Mastering Macie [The Men of Treasure Cove 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Rebecca Joyce

  Andrew walked into the room, carrying Trace, and stopped dead in his tracks. “What the hell! Is she moving out?”

  * * * *

  Over the last six weeks, balancing life, work, babies, and two grown men was starting to take a toll on Macie. Ready to snap, she couldn’t manage five minutes alone to think, let alone to take a deep breath. Every time she turned around there was someone looking over her shoulder giving her advice, telling her what she was doing right, doing wrong, giving advice about how to do it this way and that. Why couldn’t people just shut their mouths and let her fucking figure it out on her own!

  As it was right now, she stood in the diner’s kitchen standing before them, frustrated. She knew what they were thinking. The devious men they were. They knew the moment they smiled, she would bend to their will, and then everything would be happy once again in their world. She hated that they had this much power over her. No man should be that cunning, so manipulative, so damn…cute!

  “Now listen up, boys. I ain’t gonna keep doing this. I have stuff I have to get done. So just sit there and behave. I mean it,” she ordered Collin and Trace, who were kicking their legs and grinning at her like she was an idiot. Secured in their bouncy seats upon the counter, she turned to grab a bag of sugar out of the storage closet.

  Since giving birth, Macie had no other choice but to leave Tomas in charge. She trusted him, and he was good at what he did, but he was no business owner. A fry cook from San Antonio, Texas, Tomas walked into her diner five years ago, asking for work. Macie took exactly one minute to size him up and decided to hire him on a trial basis. However, after he cooked her one of the best damn dinners she had ever eaten, well, so much for the trial basis, she hired him on full-time, immediately.

  Having Tomas around was a godsend. Not only was he familiar with the inner workings of the kitchen, he was also good with coming up with new recipes. She loved when he experimented, always eager to taste test anything he concocted.

  Rummaging around in the storage room, she found the sugar she was looking for. Grabbing it, she returned to the kitchen and smiled when she saw Tomas slipping her sons a bit of blackberry jam.

  “You are spoiling them,” she muttered, placing the bag of sugar on the counter.

  “And it is my pleasure to do so.” He grinned, looking at her.

  “What’s on the menu today?” she asked, leaning against the refrigerator as she watched him continue to feed her sons the jam. Their eagerness to accept the sweet jelly astonished her. According to Andrew, babies were not allowed anything but breast milk or formula until they were about five to six months old, and then she would be allowed to introduce them to other foods, slowly. Of course, she didn’t understand why, but Andrew was eager to point out that it was to check if they were allergic to anything.

  After rolling her eyes at him, she smiled and decided to do what she wanted. She watched her uncles Trace and Collin sneak Jeff, Caleb, and then Annie all kinds of various foods from the moment they were born, and those three turned out just fine. Figuring her mother did the same, she didn’t say anything when Tomas continued to dab his finger in the jam and let her sons suck it off his finger.

  Besides, they were just babies. They were not going to tattle on her.

  “I thought we would have our typical breakfast, then for lunch do soup and sandwiches, but for dinner,” he said, smiling at her sons, “since these guys have a hankering for blackberry jam, I thought we would use it as a marinade over a pork roast, and serve it with a side of red potatoes and collard greens. Throw in some homemade yeast rolls or cornbread, and dinner is done.”

  “Sounds good to me. I’ll write it up on the board.”

  The diner was busy come lunchtime, with most of the town’s residents stopping by to get a good look at the boys. It didn’t take long before residents were sitting down to eat. Holding and passing her sons around, her friends gave her the time she needed to return to some form of normalcy. Though she enjoyed jumping back into the diner, she found her time divided. Continually looking over her shoulder, she checked on the babies to make sure they were all right.

  She was in the kitchen when Matthew walked in. She heard him talking with Richard Masterson. When she looked into the restaurant, she watched as Matthew took Collin from Richard and sat down, continuing his conversation as if it was nothing new.

  Smiling, she had Tomas fix him a plate of food, and walked out into the seating area.

  “Here ya boys go. Hope you’re hungry,” she said, smiling as she placed the two plates before them. Matthew grinned, rocking his sleeping son.

  “Damn this looks good, Macie,” Richard said, taking a bite of the Mexican tortilla soup that Tomas made from scratch. “Tastes good, too.”

  “Well, I sure as shit don’t serve slop. Eat up, Matthew, before it gets cold.”

  “I will. I’m just spending some quality time with Collin. He’s getting bigger.” He smiled at her. His face grew concerned as he looked around the diner. “Uh, Macie, where’s Trace?”

  It was the way Matthew said the words that had her spinning around quickly, looking over the restaurant and all of her customers. Her eyes scanned every person, friend, or stranger. She began moving in and out of the tables. She willed her heart to slow down, but couldn’t stop the rising panic. Turning, she watched as Richard and Matthew rose from their booth, looking at each patron.

  Then, as if Matthew knew she was about to lose it, he said, “Hey, everyone. I need y’all to stop what you’re doing and help. Who was the last person to hold Trace?” The room immediately quieted down.

  Macie watched as the patrons whispered and talked quietly. She wanted to scream at them to speak up. Someone to jump up and say, “Here he is, I have him,” but nobody did. She felt as if her world had teetered, hanging precariously by a thread.

  She lost her son.

  “Well now, what’s all this? Why isn’t anyone eating?” Tomas said walking into the restaurant holding Trace in his arms. Macie snatched the baby from him. Heading into her office, she slammed the door. Falling into her chair, she cried. She couldn’t stop the wracking shivers of dread as she checked every inch of him. She sobbed in relief that he was okay. She cried in despair because she had already screwed up. She wept tears of joy that everything had turned out just fine. As she covered him back up, she held him close to her. Smelled him. Kissed him. Promised him, never again.

  She never heard the door open or them walk in. When Andrew arrived at the diner, she didn’t know. Only that he was there. She waited, thinking they were going to yell and scream at her for being so careless. She cried even harder as they pulled her into their arms as they both knelt before her.

  “It’s all right, baby. Let it go,” Andrew soothed, rubbing her back.

  “Tomas feels pretty bad, Macie. He didn’t mean to upset you. He said Mr. Nolan was holding Trace when he needed a diaper change. Tomas offered to change him and was going to hand him back afterward. He didn’t mean to scare you,” Matthew said softly, brushing her hair.

  Sobbing uncontrollably, she whispered, “I can’t do this.”

  “Yes you can. Parents make mistakes all the time. It happens. We just learn from them, and move on,” Andrew advised, wiping away her tears. Macie couldn’t look at either of them. She knew she wasn’t cut out to be a mother. She didn’t have it in her. It didn’t matter how much she loved her babies. If she stayed with them, she would only hurt them, and she knew that would kill her.

  She needed to leave while she could, before she got too attached. They deserved better than her. They needed a mother who knew what she was doing. They needed a mother who could love them and protect them, but mostly they needed a mother who knew how to be a mother. She couldn’t breathe. The room was closing in on her. They would not let her breathe.

  Shoving Trace into Andrew’s arms, she bolted from the chair. She needed to get out of this room and away from them. She made it to the door when Matthew grabbed her arm. “Where are you going, Mac
ie?”

  She couldn’t answer him. She knew if she said anything, he would try to stop her. She just wanted to breathe. She jerked her arm out of his hand. She opened the door and whispered. “I’m sorry. I can’t, I can’t, I can’t.”

  She ran from the diner into the bright sunshine.

  * * * *

  Matthew watched as Macie ran. He wanted so much to go after her, but when his brother walked over to him, and said, “Let her go, calm down.” Matthew figured Andy knew what he was talking about. He was the doctor after all. Still, there was something in Macie’s eyes that told him it wasn’t a breather she was seeking, but freedom.

  There was fear in her eyes. Matthew prayed that whatever she was scared of she would tell them about it, so they could help her.

  “I can take the boys back to the clinic if you want. I’m sure Kelly wouldn’t mind helping out,” Andrew said, walking out of Macie’s office.

  “No, Collin just got over that runny nose two days ago. I’ll close up the office and take them to see Emma. She’s wanted to spend time with her brothers. Plus it will give me some one-on-one time with Tabby and Tamara.”

  “The girls are getting big. Maybe we both should just head on over there. I’m sure Emma wouldn’t mind,” Andrew replied.

  “Sure, right after you call her and make sure it’s okay. The last time we showed up unannounced, Travis and Tucker had her bent over the table, doing ungodly things to our daughter.” Matthew shivered just thinking about what he saw.

  God, he wished he could bleach that memory from his mind.

  * * * *

  Macie didn’t know where she was going. She didn’t know what she was going to do. The moment she closed the door to her upstairs apartment, she regretted leaving Matthew and Andrew with the babies. The guilt weighted heavily on her as she tried to stem the flow of tears that didn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon.

  She had fucked up, again. She turned her back for one second. And in an instant, her life had taken a horrible turn. However, it was for nothing, thanks to Tomas caring for Trace. However, the implications of her bad parenting skills were now evident, and to make matters worse, the whole town would know about it by morning.

  Grabbing her purse, she left her apartment and headed for her car. She needed some space. She needed to figure out where she went wrong. Moreover if she was going to do it again. She couldn’t face Matthew and Andrew. She saw the look in their eyes. Though they didn’t condemn her for her actions, their fear was evident.

  They didn’t trust her.

  Hell, she didn’t trust herself. Peeling out of the parking lot behind her building, she went to the only place she knew that would provide the clarity she needed. She only hoped he wasn’t too busy to help.

  Walking into the building, Macie reached into her purse, pulled out the diamond-braided choker, and wrapped it around her neck. She knew the rules, liked the rules. There were rules for everything here, and in some ways, it relaxed her to know that.

  Heading for reception, Macie watched as the tall, raven-haired Violet smiled at her. “Good afternoon, Macie. What can I do for you?”

  “I need Judas,” she whispered, her body beginning to shake again.

  “Macie, are you all right?” Violet asked, cocking her head to the side.

  “Judas.”

  “One moment,” Violet replied, quickly picking up the phone.

  Macie leaned against the counter, trying desperately not to worry or think about her sons or Matthew and Andrew. She knew she left them in a lurch, but running away as she did, she hoped they weren’t too angry with her. She still couldn’t believe she bolted like she did.

  Never one to panic, she had always kept a level head in any situation. However, since the birth of her sons, well, it seemed that her ability to think rationally in intense situations flew out the window along with its friends, calmness, relaxation, and sleep.

  It was the last one she missed the most. Her sleep.

  Tired and grumpy, she would go days wound up on caffeine, sugar, and her latest friend, five-hour energy drinks. Anything to stay awake so she could do what needed to be done. By the time, she generally fell asleep, it was after two in the morning, and her alarm would wake her at five.

  At first, it wasn’t so bad. She always found her second wind and continued on. Now other things started happening. Things that were starting to scare her. She couldn’t get her hands to stop shaking. Or the forgetfulness of simple mundane things like, did she shower, or had she just eaten? However, it was the nightmares that scared the living crap out of her.

  Some of the nightmares were so gruesome that she would wake with her heart pounding uncontrollably and drenched in sweat. She felt compelled to race and check on her boys to make sure they were alive and breathing. She didn’t want to think of the nightmares, because if she did, she knew she would go crazy.

  She never heard him come up behind her, but when he touched her shoulder, she screamed, covered her eyes, and cowered in fear. She knew she was losing it.

  “Whoa, Macie, it’s just me,” he said, calmly taking a step back.

  “Judas?” she asked. Slowly removing her hands, she looked around her. Everyone was watching her. She could feel their eyes on her. She felt bare, displayed, and open for criticism. She didn’t like it.

  She watched as he knelt before her. He didn’t touch her, or come any closer, but he never took his eyes from hers. “That’s right, Macie, it’s me. Sugar, what’s wrong?”

  Macie met Judas Caspian when he first moved to Treasure Cove over ten years ago. When he was lost and out of money, she fed him and offered him a place to stay. He was younger than she was, but she didn’t care. They had become instant friends.

  Judas Caspian was unlike anything she had ever seen. He was tall, muscular, and covered in tattoos, and his shaggy bleach-blonde hair contrasted with his tanned skin, almost looking white at times. However, it was his soft-green eyes, which held warmth, a kindness of friendship. It was Macie who introduced Judas to Gabriel, who sensed a Dom in the making. Gabriel took him under his wing, training him, giving him a place to stay and a steady paycheck. However, through it all, Macie and Judas remained friends, and she needed him now more than ever.

  “Help me,” she whispered through the tears that freely flowed down her face as her body began to shake uncontrollably.

  “It’s all right, baby. I’ve got you,” he whispered, picking her up, carrying her to the elevators. “Violet, call Mistress Katarina. Tell her it’s an emergency!” she heard him say right before the doors closed.

  * * * *

  Matthew and Andrew had just gotten out of the SUV and were getting ready to unsecure the boys when Matthew received the phone call, from the Pleasure Cave. Surprised, he immediately answered and was shocked to find Mistress Katarina on the other end.

  He knew of the new Domme at the club. Hell, he did her background check, but he had never actually met the woman per se, only just by paperwork. Mistress Katarina Garrett came all the way from Maine. After devoting the majority of her life to medicine, she up and quit one day and never returned. Though her background check never revealed why, Matthew assumed it was a personal choice on her part and didn’t dig any deeper. With his recommendation, Gabriel hired her immediately. That was a little over a year ago. Since her arrival, she brought a sense of sophistication and allure to the predominantly male club.

  After listening to what the woman had to say, he hung up and looked at his brother. “Macie’s at the Cave. We need to go.”

  “What about the boys?”

  “We’ll tell Emma it’s an emergency.”

  After Matthew and Andrew got the boys settled, and apologized to Emma, they headed over to the Pleasure Cave to see what the problem was.

  Judas greeted them, and immediately filled them in on what happened after Macie arrived. After listening and absorbing everything, they followed Judas, not saying a single word up to their private apartment.

  Matthew had kn
own that Judas and Macie had a close friendship. Though it was strictly platonic, he felt a little twinge of jealousy that Macie would go to Judas for help instead of talking with him or Andrew. Walking into their apartment, Matthew noticed a tall woman with jet-black hair. She was stunning. By the way she held herself, he knew this woman must be Mistress Katarina.

  “Mistress Katarina, I presume,” Matthew acknowledged, shaking her hand.

  “I think Kat or Katarina is better suited for this situation, don’t you believe so, Matthew?”

  “Thank you, you’re right. How is she?” Andrew asked.

  “She’s sleeping. I have also called Kelly. That is one worn-down momma in there Andrew. From what I can tell, she has not slept in days. The dark rings under her eyes tell me that. She has not eaten either. She is losing weight fast, too fast. Add in her job, being a new mother, and living with two Doms, well, if I didn’t know any better, I would say she has been ignoring her health and taking on too much. I suggest you let her sleep. She did admit to taking high doses of caffeine to stay awake. I suggest decaf from now on and at least eight hours of rest at night.”

  “I want to see her,” Matthew said, looking at Judas.

  “She’s in the bedroom,” Judas replied.

  After thanking Judas and Kat, Matthew walked down the hall. He stopped before the closed door. Taking a deep breath, he opened it and spotted Macie, sleeping under the covers of their large bed. He walked over to her, climbed in behind her, and curled his body around hers.

  “Oh, Macie, why didn’t you tell me?” he whispered, kissing the back of her head. She moaned and wiggled closer to him. Sighing, Matthew just leaned back and let her sleep, trying to understand everything everyone told him.

  Knowing there would be no answers until she woke, he kissed her once more and left. He walked back into the living room where everyone was still sitting around and talking.