by Kate Benson
“This is actually not so bad,” he admits, sipping his drink. “We’ve gone a couple of weeks with Isabella not even able to leave the house. Everywhere she went, she was completely inundated.”
“Jesus,” I groan, raking my palm over my jaw, unable to stop thoughts of Ana. I can’t help but wonder how she’d undoubtedly be handling something like this if she were in Isabella’s position - a new submissive just beginning to taste this life, being accosted at every turn. “How’s she been holding up?”
“Better than most would,” he says, and I have to nod my agreement. “You know as well as I do how overwhelming it can be when you’ve signed up for it.”
“As much as I can sympathize, I’m not sure I can relate. I’ve dealt with reporters, but nothing like this. This is fucking bedlam, Adam,” I reply, still unable to take my gaze from the window nearby. “Anyway, when I saw the two of you on the news, I felt like I should reach out, offer some support. I can’t do much, especially not right now with everything going on in my personal life,” I admit, the words pulling another knot into my throat. I say a silent prayer that the insanity impaling us is nearly coming to an end itself. “But I’m on your side. If the board brings anything my way, I want you to know Mitchell Construction is behind you. Anything you two need, we’re just a phone call away.”
“Thank you,” he smiles graciously. “That means a lot. It will mean a lot to Isabella, as well.”
“I’ll be sure to tell her as much when she arrives,” I promise. “The fact of the matter is that I’ve seen the two of you work together for the company,” I continue, unable to keep my lips from moving into a smirk for a moment. “Despite your shit ability to keep a secret, you represented the company in ways that I know would make Richard proud. Not to mention, you’re making me a shit ton of money and have held up your end of every deal we’ve made since. Friend or not, that’s what matters in any business,” I insist, reaching over to offer him a brotherly pat on the shoulder of reassurance. “As for the rest of this, it’ll pass. You’ve just got to hold your ground and keep a low profile until it’s over.”
“That’s the plan,” he replies, reaching for his scotch and prompting me to sip from mine, as well. As hard as everything has been to deal with between Ana and I, I can’t help but feel bad for Adam when he shifts in his seat. It’s subtle. So subtle, in fact, if anyone else was to see him right now, he’d likely come off as the same successful business prodigy he’s always been. I know better, though. While our friendship isn’t one that’s lasted for years, I understand his need to protect what’s his in ways few others ever could. Although the similarities in our personal preferences when it comes to relationships must be an advantage, I can’t say I envy his position in the least. “We’ve definitely been doing all we can to stay off the radar.”
“I’m sure her submission has helped with the transition,” I suggest, grateful for the ease in our discussion as I watch him nod his answer. “How has her training been going?” I ask and the amused smirk tainting his lips pulls an involuntary chuckle from my chest I’m not sure either of us expected. It’s definitely one I need. “Hmm… I think I can safely say I understand that. She seemed like about as much of a challenge as my Analise was when she and I first met.”
“There have definitely been days that were more testing than others. She can be a bit of a fireball, but she’s fallen into place rather well, all things considered.”
“That’s incredible. It’s always harder to find focus when the world around you becomes chaotic,” I confess, my thoughts, regrets even, taking hold once more. “Just don’t ever lose sight of what’s important.”
“That’s complicated sometimes.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more.” The sigh that leaves my lips is one I’m unable to control. He notices but is kind enough not to mention as much and I couldn’t be more grateful. I clear my throat and right my features as quickly as I can before facing him once more. “Just do right by her every time and you’ll both come out on the other side of all of this.”
The words slip out of their own accord, coming from somewhere deep down I can’t identify, but hope like hell are composed of more than my own wishful thinking. Movement from my right pulls my eyes back to his and I find him studying me, trying to decide whether he should comment on my cryptic behavior and before I’m able to fully wish it away, his phone chimes, saving us both.
“I’m sorry for the interruption,” he offers, the sound of snapping just outside the same window on the verge of deafening as he stands, squaring his shoulders. “Excuse me.”
“Of course,” I wave him off once more, reaching for my phone once he steps to the other side of the door.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about the double edge to my wanting to meet with Adam Avery today. While we’ve become close friends over the last few months, our shared bonds of business and chosen lifestyles making us kindred spirits of sorts, it’s not every day I ask for favors.
Certainly not of this caliber and with something so personal.
A few moments pass and while no new information seems to be coming through from the others, there does seem to be something intriguing happening just outside. The sound of a roaring engine followed by a familiar bass line has me quirking my ears up before an involuntary smirk forms.
The memory of the lyrics slipping awkwardly from Ana’s lips as she bounced around the living room, earbuds snuggly in place, flashes in my mind. For a moment, I let it stay there, hold it close. Before I’m able to soak up enough of the pleasant thought, though, hushed whispers lull the memory away.
While I make no effort to eavesdrop, the distinct alpha timbre of the voice slipping through the door is hard to miss. I don’t envy him for this part, either, I think to myself, recalling the first time I’d had to punish Ana as I reach for my menu. The memory is bittersweet, her jaw slack, her chest heaving with a combination of uncertainty and lust as I held her gray eyes. I shake the thought away once more, humming the chorus that’s long since ended as I distract myself to offer them some privacy.
The door swings open a moment later and I glance up to smile in greeting, a combination between amusement at her boldness and sympathy for the frustration rolling off him in waves.
“Miss. Baxter,” I stand to greet her, taking her hand and offering her a friendly peck on the cheek. “It’s very nice to see you again.”
“I wish he wasn’t seeing so much of you,” Adam growls from his seat, making her cheeks blaze.
If I’m being honest, I hadn’t even noticed the dress she’s wearing until he mentioned it. Don’t get me wrong, Isabella is beautiful, but she’s not my wife. That being said, one look at the scarce attire she’s donning, and I can’t say I blame him for being disappointed. I know little of their dynamic as a couple, but I do know enough of Adam Avery to know she was trained better than to think setting foot outside in a dress like that would elicit an approving response from her master.
I can also tell from the nervous smile tracing her lips as he eases the itch in his palm and sets his jaw, this isn’t an indication of her lack in training or need to defy.
It’s her way of standing her ground against everyone on the other side of this wall.
“Thank you, Mr. Mitchell,” she offers. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, too. I’m sorry I’m late.”
“That’s alright,” I lower into my seat. “Adam and I were just catching up.”
“Yes,” he admits, glancing at her as he reaches for his glass. “I was just telling him how well-behaved you’ve become.”
Finally, my manners leave me, and I can no longer hold in the amusement taking shelter in my chest.
“I’m sorry,” I say, making her blush even more prominent. “You just remind me of my Analise,” I admit. “She’s a natural in so many ways, but when it comes to the world outside of the two of us, she’s quite outspoken. I’m fairly certain she wouldn’t have kept quiet as long as you have, my dear.”
For the first time all day, I envy Adam.
What I’d give to have my sweet Analise looking at me like that again, right now in this moment.
“You’re very fortunate to have found each other,” she replies, her voice yanking me back from my wayward thoughts.
“I’ve been very lucky to call her mine,” I correct her gently, offering her the best smile I can manage.
The rest of our lunch is easy, as relaxed as I could have hoped for under the circumstances we’re both currently facing. Once we’ve finished, I spend a few more minutes talking with them both before I’m growing restless, eager to find out if Adam was able to come through, offer the help I’d called him about this afternoon. I say my goodbyes, promising my alliance to them both once more as well as to keep in touch before moving toward the exit, grateful when Adam follows.
“Were you able to get those numbers for me?” I ask low, releasing a low sigh of relief when he answers me with a nod.
“Yes,” he begins, glancing down at his phone. “I’m emailing them to you now.”
“Thank you,” I offer, giving him a brotherly pat on the shoulder. “If there’s ever any way I can repay you…”
“I might just take you up on that,” he cuts me off, releasing a sigh of his own. “Take care, Drake.”
“You, too,” I reply, taking my leave.
I step outside the restaurant, glancing down at the email as I wait for a valet to retrieve her car.
Drake-
It’s not often a friend asks me for this type of favor, so I send this with the hope things will turn out in your favor. He’s not cheap, but he’s the best in the city. He can find anyone… anything.
Take care.
-Adam Avery
“Perfect,” I sigh, swallowing hard. “Because what I’m searching for is priceless.”
I move to save the information in the email, hoping with everything inside me it won’t be needed. As my fingertip touches the screen, it begins to light up, the call coming through from a number I don’t recognize.
“Drake Mitchell,” I answer, taking a step away from the small mass of reporters and make my way toward the valet driver holding my keys and thank him with a nod and a tip.
“This Drake?” the caller asks, the familiar tone making my steps slow, but my exhausted brain still coming up short as I come to a stop outside the driver’s side door.
“Yes,” I answer. “Who is this?”
“I bet you could probably figure it out if you give it a minute,” he snickers over the line, grating on my nerves. I’m about to reply, ream his ass out if I’m honest, but his voice cuts me off. “You should probably get on over here, Mitchell,” he continues, something deep within my memory finally clicking into place. “Seems like I got something that belongs to you.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Analise
“Alright, darlin’. It’s done,” he says as he steps to the edge of the bathroom door, leaning lazily against the frame, watching me with far too much familiarity. Checking the closure on my towel, grateful when I’m still completely covered, I push the door shut in his face, trying my best to ignore the laughter coming from his broad chest. “You know I’ve seen that, right?”
“I don’t really give a shit, Mav. That hasn’t been yours to see in a long time and it still isn’t,” I remind him through the thin wood separating us, pulling the fresh clothes on quickly to cover myself before I open the door once more. “So, what happened? Is he coming?”
He stares down at me, whatever smartass response he’s working on failing him before his eyes soften and he releases a low sigh and nods.
“Yeah, sugar,” he says low. “He’s comin’. Said he’d be on the next plane out. He’ll probably be here an hour or two before sundown.”
I swallow hard, the nerves in my chest sparking to life all over again and I return his nod.
“Good,” I reply, more for myself than anyone else and I move toward the chair holding my bag to retrieve my things. “That’ll be perfect.”
His eyes stay on me as I pull my shoes on, the weight of his glance not lost on me, but I can’t worry about it now. I take another look in the mirror, the dark circles under my eyes making me internally cringe before I release a sigh and run the brush through my hair once more.
“You gonna be okay, sugar?” he asks, his voice shifting into the one I used to trust, the one few know lingers under his jackass facade.
“I’m not sure,” I admit, turning away from the mirror for a moment to face him. “I guess you’ll have to ask me again after sundown.”
“Yeah,” he nods, his lips quirking up on either side sadly as he rubs his palm over his scruff covered jaw and clears his throat. “I wish I didn’t know better,” he sighs, glancing up at me. “But it doesn’t really matter what happens next, does it, baby? I could help you run this guy all over the world, drive him right to the center of the earth searchin’ for you. It still wouldn’t be enough to make you come back to this place… to me… would it?” I say nothing in return, a tiny little piece of me halfway wishing I felt a sliver of guilt for his words, but my truth telling me I simply don’t. “Don’t answer that,” he continues, seeming to read my thoughts. “I do want to know why, though, Ana. You haven’t called on me many times for help, but when you do, I always show up, don’t I?”
“Yeah,” I admit. “You do.”
“So, why’s what I did so unforgivable?” he shrugs. “How can you forgive him for whatever he did to have you hiding out for days, sending the fuckin’ sheriff on a goose hunt from one door to another tryin’ to track you down, but I fuck up once and you’re over it?” he demands gently. “I’ve begged you for more than three years and for more than three years, you’ve told me to get bent. This guy destroys you and you’re runnin’ right on back to him. I don’t get it.”
“I don’t think you really want me to-”
“Nah, baby. I think I really do,” he cuts me off. I search his features for a moment and find turmoil swimming in his eyes. “Whatever keeps you just out of my reach and runnin’ back to him, I need you to say it so I can try to just get the fuck over you and move on once and for all.”
I stare back at him, the same uncertainty I’ve become so familiar with over the last few months staring me back in the eye and I release a small, relenting sigh.
“Fine,” I nod. “When you fucked up, it hurt, but I could still breathe. That’s how I knew it wasn’t real with you. I knew walking away would hurt, but I would be able to survive,” I admit. “But this time? This time, I haven’t been hiding because of what he did, Mav,” I whisper, my vision blurring as my eyes flit back to his. “I’ve been trying to catch my breath.”
He swallows hard, blinking back the emotion he rarely lets slip out and nods his understanding before hooking his arm around my shoulders and pulling me close.
“I’m sorry if that hurts you,” I offer, the weight of his head shaking against my shoulder answering for the words he can’t seem to speak yet. I pull away, giving him the best smile I can manage and pat his arm affectionately. “Thank you for helping me.”
“Of course, baby,” he rasps, pressing his lips to my hair before releasing me. “Anytime.”
I gather my things and slip out quietly, the same back roads I used to loathe offering me shelter as I make my way back to my temporary sanctuary.
As I step back inside the back door of my parent’s house, I release a long, low sigh tainted with both nerves and relief. Something deep down promises me that by nightfall, the answers I crave will finally come.
I’m not sure why, but in thi
s moment, that’s got me more terrified than anything else.
I know in this moment that one way or another, I’ll find peace. I also know no matter what happens, I won’t be coming back to this place. Not for a very, very long time.
I secure the things I’ve used, taking care in making sure this bittersweet space is treated with respect, that the little bit of love I’ve got buried deep within my heart for it pours out as I move from room to room. Just like the first day I returned, I take my time in recalling the special memories I keep here before locking them away all over again.
It takes most of the afternoon and by the time my work is done, I shoot a quick text to Maverick, making sure he’s in place. Once he promises me as much, I sink to the old wooden floor all over again. My eyes fall over the now dusty place and more memories come, but this time, they’re not of this room, but of us.
The light from the sun peeking in through the trees dances against the walls, the light breeze making the shadow of the leaves dance before me and my eyes slowly drift shut.
Suddenly, all that remains is him.
I can still taste him, the tender way his lips would brush against mine as we watched the sun fall over the horizon, taking away the chill of the remaining day, the chill of my past, my uncertain future.
I recall the way the light used to shine off his face, the way his blue eyes glistened like sapphires when the sun hit them just right through our bedroom window on Sunday mornings.
How safe I felt as he cradled my neck, nuzzling close to me on the steps, giving me his name, giving me his very soul.
“If everything else in the world ceased to exist right now, I’d still belong to you. You’d still belong to me,” he vowed, his hot breath against my neck as his fingertips traced the lines of my skin. “Tell me you love me.”
