To Love and Obey [The Doms of Club Mystique] (Siren Publishing Allure)

by Mardi Maxwell

  * * * *

  Maggie read the contract Addison had handed to her then folded it and handed it back to her. “Well, he certainly knows what he wants from you.” Then seeing Addison’s rosy cheeks she told her, “Cade Ramsey and his brothers aren’t the first dominant men I’ve met, lass. My own sweet Ross, God rest his soul, was dominant and my sister Maeve’s husband Henry is dominant. Even my father was a dominant man, lass.”

  Addison pictured Maggie’s brother in law, Henry O’Neal, and couldn’t imagine the soft-spoken man who managed the Irish stud farm she had inherited from her mother as a Dom. “I had no idea,” she told Maggie.

  “Wait here, lass. Maeve and I had a feeling something like this would happen so I had her send me something for you.” A few moments later, Maggie returned to the living room and handed Addison a pamphlet.

  Addison read the title then lifted her brows and asked Maggie, “‘How to Train Your Horse?’ You’re kidding, right?”

  “No, lass. Every woman in my family, from my mother to me and my sister, have used the advice in that pamphlet to ensure we had happy marriages. There are only a few rules in the pamphlet but I think the one’s that apply to your situation are the first three. Ask the right question, don’t get angry or frustrated, and have a plan. Doms are like majestic horses, only more obstinate and harder to deal with if you don’t have a plan or you get frustrated and lose your temper.”

  Addison opened the small pamphlet and giggled because someone had gone through it with a marker and had marked the word horse out and in a very feminine script had written the word Dom above it. They had done the same thing with the word human by replacing it with the word sub. She read the first rule out loud, giggling. “Why does my Dom not want to be caught? Does he want to stay free with the other Doms? Or does he have a wounded heart that needs some tender loving care to heal? Most Doms’ problems are caused by subs. When you have a problem with your Dom, be honest and ask yourself how you might be causing it. Understanding why a problem may be occurring allows you to change your behavior so that you can better influence your Dom’s behavior.”

  “See, lass. It’s good advice.”

  “Uh, Maggie, this pamphlet is more about how a sub should change or behave than it is about training a Dom to change or behave.”

  “Well, of course it is, lass. Doms are like high-spirited stallions. That’s why we love them so much. You wouldn’t have wanted to break the spirit of a horse like Diablo, now would you?”

  “No, of course not,” Addison agreed with her.

  “Well, then why would you want to change a strong, delightful Dom into a regular run-of-the-mill kind of man?”

  “Oh,” she thought, experiencing an a-ha moment. “By changing the way I behave, he has to change the way he reacts to my behavior?”

  “Exactly, lass, now you’re catching on.”

  “But, first I have to catch him again,” Addison told her.

  “Well, lass, there are two things that will bring a strong man running. Thinking you’re leaving and thinking you’re leaving with another man.”

  Addison laughed. “So, that’s the plan?”

  “Aye, that’s the plan. Let’s go make a nice cup of tea and decide what to fix for tomorrow night’s dinner.”

  * * * *

  “What do you mean you’re having company for dinner? Who is this guy? Why didn’t you tell us before now so we could check him out,” Mac demanded even though he had already read the file Cade had put together on Vincent Vitale. Too bad he hadn’t found anything incriminating on the cop from Chicago.

  “He’s a friend of mine and he’s coming to dinner. I doubt he’s bringing an assassin with him,” she told them as she finished setting the table with her mother’s best china. She would light the candles just before she and Vincent sat down for the meal she and Maggie had spent the day preparing.

  “And, why are you setting the table for only two people?” Ben asked.

  “Because, this is a private, romantic dinner for two. You and Mac are eating in the den.”

  “Cade’s not going to like this, Addison,” Mac warned her.

  “Cade has nothing to do with this,” she shot back. “Now, I have to go change before Vincent gets here.”

  As soon as she walked out of the room, Maggie walked in carrying two more place settings and winked at them. She began rearranging the table, placing Ben and Mac on either side of the rectangular table and Addison and Vitale at the ends. She stood back and nodded. “There, that’s better. Don’t be telling my secrets, lads.”

  “We’ll take the blame, Maggie,” Mac told her as he walked out, his phone in his hand as he quickly typed a text message to Cade.

  Addison invited VV to dinner. Couldn’t stop her. Not my fault, buddy.

  A few minutes later Addison walked into the living room, dressed for her dinner with Vincent.

  “Oh, no. No freaking way,” Ben whispered as he caught sight of her in a dark purple dress that changed colors as she moved. It had a deep plunging neckline and a skirt that hugged her ass then skimmed her thighs to just a few inches below her butt. He had seen her breasts in the photos Thor’s assistant had dropped, but now, framed like this, they were even more luscious. “Cade’s not going to like that dress, Addison.”

  She just lifted a brow at him and gracefully walked away on the black-and-silver stilettos she was wearing, her hips swaying enticingly.

  Mac had his cell phone out again and was busy typing.

  Sending picture of Addison dressed for dinner with VV. Not my fault, buddy.

  The doorbell rang and Ben caught Addison as she hurried toward it, grabbing her and pushing her behind him. “Remember the rules? No answering the door,” he told her as he pulled his weapon and held it down to his side then checked to see who was on the other side of the door. Recognizing Vitale from the pictures in his file, he opened the door.

  Vitale glanced at his gun then chuckled. “I come in peace.” He was carrying a bouquet of yellow roses in his hand.

  Addison reached past Ben and grabbed Vincent’s hand. “Please come in,” she told him.

  He kissed her on the cheek then held out the roses. “These are for you.”

  “Thank you, Vincent. They’re beautiful. It’s very sweet of you to bring them to me,” Addison told him as she held the roses to her nose. “I’ll have Maggie put them in a vase and we’ll put them on the dinner table.”

  “I’ll do it,” Ben told her and grabbed for the roses. They struggled for a moment and she finally gave him a dirty look and let go. He grinned at her and she glared back at him.

  Vincent held his hand out to Ben. “Vincent Vitale,” he told him.

  Addison remembered her manners. “This is Ben Harrington. Seems the attack the other night was more than just a failed robbery. He and his partner, Mac Malone, are here to watch over me until they catch the man.”

  Ben saw the surprised look on Vitale’s face and didn’t buy it for a moment. There was something about this guy that didn’t ring true. He and Mac would have to keep a close eye on him.

  Mac wandered out into the hall, checked Vitale out, sent him one of his deadly stares then disappeared back into the living room. Addison frowned. She had asked Ben and Mac to use the den tonight so she and Vincent could have the living room and dining room to themselves. Deciding she couldn’t very well get into an argument with them in front of her guest, she decided to make the best of it and led Vincent into the living room.

  From that point on, the evening was a disaster. Ben and Mac took control of the evening and when Vincent told them he was on hiatus from Chicago Police Department, the conversation centered around the justice system, which weapon performed the best, and anything else Ben and Mac could think up to keep Vincent occupied.

  When Maggie let them know dinner was ready, Addison sighed with relief until they followed her and Vincent into the dining room and sat themselves on either side of the table. Vincent gave her an “it’s okay” smile. Addison not
iced the candles had been removed and the roses were nowhere in sight.

  After dinner she and Vincent shared a brandy in the living room while Ben and Mac watched them with unblinking eyes. When Maggie came to the door and reminded her it was time to get some rest, Addison nodded and walked Vincent to the front door. Her plan to step out onto the porch with him for a private good-bye was foiled when Ben wrapped his hand around her arm and stopped her. Mac shook Vincent’s hand, told him it was nice meeting him, and shoved him out the door.

  She glared at both of them. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  “Just watching out for you,” Ben told her.

  Addison glared at them again then walked away, holding the middle finger of her left hand in the air behind her. Mac snapped a picture and began typing.

  You’re going to lose your Dom rights if you don’t get her under control. Not my fault, buddy.

  Ben laughed, slapped him on the back, and said he’d take first watch. This was turning out to be the best assignment ever.

  * * * *

  After eight days spent searching for Mendez and always being one step behind him, Cade decided it was time to return to Dallas. Somehow Mendez had slipped through his fingers and he believed he was already in Texas. He decided his best course of action would be to move Addison to the ranch as soon as possible. With him, Jackson, and the ranch hands watching out for her, he knew he could not only keep her safe but he could set a trap for Mendez.

  As they waited in the VIP lounge at the airport for the jet to arrive and fly them home, a man in a white suit walked up to him and handed him an envelope. “Compliments of Senior Rios for saving his daughter from Roberto Mendez,” he said before walking away.

  Cade opened the envelope and read the one page note. It was an IOU and a phone number. Apparently, the other young girl he had found and rescued along with Sophia De Silva had been the daughter of Juan Rios, the leader of another infamous drug cartel in Columbia. Folding the note, he slid it into one of his pockets.

  His cell phone buzzed and with a sigh he pulled it out and read the newest text from Mac.

  Addison invited JD to dinner. Kissed her goodnight. Sending picture. Not my fault buddy.

  Cade opened the picture and growled. His team gave him one look and moved several steps away from him. Jacob Daniels had Addison in a clench, bent backward, and his mouth was devouring hers. One of his hands was on her butt and the other held her left shoulder. Her hands were wrapped around his neck and her hair hung down behind her. He growled again then cursed when he realized her hair was a lot shorter than it used to be. She was really pushing her luck.

  He was going home, and he was going to put an end to her little rebellion. If she wanted to challenge him, he would accept the challenge, and she would end up with a sore bottom and saying yes Master, no Master, and no more smart-ass remarks or scheming.

  The flight home took ten hours with one stop along the way for refueling. They were all tired when the jet finally set down in Dallas, but Cade decided to report to Thor then tell him his decision to take a leave of absence so he could go home and protect Addison.

  While he waited in Mrs. Harley’s office for Thor to deal with an irate client, his phone buzzed again.

  Addison invited VV to lunch and to swim. If you don’t want her can I have her? Sending picture. Not my fault buddy.

  Cade opened the picture and nearly stroked out his blood pressure rose so rapidly. Addison was dressed, if you could call it that, in the skimpiest string bikini he had ever seen. It covered up just enough to make it legal. In the front that is. The back was a thong and left nothing to the imagination. He cursed and Mrs. Harley glanced at him questioningly. He shrugged and looked at the picture again.

  In the background he could see both Ben and Vitale leering at Addison. He was going to kill that bastard Vitale, then he was going to go after Ben and Mac and kick their collective asses. They were supposed to be protecting Addison from all threats and that included Vitale, Daniels, and themselves. He was so busy making plans for Addison he didn’t even notice when Thor’s door flew open and an angry middle-aged man stormed out.

  “Mr. Larkin will see you now,” Mrs. Harley told him, her voice calm as usual.

  Entering Thor’s office, Cade closed the door behind him and dropped into a chair. “We couldn’t find that bastard. I think he may already be in Texas.”

  Thor nodded. “I’m putting you on paid leave until this thing is settled.”

  Cade nodded. “I’m taking Addison to the ranch.”

  “I’ve already told Ben and Mac that they’ll be going with you for as long as it takes to stop Mendez.”

  Nodding, Cade reached into his pocket and tossed the note from Rios to Thor.

  Thor read it then mumbled, “The best weapon against an enemy is another enemy.” He slid the jar of twenty-dollar bills closer to Cade and waited for him to try to guess who had said it.

  Absently, Cade threw out Churchill’s name.

  “Nietzsche.” Thor tossed the note back to Cade and nodded toward the jar on his desk. “If you have to, use that number, Cade. Let Rios hunt Mendez down. He probably has a score to settle with him for what that scumbag Roberto did to his daughter.”

  “I’ll use it as a last resort. If we’re lucky they’ll take each other out and make the world a better place for everyone,” Cade told him, his voice hard.

  Thor nodded. “How’s the security at the ranch?”

  “The best money can buy. A mouse can’t move on the ranch without someone knowing about it.”

  “Get going then and keep me posted. Anything you need, just ask.”

  Cade nodded and headed to his car and Addison.

  * * * *

  The sound of the back door slamming open drew Addison’s attention as she climbed the steps of the pool. Cade stepped out, his eyes blazing with rage, his stance threatening as he searched the pool area for her. Her heart soared at the sight of him as water ran down her body and pooled at her feet. Picking up a towel, she dried her face and shoulders then watched as he planted his hands on his hips when he located her. She quickly lowered her eyes so he wouldn’t see the satisfaction reflected in them that her plan was coming together. Although Jacob Daniels and Vincent Vitale were really gorgeous and sexy, they just simply weren’t right for her. Only Cade would do, and she had decided to fight for him. She moved to the lounge chair by Vincent.

  He smiled at her then his eyes flicked to Cade. “That guy looks really pissed off. Do you know him?”

  “We used to date.” She slid her sunglasses over her eyes then looked at Cade. From his stance, legs spread wide, hands on his hips, and the clenching of his jaw, she could see he was really pissed off. She had never seen him lose control of his anger until she had begun talking about seeing other men. She and Maggie had spent an evening discussing him, and Maggie had advised her to force him into losing control of his tightly held emotions, even though her poor bottom was going to pay for it.

  “Is he going to be a problem?”

  “No, of course not,” she told him, hoping that wasn’t true. “Cade’s just checking in with Ben and Mac.”

  “Cade? Ramsey?”

  “Yes. Haven’t you ever met him? He goes to Club Elysium.”

  “I’ve never met him but I’ve wanted to.”

  “Why? He’s really rude most of the time.”

  “Addison, the man’s a legend in the security field. Even his military record is amazing. And, most of it is still classified.” Vincent smiled at her. “He looks like he’s seriously pissed off.”

  Addison shrugged. “Cade always looks that way around me. We used to date, but not anymore. We’re history.” She smiled. Well at least their old relationship was history. The new one she was planning to have with him was going to work out so much better for both of them. “Could you put some sunscreen on my back, Vincent?”

  “Sure.”

  She handed him the bottle then turned her back and held he
r hair out of the way. “Be sure and get my lower back. I think I’m beginning to burn.”

  “Are you sure Cade knows you’re not together anymore and that we’re just friends?” he asked her as he applied the lotion on the area where her lower back curved into her bottom and kept one eye on Cade Ramsey. “Right now he looks like he’d like to rip my head off.”

  “Don’t be silly,” she told him as she reached back and caressed his chest. “He’s probably got gas or something. That’s what happens to grouchy people like poor Cade. The minute someone doesn’t agree with them, boom, indigestion.”

  “Sounds like you’re the cause of his indigestion right now.” He laughed then patted her on the bottom, letting her know he was done applying the lotion.

  She leaned back then grinned at him and laughed. “I might be but don’t worry. I know that look. It’s the one he gets when he’s upset with me.”

  “And, what have you been up to?” he asked her as Cade stalked across the lawn to the pool.

  “Oh, just a little of this and a little of that,” she told him breezily.

  Stalking toward them, Cade didn’t stop until his legs bumped the lounger Addison reclined on. Looming over her, blocking out the sun, his eyes locked on Vitale, he told him, his voice deadly, “You’re poaching.”

  “I don’t see a ring or a collar,” Vincent shot back.

  “She belongs to me. She’s signing a contract today and she’ll get the collar when she earns it.” He looked at Addison. “Tell him to leave, Addison.”

  “You can’t just tell me what to do, Cade. I’ve moved on.” She hid her grin when she heard his growl of rage. She’d have to remember to use that phrase very strategically because it really got a reaction from him.

  Vincent reached over and patted Addison’s hand. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I need to be going anyway. I’ll call you,” he told her as he gathered up his things then leaned over her chair and gave her a quick kiss.

  Hearing another growl of rage from Cade, she tried to get up to walk Vincent to his car but Cade put his hand on her shoulder and held her in place. Without taking his eyes from her, he told Ben to escort Vincent to the front door.