“I told you all she needed was you to open up.” Archer smirked.
“Shut up, Archer.” Dominic selected the green dress. She would look lovely in it, along with the green satin slippers.
Suzanne emerged, her hair all brushed out, and smiled. She glanced at the dress and traced it with her finger.
“It's so beautiful, I'm almost afraid to wear it. I've never had such nice clothes before.”
He slid the dress over her head. “Well, you deserve it, and you'll wear nothing but the best as long as I can help it.” Dominic nodded. “Perfect. Now put on the slippers, and we'll go downstairs.”
Suzanne smiled all the way downstairs, touching the dress as if it would disappear from her body. “Thank you again, Dominic, for my new clothes.”
Dominic lifted up her chin before they entered the main hall. “It is my pleasure to give you things, Suzanne. I love to watch your face light up, and your eyes shine. Let's see your friends, beauty.” Dominic stepped into the main room.
Blair and Granger came up to Suzanne, and smiled down at her. “You look beautiful Suzanne,” Blair whispered, and kissed her lips. “I'm sorry for earlier, yelling at you. I was wrong.”
She cupped his cheek. “Maybe all of us were wrong this morning. Let's just start over, shall we?” They both nodded, and kissed her before they stepped aside.
A tall woman with blond hair screamed and rushed Suzanne, hugging her tight. “Look at you! My God, do you clean up nice.”
He shook his head and wrapped his hand in Stephan's. “How's Lissa?” Dominic glanced down at the table, where Lissa sat her gaze down at her plate.
“She won't say a word, Dominic. She's so frail, I'm afraid to touch her.”
Suzanne released Della, and hugged Stephan. “You should have seen me, Stephan. Let me talk to her.” She patted his arm and made her way to the table, nodding to Tonya and Anthony. All eyes were on her as she pulled up a chair next to Lissa, and the room quieted down.
“Hello, Lissa, I'm Suzanne, a friend of Della's.” She leaned over and took Lissa's hands into hers. “Has Della told you my story?”
Lissa shook her head, and glanced up at her.
“I'm afraid it's not pretty, but then again, anyone who gets taken by them doesn't have a pretty story.” Suzanne shook her head. “I was thirteen when my father raped me, and I took off running away from home. I was bruised, and hurt already when Lance found me in an alley. He beat me, and drugged me, but he wasn't happy with that. Do you remember that thing that they use to mark the cattle with, the hot poker? Well, that night he got one of those real hot, and decided to brand me, but where no one would see.” Tears fell down her face.
“The reason I'm telling you this, Lissa, is I believed I never could love again.” Suzanne tore her gaze away from his back to hers. “But it can happen, Lissa, it can happen. Just yesterday, I met my companions, and I couldn't be happier with them, but it's not going to be easy, I won't lie to you. I had to fight every step. Some days, I just wanted to give up, but I kept thinking there has to be someone out there for me who will hold me, love me, and keep me safe, no matter what has happened to me. You are very lucky. You already have a family waiting to help you, if you give them a chance. Just look at your handsome brother. He searched for years and never gave up. Don't give up, Lissa. Give them a chance to help you.”
Lissa was shaking. “I'm so scared. I went with this man, thinking he loved me. How can I trust myself again, Suzanne? How can I look my family in the face, knowing I failed them?” Her voice shook, pain etched in every word she said.
Stephan started to go to her, but Dominic held onto him and nodded towards them.
“Oh Lissa, we all make mistakes. I thought my father loved me and my brothers, but look at what he did to me. You can do this, and the trust will come again. It just takes time. And Lissa, you didn't fail your family. If you look at Stephan's face, I bet you'll see he feels the same way. He thinks he failed to protect you.”
She gasped and turned to Stephan, shaking her head. “No, Stephan, you didn't know. No one knew.”
Dominic let go of Stephan, and he slowly made his way to his sister. “My Lissa, how can I not blame myself for failing to protect you? This man took your trust and betrayed it. Don't give up on us Lissa, please. We need you, and love you.” He knelt down next to them, and pulled her into his arms when she broke down crying.
Suzanne nodded and got up, coming into Dominic's arms.
“I have never been more proud to have you as my mate. If I didn't love you earlier, I do now. For the rest of our days I will show you, until you are sick of hearing my words.” Dominic lifted her chin and traced her lips with his tongue until she opened for him.
He kissed her, giving all he could, showing her with his body how much he loved her. He caressed her tongue, danced with it, and made love to it. Slowly, she pulled back, and lifted her hand to her mouth. “Your mouth is a dangerous weapon, Dominic.” Her cheeks turned a deep pink color.
“Only for you, my lovely mate. Now sit, and eat.” Dominic led her to a chair near Tonya. The two embraced, and started talking right way while she ate, stealing glances at all of them.
Dominic moved to the entranceway, where Blair stood talking to his brothers with Anthony. “Have they dropped off Lance and the others?”
No, it seems they have all gone into hiding. It looks like they have joined forces with Franco and his men.” Blair snorted.
“What about Franco's men? How close are they?” Dominic stretched, the dragon inside of him itching to escape.
“They're too close. Franco is going to make his move soon. We need to get you out of here today. There's no time. Our brothers are on their way here now. I've called in reinforcements, and they are coming up behind those of Franco's men. If we're lucky, we can wipe out those he has sent without warning him, and others.” Ethan said.
“Archer, have Alex wake the others. Gather the men in the back room now. We fight now, and destroy all we can, before we leave tonight. Granger, kill those downstairs now. Blair, on my desk upstairs you'll find the number for the airplane. Call and get it ready to leave tonight at the private landing. Move, everyone. I want you all here in a half hour.” He went to Suzanne and sighed as he sat down next to her.
“Tonya, I hate to interrupt, but I need to speak with Suzanne for a minute, and I believe Anthony would like to speak with you.” Dominic took Suzanne's hands and pulled her into his arms, just holding her and breathing in her scent.
“What is it, Dominic? You're scaring me.” She kissed his chest and gazed up into his face. “You're worried?”
“It seems Franco, a clan leader, is not waiting for the others to attack. As we speak, we are being surrounded. Alex is waking our other guests, but they will be here soon. We must prepare to fight before we leave tonight. I won't leave my lands knowing Franco is trying to take them. I'm sorry our weekend has been ruined, but know I will personally destroy Franco for this.”
“Oh Dominic, it doesn't matter about our weekend. We can play anytime. What matters are your people, and their safety. How can I help?”
Chapter Nine
Suzanne stared up at her handsome king, his face tight with worry and anger though he held her gently, soothing her while the fate of his people weighed on his shoulders.
“Do you see my father anywhere, Suzanne? I really could use his help right now. I need to know exactly where these men are so we can destroy them.”
She turned in his arms and glanced around the room as it started to fill with people. “Yes, he's over there, by your private table.”
“Good. Let's go talk to him.” Dominic led her to the table.
“Sir, Dominic would like to know if you know where Franco's men are.” Suzanne lowered her gaze to the floor as she addressed the ghost.
“Yes, I know where every single one is, but it would take too long to explain it to you, then for you to explain it to him. I'm going to do something. Please don't scream. You'll be able
to see where each man is in your brain so Dominic can see.”
Suzanne took a deep breath. “Yes, sir.” Andrew walked right through her. A cold chill shot up her spine, but she held still as his information was imprinted into her brain. Andrew appeared in front of her again.
“I'm impressed, Suzanne. Give him information. He'll be able to handle this group easily with the warriors he has here. I'm heading back to Franco's residence to see if I hear anything.”
“Thank you. I'll tell him.” She turned towards Dominic, and he smiled.
“I've already got the information. Thank you, sweetheart. You did great.” He kissed her cheek.
“Your father said he'll be at Franco's, watching. He'll let us know if he moves again.” They headed towards the doorway as all the guests gathered in the meeting room. Tonya huddled against Anthony while they waited for them at the door.
“Go stand with Tonya while I explain the situation. Then you and Tonya can go upstairs with Archer and pack our bags for our trip.” Dominic nudged her towards her friend, then walked to the stage with Blair and Granger beside him. Archer stood next to Suzanne. The room quieted down as everyone gave their attention to him.
She watched Dominic pull himself together before he spoke to the crowd. “I'm sorry to interrupt your weekend, but it looks like this party will have to be postponed to a safer time. My properties are surrounded right now, and I'm going to need all the men to meet me in the back parlor in a few minutes. Ladies, the food buffet is open and will remain open, but I want all of you to stay together here in this area where I will have guards posted for your safety.”
Suzanne turned to Tonya. “Let's get these ladies settled, and make sure they have enough food and plenty to drink. I have a feeling it's going to be a long day for everyone. Archer, could you get a list of everyone who is supposed to be here? I want to make sure no one is missing.” She reached up and kissed Archer's lips. He grinned and swatted her ass.
“You will go nowhere but this room, Suzanne. I mean it.” Archer held her chin, and she nodded.
“I'll be a good little girl, and stay in this area, but I might hit the kitchen a few times, so don't get all huffy. It's attached to this room, so I'll be fine.” Suzanne rolled her eyes and laughed as he grumbled and took off looking for Alex.
Tonya nudged her as they offered drinks to the ladies. “I swear you already have him wrapped right around your finger.”
“Please. There is no way I could have any of them wrapped around my finger. You've seen how big and, well, male they are. Each one of them could have any female they wanted, Tonya. I'm not a fool. I know they'll get tired of me. I'll give them a hundred years, and I bet they'll be looking for my replacement.” She poured a cup of coffee for a lady who nodded and smiled.
“She really doesn't know, does she?” the lady asked Tonya, who laughed and shook her head.
“Nope, no clue, and I can't wait till she finds out,” Tonya teased, and placed a plate of doughnuts on the table.
A small woman ran up to her and knelt at her feet, and Suzanne frowned. “Please get up. You don't need to bow to me. I'm not the king.” Suzanne helped the woman up, as she clasped her hands in front of her. “Now, what's wrong? What can I help you with?”
“Caser and Grant are missing. They should have been here by now. I've checked where the men are getting ready to leave, and in here, but they are nowhere.”
Suzanne frowned and turned to Tonya. “Do you know these men, Tonya?”
Tonya nodded. “Yes, they live in the East hall. They work here, and are submissives. Dominic has a few subs that work here who had no place else to live.”
Archer, where are you? Suzanne searched for the connection in her mind.
I'm coming out of Dominic's office. What's wrong?
She patted the woman's arm. We are missing two men, Caser and Grant. Tonya said they live in the East wing. Could you and Anthony check and make sure they are okay?
We are heading there now, but Suzanne, don't go off searching yourself. We don't know if the outer halls have been breached.
Suzanne rolled her eyes again. “I swear. What is it with men? They think because we're women, we can't defend ourselves.”
Della and Lissa joined their party. “Well, then, they haven't seen us in action, have they?” Della laughed as Lissa nodded.
“I'm going to go check the kitchen. Maybe they're in there getting more food ready.” Suzanne turned towards the woman. “Why don't you go get yourself something to eat? As soon as we find them, I'll send them over to you.”
Suzanne shook her head, watching her walk away. “So innocent and trusting.”
“You sound like you're a hundred years old,” Tonya said, as all four of them slowly made their way past the woman and headed towards the kitchen.
“I'm afraid sometimes I feel like it inside, Tonya. Maybe that goes with the territory with being abused. Who knows?” Suzanne stopped at the kitchen door and frowned.
Andrew stood in front of the door, blocking the way. You can't go in there. There are three men snooping around who belong to Franco's group.
“Suzanne, what's wrong?” Tonya placed her hand on her arm.
“Della, you have your weapons on you?” Suzanne turned to see her nod. “Tonya, maybe you and Lissa had better stay out here. There are three men in there, and they don't belong here. Della, let's play a game, shall we?” Suzanne lowered the straps of her dress to her shoulders. “Remember, this is a sex club.”
Della smiled and unbuttoned her shirt, exposing the swell of her breast. “Ready.”
Tonya grabbed her arm. “I'm going in too. There is no way you're going in there without me.” Lissa straightened her shoulders and glared at the door.
Suzanne sighed. “Tonya, I've been fighting for more than ten years, I don't want you or Lissa hurt. And I don't think Lissa is ready for this.” She met Lissa's gaze. “When we go in there, Lissa, we'll be offering ourselves to them to distract them. I really think you should stay here.”
Lissa shook her head. “No. I'm tired of feeling helpless. I can do this, Suzanne. I've trained with my brothers, and I know how to fight. Please, I need to feel like I can help.”
She sighed and nodded. All the while, Suzanne had blocked her mates’ entrance to her mind, knowing they would be furious. But she would be damned if she would distract Dominic, Blair, and Granger while they were hunting. She knew the minute the men had left to attack, but said nothing so as not to distract them. Suzanne looked at Dominic's father. “Then let's go, ladies, and have some fun.”
She put a pout on her face as she walked right through Andrew. “I can't believe they left us here. I'm so fucking horny! Here, I thought I was going to have two men fuck me, and now I don't even have one.” She stepped into the kitchen. “I mean, they told us there would be an orgy in the main room, and here there's only women?” Suzanne came to a stop and smiled.
“Maybe we're going to have that orgy, after all. Della, look at all these handsome men. I want those two over there.” Suzanne strolled over to the two who looked like they were in charge, and rubbed her body against one of them.. “And look at all these muscles.” She brushed her hand over one man's cock, and knew her plan was working.
There had been more than six men in the room, and two of them were Blood members, which Della personally took care of. She peeked and smiled as Lissa came to life, flaunting her body for the men.
“Do you think we should share them with the other women in the other room? I kind of like the idea of us having them first,” Tonya purred.
“Now, ladies, there is no need to fight over us. Believe me, we can handle all of you.” The one in front of her yanked her head back and smiled. “So you want the both of us, do you?” He licked the side of her neck. “I think that can be arranged.” The other one stepped behind her and cupped her breasts.
Her stomach knotted, and Suzanne wanted to scream, but she grinned, all the while she heard her mates’ snarls in her head. She'd w
orry about them later. Suzanne slowly moved her arms around the one in front of her and grabbed on to his sword at his side. “You two have the biggest cocks. It's going to be so tight and painful. I'm so wet thinking about it.”
Suzanne yanked the sword out of its holder, swiping it across the legs of the man in front of her. He screamed and fell to the floor while the other one tried to grab onto her arms, but she head-butted him. As he stumbled back, she swung the sword up and severed his throat, almost cutting his head off his shoulders. “Don't mess with me, asshole.”
Suzanne turned to see the other man on the floor reach for his gun, but she was there before he could fire, cutting his arm off. “Sorry, no guns allowed here.”
She glanced over to see Della smiling down at her two men, now lying dead on the floor. “Boy, you guys are vicious,” she said to Tonya and Lissa. All four men were bleeding from different wounds on their bodies.
Dragon's Den Page 9
