Soccer mom Dominica Dunn is becoming a kinky-sex junkie.
Now who could have predicted that?
11: An Uninvited Visitor
At the hospital, Dominica is delighted to see that Jo is pretty much back to normal. The lump on her head has shrunk to less than half its previous size, and she is looking very much her old self. She seems delighted to have visitors.
‘Mom…it’s so great to see you. And you, too, Max. They are looking after me very well in here, but it does get a bit lonely after a while. You can only read so many books, and watch so much daytime TV.’
‘Well, I’m so glad you are feeling better, Jo. And you look good, too, much more like your old self. Hopefully we can put this whole incident behind us, and get back to normal life.’
‘Normal? Mom, I don’t think life is ever going to be normal when Max Rockford is around. Is that right?’
‘I would be mortified if it was,’ Max cuts in. ‘Normal is for wimps.’
‘So you prefer abnormal?’ Jo teases.
‘Let’s say I like to go beyond the normal. I like the extraordinary.’
The discussion is cut short when the junior doctor arrives. Dominica notices the glances exchanged between him and Jo, and sees that her daughter immediately sits up and starts paying attention. Max is the first to speak.
‘So what’s the news, Doc?’
‘All good news, I’m delighted to say, Mr. Rockford. Jo has made a full recovery, and there is no reason to believe we have anything further to worry about. She is free to go now, if you would like to take her home.’
Jo lets out a squeak of delight. ‘Great! No more hospital food!’
‘That’s fantastic news,’ Dominica says. ‘So can we just pack up and get her out of here?’
‘As fast as you like. We’d be happy to have the bed free, to be honest. Oh, Mr. Rockford. There is a policeman waiting for you in the corridor. A detective. Lieutenant Snow or something?’
‘Frost. Yes, thanks. I was expecting him. Dominica, why don’t you help Jo get ready while I go and speak to him?’
Max leaves the room, and Dominica has to answer a barrage of questions from Jo about why the policeman is there. When she is finally satisfied, Jo disappears into the bathroom to get dressed, while Dominica packs her things. A short time later, they are ready to leave. They find Max in the doctor’s office along the corridor, pouring over some photos. They look up as Dominica knocks the door.
‘Ah, Dominica,’ Max says. ‘Let me introduce you to Lieutenant Frost.’
The Lieutenant stands up and shakes her hand. ‘Pleased to meet you, Ms Dunn, he says. And I guess you must be Jo.’
Jo reaches out her hand. ‘Yes, that’s me. I understand you’re the guy who’s in charge of finding the idiots who attacked me.’
‘Yes, that’s right. You have my word that we will bring them to justice. I’m from your neighborhood myself. It’s a nice area, and I don’t want it ruined by this kind of nonsense. From what I hear, you are lucky to be alive. It’s a good job Mr. Rockford here was around to help.’
‘We’re very much aware of that, Lieutenant,’ Dominica says. ‘I believe you have some likely suspects?’
‘Yes, that’s why I’m here. Mr. Rockford has already made a positive identification. Now I would like you two to check out some photos, and see if you pick out the same faces.’
Max and Dominica stand outside the office while Jo takes a turn at the photo identification. Then Jo comes out and Dominica goes into the little room. The detective sits across the cluttered desk from her and pushes a file of photos towards her.
‘We have a real mix of people in here,’ he says. ‘I would like you to flip through the book and point out any faces that you recognize.’
Dominica wonders if she would be able to remember the faces. After all, it was dark at the time, with only the glaring light of the Harley to illuminate things. There was so much going on that she wasn’t thinking about identifying anyone later. All she can do is try her best.
Dominica flicks through the pages of photos. For the first few pages, she draws blanks. None of the images mean a thing to her. They are mostly in the right age range, and once or twice she does a double take…then realizes she was mistaken. It isn’t until she is nearly halfway through the book that she stops, staring at the photo at the top left of the page.
It’s the big guy. No doubt about it. Just staring at his photo gives her a jolt, taking her back to the horrors of that unpleasant incident.
‘He’s one of them…he’s the ringleader,’ she says emphatically.
‘You’re certain?’
‘Absolutely. I would recognize him anywhere.’
‘Excellent. Now what about the others?’
Dominica flicks through the book, and within a few minutes has identified the other two villains, too. The Lieutenant closes the book and calls Max and Jo into the office. He looks pleased.
‘The good news is that all three of you picked out the same faces. So I think we can say we have identified who was responsible. I’ll have them picked up today and brought in for questioning. And you have my word that I will do everything possible to keep them off the streets.’
‘Thank you so much, Lieutenant,’ says Max. ‘I’m sure the ladies will sleep easier at night knowing they are safe from these hooligans.’
‘And thank you, Mr. Rockford. You know the boys down at the station really appreciate what you are doing for our family fund. There are some dead officer’s wives doing it tough, and your contribution is going to make a big difference to their lives.’
‘It’s the least I can do, Lieutenant. If someone dies in the service of his community, it is only right that his family should be taken care of.’
A few minutes later, Max, Dominica and Jo walk out of the hospital into the sunshine. Max’s car appears from nowhere, just like the waiter at breakfast. The three of them get in the back, and Jo nudges Dominica with excitement when she sees the luxurious interior of the car. Dominica pretends to ignore her and politely turns to Max.
‘So are you taking us home, Max?’
‘Not yet…unless that’s what you want. I figured that after being cooped up indoors all this time, Jo would appreciate some fresh air. How about a run down to the beach?’
Before Dominica can reply, Jo cuts in. ‘Hell, yeah! I’d love that. I feel alive again now. I want to go somewhere where I can stretch my legs…somewhere that isn’t a hospital corridor.’
The drive in the mid-morning sun is fun, and when they get to the coast, it is even better. The beach is mostly deserted, with just the odd dog walker strolling along the sand in the distance. They get out and walk along the shoreline. Jo kicks off her shoes and splashes in the water, like she did years ago when she was a kid.
Time passes so quickly. Dominica remembers bringing Jo here as a baby, then as a toddler, and then as a precocious but adorable child. Now she is a young woman, starting out on her own adventure into the adult world. What will life have in store for Jo? Will she find true happiness?
Dominica’s thoughts are interrupted by a splash of sea water hitting her face. She looks up to see Jo kicking at the water, sending another round of spray splashing towards Dominica and Max. Dominica laughs and runs away from the edge of the ocean. But Max responds differently. He runs straight into the surf, soaking his leather shoes and the pants of his suit. He kicks at the water and splashes Jo from head to foot. She shrieks and hurries away from him.
Dominica calls to both of them. ‘Hey, you big kids…come on out of there before you drown.’
Max responds by kicking spray back at Dominica, but she is too far away for him to reach. Eventually, the three of them make it back to the car park, wet but happy. As they head back to the car, Jo tugs at Dominica’s sleeve, forcing her to drop back a few yards for a private conversation. Jo whispers in her ear.
‘Mom…Max’s car. Do you know what make of car that is?’
‘I have no idea, honey. You kn
ow I’m not interested in motor vehicles.’
‘Well, you should take an interest in that one. It’s a Maybach.’
‘Is that good or bad?’
‘It’s good. Very good. I mean, those cars start at six hundred thousand dollars. And that’s just for the basic model. You are probably looking at around a million dollars there.’
‘Are you kidding me?’
‘Straight up, Mom. Max isn’t just rich. He’s absolutely loaded.’
‘I’m not a gold digger, Jo. Surely you realize that.’
‘OK, but for someone who isn’t digging, you sure as hell stumbled across a very deep gold mine.’
***
Eventually, they arrive back at Dominica’s house, and Max carries Jo’s things inside. Dominica is glad to be back home in her own familiar surroundings.
‘How about I fix us all some lunch?’ she asks. ‘I’m sure I can rustle up something from what’s in the fridge.’
Max nods enthusiastically. ‘Lunch in the company of the two most beautiful ladies in California? How could I refuse!’
Jo smiles at the comment. ‘Careful, Mom…he’s a smooth talker. He’ll be getting into your pants before you know it. Oh, wait a minute – he already has…’
Dominica cuts her short. ‘Jo! That’s enough of that, thank you very much. You can help me organize some food while Max makes coffee.’
But Max has other ideas. ‘Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d like to check around the property and take a look at your security arrangements. Until those thugs are locked up, I’m going to be a little worried about your safety. Is it OK if I have a look around?’
‘Sure,’ Dominica replies. ‘Take a look at anything you want. We don’t have any secrets. You won’t find a torture chamber hidden in the basement or anything…’
Jo shakes her head. ‘As if, Mom…’
‘Yes, as if…’
Dominica sees that Max is trying to suppress a smirk. He leaves the room hastily with his hand over his mouth. When he returns some fifteen minutes later, lunch is ready to be eaten. Maybe it’s not the kind of meal that Andre the chef would approve of, but it is tasty, nutritious and eaten in very good company. Dominica is enjoying herself. This is the first time that she has sat down for a meal with Jo and a man since….well, since a long time ago. It feels good for them all to be together, almost as if they are a family.
‘This is fun,’ Jo says simply.
‘It certainly is.’ Max raises his orange juice and they all clink glasses. ‘I’ve eaten meals in many of the world’s finest restaurants, but none have been as enjoyable as sitting here in this kitchen with you two.’
‘Thanks, Max. We are really enjoying your company, too. Aren’t we, Jo?’
‘Yes, sure. Although it’s a pity you didn’t invite my doctor from the hospital to come along too. That would have made it just about perfect.’
‘I think he’s a little old for you, honey. And in any case, I don’t think Billy would approve. He has other plans in mind.’
‘Yeah, Billy’s cool, too, in his own way. I’m looking forward to catching up with him.
Dominica sighs. Everything seems to be turning out just fine. She intends to spend the next day or two focusing on looking after Jo. After coming so close to losing her, she doesn’t intend to let her daughter out of her sight for a little while yet. No doubt Max has plenty of business to attend to. Any private matters between her and Max would have to wait a little while…after all, they have plenty of time.
But just when life seems to be as good as it can get, things take a nasty turn for the worse.
Dominica hears a sound from beyond the kitchen and freezes in her chair. She knows that sound…it is the scrape of a key turning in the front door. And there is only one person in the world who has a key to that door apart from herself and Jo. Not Maryanne - she slips in through the back door, but only when it is left unlocked. The only way to get in through the front door is with the key. And the individual who still has a key to that door is the one person on the planet that she never wants to meet again.
Dominica feels a sense of panic rising within her. Why didn’t she get the locks changed? She always meant to, but somehow she never got around to it. There were always other things to do, things that were more urgent. And then, eventually, she had just forgotten about it altogether. That was a big mistake. She should have been more diligent.
The front door slams and all three of them look towards the hallway. There is the sound of footsteps, and then a familiar figure is framed in the doorway. He has aged a little, his hair thinning and receding. But the brutish look and self-satisfied smirk haven’t changed at all. Even from across the room, Dominica can smell whisky and cigarettes.
She can barely speak, but she manages to force out two words.
‘Hello, Darren,’ she says.
12: A Stranger in the Street
There is silence for a moment.
Dominica is shocked to see Darren standing there in the doorway of her own kitchen. It is years since they last met face to face, and she hoped it would be many more years before they met again…if at all. When they were both teenagers, she had been attracted by his rugged, devil-may-care image. But he hasn’t aged well. Years of alcohol abuse have taken their toll, and he has a haunted, desperate look. The muscles he was so proud of have turned to flab, and the teeth that were white and dazzling are now yellow and stained. Nowadays, Darren’s looks reflect his personality – mean, selfish and grasping.
Dominica looks at her companions. Jo is staring at her father apprehensively. It’s only a few days since they had the huge row that led to Jo coming home early. She is one of the few people who know what Darren is capable of, what seething anger and ferocity lie below the surface. When Dominica first met Darren, he was a bad boy, yes, but not in a vicious way. He was a lovable rascal, likely to get into trouble for having too much of a good time, but never deliberately nasty. Over the years, that had changed as his need for alcohol grew to become an addiction. After Jo was born, Darren turned to drink to avoid the sleepless nights and extra work a new baby brings. He spent more and more time in bars, and less and less time at home.
Soon angry words led to angrier actions, and Darren became physically violent. That was enough for Dominica…she was not about to allow that kind of behavior in Jo’s home. After the incident that ended it all - right here in this kitchen - Darren found himself in custody and out of her life. He never forgave her for that, and now Dominica can see the anger still burning within him.
Max has not moved. He is sizing up the situation, waiting for clues as to what would be the best response. So it is Darren who speaks first.
‘Well, well…looky here. What a cozy little family together you have here, eh, Dominica? Except you seem to be forgetting something. This is my family. It doesn’t belong to Mr. Fancypants here in his shiny suit. I bought this house, remember? I’m the one who should decide who gets to visit.’
Dominica tries to hold her composure. She knows from experience that it is best not to let her ex-husband rile her. Things will only go from bad to worse if she does. At any moment, he could lash out, or even reach for any weapon that is handy. She is glad Max is here to give her some support. Darren is less likely to throw his weight around if he has a man to deal with. Darren is a typical bully – very brave when his opponents are smaller and weaker than him, not so brave when he has to stand up to a fair fight. But Dominica hopes it won’t come to a fight. She has seen enough of that throughout her marriage. With Jo here, especially, she doesn’t want any of Darren’s familiar nastiness.
When she speaks, she keeps her voice calm and level.
‘You gave up this family when you decided using your fists was the way to get your own way,’ she says. ‘This house legally belongs to me now. And there is a restraining order telling you to keep at least a mile clear of me and my home. I could call the police right now and have you locked up. So don’t push your luck, Darren, or you will
find yourself in handcuffs.’
‘To hell with your restraining order. I have a right to know what is happening in my own family. I’ve been hearing stories about you and some rich guy. I guess that must be Mr. Fancypants here. He doesn’t look much to me. Looks like he had a silver spoon stuck up his ass most of his life. Can’t you find yourself a real man, Dominica?’
Jo starts to look upset. ‘Dad, please just go. We don’t want any trouble. Just go away and leave us alone, please.’
‘Oh, so now my daughter is on the side of the rich guy, too, huh? Well, well, how things have changed. Maybe I should give you both a smack to remind you who is boss around here.’
Max stands up immediately. ‘OK, Mr. Dunn…that’s where we draw the line. I will not tolerate you threatening either Dominica or Jo – or anyone else for that matter. If you don’t leave immediately, this will become a police matter. I suggest you just turn around and walk out the way you came in. If you leave now, there will be no further consequences.’
Darren draws himself up on his toes and stares Max in the face. But Max is two inches taller and a good bit heavier in build. They are probably about the same weight, but whereas Darren is carrying a few pounds of flab, Max is packing pure muscle. Darren backs off, obviously seeing that taking Max on is a bad idea. He is not too stupid to know a losing proposition when he sees one. So he resorts to more verbal abuse.
‘You think you’re it, don’t you, you posh bastard. Well, I’ve met people like you before and come out on top. So here’s the deal. You leave my family alone, and I won’t break your nose. But if I find out you are humping my wife, I’ll…’
‘This is your final warning, Dunn. Any more comments like that and I will be obliged to throw you out on your ear. Dominica is not your wife – she is your ex. She can see whoever she wants whenever she wants, and what she does is none of your business. You are not part of her life now. You have to leave and stay away. Do you understand?’
The Domination of Dominica Dunn: Discovering New Worlds of Sexual Sensation Page 16