’d make sure they had one-on-one time with her. But for now—presenting a united front was in all their best interests. Sliding between the sheets a few seconds later, Liam cursed when Colbie wiggled her bare ass against his aching cock.