by Tara Rose
Keith squirmed, and for the first time since Nita had walked into the office, she noticed his discomfort.
“Son of a bitch,” whispered Mark, his attention on Keith. “You did that. You added the message. You’re still helping each other. What the fuck is wrong with you two?”
Brett stood again. “That’s it. We’re going to finish this once and for all.”
“Sit down! You can finish it outside after I’m done with them.”
Brett and Asa glared at each other for a few seconds, but finally Brett took his seat again.
Asa pointed toward Keith and Billy. “You’re both fired.” He picked up his phone. “Call security. They have two ex-employees to escort out of the building.”
“You can’t fire me,” said Keith. “I work for Lucie.”
“And Lucie works for me.”
“Go ahead,” said Billy. “Fire me. I have a trust fund.”
“You’re a worthless piece of shit, just like your father was.” Asa’s face turned beet-red. “Your grandparents are rolling in their graves at the way you both turned out.”
Nita couldn’t take any more. This was likely her last chance to confront these two. She was tired of living in the past, and she no longer wanted them to have this kind of power over her or the people she loved.
Her entire body shook as she stood and faced them, and when she began to speak her voice trembled, but that didn’t stop her. She was through letting the past haunt her life. She was done with these two forever.
“Go to hell, both of you. You hurt me once. Badly. You know that. And now everyone in this room knows it. But you know what? You no longer have that power over me. I took it back a week ago. And now I release it into the universe, and may you both choke on it. May it eat away at your black souls until you’re forced to relive it in your own lives, over and over. And may it never give you a moment’s peace until you learn to do good in this world.”
It was so quiet in Asa’s office she could hear a pin drop. Keith and Billy actually looked afraid for a second, but Nita didn’t care. Let them think she had powers to curse them. All she’d done was state what she should have said fourteen years ago. She was no longer a frightened, insecure teen, and these two men were both weak and stupid. She had no more time to waste on them.
Two uniformed security officers came into the office, and Asa told them to escort Keith and Billy to their desks and then off the property. Neither man said a word. They both looked grateful to be leaving.
Brett and Mark each scrambled to embrace her at the same time. “Are you okay?” asked Brett in a near whisper.
“I’m fine. I feel great.”
“I am so proud of you right now,” said Mark, his voice full of awe and his eyes full of love.
“Are you two going to kick their asses?”
“We will if you want us to.”
“I don’t. I want you to abide by what my grandmother said. Violence only begets more violence. Let them stew in their own juices now.”
“Karma,” said Brett, grinning. “Although I’d rather kick their asses.”
Nita smiled. “I know you would. And thank you for that. Thank you so much.”
Asa broke the spell, addressing Alaina. “I’m not going to bother with the remainder of the interviews. I only agreed to them for Tim’s sake, but under the circumstances, they aren’t necessary. You and Mark both have shown more loyalty to this company by bringing this to my attention than everyone else in that department put together. Alaina, I know you’ve worked your ass off for me, but would you agree to run the department with a coworker? With Mark?”
Nita gasped. Mark grinned from ear to ear, and Alaina’s smile lit up the room. “Not only would I agree to it, Asa, but I would be honored to do so.” She walked over and shook Mark’s hand, and then she shook Asa’s. “Thank you so much. I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t.”
Mark shook his hand, as well. “Thank you, Asa. This means the world to me. I’m so sorry about this. We had no idea Billy or Keith would stoop this low, or we’d have let you know about this sooner.”
“I understand. It didn’t involve me or this company before. But it does now.” He eyed Mark and Brett for a moment then fixed his gaze on Nita. “I understand you and your grandmother were instrumental in uncovering some key information about that blasted curse.”
“Yes, we were.”
“Thank you for that.” He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a beaded bag, just like the one she’d admired in The Green Parrot two years ago.
“This isn’t the same bag, but it’s very close. I never should have insisted that Rosa sell it to me. When I found out what you and Phyllis did, I had her make this for you. I was going to bring it over sometime this week, but you’ve saved me a trip downtown. I hope you’ll accept it as a token of my appreciation for what you’ve done for this family.”
She stared at it. “You actually remember that?”
“Of course I do. I remember everything. Just ask these three.”
She took the bag. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.” He eyed Brett and Mark again. “These two are a lot more focused at work lately, so I can only assume that’s your influence, as well. You’re good for them. Thank you for that, too.”
Mark put an arm across Nita’s shoulders. “It’s not only that.” He took a deep breath. “We love her, Asa. We both do. And we want her with us for the rest of our lives.”
Nita stared at him, and the bag slipped from her hands. Alaina picked it up and placed it on Asa’s desk.
“That’s right,” said Brett. “We love her. We want her to be our lover and our sub, for the rest of her life.”
Asa looked a bit uncomfortable. He turned toward Alaina. “Let’s go tell Tim about my decision. These three need some privacy. Mark, join us in Tim’s office when you’re done.”
As soon as Asa and Alaina left, Nita wrapped her arms around Mark and kissed him. “I love you, too, Sir. I love you both. I’ve been so afraid to say anything, but I’m not afraid any longer. Do you two realize what you’ve done for me?”
“Oh, Nita.” Mark held her so close she could barely breathe. “Do you realize what you’ve done for us? For our entire family? So is that a yes? You’ll be our lover and our sub?”
“Yes. A thousand times, yes!”
Her heart soared. Everything she’d ever wanted was right here, with these two gorgeous, perfect men. She kissed Brett. “I love you, too, Sir. I will be your sub and your lover forever, as well.”
“Nita…” He twirled her around. “I love you so much. I never thought I’d love anyone but I was wrong. I’m selling my house. Mark’s is closer to the shop, and I like it better anyway. You can move in there. You and Phyllis both if you want. And even if she doesn’t, you’ll be close to her. I promise we’ll check in on her as often as you want to.”
She couldn’t stop smiling as tears of joy ran down her face. “You might not have to. It looks like Petra is moving here. My grandmother heard from her last night.”
“Then we have everything we want.”
Brett kissed her again, and then Mark did, and Nita forgot about everything except her two Doms. She loved them both with her entire heart and soul, and she vowed to spend every moment of the rest of her life making sure they knew that.
THE END
WWW.TARAROSEROMANCEAUTHOR.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tara Rose loves to write about small towns and the quirky people that inhabit them. You’ll find engaging characters, budding romance, intrigue, and plenty of hot steamy ménage sex within the pages of her books. You never really know what goes on behind closed doors, but her books will take you there, and leave you panting for more.
When she isn’t writing, Tara spends time with her husband—her real-life hero. She loves to cook, collect antique pottery, and she will read just about anything. Tara also plays the cello, and loves dec
orating her house for Christmas.
For all titles by Tara Rose, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/tara-rose
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
