Finally Found [Doms of Destiny, Colorado 10] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Chloe Lang

  She continued listening to Sam’s soothing voice. She felt like she was floating.

  “Just let your feet relax, and your legs relax. Feel your hips and waist softening. Every bit of tension melting away. No fears. No worries. Feel your chest relaxing, and your arms relaxing. Breathing in and out. Your shoulders relaxing, and your neck and head relaxing. Feel your entire body relaxing, all over as the waves move in and out.”

  Sam continued talking, guiding her into the air, flying up to a cloud, laughing and full of joy. She was at peace. No stress. No worries. No cares. Totally relaxed.

  “Carrie, you are resting comfortably in a deep, peaceful state of sleep, going deeper and faster and deeper and faster all of the time, until I bring you back. You will only accept those suggestions which are for your benefit, and that you are willing to accept. Know you are safe.”

  She did feel safe. Completely safe.

  “Now, visualize a curtain in front of you. Feel the fabric.”

  In her mind, she saw a red velvet curtain that hung from a large rod.

  “Behind this curtain is one of your memories, Carrie. It’s a pleasant memory. You haven’t seen it in a very long time, but you know it’s there, waiting for you to rediscover it. When you part the curtain, you will see the past but you won’t be in the past. You will enjoy the happy memory and when you return from this place you will remember every detail. Open the curtain, Carrie.”

  Completely at peace, she opened the curtain and saw Matt and Sean when they were boys. They were playing hide-and-seek with her and some other children.

  “What do you see, Carrie?”

  As the memory grew brighter, she told him every detail. “I’m behind a tree, but Sean found me. I give him a hug. I hear my mom call my name. I run to her. I see her face. I remember what she looks like. She looks like me. We have the same color eyes. My dad is standing beside her with his arms around her shoulder.” Her gut tightened when she saw a younger version of Willie walk up beside them. “Go away.”

  “Breathe, Carrie. Feel the water. In and out. The sun on your face. Nothing can hurt you. You can remember everything, but know you are safe.”

  She saw the black smoke swirling around Willie, but she wasn’t afraid. “I’m safe.”

  “Yes, you are. What do you see now?”

  “A fire. Willie is grabbing me and taking me down into a tunnel. The smoke is all around us. I’m coughing and coughing. My eyes burn.”

  Sam guided her to more doors and curtains, returning all her lost memories to her.

  “One final door, Carrie, before I bring you back. This is the door to yesterday, when you were playing paintball and shot Ethel. Open the door and see what happened.”

  “I answered my cell and heard Willie’s voice.” All the time she’d lost came back to her. Yelling for Ethel to call 9-1-1. Running into the kitchen and finding Janet on the floor. Kicking Willie in the groin when he reached for his gun. Trying to break free from the bastard when he was choking her. “I saw Josh and Jacob come to my rescue. They saved me.”

  “You will remember every memory you saw, Carrie, but always know that you are safe. Now, I’m going to bring you back. I’m going to count from one to five, and at the count of five you will be feeling wide awake, fully alert, and completely refreshed. One. You’re feeling more awake. Two. Even more awake. Three.”

  When Sam said five, she was completely awake. She sat up. “Oh Sam, you did it.”

  “You did it, Carrie. You did the hard work. I just guided you.”

  Thrilled beyond belief, she leapt from the sofa and hugged him. “You gave me back my memories. I remember everything. The faces of my mother and father. I even remember Sean now. Such a sweet boy. He always treated me like a sister. Still does. Oh my God. They’re all back. Even the bad ones, but they can’t hurt me anymore. I’m free. Josh and Jacob are in the other room waiting for me. Do you mind if they come in so we can tell them everything?”

  Sam gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll get them for you.”

  He opened the door. “Guys, Carrie wants to see you.”

  They rushed in with questioning looks on their faces.

  She felt happy tears streaming down her face, telling her why they seemed concerned. “I remember. I remember.”

  Josh put his arm around her shoulders.

  “You okay, angel?” Jacob asked, taking her hands.

  “Better than okay,” she said, smiling. “I remember. I have my memories back. All of them.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Josh kissed her. “I love you so much.”

  “And I love you,” she said, bubbling over with joy.

  Jacob pulled her in close. “I knew Sam would help you.”

  “She’s the one who helped herself,” Sam said. “Just like you did, Jacob.”

  “Thanks, Sam.” Jacob pressed his mouth to her lips. “I love you, angel.”

  “And I love you. I can’t wait to tell Sean I remember him.”

  “Then we better get going,” Josh said, leading her to the door.

  “Thank you, Sam.” She looked at the dear man. “Same time tomorrow?”

  “You got it, Carrie.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Carrie ran into her family’s home, anxious to tell them about how Sam had helped her. Josh and Jacob were by her side when she walked into the living room and saw everyone.

  Janet sat on the sofa next to Gary, who was holding her hands.

  “They released you, Mom.” Carrie rushed to Janet and gave her a hug. “I’m so sorry that this happened to you because of me.”

  “Because of you? Hush, Carrie. You had nothing to do with that madman’s action. I’m just thankful he was caught and put where he belongs.”

  “Carrie,” Jena said, standing between Matt and Sean. “We’re not telling Kimmie the real reason mom was in the hospital. We told her she fell. I don’t want her to be scared, and we’ll tell her when she’s old enough to understand.”

  “I totally agree with you. I certainly know what it’s like to be scared when you’re little. No child should have to be scared. Where is my precious niece?”

  “Where else?” Sean grinned. “She’s outside playing with Happiness. Not a care in the world.”

  “Sean, I need to tell you something,” she said, grabbing Josh and Jacob’s hands for support. “I didn’t tell you the truth when I said I remembered you.”

  “I know, sweetheart. I suspected you didn’t want to hurt my feelings.”

  “You’re right, but I remember you now. I remember everything. How you treated me like a sister, just like now.”

  “I’m thrilled to hear that, Carrie. It means so much to me.”

  “And Matt, Sam helped me get all my memories back. I remember what mom and dad looked like. They weren’t all bad.”

  “They weren’t. They were just under Willie’s evil spell.”

  “You remember everything about your past?” Jena asked.

  “Yes. The good and the bad. Sam helped me rediscover all of my memories. I’m going to continue seeing him for a while, but I feel whole for the first time in my life. And that’s thanks to all of you. Jena, you found me and brought me back to Destiny. You gave me Matt and Sean back. And a beautiful niece.” She turned to Janet and Gary. “And a new mother and father.” She squeezed Josh and Jacob’s hands. “And because of all of you, I now know what it is to be truly loved. And I love you all so very much.”

  * * * *

  After eating the delicious meal that his mom and dad had dropped off earlier, Josh washed the dishes. Matt was drying them and Sean was putting them away. Gary wiped the table and Jacob swept the floor.

  Carrie was with Jena and Janet in the living room, enjoying their dessert and coffee. Kimmie had gotten her bath and had been tucked into bed.

  “I had no idea that your dad made anything but Asian food,” Matt said, taking the last dish from him and rinsing it off.

  Sean nodded. “Those burgers were delicious. I’ve
never tasted anything quite like them before.”

  “Don’t you dare say that outside these walls,” he warned them, knowing how secretive his dad was about his burgers. “He must consider you family now because that’s a first.”

  After the kitchen was completely clean, Josh and the other men joined the women in the living room.

  “Was Ethel happy that she won that last round of paintball I was in because I had to leave?” Carrie asked, sipping on her coffee.

  “Actually no,” Jena said. “She wanted you to be declared the winner, but the judges decided to uphold the rules. When you left the gaming area you forfeited, I’m sorry to say.”

  “I’m not. The first time I didn’t shoot her, and the second time I felt so guilty. I just love Ethel’s spunk. I want to be just like her.”

  “Sis, you’re well on your way,” Matt said.

  “Thanks, brother.” Carrie shook her head. “What I forgot to ask was if any of you figured out how Willie found me.”

  “With the help of Cindy Trollinger,” Sean said. He told them about the connection between Trollinger and Willie, how they’d met in Denver. “Thank God, that bastard is behind bars. Black’s been able to get some good information out of him that may help us locate Trollinger. He’s trying to plea bargain but it won’t work.”

  “You think Trollinger will try to spring Willie?” Gary asked.

  “No,” Matt said. “It’s our understanding that she’s even put out a contract on him.”

  “We had her pinpointed in Berlin two days ago when somehow she was able to vanish off our radar,” Jena said. “We still believe she is out of the country, likely using a new alias.”

  “That’s good to hear.” Janet leaned into Gary. “It’ll give Destiny a chance to catch its breath.”

  “And it will also give more time for Shannon’s Elite to find Trollinger again.” Josh believed in the entire team that Black had put together. They had incredible talents and skills. “You’ll find her, I have no doubt.”

  “How long will Willie be in the county jail?” Carrie asked.

  “A couple more days, Sis,” Matt said. “The FBI is sending some agents to retrieve him.”

  “I’ll just be glad when the bastard is out of here.” Jacob put his arm around Carrie.

  “I need to face Willie before they take him,” she said.

  “I don’t think that’s a very good idea, Carrie,” Janet said.

  “Neither do I,” Gary agreed. “He’s caused you too much grief already.”

  “That’s the reason I need to see him. I need to prove to myself that I’m not afraid of him anymore. I’ve been running my whole life from him. No more.”

  “Sweetheart, I think that’s actually a good idea,” Jacob said. “Face your demon head on.”

  Josh knew that if anyone understood what Carrie had gone through, it was Jacob. “Just promise me that you will talk to Sam about this first, Carrie.”

  “I promise. I see him first thing in the morning.”

  * * * *

  After speaking with Sam that morning, Carrie felt extremely confident with what she was about to do. She was closing the chapter of her dark past forever.

  She stood between Josh and Jacob in Sheriff Jason Wolfe’s office, holding their hands.

  “Are you three sure about this?” the sheriff asked. “This is quite an unusual request.”

  “This is something I must do for myself, Sheriff.”

  “And you two support this?” he asked Josh and Jacob.

  “We do.” Josh squeezed her hand.

  “Sheriff,” Jacob said, “this is Carrie’s way of ending the darkness of her childhood and embracing her new life with us in Destiny.”

  “Okay,” the sheriff said. “I will take you to the prisoner, but I will be within earshot in case you need me.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff, for understanding,” she said.

  The sheriff led them to Willie’s cell.

  “You fucking whore!” Willie grabbed the bars. “How much of my money have you spent on your two gigolos already?”

  Josh and Jacob started to step forward but she put her hands in front of them. “It’s okay. I need to handle this.”

  Even though she could see the protective rage on their faces, they stopped, clearly respecting her wishes.

  She turned her attention back to Willie, whose eyes were filled with hate. She no longer feared him. Her monster no longer had claws. “I knew your only concern would be about the money. This was exactly what I expected from an evil, demented man like you. The fact is, Willie, we are returning your money to the churches you stole from. In fact, some of it has already been returned.”

  “You bitch. That’s not possible. I deserve that money. It’s mine.”

  “Oh it is possible,” she said softly. “I kept a secret list from you all those years of every church you conned. They were good people. You manipulated them into trusting you. You even used me, claiming I was your little motherless daughter. The lies have come back to haunt you, asshole. And now that the truth is out you will never be able to con anyone again. No one will ever trust you. Not even in prison, where you’ll be spending the rest of your miserable life.”

  “Trollinger will get me out of here,” Willie spat. “And when she does I’m coming after you, Carrie. You and your two perverts.”

  “The way I understand it, she doesn’t want to have anything to do with you. And besides, where they’re sending you, Trollinger won’t be able to find you.”

  “You lying bitch.”

  “Enjoy your cage, William.” She turned to Josh and Jacob, feeling completely free. “I’m finished here. Let’s go.”

  Willie continued cursing as they left him behind.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Are you sure this isn’t too skimpy?” Carrie asked Jena, staring at her own reflection in the full-length mirror. Halloween was more than a month away, and yet here she was wearing a costume. She had on a little white half shirt that tied in the front that put on exhibit her cleavage, a plaid pleated mini skirt that was shorter than any she’d ever worn before, thigh-high sheer stockings and a pair of red stilettos. “I’ve never worn anything this revealing in public before.”

  “I’m sure you haven’t.” Jena came up beside her. “Look at what I’m wearing. Talk about your little black dress. If I bend over, there will be nothing left for the imagination.”

  She smiled. “You look really sexy.”

  “My guys love parading me around the club like this. I’m their prize to show off as they please, but a prize that no one but them can touch. They really get off on it. Yours will, too. Take these. It will enhance your whole look.” Jena handed her a pair of glasses with thick black frames and an oversized multicolored lollipop. “Damn, Carrie. You look good.”

  Getting into the spirit of the night, she asked. “You think I should put my hair up in pigtails?”

  “If you think Josh and Jacob would like it, I say go for it.”

  “I’m pretty sure they would want my hair down.” She spun around, excited about the evening. Tonight would be her first night at Phase Four.

  “You make a very sexy naughty school girl, Carrie. Your guys are going to be beaming with pride.” Jena looked at the time on her cell. “They should be here any moment.

  They heard the doorbell.

  Jena smiled. “Told you. They’re here. Ready for the night of your life?”

  She took a deep breath. “I am.”

  “Wait a couple of minutes before you come out.” Jena walked to the bedroom door. “I want to see the look on Josh and Jacob’s faces when you make your entrance.”

  “Thanks for helping me get ready, Jena.”

  “What are sisters-in-law for?”

  She smiled. “You mean sisters.”

  “Yes. Sisters.” Jena walked into the hallway and shut the door.

  Carrie took another look at herself in the mirror. Jena was right, she did look sexy. She smiled, feeling her heart
pound a little faster in her chest. Anxious to see how the night went, she glanced over at the clock on her nightstand. 11:10 p.m. Jena had told her that the club’s biggest crowd showed after getting their kids to bed, thus the late hour. Phase Four was so much more than a BDSM club. It was a place the community gathered, a place where judgment wasn’t tolerated, a place where sexuality was prized in all its many forms. A place of total freedom to be whatever you wanted to be.

  She walked out of the bedroom for the adventure she’d been dreaming about. And the two men who would be her guides were waiting by the door to escort her to the club.

  A leather harness was wrapped around Josh’s muscled chest and six-pack abs. The black jeans and military boots reinforced the image of dominance he presented. Jacob wore a black leather vest and pants that exposed his well-built body perfectly. Like Josh, he wore black military boots. They both carried a leather satchel. She had a pretty good idea what was inside the black bags. There was no doubt in her mind who was in control of tonight. Her two Masters were.

  “Here she is,” Jena announced, standing between Matt and Sean, who were also wearing Dom gear.

  Josh’s eyes widened. “Wow.”

  “You really like it?” she asked.

  “I sure do, sweetheart.”

  Jacob smiled. “You look gorgeous, Carrie.”

  Thrilled with Josh and Jacob’s praise, she said, “So do you and Josh. Handsome, I mean.”

  “Do we all want to ride together?” Sean asked Josh and Jacob. “We can take the Suburban.”

  Destiny families were like any other in the country. They drove SUVs, ate dinner together, paid bills, had children. But there were a few differences. The people here didn’t put any boundaries on what family meant and they weren’t afraid to express their sexuality in a variety of ways.