The older man helped Monroe, while Zach stood by and watched the two of them get the bodies outside.
Monroe looked at Stephens. “Bring the Range Rover around. We’ll load the bodies, then I’ll leave you both to clean up the foyer before bringing the women out.”
Zach couldn’t have heard him right. “You’re fucking leaving?”
“My assignment is not finished, Zachary.”
Black spots of fury clouded Zach’s vision. “Yes, your fucking assignment is finished. Now it’s time for your family—the people who thought you dead this past month, you son of a bitch.”
Monroe put his hand on Zach’s shoulder, but Zach jerked away.
“Keeping my family safe is my job. Angel can’t know I’m alive until this is complete. If something happens to me, and it still could, she doesn’t need to go through this twice.”
“Fuck you. She didn’t need to go through it at all.”
Monroe’s mouth tightened and later Zach would realize how on edge the man was to actually show his feelings. But right now, Zach wanted something more. And Monroe leaving with no explanation didn’t work.
“How long will you be gone, and if you die, who will tell us this time?” Pure belligerence poured out with the question.
Monroe gave him his usual blank stare. “Two weeks. If you haven’t heard from me by then, it’s over and I’m not coming home.”
Something broke inside Zach and more than losing Monroe the first time, Zach knew he couldn’t live through the “what ifs” again.
The large SUV pulled around and Stephens got out and assisted Monroe with the bodies. When the men finished, Zach stood by, watching Monroe walk away again. He didn’t look back as his hand went to the driver’s door handle. Zach stumbled slightly, but used the car to keep him upright as he followed. He didn’t pay attention to where Stephens stood or if he could see or hear them.
“Nathanial.” Zach placed his hand solidly on Monroe’s back and waited until he turned. Zach moved in closer, grasped Monroe’s shoulder with one hooked arm and grabbed the back of his hair with the other. His mouth slammed into Monroe’s in a desperately savage kiss using his lips, tongue, and teeth. Several moments later, he pulled marginally away and spoke against Monroe’s lips, “It’s not just Angel who can’t go through losing you again, you bastard.”
Zach could have laughed at the stunned look on Nathanial Monroe’s face. The god of rope and control looked shaken to his core. It didn’t surprise Zach at all when he recovered quickly.
“You are probably minutes away from Angel calling the police. It would not be wise for them to stop me from leaving with three bodies in the car.”
Zach stepped back and then watched Monroe get in the vehicle and drive off. He turned toward the front door and noticed Stephens standing there. “Did you know?”
“No, sir, I was as stunned as you.”
“I might kill him for this.”
“I’ll get in line behind you in case you do not succeed.”
Zach smiled and limped up the front steps. “My knee is going to fucking hurt.”
“Go to the kitchen, sir, and I’ll bring the women to you so Marguerite can tend your leg.”
“I’m too tired to argue.”
Chapter Fifteen
Monroe
Hearing Zachary use his first name floored him, but then… the kiss. If the man had fired a bullet into his chest, he couldn’t be more surprised.
Monroe shook his head trying to clear the memory of Zachary’s warm lips. He had to concentrate to stay alive and keep the people he loved safe. To do that, he needed to kill Uday.
Monroe drove for an hour, obeying the speed limit and doing nothing to attract attention to the vehicle. He pulled into a warehouse district in downtown Houston and sent a text. Twenty-seconds later his phone vibrated and the large door in front of him rolled up.
The men inside took care of the bodies and the vehicle. Monroe changed clothes, and then left in another car, driving to a private airfield. He jumped aboard a small aircraft and leaned back as the pilot immediately took off.
Past exhaustion, he needed sleep. Closing his eyes, he let the plane’s engine lull his mind, but sleep didn’t come quickly, because thoughts of Zachary’s lips clouded his senses.
***
Angel
The safe room was comfortable, but the waiting was unbearable. Marguerite rung her hands for the first ten minutes, speaking rapid-fire Spanish. The litany did little to calm Angel’s nerves. She dressed herself in the clothes that were neatly packed in waiting plastic tubs. As more time passed, the women’s eyes returned to the clock and stayed glued longer.
Thirty minutes was a lifetime.
Angel knew she wouldn’t survive Zachary’s loss too. She finally understood her former roommate, Ifrah’s, desolation when Ifrah took her own life. If Sir died, Angel wouldn’t continue living.
Both women jumped when Stephens’ muffled voice sounded outside the door. Angel hurriedly scrambled to release the inside lock. She threw her arms around Stephens and laughed as he gave her an awkward pat on the back. She couldn’t lose him either. Releasing her death grip, she grasped Marguerite’s hand and pulled her along behind Stephens.
“Is Sir okay?”
“His knee is injured, but I do not believe it bad. He is waiting for you both in the kitchen.”
They turned the corner and saw Sir sitting at the table with his leg resting on a chair. A large icepack covered his knee. Angel dropped to the floor, leaning her head against his thigh. Sir’s warm hand smoothed over her hair.
Marguerite stepped closer, lifted the ice pack, and clicked her tongue. Angel didn’t care—a knee they could deal with.
Her voice trembled. “What happened?”
Sir’s hand never stopped moving. “A man broke in, but he’s been taken care of. We’re safe.”
“Does this have to do with Master?”
This time his hand paused. She looked up.
“I promise you we’re safe. Come up here.” He helped her to his lap and arranged her so she rested against his chest.
“I will fix food.” Marguerite’s answer to every crisis was always so simple and always perfect.
They ate at the kitchen table with an added chair so Zach could keep his leg up.
“Stephens and I will help you to the bedroom and then I’ll massage the tight muscles,” Angel said while taking her final bite of omelet.
“I can make it to the room unassisted,” was Zach’s grumpy reply.
Angel gave him a stern look. “I don’t think you should argue with me, husband, or I’ll start asking questions you don’t want to answer.”
Zach closed his mouth.
A low snicker came from Marguerite as she carried a few of their dishes to the sink. “El hombre casado tiene su partido.”
Angel laughed.
Zach gave Angel a tired smile. “Just because I couldn’t understand all of that, don’t think I didn’t get the meaning.”
“Marguerite, please make another ice pack for my husband’s leg while we get him upstairs.”
“Si, Señora Kebb.”
Angel smiled, acknowledging her married status for the first time, and then being called by his last name felt good. Sir’s tired eyes showed strain from his injury, but also pleasure. They managed to get him up the stairs with only a slight groan when he tried to put weight on his knee.
“Do you need to see a doctor?” she asked in her new no-nonsense voice.
“No, I just need rest. Stephens, will you sleep in the house tonight?”
“Yes, sir, I think it best.”
Angel gritted her teeth against asking further questions. If they were in any serious danger, Sir would tell her and he wouldn’t be going to bed. She let her undeniable trust settle back in her heart, giving the unseen power back to him.
After a massage, ice, and two ibuprofen, Sir fell asleep, with his arms wrapped securely around her.
***
&nbs
p; Monroe
The plane touched down two hours later. The secluded landing strip was located in Mexico. Monroe ignored the hot and humid weather. Edward Labough waited.
“Did you see them?”
Monroe did not need to ask who. Edward had not known Monroe survived Uday the first time and had also mourned for his friend.
“Just Zachary. Three dead. Do you have the latest location on Uday?”
“Yes, Nathanial. He’s controlling his people from here. There’s a bounty on the heads of your family members, but we now have people in place to keep them safe.”
“This ends immediately. I am not gathering information or playing the spy game any longer. Uday is dead; he just does not know it.” Monroe was finished playing.
“I understand. The compound he’s staying in is heavily guarded and he may only be there a short while longer.”
“All the better. I will take them out with their boss. If his death does not do the trick, I will systemically kill his family.”
Monroe walked to the jeep and jumped in. His government taught him to eliminate the threat and he planned to use every skill he had mastered.
He had never killed innocents, but would do whatever it took to keep Angel and Zachary safe. The three of them had unfinished business and Monroe planned to see it through.
Chapter Sixteen
Zachary
He woke with a slight throb in his leg but after straightening it out he was relieved it wasn’t in worse shape. Angel rested in his arms, still asleep, her breathing soft. His fears for Monroe threatened to overwhelm him, so he took long, steady breaths to control his thoughts.
Monroe could not die again. Zach was not that strong.
His mind flashed on every conceivable problem and then zeroed in on the “what ifs.” When Monroe returned, Zach needed to have his priorities straight. It was one thing to wish he’d gone about their relationship differently. And quite another to embrace a lifestyle he had never accepted for himself.
The thought of total submission brought along another set of uncertainties. As one of Monroe’s Shibari models, he’d fought the overwhelming urge for years. Yet, he craved the ultimate release he’d seen so many others give over to Monroe. What’s more, he knew Monroe felt Zach’s desire to set himself free. He never pushed, but Zach saw the disappointment in his eyes when Zach couldn’t take that final step. It was one of the few times he saw emotion overshadow Monroe’s iron control.
Angel stirred and her hand traveled up his chest until her fingers rested against his jaw.
“I dreamed of him last night.”
Her low, throaty voice caused his cock to jump, but he didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t lie to her, so he rolled bringing her fully above him and took her lips, kissing her breathless. When she was ready, he slid deeply into the warmth between her thighs. Soft sighs came from her throat and he increased the tempo.
The groan of his release dominated her mews of pleasure. Keeping their bodies joined, he picked a few strands of hair from her cheek. “We’re running this morning, eating breakfast, and then you, my spoiled lady, are practicing piano.” He would limp if that was all he could handle.
The instant displeasure from his words showed on her face and he smiled into her unhappy gaze. His hips rocked upward and her eyes grew dreamy once more. He kept a slow pace until she tried to hasten his movements. Her hands increased the pressure on his shoulders and her fingernails dug in.
“You mark me wife.” Zach smiled.
Her pupils dilated and her blue eyes became almost completely overrun by her dark irises. His fingers traveled between their bodies and he twisted her nipple, causing her to writhe above him. He gave the other hard tip the same treatment before finding her slick clit and putting pressure directly to the small, stiff nub between her folds. Her pelvis pressed down, but he released her clit and grabbed her hips almost stopping her movement. He kept the pace slow and steady until finally… she begged.
“Please, Master, please.”
She’d never called him by Monroe’s title and just the word released another torrent of cum into the heat of her womb. He grabbed the backs of her legs, pulling her more to her knees and drove into her one last punishing time. She screamed her release against his shoulder and her teeth sank into his flesh.
The sounds of their heavy breathing filled the room until he finally swatted her ass.
“Up, now. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“I feel a headache coming on.”
He laughed, a sense of intense satisfaction filling his chest. Angel would love him no matter what. Finding a happy medium with Monroe would only strengthen their bond.
You had better return to us, you fucker.
He dressed, hid his limp, and then left the room, whistling all the way to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, a piece of fruit, and some ibuprofen for the swelling in his knee. Two weeks was a lifetime, but he’d wait months if that’s what it took to have his friend back.
***
Angel
Something was different. She didn’t just sense it in Zachary—she sensed it in Stephens, too. She thought Marguerite oblivious until the woman told her something was up.
They watched the men closely and conferred regularly, but had no outward indication that anything was wrong, just… a feeling that things were different.
Each morning she jogged with Sir. The first few days he ran at a slower pace because of his injury. He didn’t fool her, and she made him ice his knee after their run while she played piano. She began calling him by his given name when he irritated her and he would give in immediately. Their marriage gave her added confidence and it showed in her newfound demands that Sir take care of himself.
The weekend after the break in, Sir arranged for Willow and her newborn son, Elliot to visit. Brandon couldn’t make it because of an important meeting. Angel showed off their home and the amazing grounds around the house.
Willow asked once about the rumors that Monroe was missing, but she stopped her questioning when Angel’s eyes welled with tears.
“I’m so sorry. You know you can call me if you need to talk. We’re friends and I don’t have many.”
Angel gave her a tremulous smile. “Thank you. May I hold Elliot again?”
“Yes, of course, but you’re spoiling him rotten.”
“I don’t believe you can spoil such a young child.”
Willow’s laugh sounded throughout the room, startling the baby, who began crying.
“We’ll discuss this after your first baby.”
Angel blushed while picking up Elliot and rocking him in her arms until he settled. She loved everything about him—his smell, his round chubby cheeks, and even his insistent wail when he became hungry.
Willow left an hour later, and Angel went in search of Zachary. She found him working on his antique Mustang; he was covered in grease and looked pleased with himself. He pulled her in for a long kiss.
“I could hear the little monster crying clear out here.”
Angel gave him a gentle shove, which caused not an inch in movement. “He’s not a monster, though he did have a good set of lungs.”
“Did you have a fun day?” He wiped his fingers on a rag and began placing his tools back in their proper slots.
“The best,” she said with a grin.
“Hmm, we’ll need to improve on that. I was thinking an evening in the playroom was in order.”
She gave him her most sensual smile. “Yes, Sir.”
Chapter Seventeen
Monroe
The dense jungle obliterated any signs of his trail as Monroe made his way to Uday’s location. All his senses remained on hyper alert and he refused to let thoughts about what would happen after his mission encroach. He would not repeat the mistake he made in the Middle East that almost cost him his life.
He had spent two days watching the compound to determine the best way to proceed. He put his plan into action late on the second night. The death of
the two guards was short and silent—the knives in his hands were an extension of his mind and body. Wiping the dripping blood on his pant leg, he continued to the house.
He had briefly seen Uday the day before, so he knew the man was somewhere inside. The home sprawled in a large square with only a few windows, though they were too small for him to fit through. He knew from other similar homes used in Mexico and the Middle East that a courtyard would grace the center of the building. Monroe had no idea where Uday was, but had no doubt he would find him.
He pulled himself up to the roof and quietly made his way across the flat surface. He slowly approached another guard who was smoking a cigarette. The man turned at the last second and let out a startled cry before Monroe’s knife took care of the problem. He quickly pulled off the man’s shirt and put it on himself. After picking up the fallen rifle and cigarette, he took over the dead guards vacated position. By Monroe’s calculation, less than two minutes had passed. He was lucky the roof had a short wall that concealed the body. He saw a light turn on across the inner courtyard, then the light shut off and a door opened. Monroe turned slightly, his eyes sweeping the outer perimeter, and took a hit from the cigarette. He heard the door close and expelled the noxious puff of smoke; he stayed in his position for another ten minutes. He had two hours before the guards changed and it was plenty of time to finish his mission.
When he finally gained entry to the building, he felt the cool air from the air conditioner. The rumbling sound from the units made the roof part of his job much easier. He heard low voices from a room several doors away and stayed still until he ascertained two men were playing cards. The hallway was lit with muted light, and he knew he needed to be quick.
Monroe didn’t think twice about taking the men out. It was less dangerous on the back end of his mission if things went sour. He palmed two knives and entered the room low; immediately he moved out of the door’s frame and made his throws. One hit the target perfectly, sinking deep into the heart, but the other buried in the second man’s throat. Yes, it would eventually kill him, but he still had time to lift his gun. Monroe’s third knife landed in the man’s eye and stopped him from pulling the trigger. The thuds of the bodies hitting the floor was more noise than Monroe wanted, so he moved quickly and went in search of his prey.
Caught By Two Doms (Club El Diablo (Angel's Doms Book 2)) Page 7
