Unexpected Protector (Isthmus Alliance)

by Sloan Johnson

  A melancholy tune bounces off the walls of the living room as Tommy reaches for my hand. Once he has me positioned how he wants, his other hand begins rubbing lotion into my arm. I can’t explain it, but his touch in this way is familiar to me. Thanks to my shitty childhood, I don’t like being touched. I normally hate anyone rubbing my arms this way, but the typical sensation of bile rising in my throat is missing. I know I’m not in danger with him.

  My head lolls to the side as I continue to relax, transfixed by Tommy’s tender caresses and the sad lyrics. The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had.

  I don’t want to dream of dying any longer. Tommy may have been trying to teach me that I can submit and retain control, but the bigger lesson I’ve learned tonight is that if I don’t push him away, he’ll be there to catch me when I fall.

  That doesn’t change the fact that he’s the most uncharacteristic Dom I’ve ever met.

  I can’t tell you how long I’ve been sitting on the floor with Holly in my lap, slowly rubbing lotion into her skin. She’s beginning to warm beneath my touch and the tension has all but disappeared from her body. I feel as if we’ve made a breakthrough tonight.

  The last example is going to be the hardest on her. I’m going to push her limits a bit even though I’m uncertain of her reaction. I would like to think, based on the rest of this evening, that she’s going to react the way I’m anticipating, but I learned very early to never expect anything from Holly, she is a master at surprising me.

  I gently push her upper body away from me with one arm, the other wrapped tightly around her waist to make sure she doesn’t leave my lap. Slowly, my fingers trail up her back, feeling every vertebrae beneath the tips. When I reach the nape of her neck, my palm presses the space between her shoulder blades, lightly at first with increasing pressure.

  There’s something amazing about the feel of my fingers wrapped around a woman’s neck. As a Dom, it’s an incredible sign of trust when she doesn’t flinch away from my grasp because she knows that, while I will apply pressure, I will never do anything to harm her.

  The moment my fingers begin to snake around to the front of her neck, the chime of my doorbell breaks the spell I feel us both falling under.

  Holly whips off the mask, squinting as her eyes adjust to the light. “Are you expecting company?” she asks nervously.

  She doesn’t have to tell me what’s running through her mind because I’m nearly positive her mind is filled with the same panic as mine.

  “No. Go up to your room,” I command her. I don’t give a shit at this moment if I sound like a controlling, arrogant ass. If this visit is the one that I have been hoping to avoid, she doesn’t need to be here the moment I open the door.

  Once I hear the door at the end of the hall close behind her, I walk from the stairs to the foyer and take a deep breath. No one comes all the way out here without calling first. It’s not that I live in the middle of nowhere, but I am far enough out to deter unexpected visitors. Suddenly, I’m praying to see a couple of Mormon missionaries on the other side of the door as it’s swinging open. Right about now, I would gladly sit and discuss the fate of my soul with them, but a quick glance out the front window confirms I won’t get so lucky.

  It’s interesting to be on this side of the scenario. In the past, I’ve been the one ringing the doorbell, patiently waiting for someone to answer. I feel bad for the innocent wives who have been forced to face the badge while their husbands attempted to find a place to hide. Even though I know Holly needs to face the charges before her, I would have considered tossing her the keys to my car if I thought for a moment that she would have been able to remain free a bit longer.

  “Hey Dan, is there something I can help you with?” I may know exactly why he’s here, but I don’t feel like making his job easy tonight. Dan Preston wasn’t exactly my favorite person when we were on the force together and I have no doubt he kept this little assignment under wraps so no one could give me a heads up that the warrant had been issued.

  “Reed, you know why I’m here,” he says smugly. “Where is she?” My foot blocks the door from opening any further. He can peer through the narrow opening all he wants, but until I see the blue folder containing Holly’s arrest warrant, he gets nothing from me.

  “I take it you have the paperwork?” I glance over his shoulder, noticing two squad cars parked down the road. It’s protocol, but that doesn’t mean it pisses me off any less. Do they really think I’m going to encourage her to flee? Yes, I may have selfishly thought about it, but that doesn’t mean I would follow through. After all, how many criminals have I told that they would have fewer problems if they cooperated?

  “I do,” Dan confirms, reaching inside his department-issued coat. He hands me the papers and I scan them as if there could possibly be a question as to the validity. Right now, I’m buying Holly a few more minutes of peace.

  I usher Dan inside, not welcoming him any further than the small tile area just inside the door. “I’ll go get her.”

  Dan nods as I turn away from him. My feet feel as if they’re coated in concrete as I make my way toward the staircase. I hate this for her. She’s been doing so well lately and I fear this will set her back.

  I rap my knuckles on the oak door before entering. I quickly make my way to the bed, sitting next to her. Her defeated posture tells me she knows as well as I do that we’re now walking into the fire.

  “It’s time,” I tell her, unable to elaborate. She needs to know this isn’t the end, and that I don’t intend to make her fight this alone. I was there that night; I saw the malice in Nick Romero’s eyes. He’s a soulless prick and seeing how he continues to hurt Holly, I wish my aim had been off when I pulled that trigger. Never before have I wished someone dead, especially at my own hand.

  Holly nods her head, sobbing into my chest. She may not be able to say the words, but every fiber of her being is pleading with me to protect her, to help her through this.

  Placing the flat of my hand beneath her chin, I lift her face until our eyes meet. “I’m going to call someone to come down and help you. Don’t say anything until she gets there.”

  “Okay,” she cries. She may not be mine, but I would give anything to take the pain away from her. Her life today is a complete contrast from the life she led when she committed the crimes. I pray the district attorney will acknowledge that and give her proper consideration.

  “I know you’re scared,” I soothe her. “I don’t blame you. But you’ll be home as soon as possible.”

  “Reed, hurry it up!” Holly’s body flinches at the sound of Preston shouting up the stairs. His patience is wearing thin, but I’m not going to rush this. She needs this time from me. She needs to be able to walk into that cold cell tonight knowing she’s not alone. She’ll never be alone.

  “There’s no way I’ll be able to make bail,” she groans, the full reality of the situation crashing around her. “But thanks for trying to make me think it’ll be okay.”

  She pulls away from me, grabbing a sweatshirt out of her dresser. “Thanks for everything, Tommy,” she says softly over her shoulder as she heads to the door. I nearly jump off the bed, needing to reach her before she crosses the threshold.

  “I promise I’m going to do everything I can to get you through this. Your bail will be taken care of the moment the paperwork is complete.” Looking into her eyes, I see a perfect storm of fear, anger, and doubt. It’s somewhat frightening, but better than the emotionless stare she used to wear. “You’re not alone.”

  Sometimes, I wish my life was shit all the time. At least then, I wouldn’t feel the floor drop out from under me when things like this happen. Tommy can tell me that it’ll all be okay and he’s here for me as much as he wants, but that doesn’t change the fact that once I’m out the door, he’ll be free of my problems.

  “Yeah, okay,” I say disbelievingly. I pull away from his embrace, needing to put space between us before I start to believe this fairy tal
e he’s trying to sell me.

  His grip around my waist tightens as his eyes drill directly into my soul. “Believe me or don’t, I can’t do anything to change that. Just promise you’ll take the help when it’s offered to you, okay?”

  “Okay, Tommy,” I whisper. It hits me that I have no clue when I’m going to see him again. It’s Friday night, which means that I’ll have to spend at least the weekend in jail, even if he is able to work whatever magic he claims to be conjuring.

  Selfishly, I lean into Tommy, allowing my senses to memorize every detail I can about the man I’ve learned to rely on so quickly; the spicy undertones of his body wash, the hard slope of his chest against mine, the comfort and safety of his arms wrapped around my body. Before letting go, I lean in to capture the knowledge, which will carry me through whatever lies ahead.

  Tommy’s lips part as we make contact. They’re soft yet firm and he tastes like mint. His tongue delves into my mouth fiercely, stealing my breath. I could die this way and be completely happy. As we continue exploring one another in this intimate way, I feel his hands snake beneath the hem of my sweatshirt to press against my skin.

  “Holly,” he groans without breaking the contact between us. Reluctantly, we pull apart, standing so our foreheads are still touching. “I need you to be strong, okay?”

  I nod, ready to break down crying. Unlike most times, right now, I’m not fighting off tears over the mistakes I’ve made; I want to cry at the depth of compassion Tommy is showing me. “And please, for the love of everything holy, don’t be a brat up there. I have a feeling it could be rough for you because of me and I’m sorry for that.”

  “Reed!” I jump at the sound of the officer waiting for me. “You have one minute and then I’m coming up there,” he warns.

  “Preston, you have officers outside and you’re at the bottom of the stairs. You know I’m not trying to help her escape so quit the macho bullshit,” Tommy yells over my shoulder. I stifle a laugh, more than a little amused at him speaking so frankly to a cop.

  “It’s okay, Tommy,” I sigh, knowing it’s time. “I will make you proud this weekend, I promise.”

  A tear slides down my cheek as we stand in the middle of my bedroom. I glance around, realizing that Tommy is the first person in my life other than Tasha and her mom who has accepted me into his life without expecting anything in return. He has literally seen me at my worst, and yet he’s holding me while I cry, telling me that he will take care of me. I’m not comfortable with the concept of trusting him, but know deep in my heart that he has my best interests in mind. I stand on my tiptoes, kissing his cheek before pulling away.

  Before Preston’s squad even backs down the driveway, I’m dialing my cell phone. There’s not much that can be done for Holly this late on a Friday evening, but I need to make sure she’s going to be okay before I can think about anything else.

  “This is Mary,” the angelic voice answers. The voice might say sweet and innocent, but Mary Brunner is a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom. The only place she scares me more is when she’s at play night wielding a flogger, dressed head to toe in leather.

  “Mary, it’s Tommy,” I say in a rush. “I need you to head down to the central precinct to help a friend.”

  “Does this have anything to do with the girl that hurt Dylan’s woman?” She says something I can’t recognize through the muffled phone before returning her attention to me. “Sorry about that, I’m in the middle of dinner with a friend.”

  “No worries. Yes, it’s about Holly Richards. Dan Preston was just here, took her downtown and I have no doubt he did it this late on a Friday night figuring she wouldn’t have anyone who could come up there.”

  The repetitive click in the receiver tells me she’s tapping a fingernail against her teeth, one of the few tells that woman has. It’s what she does when she’s about to do something she doesn’t want to do.

  “I have to say, after everything, I’m a bit surprised you’re calling me to help her out,” Mary chides me. Her reaction doesn’t shock me at all. No one in the Alliance seems to agree with my current obsession. It’s funny that the one person I know is in my corner is the person most deeply affected by Holly’s actions.

  “Look, Mary. You can cuss me out later, but right now I need you up there before Preston breaks her down. You know how he likes to push the limits.” Dan’s questionable tactics came in handy on more than one occasion when I was on the force, but now, I know without a shadow of a doubt that he’s going to use them on Holly, trying to get her to confess to God only knows what. Sure, she has the right to an attorney and he’ll tell her as much, but he’s slick enough to do it in a way that makes suspects think it’s not necessary.

  “Shit, you’re right. Let me settle my tab here and I’ll be up there. But Tommy, you owe me for this one.”

  “Name your price and it’s yours,” I chuckle. “And speaking of price, I’ll be taking care of all her legal fees as well.”

  “Seriously?” she asks, sounding shocked that I’m sparing no expense to make sure Holly has the best legal team possible. “Does this girl have a platinum pussy or something?”

  “Wouldn’t know, haven’t gone there with her.”

  “If that’s the case, you may be more screwed than I’ve heard,” she laughs. “And I’m assuming you’d like me to keep you posted as much as I can? Provided she tells me that it’s okay to speak with you, of course.”

  “Definitely.”

  “I’ll be in touch.” Mary hangs up the phone without another word.

  This is the beauty of Isthmus Alliance. I know exactly what she thinks of Holly. She sees what everyone else sees, the messed up girl who caused a laundry list of problems for multiple people within the group. She doesn’t know Holly outside of what she’s heard, and yet she’s willing to help her because I asked.

  Since I’ve done everything that I can do, I run upstairs to get ready. Dylan and Tasha will be here soon and I don’t want to keep them waiting. I have no clue how this is going to pan out seeing as Dylan and I were heading to the club while Tasha was supposed to take Holly up to the diner until we get done.

  “Please, tell me you didn’t fuck her,” Dylan begs as we get into his purple Barracuda.

  After a long, intense debate, Dylan convinces Tasha to stay at my place. Now that she’s getting used to life on the kinky side, she begged to come with us, claiming it would be good to have a woman with us in case a situation arises where a more tender approach is needed. I’ll give her credit, she’s almost as hardheaded as Holly, but that doesn’t change the fact that Leather & Lace is no place for a girl like Tasha. She’s still too new, too pliable. Her head doesn’t need to be fucked by the things that go on there.

  “No, I didn’t fuck her. Not that it’s any of your business.” I stare out the window, trying to avoid the outburst I feel coming on.

  “I’m telling you, she’s bad news, Tommy. You seem to have forgotten that you’re the one who told me as much not that long ago. Now, she’s living with you, you called Mary in to represent her and you’re as moody as a teenager who’s just been cock-blocked.”

  “Dylan, you need to let it go. Tasha has and so have I. She was bad news when she was on drugs. On the other hand, now that she’s not, she’s actually an amazing person. I wish you could see that.” It’s going to be a long night if he plans on lecturing me. I should have called Zeke to cover for me.

  Then again, seeing how misguided Holly is right now makes me want to be at Marquee in a way. Because of her, I will be more vigilant of what’s going on around me. I won’t allow anyone else to slide into the abyss the way she has.

  The sound of Dylan tapping out a drumbeat on the steering wheel is the only noise as we wind our way through town. It looks like tonight will be the first real snowfall of the season. Until now, we’ve had flurries, but nothing substantial. I wonder if this will have an effect on the number of people coming out to play tonight. I hope they’ll stay home, not wanting
to risk mixing slippery roads and alcohol. That way, I will be able to get home and stare at my phone, willing it to ring without anyone giving me a hard time. I’m going to be as worthless as tits on a nun until I hear from Mary that Holly is safely in her cell for the night.