by LK Shaw
“Who do you think killed him, then?” In the back of my mind, I knew the answer to that, but I didn’t want to acknowledge it.
“If I had to take a guess, I’d say it was the Russians.”
My eyes closed at Donovan’s answer, because that’s what I was afraid he was going to say. My entire body started to shake.
“He’s going to come after me next isn’t he?” Terror colored my words and I was finding it hard to breathe.
“Look at me, Phebe,” his firm voice had me instantly obeying him. When my eyes focused on him, Donovan grasped my biceps tightly, but not enough to hurt.
“We don’t know what he’ll do,” Donovan growled in that same deep tone I’d heard him use on occasion. The one that went straight to my core and caused a reaction I didn’t understand. “You’re safe here. No one knows you’re here, and there’s no one on Connor’s payroll that could be bought for the information. We’ll protect you at all costs.”
He pulled me against him and wrapped his arms around me in a protective cocoon. It didn’t even process that I didn’t flinch, or freak out, from his touch. Instead, I returned the embrace and rested my head against his chest, his fiercely beating heart sounding loud in my ear and a warm scent that was all Donovan enveloping me. He kept holding me until the sun dipped behind the horizon and the crickets started chirping.
Donovan
All night I thought about how good, how right, Phebe had felt in my arms. It didn’t matter though, because neither of us was looking for a relationship. Shannon’s betrayal, even after all this time, still burned. Seeing what Phebe was going through just proved what loving someone did to a person. Her betrayal cut even deeper than mine. Love couldn’t be trusted. I ignored the voice in the back of my mind that told me I was full of shit.
First thing the next morning I’d headed to Connor’s office. The police had their heads so far up their asses they’d never see the light of day with this case. To them, Underwood’s death was random. There were no witnesses, and they’d combed the crime scene and found no fingerprints or any other evidence that said otherwise. They weren’t going to spend more time than necessary investigating. Not only that, but if Underwood’s death was at the hands of the Russians, cops could be bought, as testament to the fact that the former Chief and Mayor of Pinegrove had recently been discovered as the corrupt leaders they were. In fact, almost anyone could be bought with the right amount of money.
Which is why I didn’t even bother with the police. Connor, on the other hand, would do his own investigating. He’d also do everything in his power to help me protect Phebe. I was a combat veteran and this Russian piece of shit didn’t scare me. I’d seen more death and destruction in Afghanistan than I’d ever care to remember. I was trained in martial arts and a former Marine. My grueling training had prepared me for not only combat, but to take care of shit no matter what. Phebe would be well protected if it came down to it. I didn’t want to analyze all the overprotective feelings I was having so I pushed them aside.
“Talk to me, Connor,” I barked, as I paced restlessly, my hands running through my hair in frustration.
Connor removed his reading glasses and tossed them on the stack of papers on the desk he was sitting behind. “Jesus, Donovan, calm down. You know Josie has been doing the best she can. She’s not a miracle worker. This kind of thing takes time. You don’t just randomly drop in on the Russian Bratva for fuck’s sake. Not unless you have a death wish.”
“I need to find this Dragomirov so the Feds can put him behind bars. I can’t take the chance that he might come after Phebe. She’s slowly recovering from whatever he did to her, but I know she’s still terrified of him, because she still refuses to say his name. Anytime she references him, she says ‘him’ or ‘the Russian’. I don’t think she’s told me the entire story of what was done to her in there.”
“There’s nothing I can do to speed up the process. Josie will locate him when she locates him. Once she does that, after the FBI, you’ll be the first to know.”
“How does a single Russian just disappear in thin air?” I asked, disgusted. “None of the men that were arrested at the underground facility where Phebe was found talked. Not a single one of them mentioned Dragomirov.”
“Of course not. Look what happened to Underwood when he ratted out the Russians. Toes up. They’d rather live out their lives in prison than get body parts removed before being tossed in a shallow grave. Cause they know that’s what would happen if they talked. My buddies at the bureau are just as frustrated as you are. This Dragomirov is like a fucking ghost. I know they’ve detained him a couple times, but then he always up and disappears for months without a trace. It’s like he falls off the face of the earth. Then, miraculously, months later he shows his face again.”
“Fuck.”
“You know, you seem awfully concerned about her.”
I flipped Connor the bird, even if his words were true. In the weeks we’d been working together on this case, I’d come to learn a lot about Phebe. I knew she wore her heart on her sleeve. She was brave, strong, and passionate about helping those less fortunate. We’d talked a lot about her work at The Haven including her photography. She had me laughing at the corny jokes she said she used to tell the kids at the shelter. Her sense of humor was out there, but she could make me smile.
Circumstances withholding, I actually enjoyed Phebe’s company. Too often, I’d catch her glancing at me, but then she’d quickly look away before she thought I caught her. However my gaze would remain on her, because I couldn’t look away. It was odd since she definitely wasn’t my type with her white blonde dreadlocks and the pierced nose I missed the first few times I’d met her. She’d often take off her jacket and roll up her sleeves when she was cooking and I’d caught a glimpse of multiple tattoos on her arms. Even still, she was beautiful in an ethereal sort of way.
Her entire being pulled at every Dominant instinct I thought I’d long buried. I pushed it back each time though, because she was still my client and it was wholly inappropriate. Not only that, but she was in no frame of mind to accept a D/s relationship. I sensed she could be submissive, but I didn’t want to push that on her. I knew how fragile she was.
“She’s my client. She’s also Josie’s sister. Of course I’m concerned about her.”
Connor stared me down, and I struggled not to flinch at the intensity. “Whatever you say, Jeffries,” Connor intoned, both of us knowing I was lying to myself.
“Just let me know when Josie finds something, will you?” I retorted in irritation.
He nodded in assent as I turned to stride out of the room, sensing Connor’s mocking glare drilling into my back as I made my escape. I left his office and headed out on an errand that had me questioning my resistance to Phebe.
Soft music played inside the art gallery as I wandered around wondering which of the photos were taken by Phebe. That was until I spotted it. Instantly, I knew Phebe was the photographer. It was a picture of one of the old red brick warehouses down by the Pinegrove dam on Big River. The dam had been opened and reddish-gold water exploded down the spillways. The river was at its highest and the white caps from the powerful flow of water were almost lifelike in the picture. I could almost feel the heat from the steam rising off the water. The dark gray sky was covered in powder light clouds and the green trees behind the warehouse were so bright I could almost see the veins in the leaves. There were so many textures in the picture, I could feel the power behind the rushing water and the force of nature causing the flooding.
“It’s awe-inspiring, isn’t it?” a strong, but quiet feminine voice came from next to me.
I turned my head to spy the grandmotherly figure I hadn’t heard move up beside me. She was dressed in a cream-colored pantsuit with a bright blue shirt under her jacket. Her silver hair was pulled back and pearl earrings dangled from her ears. She was tall and regal, but didn’t give off a snobby vibe. In fact, her smile was open and welcoming. This had to be her.
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br /> “It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen,” I agreed.
She reached out to shake my hand. “I’m Muriel Osborne. I’m the owner of this gallery. Do you have any questions about any of the pieces you’ve seen?”
I nodded at Phebe’s photograph. “How much for this one?”
“I would have to double check my records, but I believe it goes for $1,200.”
I reached into my pocket, pulled out my business card, and handed it to Muriel. Her eyes moved back and forth as she read the information before looking at me with a questioning glance.
I nodded back at the picture. “I believe we have a mutual friend. Someone you might have been worrying about lately. Someone you might not have talked to in a few months.”
Muriel’s eyes darted back and forth between Phebe’s photograph and me. I could tell she was weighing whether or not she could trust me. I recognized the moment she made her decision as a determined look entered her eyes.
“Is she okay?” Her voice trembled a little at the question.
“For now. She’s told me about you. About how much you mean to her and how much she misses you.”
Muriel brought her shaking hands up to her mouth. “I’ve been so worried about her. She just disappeared. Even the ladies at The Haven didn’t know where she’d gone. She’s truly all right?”
“Yes, ma’am. Although, I know she is bored out of her mind. Would you like to see her?”
Tears filled her eyes at my question. “Oh my gosh, yes please.”
“You have my card. Let me know when a good time is for you. My schedule is open.”
She hesitated as though unsure whether or not she should ask her question. “Could I see her today? I just need to make sure she actually is okay. She’s like a daughter to me. I need to see for myself that she’s fine.”
“Of course. I was going to be heading over there shortly anyway. You’re welcome to come with me. Keep in mind, that for your safety and hers, you won’t be able to see where we’re going. She’s in a safe house that needs to remain a secret. Are you agreeable to that? And feel free to call the District Attorney’s office to verify I’m who I say I am.” I tacked on the last when she appeared leery when I mentioned blindfolding her.
“I’ll do that. You seem like a trustworthy person, but you never know nowadays.” She nodded before walking off, my business card still in her hand. I turned back to Phebe’s painting and knew I had to buy it.
It wasn’t long before Muriel returned. “I spoke to your office and they verified your identity.”
I smiled at her. “Before we go, I’d like to buy this.”
Her face lit up the whole room with an answering smile. “Of course.”
As Muriel took the picture off the wall and my credit card to ring up the purchase, I pulled out my phone and made a call to Roger to let him know I’d have company with me. Soon after I hung up, Muriel returned with my card, receipt, and the picture wrapped in paper and in a bag with handles, the name of her gallery brightly imprinted on the side.
She found one of her employees, letting them know she needed to leave for a bit, and we headed to my car. After ensuring she was properly secured, I headed to the safe house. I couldn’t wait to see the expression on Phebe’s face.
Phebe
Lord, I’d never been so bored in my life. Week after week, I’d been stuck in this house. At first, it had been a relief to finally feel like I was in a safe place. I was free. I was still relieved, and I knew it was for my own good, but I was going mad. My short visits with everyone who randomly stopped by, from Webber to Connor to Bridget, were nice, but none of them stayed long. They had their own lives to get back to. Roger spoke to me when he could, but I also knew that he was trying to keep me safe so his focus needed to remain elsewhere.
Then, there was Donovan. I didn’t know what to make of this attraction. I was so afraid of how’d I’d react if either of us acted on it. I wanted to try and forget his touch. In order to do that, I needed to replace it with another memory. One more pleasant. Sweat broke out everywhere even thinking about it. But, it was something I’d been thinking long and hard about. I was even considering talking to Dr. Parrish about it. I was crazy to even be considering it, but the idea kept hanging on.
Luckily, my wayward thoughts were distracted when Roger entered the room.
“Hey, kid,” he greeted, knowing the nickname drove me crazy.
Only adding fuel to the fire, I stuck my tongue out at him. His white teeth gleamed as he threw his head back in laughter. Once he got himself under control, he spoke again.
“Your love muffin’s on his way over with something for you.”
I couldn’t help but blush at his words. He’d been ribbing me for a week now about Donovan, and it didn’t look like it was going to stop any time soon.
“God, you’re so irritating,” I muttered under my breath. There was no sense in me even arguing with him. It would only encourage him more. So, I ignored his innuendo.
“What do you mean he has something for me?”
Roger shrugged. “Don’t know. He just called and said he was on his way.”
At that moment, the doorbell rang. “There’s your knight in shining armor as we speak.”
As Roger went to answer the door, I stood there, staring at the living room door, wondering what in the world he was bringing. Donovan stepped through first. He looked so good in a suit. His blond hair was slightly spiked and his cerulean eyes sparkled with life. His lips quirked up in a smile that said he had a secret. I’d just opened my mouth to ask what he was up to when a person entered behind him.
I had to blink several times to clear my vision, but it didn’t help as tears filled my eyes. My lungs seized and I couldn’t breathe. Finally, my lungs forcibly inhaled a shuddering breath and exhaled on a choked sob. I stumbled as I took a step forward and would have fallen to the floor if not for Donovan’s quick movement. He rushed over to brace me before I hit the ground, but my eyes never left those of the woman across the room, whose tears matched mine. Using Donovan for support, I slowly started moving toward Muriel. She too began to move, meeting me halfway. Donovan took a step back, but stayed close in case I needed him again.
Muriel’s hands shook as she reached out to cup my cheeks. She ran her thumbs over them, wiping away my tears, her eyes scanning my face, memorizing it. I needed the comfort of her arms and I threw myself into her embrace, wrapping my arms tightly around her waist, my head resting on her shoulder as I sobbed. She squeezed me tight and held me close. Her whispered words of love soothed my broken heart. She told me how much she’d missed me and was so glad I was okay. My tears came so strong and fast, I couldn’t even respond in kind. I could only hug her tighter to show her how much I loved her as well. Time ticked by slowly before my tears finally stopped. Eventually, they turned to sniffles and I forced myself to pull back from Muriel, although she still kept hold of my hands.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I choked out, still overwhelmed with the fact that she was standing right in front of me.
“I was devastated when I’d discovered you were missing. I’ve been worrying myself sick these last few months. I went to the police, but they didn’t do a damn thing about my request for help finding you.” Muriel’s anger was evident by the fact that I’d never, in all the years I’d known her, heard her curse.
“I’m a nobody, Muriel. If the police did even bother to investigate, I’m sure Kieran didn’t report my disappearance. Besides you, no one else would care.” I shrugged as if it was of no consequence.
Muriel shook her finger at me, fresh tears in her eyes. “Don’t you dare call yourself a nobody, Phebe Lawson. You’re like the daughter I never had. You’re certainly somebody to me.”
I reached out to give her another hug at her words. She had truly been like a mother to me. Certainly more than my birth mother ever was.
“I love you, Muriel.”
“I love you too, dear.”
I still couldn’t believe she was here. I turned to thank the man responsible, but Donovan was no longer in the room. My bawling must have scared the hell out of him. Well, I hoped he didn’t stay away long because I wanted to thank him. What he’d done for me was something I could never repay, even if I lived to be a hundred.
Knowing Muriel fatigued easily, I shooed her to the couch and made her sit and relax.
“Do you want something to drink? I don’t have any wine, but I do have orange juice or water.”
Muriel shook her head. “No, thank you, dear. I’m fine. Now, tell me what happened to you. Where have you been?”
I shuddered at her questions, but I knew I needed to share at least part of what happened to me. She most definitely didn’t need to hear any of the gory details, but after everything she’d done for me, I owed her some sort of an explanation. I sat down next to her, my hands wringing on my lap.
As I recounted my story, she sat in horrified silence, reaching out to grab my hands again and holding them tightly in hers. How Kieran drugged me, how I woke up in that place, and how I’d been held captive for two months. I left out some of the details, the ones I didn’t think she could handle hearing, but I did tell her that I had not been treated well.
“Oh, my poor, sweet girl. I’m so sorry. If I could kill that sorry excuse of a human being for you, I would. It’s no wonder you were so desperate to get away from him. Oh, Phebe, my heart is breaking all over again.”
“I’m okay, Muriel. I’m here safe and sound. Please don’t cry anymore,” I begged her as she wiped away her falling tears.
“I can’t help thinking about what horrible things they did to you,” she cried.
“It’s over and done with now. No sense in dwelling on it. I’ve been seeing a therapist and she’s really helping me deal with everything. Everything will be okay, I promise.” I didn’t know if I was trying to reassure her or myself. “Now, enough about me and my sob story, tell me about the gallery. How has it been going?”