by Avery Gale
“I understand…well, I think I do. You feel bad for punishing me for believing the garbage my parents taught me, don’t you?” Jace had never met a woman as intuitive and tuned in to him as Holly was. “Can we just put this behind us and move on? I’m nervous about what we’re going to find at my apartment, and I know we are all tired from traveling. I hate being ambushed by reporters. And I swear to you, if I find out my father’s agent is behind this…that he is using me to garner attention for the movie he has coming out next week, I’m going to be one wicked woman.”
Jace laughed and heard Gage chuckle as well, “Well, my love, we’ll let you steamroll your family and the agent, but you have to promise us two things. First, you’ll leave enough for Master Gage and me to tear a strip off their hides as well, and second, you’ll defer to us on any issue that involves your personal safety—always.” His heart warmed when she dropped her eyes and slowly nodded her agreement.
Glancing up at Gage, Jace watched as he shook his head back and forth grinning. Jace knew exactly what was going through his friend’s mind and he agreed—hell no she wasn’t anywhere near ready to concede all that control to them yet, but he knew it would come in time. She’d lived on her own and built not one, but several different successful careers for herself, so she had independence and self-sufficiency deeply ingrained in her psyche. But with time, trust, and a firm hand, Jace was sure he and Gage were going to be able to help her see the benefit of letting them shoulder some of the burden for her. But those were issues for another day, right now, they needed to concentrate on getting her safely into her apartment and judging from the small mob surrounding the front door that didn’t look like it was going to be all that easy.
Jace continued to hold Holly and tried to distract her while Gage conferred with Tony about alternate entrances into the building. After driving through the parking garage and finding more reporters at that entrance, Jace decided that even though they would have to walk through the crazies from that nut-case church in Kansas, they were counting on the presence of television cameras to keep anyone from doing anything over the top.
As they pulled up to the curb, Jace set Holly on the seat next to him and helped her straighten her clothing and smiled as she dabbed on lipstick and tried to finger comb her hair. “Pet, you are a newlywed in a ménage relationship emerging from the back of a limo—trust me, everyone is going to be expecting you to look like you have been enjoying the ride.” He waggled his eyebrows at her and for just a few seconds he wasn’t sure she was going to find any humor in his antics. But she finally broke out in a smile that Jace was convinced could have lit up half the city. Then she burst out laughing and threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
“Thank you for knowing how much I needed that laugh, Master.” Jace felt his heart swell with her impromptu hug and the way the title of Master had rolled so easily off her tongue. He wanted to tell her that he and Gage planned to always know just what she needed, but limo door opened and they were immediately besieged by shouted questions and the blinding flashes of every conceivable type of recording device known to man. Christ, Jace truly believed facing armed enemy soldiers was easier than these lunatics with their flashing cameras and screaming tirades. And through the din of people shouting questions and comments that were intended to spark a reaction that would then be splashed across the front page of every newspaper in the free world, Jace heard a man shout, “Die heathen,” and the unmistakable sound of a small hand gun being fired at close range just before Holly sagged in his arms.
Chapter 27
Holly felt like she was floating and she wondered why everyone in the distance was yelling and why she was suddenly gasping for breath. Had she been working out? For several seconds she just tried to concentrate on remembering what she’d been doing. Suddenly she realized she was in Jace’s arms and he was running, and the memory of walking through the crowd came back like a strong breeze pushing away the fog of a fall morning at her parents’ country estate. But why did her side ache and it seemed like she couldn’t take a deep breath and her need for oxygen was quickly trumping every other thought wafting through her confusion.
Jace must have sensed her struggle because he spoke quietly to her, “Hang on pet, EMS has an ETA of less than a minute now and they’ll have everything we need to make it easier for you to breathe. Right now what Gage and I need is for you to stay just as calm as possible, can you do that for us, love? Don’t try to talk, just nod your head if you understand.” Holly was grateful that she didn’t have to answer because she wasn’t sure she would have been willing to give up the small amount of air she was getting in order to form the words. When she merely nodded he looked down at her and smiled. It was only then that she realized he’d stopped and that they were surrounded by huge men.
Jace had to have seen the panic in her eyes because he immediately soothed her with a kiss to her forehead, “Holly, I’ll be happy to introduce you to our team later, but for now, just know they are here to protect you—with their lives if necessary. And Gage will be joining us shortly, he has the shooter and if there is anything left of the bastard when he’s done, then he’ll turn the bastard over to the authorities. He’ll join us the instant he can, I promise you.” Somewhere in the back of her mind Holly realized she was being lowered onto a flat surface and someone put a mask over her face. As the sounds of sirens invaded the fog that was surrounding her, Holly decided to give in to the temptation of the darkness that kept trying to pull her under.
* * * *
Gage had seen the scrawny, older man draw a weapon just as he’d shouted his vile words at Holly. They had been surrounded by people and even if Gage had drawn a weapon he wouldn’t have been able to get a shot off in time to stop the bullet that the self-righteous bastard had fired at Holly. Gage had known he had to stay and deal with the fruitcake, but watching Jace carry away their wife as he heard her gasping for breath had been the hardest thing he had ever done.
It had taken forever to complete the police reports and he’d been almost ready to pull his hair out by the time he’d been allowed to go to the hospital where they had taken Holly. After snarling at anyone who didn’t move or answer his questions immediately, Gage finally opened the door to Holly’s room and felt like his knees were going to fold. Christ, can they hook her up to anything else?
Jace met him at the door and moved him back into the hallway, “Damn, Hughes, I thought you were gonna drop in there. Come on, there is a small waiting room right down the hall.” When he hesitated, Jace added, “Ian and Callie are with her and Daphne will back in a few minutes so she isn’t alone.”
Once they’d gotten to the waiting room, Jace leaned against the door while Gage took several breaths to regain his bearings. “Fuck me. I’ve seen a lot of bad shit—hell, we’ve both seen men die in the most gruesome ways imaginable—but that.” All he could do was shake his head.
“It’s a lot different when it’s the woman you love, isn’t it? Don’t feel bad for caring. Hell, I probably would have lost it myself if Ian hadn’t been by my side. I’m sorry I didn’t meet you outside the door to warn you.” Jace blew out a breath and then smiled tentatively, “The upside is that she is going to be fine. It was a through and through shot that chipped a rib, and it was that piece that hit her lung. The surgery to repair it was quick—well, once Ian arranged for the best surgical team from another hospital to be flown across the city.”
Gage was just staring at him, trying to absorb and process the words. She’s really going to be fine? But she looked as white as the sheet that she was lying on. “He wouldn’t let them transfer her, right?”
“Got it in one. Hell, our usually unflappable boss was on a tear to get the best team over here and not one single fool tried to get in his way. The one nurse who even started to challenge him was backed right out of the room by Callie shaking her finger at the old bitty. Daphne has been handling the press but she’s struggling to keep a lot of balls in the air at the same ti
me.” Jace knew he was throwing a lot of information at Gage in a short amount of time, but he also knew the man wouldn’t rest until he was up to speed on everything he’d missed. “But I’m telling you, if Holly’s wicked-assed mother or self-absorbed father call one more time, I’m not going to be responsible for my actions. I don’t think there is any doubt that the agent tipped the press off that Holly would be arriving with both of her husbands, the only question is how much her parents knew and when. What’s the story on the shooter?”
Gage took another deep breath and then explained that the man was the head of a group of crazies from a radical church in Kansas. They had already been in the city for another protest when they’d heard about Holly’s polyamorous marriage. Gage explained that evidently the old guy felt safe because his daughter is a well-known lawyer who had him bonded out before the detectives had even finished with Jace. From what he’d heard, they old lunatic had recently been diagnosed with inoperable cancer so he didn’t feel like he had anything to lose. If Gage had to guess, he’d bet the man’s daughter had gotten her dad on a plane to God only knew where within the hour.
“She’s really going to be alright? Damn, she was so pale. And could they hook her up to anything else?”
“Yeah, I talked to the surgeon and also listened while he was grilled by Daphne, Ian and Callie. The man is solid and didn’t miss a beat in answering all of our questions. He’s staying the night in the room next to Holly at Ian’s request. As it turns out, the good doc has an interest in all things BDSM and Ian has given him a free lifetime membership. I think you’ll actually like him once you meet him someplace else.” Jace knew about Gage’s dislike for hospitals, he’d never been in one to see someone who came out of it alive so Jace knew Gage worked hard to avoid them. But truthfully, Jace had never met a soldier yet who liked hospitals.
Nodding his head in reluctant acceptance, Gage looked at Jace, “We fucked up. We almost lost her because we didn’t see it coming. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for this.”
“Don’t let Callie hear you say that. I said almost those exact same words and had my ass handed to me by Ian’s little Carlin. Reminded me of why he nicknamed her ‘little champion’ to begin with. I’m telling you the woman’s mouth is lethal sometimes. I’d like to think Ian will paddle her ass for the tongue lashing she gave me, but judging from his grin, I’m not all that hopeful.” For the first time in several hours Gage felt as if the steel bands that had been tightening around his chest were loosening a bit. If his friend was joking around, then their woman must be alright.
“That’s not to say I don’t feel bad about what happened, but as Callie so clearly pointed out, we didn’t have any way to know that crazy bastard was even in New York, let alone that he would target Holly.” Jace let out a sigh that told Gage they were both at the seventh level of exhaustion hell. “Let’s get back in there. I just wanted to update you where we wouldn’t disturb her. But she was asking for you after they brought her back from surgery, and I’m not sure any of us managed to convince her that you hadn’t been shot also. And she was convinced it was her fault because of the media circus that so often surrounds her.”
Gage was speechless. What the fuck! How could she possibly have known? And in that moment he understood exactly what Callie had been trying to impress upon Jace. There wasn’t any way any of them could have known. And now every priority they had shifted, and the only thing that mattered was healing Holly.
Chapter 28
Six weeks later
Holly paced the floor of the apartment her husbands had kept her sequestered in for the past month. The first two weeks after she’d been shot had been a blur thanks to some heavy medication. Holly had secretly named the nurse her husbands had hired to assist with her recovery Nurse Nancy the Nazi, because she had made sure Holly had taken her pain meds on time, even when she had begged to skip them so she could spend a little quality time with her laptop. And worse, the old bat had ratted her out to Jace and Gage. Both of her Masters had assured her they were keeping a tab on all of her infractions and that they intended to serve up each and every punishment she was due as soon as she was cleared by Dr. Donnie Dark.
Okay, so her doctor’s name was actually Dr. Donald Whiteside, but that didn’t sound nearly as appropriate after Holly learned that the trauma surgeon Ian had flown across the city was a Dom with some serious kinks and now had lifetime membership to Club Isola. She’d seen the good Doctor today at his new office in Alexandria and had gotten the all-clear to resume normal activities. The doctor’s smug grin had let Holly know that he had probably already told her husbands she was cleared before he’d even told her…the rat bastard.
This morning before she’d left for her appointment, she’d begged her Masters to let her wear panties, but they had steadfastly refused. They’d been crystal clear about the consequences she would face if she decided to defy them and assured her that they would indeed know. No doubt Dr. Donnie Dark would snitch me out in a heartbeat. After Gage had picked her up from her appointment he’d made her pull up her dress so that her bare ass and pussy were on a soft towel he’d placed on the seat and then he’d made her spread her legs wide and lift the front of her skirt so that he had a clear view of her freshly waxed mound. She’d been mortified that someone was going to see her until she remembered how darkly the windows were tinted and that he’d never but put her in danger, even if that danger was only to her reputation.
Both of her husbands were so in tune with her that she should have known her reaction wouldn’t fly under Gage’s radar. “I see you have worked this all out in your head, sweetness. I’m proud of you for thinking it all through before you questioned me, and I intend to reward you for that once we’ve gotten on the boat for the island.” Yep, that would have been panty soaking moment right there if she’d been wearing any. She’d been waiting forever to be cleared by the doctor and would probably come the minute he touched her.
The boat ride to the island hadn’t been nearly long enough in Holly’s opinion. Gage had made her stand against the high rail with her legs spread wide and he’d used his fingers to bring her up to just shy of orgasm several times before he’d let her come. Jace had been standing on the dock to greet them and had smiled as she screamed her release just as they docked. It had taken her long minutes to recover enough to walk off the boat under her own power. Kalen Black had been at the luxurious boat’s controls and he’d smiled at her as she’d walked unsteadily off the large deck. “Very nice, Holly. I’ll be looking forward to your first scene at the club.” The twinkle in his eye had caused her face to heat up so much she was sure it would have glowed in the dark.
Jace and Gage had brought her to the apartment and left her with instructions to rest, because as they’d said, she “was going to need it.” But their promise had only served to rocket her arousal right back up until the nervous energy was almost pulsing out of her in waves of heated desire. She had tried to lie down, but that hadn’t lasted any time at all. And now, she was pacing the width of the large living room. It wasn’t exactly productive or restful, but Holly was much too antsy to sit still.
* * * *
Jace leaned back in his chair and looked at the security monitor and smiled. Oh his wife was nervous all right, and with good reason. She hadn’t mentioned a very important incident that had occurred during her doctor’s appointment today. Granted she had basically been set up to fail, but they were still going to enjoy the hell out of her first public scene tonight at the club.
Thank God Holly had signed the forms for both of her husbands to have unlimited access to her medical information, so their inquiry about her appointment today had yielded a lot of valuable information. Hell, it wasn’t that Don wouldn’t have shared the information anyway, because the code between Doms was more powerful than the privacy concerns for submissives in their care. And when it came to the health and safety of a sub, all restrictions were off—a fact their little angel was about to learn about
firsthand.
Jace watched another monitor as Callie made her way down the hallway toward their apartment. She was so cute—her rounded belly such a contrast to her tiny frame. She looked like she’d tucked a ball under her shirt and from the back you’d never know the woman was even pregnant. He chuckled as Ian’s sweet wife darted glances around as if she were trying to fly under their security radar—hell, she of all people ought to know it wasn’t possible. When Holly had admitted her to the apartment he cranked up the sound and sent a quick text to Gage.
Callie’s voice was clear even though she was trying to speak quietly when Holly opened the door without checking the security monitor first. There’s another five swats my love. “Hey girlfriend, I just wanted to stop by and chitchat for a bit.” Jace laughed out loud because Callie was just about the worst liar in the entire world. If Holly didn’t know that was as piss-poor as excuses came, then she just wasn’t paying attention.
He and Gage listened as the two women discussed all the usual topics women like to talk to death when Callie finally asked Holly, “Are you sure you are ready for tonight?” Damn, how did Callie get wind of what they’d planned? No doubt about it, Ian’s little sub has her nose to the ground. Looking to his right, he almost laughed at Gage’s “what the fuck” expression.
“Well, fuck me. How did she find out?” Gage’s words echoed Jace’s own question.
“No clue, but she has obviously charmed somebody and their ass is mine when I find out who it was. And Ian ought to paddle Callie’s ass for this.” Jace blew out a breath because he knew full well, Ian wasn’t going to lay a hand on his pregnant wife. Jace had noticed Callie was becoming brattier by the day, and he was fairly sure it was her way of trying to get Ian’s attention. Callie was a sub of the first order, and she craved her Dom’s attention and his discipline. The sub inside Callie was trying to tell Ian that she missed the comfort and security she found in his Domination. Jace made a mental note to talk with Ian before the club opened this evening.
