She recognized the box and knew it came from an expensive shop that designed jewelry for Dominants to give to their subs. “Zane, I want to accept that. More than you’ll ever know, but I can’t. Not until this is over and you’re safe.”
“Who do you think is going to harm me?”
“Charles or Mendez, or anyone they send after you.” She hugged his neck as she touched the blue box with the elegant logo on the top. She saw the determination in his eyes and knew that, short of a confession from her, he was going to do this now. She nuzzled his neck to give herself time to make a decision. Maybe by morning Marisol would have good news for her about Harper. If not, then she would risk everything and tell him the truth. He wanted to be her Master and in complete control of her and her problems, so she would let him take care of this for her.
Zane kissed her, then released her. “Knees, now, pet.”
Ravyn slid to the floor between his feet. She spread her knees, then placed her hands on her thighs, palms up. A second later, she felt something cold and smooth slide around her neck, then click into place. She reached up and felt a thick chain with a heart-shaped tag hanging from it. There were letters on it and she gasped as she realized they were written in gems of some kind.
Zane slid his fingers into her hair, then tipped her head back until their eyes met. “I had this made the day after I met you. You belong to me now. Do you understand?”
Ravyn’s lips trembled with emotion. She licked them, then forced herself to smile. “Yes, Master. Forever.”
Zane lifted her to his lap, then tipped her back on the bed. He grasped the medallion on the collar and lifted her lips to his. “Kiss me.”
“Please, may I speak?”
“Later, pet. Kiss me.”
Ravyn slid her arms around his neck and teased her lips over his. He caught her bottom lip between his teeth, then growled a warning to her. She smiled, then kissed him.
Chapter Eight
The next morning Ravyn sat on Zane’s lap while he fed her breakfast. She smiled as she glanced around the table. The entire family, plus Thor and Marisol, were present. Jenna winked at her from her place on Jackson’s lap and she giggled just as Cade’s phone chimed. He pulled it out, read it, and then slid it back into his pocket. Beside him, Addison sat on her own chair. An unusual occurrence. Apparently, she was still mad at Cade or he was mad at her, or they were mad at each other. Either way, it looked like they had a standoff going on and there was no telling which one of them would give in first. Her eyes flashed back to Cade when he said, “The FBI is here to see you, Ravyn.”
Ravyn trembled, then clung to Zane. This was it. Everything was over now. She reached up and touched the heart-shaped medallion that hung from the collar around her neck.
The men at the table moved quickly as they rearranged the room and moved the royals into their own seats. Zane slid her onto the chair that Luc placed next to him.
“Tell me why they’re here,” Zane demanded.
“Zane.” Ravyn licked her lips. Tears glistened in her eyes. She blinked and one slid down her cheek and she brushed it away. “I’m sorry. So sorry.” She’d been in such a hurry to talk to Marisol this morning, she hadn’t taken the time to remove her phone from its hiding place and check it. She knew that if she looked at it now, there would be a message from Mendez on it. She looked across the table at Marisol and saw her looking back at her with an anxious look on her face.
The sound of the doorbell ringing echoed in the foyer. A moment later, Isabella appeared in the dining room archway with two men in black suits behind her. Ben and Mac silently moved up behind them. Ravyn glanced at Zane, but he refused to look her way. A nerve jumped in his jaw and the hand he’d placed on the table was fisted. She glanced at Cade and heard him tell Zane to hold it together.
She knew she had one chance to save Zane and she was going to take it. Before these two agents arrested her, she would have them convinced that she was a femme fatale and she’d used Zane and his family. She sat up straight and adopted an arrogant, disinterested expression.
Isabella drew everyone’s attention to her when she snorted, then pointed over her shoulder at the two strangers. “These two rude bastards say they’re from the FBI and they want to talk to Ravyn. I tried to take them to the living room, but they insisted on following me.” The older man tried to push in front of her, but she blocked him with a well-practiced move.
“Lady, you’re interfering with a federal agent. Now move, or I’ll place you under arrest,” he said as he pushed her aside and looked at them. “I’m Special Agent Johnson.” He motioned toward his partner. “This is Special Agent Lake. We’re her to speak to Ravyn Dolman.”
“I’m Ravyn but my last name is Templeton now.” Ravyn set her napkin down.
“Whatever,” Johnson said. “My partner and I have some questions to ask you.”
Cade stood up. “Gentlemen, you were allowed through the gates because you flashed your badges. The two men behind you will escort you to the living room.”
Johnson and Lake twisted around and found Ben and Mac crowding up behind them. When they turned back to face Cade, the arrogant look on their faces was gone.
“Isabella will get you some coffee and we’ll join you in a few minutes,” Cade said.
“We want to speak to Ms. Templeton”—Johnson stressed the name—“alone.” He glanced at Zane. “Don’t you work in the District Attorney’s office?”
Zane nodded. “That’s right. I’m the prosecuting attorney in charge of Charles Dolman’s case.”
Ravyn noted the leer on Johnson’s face before he glanced back to Zane. “Cozy setup you have here, counselor.”
Luc stood up and placed his hand on Ravyn’s shoulder. Across the table, she saw Marisol’s eyes widen as she mouthed, “Oh, shit.”
“Johnson, in this house, women are treated with respect,” Luc said.
Johnson sneered. “You’re interfering with an FBI agent.”
Ravyn lowered her eyes. She touched the collar and medallion around her neck. Zane’s initials were etched into the surface of the platinum heart, but her finger stayed on the half-carat pink diamond set in the middle. It had been cut in the shape of a heart as well.
“What happened to Special Agent Michaels?” Zane asked. “I was told she was in charge of this investigation.”
“She had a sudden death in her family. The case was handed over to me and my partner,” Johnson said.
“I’ll have to give her my condolences.” Zane flipped through his wallet, then pulled out a card. “Yup, I have her number.” He held the card up and Johnson fidgeted.
Luc squeezed Ravyn’s shoulder just as the doorbell rang again.
Isabella huffed, then swiveled around and stomped out of sight. A minute later, she reappeared in the archway. “This old guy’s here.”
A short, stooped man appeared behind Isabella. His gray hair was mussed and his suit disheveled. The attaché case beneath his arm was old and cracked and had several papers sticking out of it. “Sorry to be late,” he said as he stuffed the papers back into the case. “I got lost.” He laughed. “I’ve only driven out here a thousand times over the years. You’d think I’d know the way by now.”
Ravyn saw Special Agent Johnson send the newcomer a smirk as Special Agent Lake snorted. “Who the hell are you?” Lake asked.
The newcomer held out his hand and rushed into speech as several loose papers drifted to the floor. “Augustus Rosie,” he said. “I’m Ms. Templeton’s attorney. Well, I really only work for the Addy Foundation for Children.” He looked at Addison. “I was fishing when you called me. Caught a couple big ones in Old Man Muldoon’s lake.” He held out his hands and his briefcase dropped to the floor. Papers scattered everywhere. He didn’t even notice. “A big, four-pound black crappie. Gave me a heck of a fight. That old fool Webber only caught a half-pounder. Just proves attorneys can always beat a judge with the right bait.” He smiled, then looked down. Isabella had gathered his pape
rs and was on her knees in front of him, holding them out to him. He put his hand on her head, then looked up. “Is this one taken?”
“The whole town is full of perverts,” Lake said.
“And this guy’s full of crappie,” Johnson said, and Lake laughed.
Logan stood up. “While you’re in our home, you’ll show the proper respect for our guests or you can get the hell off our property.”
The tension in the room increased and Ravyn held her breath. Johnson put his hands up in a cajoling gesture.
“No offense intended. Just trying to be friendly,” Johnson said.
Ravyn saw Cade’s nod, but realized he didn’t smile. Not a good sign. She glanced at Addison and wondered how she’d known to call her attorney and have him here today.
Addison caught her looking at her and winked. “Gentlemen, you may use my living room to speak to Ravyn in the presence of Mr. Rosie.”
Luc pulled Ravyn’s chair back, then helped her to her feet. She walked out of the dining room, accepting that this was her last moment of freedom and happiness. It would be okay, though, if Harper and Zane survived.
At the archway, Mr. Rosie took her arm. “I need five minutes alone with my client,” he told the agents, then escorted her to the living room. Mac followed them. The doors clicked shut and she could see his outline through the frosted glass of the French doors. Mr. Rosie seated her on the couch, then sat down next to her. “Don’t answer their questions until I’ve given my approval. Do you understand, my dear?”
“Mr. Rosie, please believe me. I have to answer their questions. I have to confess, but thank you for trying to help me.” Ravyn’s hands were trembling and she clenched them on her lap and tried to compose herself. She knew Cade had the house bugged, so Zane would hear everything she said, and he would hate her.
Mr. Rosie patted her hand. “Call me Rosie, my dear, and please don’t worry. Addison has explained everything to me. She’s told me about Harper.”
Ravyn cried out. “No, no, they’ll kill him.” She jumped to her feet. She didn’t know what she intended to do but felt she needed to try to get to Harper. No matter what it cost her.
Mr. Rosie rose next to her. Even though his stooped shoulders were a few inches below hers, the hand he wrapped around her wrist was strong. “My dear, please don’t worry. The plans to rescue Harper are already made and will be carried out within the next twenty-four hours. Right now, we need to get this confession over with and then have you placed somewhere safe. It’s going to be okay, my dear. Trust me.”
Ravyn tried to smile, but couldn’t. She covered her trembling lips as tears began to slide down her cheeks. “He’s safe right now? Are you sure?”
Mr. Rosie patted her shoulder, then pulled a monogramed hankie from his pocket and handed it to her. “As of this morning, you are testifying on behalf of the State of Texas. You’ve gotten a very good deal with the Attorney General and you’re being placed in the protective custody of Clint McCabe. He should be here anytime now.”
Ravyn dried her eyes. “I’ve never met Mr. McCabe.”
“He’s exactly what we need. Very scary. Just don’t ever call him Clint. All those jokes about Dirty Harry, you know? Everyone just calls him McCabe or Boss.” Rosie grinned and his sunburned face flushed redder. “I’d almost forgotten how much I love a good fight.” Rosie chuckled, then pulled her down onto the couch beside him and kept hold of her right hand. “I want you to only answer with ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ If I squeeze your hand, do not answer the question. Say you don’t know. Do you understand?”
“Yes, S—Rosie,” Ravyn said.
Rosie’s cell phone chimed. He read a text, then mumbled, “Excellent timing,” and turned away from her. He raised his voice and said, “Mac, they can join us now.”
Mac opened the door, then stepped aside. Special Agents Johnson and Lake entered the room, their movements somehow sinister and well-practiced. They claimed the chairs across from her and Rosie. Johnson rubbed his hands together and Ravyn shuddered. There was something about him that scared her. Maybe it was the emotionless look in his eyes that made her think he was not only capable of killing but had killed in the past. She glanced toward the doors and felt a wave of relief rush through her when she saw that Mac had left them open. She knew she couldn’t run away from what was coming, but it made her feel better to know the door was open.
Johnson focused on her. “Let’s get started. Mrs. Dolman, we—”
“Templeton,” Ravyn reminded him. She may be screwed, but she’d be damned if she’d let him pin that name on her again.
Johnson ignored her. “Do you know a woman named Barbie Johnson?”
Before Ravyn could answer, she felt Rosie squeeze her hand just as the doorbell rang. She heard Cade’s voice in the hallway, then the deep rumble of another voice. A moment later, Cade appeared in the doorway with a man next to him. She took one look at him and knew she was about to meet Addison’s mystery man, Clint McCabe. He was the same towering height as Cade but appeared to be several years older. When he removed his sunglasses, Ravyn looked into his eyes. They were dark gray, almost black, then they changed to a light, frozen blue. She blinked, then shivered and lowered her eyes. What the hell?
“This guy’s here to see you, Ravyn,” Cade said, then walked away.
Ravyn glanced at Johnson and Lake and realized from their posture that they were on high alert like rats smelling an alpha predator tracking them.
McCabe approached the two FBI agents and stood over them. “Who are you?”
Johnson and Lake tried to stand, but McCabe crowded them and they were forced to drop back into their chairs. Faces red with anger or embarrassment, or maybe both, they flipped their badge cases open, then introduced themselves.
McCabe flashed a badge and said, “You can call me Sir.”
The tension in the room thickened as he slid his badge back into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and Ravyn caught a glimpse of his shoulder holster. “I’m here to question Ravyn Templeton. You’re welcome to stay as long as you don’t interfere. Understand?”
The room fell silent for several minutes while McCabe waited for Johnson and Lake to answer him. Ravyn glanced at Rosie and wished she knew what Addison was up to, and how many of the Ramseys and their friends were involved.
“Gentlemen, I asked if you understand that I’m in charge of this interview.”
Finally, Johnson nodded and Lake said, “Yes, Sir.”
McCabe turned to face Augustus Rosie, and Ravyn saw an amused grin flash across his lips before he asked, “Who are you?”
Mr. Rosie stood and held out his hand. “Augustus Rosie. I’m Ms. Templeton’s attorney.”
McCabe ignored the extended hand, then sat down in the chair to Ravyn’s right. He read her the Miranda rights, got her agreement, and then said, “Ms. Templeton, several nights ago the Dallas police received an anonymous call that your home was being vandalized. The police responded and searched the house for intruders. The intruders were gone, but the house had been ransacked. The officers found a locked room on the third floor and thought they heard someone calling for help. They broke down the door. Do you know what they found in that room?”
Ravyn felt Rosie squeeze her hand. “I don’t know.”
“You’ve never been in the room?”
“No.”
“Do you know of a woman by the name of Barbie Johnson?”
Ravyn nodded then said, “Yes.”
“Barbie Johnson was arrested last night during a drug raid. She stated that she picked up the drugs she sold from your home. Were you aware of that?”
Ravyn bit her lip, then said, “No.”
“Were you aware that the money from the drug sales was being laundered through your late father’s corporation?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know a person named Harper Cortez?”
“Yes.”
“We were told he was your love interest. Is this correct?”
Ravyn he
sitated, then said, “I love him.”
“Do you know his location?”
“Not exactly.”
“Does he work for Mendez?”
Rosie squeezed her hand and she said, “I don’t know.”
McCabe stood up and removed a pair of handcuffs from his pocket. “Ravyn Templeton, you’re under arrest for drug trafficking and laundering money.”
Mr. Rosie rose to his feet. “I would like to make a deal for Ms. Templeton.”
McCabe pulled Ravyn to her feet, then turned her around and put the handcuffs on her. “It’s too late to make a deal now.”
He began to escort her from the room, but Johnson tried to stop him.
“The FBI has jurisdiction here. She’s going with us,” Johnson said as he reached beneath his jacket.
“I wouldn’t do that if I was you,” McCabe said as he released her arm and took a step toward Johnson.
Ravyn couldn’t see McCabe’s face, but she saw Johnson drop his hand, then take a step back. From the agent’s reaction, she knew McCabe was an extremely dangerous man and she thanked god he was on her side.
McCabe took her arm again and escorted her into the hallway. Behind them, she heard Johnson and Lake being distracted by a series of quick questions from Rosie. Once out the front door, McCabe helped her down the porch steps. She heard the door open behind them and then Zane called her name. She turned around, then stepped back when she saw the expression on his face. The look of hatred in Zane’s eyes told her that he’d heard everything she’d said and he was furious. She didn’t blame him. This was all her fault and whatever he did to her, she knew she deserved it.
He reached her and McCabe stepped between them. “Back off, Zane.”
“Fuck off, McCabe. She’s my sub. My slave.” Zane’s voice was cold and hard.
McCabe nodded, then said, “Thirty seconds.”
Ravyn lowered her gaze to hide the devastation in her eyes. Zane grabbed her chin and jerked her head up.
Maxwell, Mardi - Zane's Choice [The Doms of Club Mystique 4] (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 16
