The Young and the Submissive (The Doms of Her Life, Book 2)

by Shayla Black

  She didn’t have the energy to fight him when he grabbed her soda and pastry only to toss them in the trash can. She picked up her purse and bottle with a sigh.

  As Beck led her out of the cafeteria, he settled a guiding hand at the small of her back and herded her to a parking garage. He hit a button on the key fob and a bright red Mercedes convertible beeped. Flashy wheels. It figured.

  Beck opened her door. “Get in.”

  Raine slid into the soft seat in silence and watched Beck back out. “I’m sorry for causing you trouble. I shouldn’t have come and bothered you here.”

  “Yeah, you should have. You know they’re probably worried out of their minds.”

  Maybe, and the possibility made her feel a bit guilty. “That’s why I wanted you to tell them I’m all right, just in case.”

  “Well, I’m not a liar, princess. So let’s fill your belly and get you settled. Then I’ll figure out what to say to those two clowns.”

  As they rounded the back of the hospital and approached the circular drive at the front, a familiar black Audi screeched into the passenger pick-up zone. Hammer and Liam jumped out, running full throttle into the building. Raine’s heart caught in her throat. Guilt gnawed at her composure.

  “I’ll be damned. They stopped fighting long enough to look for you together,” Beck observed, sounding oddly happy. “Want to talk to them?”

  Yes. Desperately. But what good would it do? “No.”

  “Wait, did one of them hurt you?” he scowled, his expression like a thunder cloud.

  Beck meant Liam, since he knew Hammer too well to believe that Macen would ever intentionally smack her except in play. But Liam could be so heartbreakingly gentle. Neither would ever bodily harm her.

  Just break her heart.

  “No.” She tried not to cry again.

  Why wouldn’t this fucking useless sorrow go away?

  “God, that face is killing me, princess.” He pulled away from the hospital. “Is that all you have, a purse and a bottle?”

  “No. I have a suitcase, too.” She told him about the motel.

  He pressed tight lips together and drove down toward the place. As soon as he pulled up front, Beck held out his hand. “Claim ticket?”

  Raine hesitated. “You’re not dragging me back to Shadows?”

  “Nope. But you’re not staying here. I’ve got someplace better and safer. And no, I won’t tell Liam or Hammer until you want me to.”

  She gnawed on her lip. Beck might have messed with her mind here and there, but he’d never lied to her. She dug into her purse and handed the little scrap of paper over. He hopped out, then emerged two minutes later with her bag in hand.

  After tossing it in his trunk, he eased back into the driver’s seat. “You know if they ever catch up to you, they’re going to spank you bright red. I’ll watch. And volunteer to help.”

  Despite the grim situation, she managed a laugh. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “Hey, you have a nice ass.” He winked.

  “The answer is still no.” The last thing she wanted was another romantic entanglement, even if Beck was on the sexy side. She also didn’t need more hurt. Physical pain might help her process the emotional agony eventually, but she didn’t need it yet. And even if he’d do it, she hated to ask Beck for more.

  He nodded. “Just trying to lighten the mood.”

  A few minutes later, he pulled up in front of a new, industrial-looking building of high-rent condos. He flashed a key card at the parking garage. After the gate went up, they slid inside. Beck parked in a reserved spot, grabbed her things, and helped her into an elevator.

  “You don’t have to do all this,” she protested.

  “If I don’t want Hammer to kill me, I do. I don’t want to worry about you, either.”

  On the top floor, he emerged and led her inside a corner unit. It was compact and sleek and had killer views that went all the way to the Pacific.

  “The bedroom is through that door. Bath attached.” He set her suitcase down. “You’ve already seen everything else.”

  “I don’t want to take up your space. If you live here—”

  “No. I crash here sometimes, especially after surgeries that run late. I’ve got a house about ten miles from here, closer to Shadows. You’ll have the run of the place this weekend. The housekeeper just came, so it’s clean and stocked with food. Sit.” He pointed to the little kitchen table.

  Raine sat as he bid, watching him move around the kitchen. “I’m a lousy cook, but I figure as many times as you’ve fed me over the years, I can return the favor this once.”

  “I’m not really hungry.”

  “I don’t care. If you’re going to get busy with Jose Cuervo, you need something in your stomach to toss up later.”

  With a wry smile, she waited until he set some eggs, toast, and a bowl of fresh fruit in front of her. “Thanks.”

  “Dig in. And start at the beginning.”

  Raine did, confessing everything between Thanksgiving and this morning. When she finished, her food was gone, tears streaked down her face, and her nose was running.

  With a curse, Beck grabbed her a tissue from the bathroom, then stomped back. “What did you expect Liam to do, princess?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “We’re not exactly friends, but I can guarantee that he didn’t give up on you. He wants you to think, make some decisions.”

  “That’s what he said.”

  “Then where do you get off with this bullshit that he’s dumped you for good?”

  “It’s just…where my head always goes.” Her mom had left. Then her brother and sister. Her father had never made any bones about his contempt for her, especially at the end. “They’re the first people to really want me in their lives. I guess…I have trouble accepting it.”

  “Or trusting it. You’re holding your breath, waiting for something bad to happen. When it doesn’t, you create it, even if you don’t mean to. It’s all you know. And it’s up to you to figure out why and how to change. All they want is your soul, princess.”

  Yes, and that scared the hell out of her. “What happens if I give it to them and neither wants it anymore?”

  Beck leaned forward, bracing his elbows on the dark table. “You won’t break. You’re too strong, Raine. The more important question is, how much happiness are you throwing away because you’re too afraid to give either of them a real chance?”

  Maybe a lifetime of it.

  She looked at Beck with bleak eyes. He patted her hand, then took her plate away. As he set it in the sink, the phone attached to his belt trilled. He yanked it from the clip. “And there are your knights in shining armor now. What do you want to do?”

  Raine pulled the bottle from the brown paper bag. “Think. Got a shot glass?”

  Beck pulled one from the cabinet and set it in front of her as he brought the phone to his ear. “I’ll be back.”

  Chapter 9

  “What do you mean, Dr. Beckman has left for the day?” Hammer demanded of the office manager. “Explain.”

  Liam glanced at his Calibre de Cartier. It wasn’t even noon. “You mean he’s not merely breaking for lunch?”

  The petite woman stood behind the counter of the empty waiting room, looking at the pair of them as if she’d lost her patience. She shoved her glasses back up the bridge of her nose and straightened her shoulders. “No, he canceled the rest of his appointments about an hour ago and told me to close the office for the day. If you had an appointment, you’ll receive a call to reschedule. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

  The woman glanced pointedly at the door, jangling the keys in her hand. She made it more than clear that she wanted them gone, probably to enjoy her unexpectedly free Friday afternoon. Liam glanced at Hammer. His old friend knew Beck far better, but playing hooky at the last minute didn’t sound anything like the doctor. Beck could be a dodgy prick, but he wasn’t irresponsible.

  Liam could see that Hammer was a bit
suspicious as well.

  “You’re Vicki, right?” Macen asked.

  She looked surprised that he knew her name. “Yes.”

  “I’m a friend of Dr. Beckman, and he’s spoken highly of your efficiency in the past,” Hammer explained. “We need your help. We’ve got an emergency.”

  “If it’s medical, you’re better off in the ER.” She scrutinized them quickly and frowned in confusion. “Adjoining building, first floor, at the back. I can call and have someone take you on a stretcher or in a wheelchair, if you need.”

  “No,” Liam corrected. “Crisis might be a better word. We have a missing person and think that Beck may have seen her recently. Do you know if he received any unexpected visitors?”

  The forty-something office manager set her keys down and looked as if she was weighing how much to say.

  “The woman is petite, a few inches shorter than you. Dark hair, blue eyes. She would have looked distraught,” Liam volunteered.

  Vicki hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “She was here.”

  Oh, thank Christ! Relief flooded through him, knowing she was safe—or had been an hour ago. Beside him, Hammer looked equally relieved. Liam couldn’t fathom for the life of him why she was with Beck, but he hoped like hell the sadist would have calmed her. Unless…

  “Was she injured?” he demanded.

  “No,” Vicki assured, her starch softening.

  “And? What happened then?” Hammer demanded.

  The woman shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  Liam frowned. “How long was she here? Did she speak to Beck?”

  “Yes. Less than five minutes,” Vicki said. “Dr. Beckman finished an appointment, then came out here to speak with her. I couldn’t hear the discussion, but the doctor seemed somewhat agitated. He canceled all his appointments. The woman you’re looking for left. The doctor took another call, then gathered his things and departed. He didn’t say where he was going.”

  “He must have her,” Hammer said under his breath.

  Liam agreed. He was grateful…but bloody confused. Her reasons for seeking out Beck now didn’t matter. He just had to lay eyes on her.

  “Thank you, Vicki. You’ve been very helpful, and we’ll not delay you any longer,” Liam said.

  Turning together, he and Hammer exited the office with its faux-friendly décor. They headed back down the corridor and bypassed the elevator to sprint down the stairs. Hammer was already reaching for his phone, scrolling through his list of friends.

  “Why would Raine go to Beck?” Liam questioned. “A month ago, he scared the piss out of her. He bruised her with that fucking rubber paddle. Why would she run to that bastard instead of talking to me? I know she’s got a terrible habit of not saying how she feels. But hell, if not to me, why didn’t she go to you, then?”

  “I could guess…” Hammer sighed and pressed the button to connect the call to Beck. “She must know I’d help her, but she’s distressed and thinking with her emotions.”

  “I suppose she believes she’s only ‘making things worse’ or whatever else runs through her head. Both of us have set her aside in one way or another. But how could she think we don’t care?”

  Hammer sighed. “She’s probably embarrassed about being released or she thinks I would chide her for her behavior. I don’t know. Goddamn it, answer,” he growled into the phone as they tore out of the building.

  In the anemic sunlight, they made their way to Hammer’s car and peeled away. Liam didn’t know where they were going. He didn’t think Hammer did either, but Raine wasn’t at the hospital. The cafeteria where she’d given her credit card was closed for now. When they’d checked, only an employee inhabited the gift shop. Raine hadn’t been injured, so why would she stay here? More to the point, Beck had gone as well.

  The car’s Bluetooth system kicked in, and the ringing phone carried over the sound system. Anxiety charged his veins. If voice mail picked up instead of Beck, Liam wondered if he’d bloody lose it.

  “Where are you going?” he asked Hammer. “Where would Beck take her? His house? Another office?”

  “I don’t know. Anywhere but here.”

  Liam heard a click and tensed.

  “Well, it’s about time you called, Hammer. I’ve been waiting,” Beck baited on the other end of the phone.

  “Where the hell is she, you fucking bastard? Where did you take her?” Liam wanted to charge through the phone and strangle Beck.

  Hammer cut him a glare as the doctor laughed.

  It took everything Liam had not to pick up Hammer’s phone and smash it on the dash. If he didn’t need answers so badly, he might. He opened his mouth to say something, not caring much if he insulted the wanker.

  Hammer slapped an arm across his chest. “Shut the fuck up and let me talk.”

  There was little love lost between he and Beck, and Hammer stood a better chance of getting answers. Breathing hard, Liam swallowed down his impatience. “Get some answers.”

  “Where is she, Beck?” Hammer demanded. “Where did you take her after you left the hospital? And don’t give me the bullshit that you don’t know.”

  Beck laughed again. “It’s hard to tell which of you has their dick in more of a twist.”

  Liam stared out the window and tried to block out Beck’s mocking tone. His only consolation was that he felt anger pouring off Hammer, too.

  “I’m glad we’re so amusing,” Hammer grated out. “We’re not feeling very jovial at the moment since we’re worried out of our fucking minds because Raine is missing. So maybe you could pull your head out of your ass and help us?”

  With another chuckle that made Liam want to punch the arse, he sank deeper into the luxurious leather seat. He could only hope that he’d have Beck by the balls someday and could repay the favor.

  “Oh, put your panties back on. Raine is in one piece and perfectly safe. I made sure of it.”

  “Where?” Hammer growled.

  Liam wanted to add his two cents, and it only infuriated him more that every time he talked to Beck, the doctor took delight in poking at him. He’d love to tell Beck exactly where he could go, but that wouldn’t help them find Raine. He had to swallow it back—again. He was beginning to feel like his balls were stuck in a bloody vise.

  “If she wanted you to know, she would have told you herself, wouldn’t she?” Beck heaved a sigh. “She’s thinking with the help of Jose Cuervo, and I expect I’ll have to check on her in a bit to help her hang her head over the toilet. But otherwise, she just needs space.”

  “You’re letting her drink tequila in the middle of the day?” Hammer demanded.

  “You think she’s still a minor, scout?” Beck sounded somewhere between amused and exasperated.

  “She can’t hold her liquor, you stupid motherfucker.” Hammer looked like he might grind his teeth into dust. “And you know it.”

  “Look on the bright side. She’s usually a happy drunk, so tequila might improve her mood.”

  The mock chipper attitude crawled up Liam’s back. That vise around his balls tightened.

  “Hey,” Beck added like he had a grand idea. “Is she a horny drunk, too?”

  “Don’t you touch her, you fucking wankstain!” Liam railed. “If you lay a single finger on her, I swear to god I’ll kill you in the bloodiest way possible and I’ll enjoy every moment of it.”

  Hammer clutched the wheel. “I’ll be all too happy to help him if you don’t stop yanking our chains.”

  Beck scoffed. “She’s not going to jump off a bridge, guys. Geez, melodrama much? I’m not going to touch the princess. But you two have got to get a grip and back the fuck off. You can’t tell her to go away one minute, then expect to keep her under your thumbs the next.”

  “I just want to bloody talk to her,” Liam insisted. “She ran away from home.”

  “Left her keys to the club in her bedroom,” Hammer confirmed. “Did she tell you that part?”

  “Not in so many words. Raine is trying to decid
e what to do next. Neither of you can rush her decision.”

  “Why can’t she think at Shadows?” Liam demanded.

  “Really?” Beck asked incredulously. “If this stunning display of calm and logic is any indication, I have no trouble understanding why she left. Look, she’s someplace safe, and I won’t betray her confidence. I gave her my word and I keep my promises. When she’s ready, she’ll tell me, and I’ll let you know. If it makes you feel any better, she’s staying somewhere secure. She can’t leave without me knowing. And no, I’m not trying to crawl in bed with her. So back down on the jealousy, lover boy.”

  Liam didn’t have to guess who Beck was talking to. It infuriated him even more. On the other hand, he realized that the doctor had become a brick wall. There’d be no going under, around, or over him for more information. The click of the call ending confirmed that, like it or not, they’d have to wait until Raine decided whether or not to come back to Shadows.

  #

  Hammer glanced up as Liam stormed into the kitchen the following morning. He looked as lousy as Hammer felt.

  “Did you hear from Beck again?”

  Liam’s question immediately told him that his old friend hadn’t heard from Raine, either. “Just a quick text about midnight to say she’d finally fallen asleep. He emptied the rest of her bottle down the sink and made sure she ate before tucking her in.”

  “Nothing about what’s going through her head?”

  Exactly what Hammer had wanted to know. “Not a word.”

  They both looked at the empty coffee maker. He’d mocked Liam’s attempt at making the brew yesterday, but Hammer couldn’t do much better. They already missed Raine, but this, just like prowling the dungeon sleeplessly at three a.m., shoved her gut-wrenching departure in his face again. And now that Raine had been gone over twenty-four hours, Liam looked like he was ready to crawl out of his skin. Hammer totally understood.

  “Why won’t that wanker tell us what she’s thinking? She’s talking to him, right? What’s she saying to him that’s so bloody secret?”