by Sherri Hayes
“Stephan, I don’t understand how a man of your upbringing . . .”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Uncle, it has nothing to do with my upbringing and everything to do with what I find sexually stimulating.” Some of the color drained from his face. “You don’t understand it. That’s perfectly fine. I’m not asking you to. What I am asking you to do is trust me. Trust in the man you helped raise enough to know that I would never do anything to a woman that she would not allow me to do to her.”
My words were met with silence. You could have heard a pin drop.
Eventually, he sat forward in his chair. “Okay, Stephan. If I believe that—and that’s a big if—what about Brianna? She is my concern.”
I sighed. “As much as I don’t want you to know any of this, I see that keeping it from you is no longer an option.”
“You should know that you can tell me anything,” he said, a little offended.
Nodding, I continued. “I told you that Brianna was in a bad situation before, and that I got her out of it.” It was his turn to nod. “It’s a little more involved than that. She was actually being held against her will by a man, and I got her out of there by . . . well . . . by rather nonlegal means.”
He shifted nervously. “What do you mean ‘nonlegal means’?”
Again, I sighed. “I bought her.”
He shot up from his chair as if the office was on fire, but then caught himself, and sat back down. “Stephan . . .”
“This is why I didn’t want to tell you. And why it can’t go any farther than this room.”
“But the man who—”
“That’s not your concern.”
“But—”
“Richard,” I said, making sure I had his attention. “It’s not your concern.”
The stare I leveled at him hopefully conveyed my meaning, but I couldn’t be sure. I waited to see what his next reaction would be.
“So, all her injuries? Her fear?”
I knew what he was asking. “Yes.”
“Then Stephan . . . I mean, I know how you feel, but she needs to talk to someone. Someone who knows . . .”
“No.” I saw that he was about to jump in again, and cut him off. “I know you mean well. You meant well with me. But no, she’s fine with me and is getting better every day.”
He seemed to consider his next words carefully. “But you . . .” Then he reconsidered. “Will you do to her what you did to Tami?”
“That will depend on Brianna, and what she wants.”
“Stephan, how could she?” He gasped. “I mean the girl has been through so much. How could she want something like that?”
“It’s simple. You don’t understand Dominance and submission. There is a level of trust and devotion between a submissive and their Dominant. Brianna has many fears thanks to her past, but I can help her face them.”
“By beating her?” he asked, clearly outraged.
“Possibly,” I said in a dismissive voice.
I could see he was gearing up for a rant, so I stopped him yet again. “You don’t have to agree with my lifestyle or my methods. I’ll tell you that when she first came to my home, she was scared to do anything beyond breathing without being told. Her only words were ‘Yes, Master’ and ‘No, Master’ and even the ‘No, Master’ was a challenge to get out of her. She can now carry on a pretty decent conversation once you get her going. She is getting better.”
“I just . . .” For the first time, my uncle looked defeated. He really didn’t know what to do.
“You’re worried.”
He nodded.
“When you talked to her, the worst thing you could have done was tell her that you didn’t think she belonged with me. You proposed to take her from the only person she feels safe with right now. Me.” I paused. “You can’t do that to her. I won’t let you. I . . .” Once again, I was going to be putting something out there for the first time. “I love her, and I won’t let you hurt her unnecessarily like that.”
My uncle’s jaw dropped open. It was the only indication that he had in fact heard me. After a few minutes, he recovered himself. “You . . . love . . . her?”
“Yes,” I said with much more conviction this time. “I love her. I won’t have her taken away from me. Not by you. Not by her father.”
“Her father?”
“Yes. Her father seems to be looking for her, but from what she’s told me, he may have been involved in how she ended up where she was.”
Richard cocked his head to one side and gave me the first sign of a smile, albeit small, since he’d spotted me. “You really do love her?”
“I do.”
My uncle tried to press more information out of me, but I refused. He attempted once again to plead with me to let her talk to a therapist, saying that he feared she was developing Stockholm Syndrome. In the end, he still wasn’t happy I had no intention to seek out professional help for Brianna. However, he also didn’t think I was going to do irreparable harm to her in the near future either. We parted ways in the parking lot and I drove home, anxious to see Brianna.
Just as I was pulling into my parking space, I received a call from Oscar. “I can’t find any direct connection between Jonathan Reeves and this Ian Pierce.”
“So we have nothing?” I asked.
“I didn’t say we had nothing. What I did find was a mutual . . . friend.”
“Who?”
“His name is Jean Dumas. He’s well known in less than legal circles and has his hands in quite a few ventures.”
“How exactly does he know Brianna’s father?”
“Keep in mind that this is purely circumstantial. I can’t prove the conclusions I’m drawing here.”
“I trust your judgment.”
“Jonathan Reeves appears to have gotten into some money trouble a few years back. From what I hear, he was in pretty deep from gambling debts to a not very nice character. Then suddenly, around the time his daughter came to live with him, all his debts, his money troubles, disappeared like magic. Word has it that the money came from Dumas.”
Therefore, John borrowed money from one twisted man to pay another. Not a very smart thing to do. “And Ian Pierce?”
“Again this is just hearsay, but . . . apparently, Dumas has a taste for fine art work. Art work that isn’t always available to the general public. Pierce has some connections that might make acquiring such art work possible for the right price.”
“Brianna was payment for a painting?” I yelled, unable to contain my anger.
“It’s just a guess, but yes, that’s what I’m thinking.” My fist hit the dashboard, leaving a small mark. “What was that?” Oscar asked.
“Nothing,” I dismissed. “And Jonathan Reeves gave his daughter to Dumas to pay off his debt?” I seethed.
“That’s the only thing that makes sense. Again, this is just conjecture. We have no proof.”
“Keep looking. I want to know more about Reeves’s debts and more about this art ring that Pierce is apparently involved in.”
“I’ll have my guy stay on it.” He paused, and I could tell he wanted to say something else. I waited. “I noticed your picture in the paper. I’m not sure, given the circumstances, that it was a good idea for you and her to be seen out publicly together.”
“I know it’s a risk, but I’m not going to hide her. We’ll just have to deal with whatever comes.”
We hung up a minute later, and I headed up to my condo. I expected to find Brianna working in the kitchen. Instead, I was met with nothing.
I called out her name, but still nothing. I quickly tore through my home looking in every room. They were all empty.
There was no sign of a struggle, which was good. I’d noticed Brianna’s car in the garage so I knew she’d not gone anywhere in it. Maybe she’d walked somewhere.
My heart was pounding as I picked up the phone and called downstairs to the security desk.
“Hello, sir.”
“Tom,” I breathed a sm
all sigh of relief. He knew Brianna and would be able to tell me if he’d seen her recently. “Have you seen Brianna today? Has she been down?”
“Yes, sir. She’s down here now. I do believe she is visiting with a friend.”
She was downstairs. Safe. “Thank you, Tom. I’ll be right down.”
I nearly ran to the elevator. The doors opened to the lobby, and it only took me seconds to spot her. Instead of finding her talking with Lily as I had thought I would, I came face to face with Cal Ross.
Brianna
After his goodbye kiss when he left for work this morning, I felt much better. I’d been nervous about how he’d react this morning given what he’d done to me last night, but he’d just been the same Stephan.
I spent most of the day reading, writing in my journal, and watching TV, just waiting for him to get home. For all my fears, I wanted to see what would happen if we did what he wanted tonight. Just the thought of it made me nervous. But it also made me feel something else. That . . . excitement? I think that’s what it was. It was sort of like what I felt when I knew he’d be home soon, but stronger. More.
I’d just sat down on the couch with a book I’d found upstairs in his library when the phone rang. Not my cell phone, the main phone.
Reluctantly, I picked it up. “Hello?”
“Hello. Miss Reeves?”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, Miss, but there is a man here in the lobby who says he is here to see you. A Mr. Cal Ross. His name is not on Mr. Coleman’s approved list. Do you know him?”
“Um.” I didn’t know what to say. “Yes.”
“Should I send him up?”
As soon as he said the words, I felt the panic start. My eyes darted around the room as I tried to picture him up here. In the only place I felt safe. Alone with me. “No,” I said a little louder than I’d intended, so I tried again softer this time. “Um, no. Can I . . . come down?”
“I’ll have him wait.”
“Thank you.”
I ran to my room. The closet on the far right held my jeans. For some reason, it just didn’t feel right to go down and see Cal in the skirt I was wearing.
Fifteen minutes later, I had changed into the most casual clothes I could find. I grabbed my cell phone, and rode the elevator downstairs to the lobby.
The doors opened, and I slowly stepped out. I’d never been down here without Stephan. It felt strange.
I saw Tom first. He smiled up at me from behind the desk.
Then I saw Cal. His eyes were watching me, and it made me somewhat uncomfortable. My brain was screaming at me to run. To get back into the elevator and go upstairs where it was safe.
No. I wasn’t going to do that. Tom was here. Stephan trusted Tom. I’d be okay.
I had my cell phone. Stephan was only one call away, the first person on my speed dial.
I walked toward Cal, one step at a time. He kept watching me. It was as if he was looking for something.
When I came to a stop a few feet in front of him, he reached out toward me. I flinched away, and he dropped his hand.
Tom was watching us, but I couldn’t help my reaction. I willed myself to do better, though.
“Hi, Cal.”
“Are you all right?” he demanded.
I flinched again, but not as much as the first time. “I’m fine.” He looked doubtful. I looked around and saw a couch across the room.
Cal followed my gaze. “Come on,” he said and walked over to take a seat. I trailed behind him, and sat down on the opposite end of the couch.
He started to move closer, but then stopped himself.
Neither of us said anything for a long time. Cal seemed to be waiting for me to say something, but I didn’t know what he wanted from me, so I kept quiet. He finally broke the silence.
“So it’s true. You live with Coleman.” His voice was accusing, and I shrank back into myself. Cal seemed to realize his mistake. “Sorry. I just . . . you’re different, Anna. I mean . . .” He seemed mentally to shake himself. “You look . . . different.”
“I’m sorry. Is what I’m wearing wrong?”
“What?” he asked, startled. “No. You’re beautiful, Anna.” He paused. “I meant that you . . . well . . . you seem . . . has he hurt you?”
“Who?” I asked, not understanding.
“Coleman. Has he hurt you? Brianna, if he has, you can tell me.”
Then, I understood. “Stephan? No,” I shook my head. He looked skeptical. “He’s been great to me.” Then I clarified. “He is great to me.”
There was a look on Cal’s face at my statement, but he dropped the subject. He asked how long I’d been in Minneapolis, and after that, he started telling me about the city.
After a while, I started to relax. I knew Cal. He’d always been nice to me. He wasn’t going to hurt me.
I was telling him about Tony’s when the elevator doors opened, causing me to look up.
Stephan.
I smiled. My body stood automatically, happy to see him.
But then I noticed the look on his face. It didn’t mirror my own. He looked upset.
My eyes immediately lowered to the floor as he began to walk toward me. His arm came around me, pulling me to his side. However, it wasn’t me he addressed. “What are you doing here, Ross? What do you want with Brianna?”
Brianna
Stephan’s arm stayed securely around me. I leaned into him, burying my face in his chest.
His body was tight, coiled as if ready for a fight. Something had made him upset, and I didn’t know what. Was I not supposed to talk to Cal?
“What’s it to you, Coleman?”
“You’re here. Where I live. That makes it my business, Ross. Now answer the question.”
There was silence for a long moment before Cal answered. “I came to see Brianna. I didn’t realize I needed your permission,” he sneered.
Stephan didn’t answer right away, and when he did speak, it was to me. His hand came under my chin, making me look at him. “Do you wish to continue speaking to him, Brianna?”
I bit my lower lip. He was waiting. “Yes, please,” I whispered, not knowing if that was the right answer, but wanting to be honest.
He nodded once and placed a kiss on my forehead before turning back to Cal. “You may come upstairs, and talk to her if you wish.”
Stephan didn’t wait for Cal to respond. He just turned the two of us, and we walked to the elevator. The doors opened and we stepped inside, followed by a not-too-happy-looking Cal.
For some reason, it felt small inside the elevator, much smaller than usual. Stephan didn’t let go of me the entire ride up. Not that I wanted him to.
We all exited the elevator, and walked to the only door on the top floor. I heard Cal mutter something that sounded like, ‘Penthouse. Figures,’ but I couldn’t be sure.
Once inside, Stephan told Cal to wait in the living room while he guided me toward his bedroom. I must have tensed up, because Stephan pulled me closer and told me to relax.
He released me once we were inside his room, and walked over beside his bed. I followed his every move with my eyes. He bent down and gathered the cords of his laptop before tucking them and his computer under his arm. He walked back to where he’d left me standing.
It was different here when it was just the two of us. The nerves I had felt just minutes before with Cal weren’t present. And even here, in his bedroom, I was okay.
Stephan turned slightly to his right, and laid his computer down on top of his dresser. He took a final step toward me, placing him so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body.
He just watched me. It was similar to what Cal had done earlier, but different as well. Both stares made me uncomfortable, but in different ways. I really couldn’t explain it. Maybe I should ask Lily.
His warm hand came up to rub lightly on my cheek. “Did you know Cal was coming over?” he asked, his voice soft.
“No. Tom called me from downst
airs.” I paused and asked the question that had been on my mind earlier. “Was that all right?”
A crooked smile crossed his face. He didn’t look upset, but he didn’t exactly look happy either. “Yes, it was all right. You made a good decision, and I’m proud of you.”
Just hearing him say those words to me had me beaming. I so wanted him to be proud of me.
Suddenly, I was in his arms. One of his hands was around my waist. The other tangled in my hair. He held me close for several minutes before bringing his face to mine to kiss me. It was aggressive—more aggressive than I was used to from him. For a moment, panic crossed my mind, but then it was gone. This was Stephan.
I let myself return his kiss with everything I had. He seemed to like that as he walked me backward and pressed me up against the wall beside his door.
He pulled back after only a short while, and looked deep into my eyes. He was breathing harder than normal. “I don’t mind if you talk with Cal, Brianna, but I don’t want you to be alone with him. Do you understand? Will you do this?”
“Yes,” I said, still a little breathless.
“Good girl,” he said, and then placed another hard kiss against my lips.
He took a step backward to retrieve his laptop, and gave me a long look. A devilish smile that I didn’t understand crossed his face. With his free hand, he grabbed one of mine and led me back out into the main room where Cal was waiting.
Cal looked like he’d been pacing when we reentered the room. His eyes locked first upon me, then Stephan, and then came back to me. Again, his stare made me uncomfortable. It was as if he was trying to find something wrong with me.
I supposed that made sense, really. There was something wrong with me. A lot of somethings, actually. I was still scared of my own shadow most of the time.
Stephan placed a kiss on my hair. “I’ll be at the dining room table working. You’ll be fine. You’re perfectly safe.”