by Eileen Green
Shane’s left brow lifted as he moved his head slightly so he could see Jeremy. The boy had the grace to be guilty as he lowered his head. Jeremy couldn’t be held at fault here as he was protecting Clara also.
Looking back at Clara, Shane spoke confidently and with authority. “Jeremy is correct about your safety here. People can follow a car in that used the code for the gate. I’ve done it myself. Now, you said there was a second letter?”
Clara nodded. “It’s on the breakfast bar.” She began to get up, but Shane stopped her. He slid his hand up her forearm as Jeremey jumped up and headed toward the granite topped bar.
“Don’t touch it. Use a napkin to pick it up,” Shane ordered, then turned his attention back to Clara. “Do you have any plastic bags?”
“Yes. Third drawer down,” she responded, her voice shaky.
“Clara, if you want my help, honesty has to be first and foremost in our professional position.” Shane watched her carefully. “And, if we’re going to have a personal relationship, honesty is highly important there also. I don’t take kindly to being lied to, or to have information withheld for any reason. It is one of several things that could bring an end to the relationship.”
“I’m sorry. Like I said, I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me that someone is trying to kill me. It seems like something out of a movie. I have the report from the mechanic who examined my car after the accident, and he said someone cut the brake line, just enough so that the fluid leaked out slowly. I could have been on the freeway when the brakes failed, and I could have caused damage to other cars, or even hurt other people.”
“I want to see that report also,” Shane said as he stood. Jeremy came over and handed him the letter encased in plastic. A shiver slithered down his spine as he read the words. “I want you to go pack a bag, enough clothes for a few days until we can get security measures installed. I’ll feel better if you’re in a hotel where there are more people and more security.”
“I can’t afford a hotel,” she said quietly as she stood. “Not when I’m on disability right now. Funds are going to be tight for me as it is.”
Shane reached out and pressed his hand to her right cheek, raising her face, so she was looking up at him. “I said you would be going to a hotel, which meant that I would be flipping the bill for it. As for my services, I can think of a way for you to repay me.”
Clara’s mouth dropped open as her eyes widened with shock. Shane chuckled.
“I’m serious about having a relationship with you and Jeremy, but I won’t blackmail you to be with me. I was just kidding about that last part. I don’t have to blackmail you, because your body tells me it wants to be with us. What does your heart and mind say about it?”
Her mouth closed, as Shane could tell she was thinking. God, please let her say she wants this too!
She glanced at Jeremy who was now standing next to Shane before she slid her eyes back to look at Shane. Silence was loud in the room as he waited for her response.
“I’m afraid,” she finally said, her voice soft and low. “I’m afraid of everything that is happening to me.”
“When it comes to us, there is nothing to be afraid of. I’ve already begun a background check on Jeremy, for everyone’s peace of mind,” Shane said quickly before Jeremy could speak. “If you wish, you can go to another security company and have them run a background check on me, but I can tell you anything you wish. I’m an open book to my friends and potential lovers.”
She cleared her throat before. “It’s not that. Before all this, I was happy. I got past my parents’ death and moved on. I spent time with my friends. I enjoyed walking in the evenings on the High Line Canal Running Trail. And now, I’m being threatened, and I almost died because of whatever the hell is going on. I would think that you two would be running in the opposite direction to get away from me as fast as you could.”
Shane knew Clara was running on emotions right now. He could hear the quiver in her voice, and he recognized the slight tremor in her body. She probably hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep since before the accident, even with all the painkillers. If he wasn’t careful, she was going to have a breakdown.
“There is no way that I am walking away from you, Clara. If you hadn’t come in when you did, I would have pulled my resources and looked for you myself. I wanted you that night when I saw you, bumps, bruises, unconsciousness, and all. You needed time to recuperate, so I was giving you time.”
Jeremy stood next to Clara and took her hand gingerly. She looked up at him. “Clara,” he began as he reached out and took her hand. “I’ve had your information since the night of the accident. I wanted to visit you in the hospital. I wanted to come here to see you. But like Shane said, you needed time to recuperate. I was going to give you another month before I stopped in.
“There was an attraction to you that night, but there was one for Shane also. I had gone to visit him to see if there was something there before I was going to visit you. I was surprised to find out he had an attraction to you also, but for me, it was a bonus to get you both. No matter what is going on in your life, I want to see if what I feel for you is real. Please don’t push us away because you’re scared. Grasp onto us so we can try to help you.”
Shane was surprised at Jeremy’s words. He was a strong man, but he was able to put words together to win the girl, and guy, in this case.
Living through the dangers he had being a Navy SEAL, Shane had been lucky to come through his time served with his life. He had also come through with a dozen or so scars, several of them being gunshot wounds. There were a few times he feared he was going to die, but coming out on the other side, he knew how lucky he was. He was given another chance at life, and he promised himself he was going to live it to the fullest.
Being a Dom allowed him to be in control of his life. He wasn’t interested in having someone serving him twenty-four seven, but he had a feeling that Jeremy was slave material. Shane knew that some people used the lifestyle to wind down from their stressful jobs, whether it be as a Dom or a slave. He was willing to give Jeremy a chance, and if their relationship progressed as Shane hoped, they could discuss his role down the line.
He slid his arm around Jeremy’s shoulders as he looked down at Clara. He could see her thinking about what they had said, and the anticipation was twisting his stomach into a knot.
It was strange because he never felt like he did for Clara with another woman. Not even his ex-wife. Of course, he realized after Andrea had left him, he really didn’t love her. They were young and had been going together for so long, marriage was the next step to take. They parted amicably, and she finally found happiness with an oil man in Tulsa. Their daughter, Diana, had been raised by Andrea, but Shane could see her at any time. He would go to see her once a month if his work schedule allowed until she entered college. Pride filled him when she had picked her major of psychology, but she went all the way out to California to USC. He wasn’t able to spend as much time with her now, and besides, who wanted their dad cramping their style in college.
Now, Shane wanted someone, or someone’s in his life. He was going to be forty in a few weeks, and he wanted stability in his personal life. He had spent so much time building his business that he hadn’t been actively looking for a sub. Then, he saw Clara, and he had met Jeremy, and he knew his life could change.
Standing in front of Clara, Shane waited anxiously for her to say something. He knew Jeremy was all in, but he could understand Clara’s trepidation. Threats against someone’s life could make their decision-making waver a bit.
“You have to promise you won’t pressure me too much, and to give me time to get used to things,” she said demurely.
“Like what, angel?” Shane asked. He raised his hand up and caught a tendril of hair that was laying on her chest.
She shrugged. “I haven’t had much experience with dating. And, now there’s two of you. I’ll need to get used to that, and you’ll both need to give me time to fully
recover.”
“We’ll talk about logistics the next time we all get together. But I will say, you will be our center. Even though Jeremy is submissive, you will be the one who holds the power in the relationship.” Shane smiled. “Why don’t you invite your lady friends over to your hotel room tomorrow evening and talk to them about their relationships with their men. Order whatever you guys want from room service. The guys and I can meet in the bar downstairs.”
Clara started to say something, but then must have thought better of it, for she clamped her mouth shut. Her cheeks flushed causing Shane to smile down at her. He loved the various colors of her eyes, and right now, the gold flecks were catching the light from the lamps on the end tables.
“Go on upstairs, angel, and pack a bag. We can always come back in a few days to get more clothes for you,” he told her. “Do you need help?”
“No. I’m good.” She began to walk toward the stairs and then stopped. “Thank you.”
“No thanks needed. We just want to make sure you’re safe,” Shane said softly.
He watched as Clara slowly made her way up the stairs before he pulled his arm from around Jeremy. “As for you, Jeremy, we’ll have a lot of talking to do about logistics with you also due to your job. Would you mind if I tried to pull some strings to get you that position?”
Shane had a lot of friends in high places due to his security company. He didn’t have to blackmail anyone to do things, he just had to point out the pros and cons of the situations at hand.
“I would hate to put you to any trouble, Shane,” Jeremy said as he placed the chair that Shane had sat in back in its rightful place. “I would like to try to get the position on my own merits, but I’m afraid I’m not qualified enough.”
“Then they wouldn’t have had you interview. You don’t give yourself enough credit. And, that is something I won’t tolerate in a relationship. Whether you are a sub or a slave, you will not think poorly of yourself. Understood?”
Shane’s voice had slipped into Dom mood and had Jeremy straightening up. “Yes, Sir. I’m sorry.”
“If you think badly of yourself, you are doing yourself a disservice. If you are going to be mine, I don’t want people to think of you as unsure of your status by the way you see yourself.”
Shane spoke as he took several steps until he stood directly in front of Jeremy. “Do not make me have to speak of this again.”
Jeremy nodded as he looked at Shane. In a flash, Shane’s mouth was covering Jeremy’s, demanding entrance. The boy opened to him, and Shane swept his tongue through Jeremy’s mouth. Shane searched out every inch before he moved across Jeremy’s tongue.
Shane’s breathing was ragged as he kissed Jeremy with a passion that surprised him. Jeremy reciprocated hungrily as if he was a drowning man. Shane wasn’t sure if he would ever get enough of the man, just like he was certain he would never get enough of Clara.
The two men broke the kiss at the same time. Shane needed more air than what he was receiving in the kiss, plus he feared he would strip Jeremy naked right there in Clara’s living room and take him. It wasn’t fair to Clara for Shane and Jeremy to move along their part of the relationship. The three of them had to be on the same page all the way around.
A shaky breath behind him had Shane spinning around. He hadn’t heard Clara come down the stairs, but she was standing there with a shocked look. Her eyes were wide with arousal as her tongue was slowly licking her lips. A small smile appeared and then she whispered, “That was so hot!”
Taking a deep breath of relief, Shane moved over to her. He took the small suitcase from her and Jeremy was right next to him taking the black leather tote bag she had hung over her shoulder.
“I’m glad you liked that, angel. I can’t wait to watch you kissing Jeremy,” Shane said with a smirk. “Now, are you ready to leave? It’s getting late.”
Sadly, Clara glanced around. “I guess.”
“Jeremy, turn the light on in the stairwell, and I’ll catch the light in the kitchen.” Shane moved as he spoke, and Jeremy went to do as instructed. “We’ll leave your car here, Clara, so that if the house is being watched, whoever it is will think your home. I have another car in the parking garage at the hotel you can use.”
Clara looked defeated which caused Shane’s heart to ache. He could only imagine what must be going through her mind after the realization about her parents’ deaths and knowing someone is wanting to get rid of her also.
Shane didn’t want to crowd her, but he did gather her in his arms. Jeremy stepped up behind her, and the trio hugged for a few minutes in silence before Shane pulled away. He picked up the suitcase he had dropped and led her to the door.
Once the three of them were through the door, Shane closed it and watched as Clara locked the deadbolt. He hoped they didn’t have to make any modifications to the place, for he prayed she would be ensconced in his new house as soon as it was ready for them. They would put this place up for sale.
* * * *
With a touch of sadness, Clara watched her townhouse disappear behind them as Shane drove them in his GMC Yukon. Everything was happening so quickly that she was having problems wrapping her mind around the events that were changing her life.
She was certain that she had turned a page when her parents died, but the knowledge that someone had started that fire had her grieving them again. Now she was receiving death threats, and someone nearly succeeded killing her.
Shane had offered to help to keep her safe, and now within the span of five hours, she found herself interested in two men, who were also interested in each other. Listening to Missy and Savannah discuss their men, and the love they had found along with a new lifestyle, Clara had secretly wished she could find happiness and love in her own life. Now, time would tell if she could love Shane and Jeremy, and if she could embrace the lifestyle her friends had, and Shane and Jeremy had already lived.
“It’s going to be all right,” Shane said from the driver’s seat across the console from her. He reached out and engulfed her hand in his.
She felt so petite with both men, and her hand seemed so small in Shane’s. Jeremy was sitting in the middle of the back seat, and he reached forward and placed his hand on Clara’s shoulder. They were both tuned into her emotions already, and that made her smile. Perhaps she would be able to do this.
“I am taking a big step with you two. I’m putting my trust in you both, and I’m trusting you to help me figure what is going on.”
“One rule,” Shane began, “is when I tell you to do something pertaining to dangerous situations, you need to do exactly as I say. That goes for both of you. That is different from telling you to do something in our playroom, bedroom, or in the club. Understood?”
Clara thought about his words. A chill ran up her spine, and she wasn’t sure if it was because of the danger he spoke of, or the anticipation of his mention of playing. Or, both.
Chapter Six
The shockwave from the blast knocked Jeremy to the ground, and the sound was deafening. Dazed, he looked around the area in front of the apartment building they had been called to and found many of the firefighters were battling to stay on their feet.
It had all happened so fast. He and Adam had arrived about five minutes ago, their arrival on the scene only a few minutes behind the engine. Once the two medics grabbed their equipment, they separated and moved over to the victims that were lying in the dry grass.
The run-down appearance of the exterior of the place looked as if it might have been empty, so why was the gas still on?
The young woman that Jeremy had gone to first was already gone by her appearance. Skin was falling away from her face and chest, ribs exposed. She had to have been right at ground zero of the first explosion.
After checking her vitals, he verified she was no longer alive. Her face was destroyed to the point that doing CPR wasn’t an option.
He had just moved onto the next victim, a man about Jeremy’s age who was singed and unc
onscious. Jeremy was thrown to the ground, half covering the victim, however, as Jeremy tried to stand, pain ripped through his left shoulder when he pushed up. The left side of his face hurt also.
Hands took hold of him, and as he looked up, the fire captain was standing before him. The captain said something, but Jeremy’s hearing was still muffled from the blast. Captain Blankenship helped Jeremy move off the man beneath him and helped Jeremy sit.
Hanging his head, Jeremy tried to assess his body. It took about a minute before Jeremy’s hearing returned, although a slight buzzing remained. The pain in his shoulder was strong, mostly when he tried to move his arm, and his head was throbbing. He must have hit his head on the ground when he went down.
“Are you with me, Jeremy?” the captain inquired as he was looking over the victim next to Jeremy.
“Y-yes, sir.” Jeremy shook his head, trying to get the buzzing in his ears to stop.
“Adam will look you over when he finishes with the guy he’s working on. This guy has a pulse and is breathing. The burns look like he wasn’t at ground zero. Looks like he may have been outside. He’ll need some dressings in the ambulance, but he’s stable for now.” The captain moved back over to Jeremy. “Where does it hurt the most?”
“Head, shoulder, and arm.” Jeremy grimaced in pain. “I think my shoulder is just dislocated though. Any idea what caused the first explosion?”
Adam appeared in front of Jeremy and knelt. “Hey, buddy. How are you feeling?”
“Like a truck hit me,” Jeremy tried to joke.
As Adam began to assess him, Jeremy thought back to last night.
He had gotten back to Woodland Park somewhere around two in the morning. Once Shane had convinced Clara to stay at the Four Seasons, they drove to the hotel and helped her get settled.
Clara had been quiet on the way to the hotel. Jeremy knew the information she had revealed and the realization that the death of her parents may not have been an accident had sent Clara into a bit of shock.