Gabriel's Light (Doms of Chicago)

by Trace, Dakota

  She shook her head. “Not American cars. I drove back in Greece but it was around the resort and small town nearby. It’s definitely not the same as driving here. Frankly, your traffic scares me.”

  He nodded. “Of course not. Chicago traffic is a killer and with your limited experience I’m pretty sure Sebastene or Karas might not be surprised if you have an escort or take a cab. Our plan is to have Ethan drive the cab, which will be taking you to your pediatrician’s office with Sophie.”

  “What about you?” She tried to keep her need out of her voice, but obviously failed miserably because he patted her knee before moving back. “I’ll be following with Jude and Jackson. We have to make it appear like you’re unprotected and only have the cab driver as protection.”

  She chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip. “Why can’t Hark do it?”

  “Well for one, he doesn’t have a taxi license, while Ethan does. He got it when he first came up to Chicago as part of a case. Besides more than likely Karas knows what Hark looks like. There’s word on the street that Karas is gunning for him because of the harsh beating he gave Karas’s men.”

  “They deserved it.” She shifted, outraged that some man was gunning for Hark for trying to protect his home. “They burned his house down. Did they honestly think they could do that to him without paying the consequences?”

  “It doesn’t matter, Zhenya. Karas is an unforgiving bastard. Jude has heard rumors of the man doing physical harm to his clients for giving him false information, or refusing to pay.” He pressed her palm to his mouth. “Which is why, I don’t think hiding you is going to do anything but cause a delay up against a man like him. I’d go for the head on approach if I were you, but ultimately it’s your choice.”

  She chewed on her lower lip. It really wasn’t much of choice. She could continue to run with this criminal chasing her until he finally caught her, or by some fluke Jude or Gabriel caught him, or she could use herself and Sophie as bait to draw him out. “So if I decide to do this. What happens next?”

  “Nothing out of the ordinary.” A soft smile crossed his full lips. “You’ll sleep in my arms tonight, we’ll get up at three to feed Sophie, cuddle a bit, sleep…:

  She flushed. “I wasn’t asking about our sleeping arrangements tonight - and you damn well know it, Poulanos.”

  He sighed, but seemed to relent. “Jude called in a favor at one of the local cab companies, and Ethan is going to get the call to take you to Dr. Schneider’s office. So he’ll pick you up outside the building in full view of everyone. I’ll walk you down and make sure you’re both safely in the cab. Once you and Sophie are gone, I’ll pretend to go back into the building, where Jude and Hark will be waiting for me. We will follow in Hark’s van at a safe distance.” He sighed. “It’s important for whoever is watching to think that you’re alone and unprotected, other than by some nameless cabbie driver who has no vested interest in you. We have to give him the opportunity to try and snatch you. Now it may not be Karas who does the actual snatching, but we’re hoping so. If we can get ahold of him, there might be a way to prove to the district attorney that Sebastene is very bad news and should be watched like a hawk - if not deported.”

  “Alright,” she slowly nodded her head. “I’ll do it. I want this to be over. I want my old life back at Caelan’s, and if it means I need to put myself outside like an unattended picnic basket to tempt Yogi Bear, then that’s what I’ll do.” She looked down at Sophie who was sucking on her fist, her little eyes closed. She stood and tucked her into the Pack & Play, before turning back to face Gabriel who had joined her at by the mobile crib. “Just make sure nothing happens to my baby, okay? She’s your namesake, Gabriel, and I’m leaving her in your capable hands if something happens to me.”

  “Nothing is going to happen to you, louloúdi mou. Whether you’re mad at me or not, I take care of my submissives. I’ve already failed once with Sara, I won’t make the same mistake with you.” He kept his eyes on her. “Just as I was attempting to do earlier. I over-reacted when I saw you fling yourself at Hark, and I’m not too big of a man to admit that. He had a loaded gun on him, and I was unaware you and he had overcome this hurdle shortly after you moved in with him….”

  While her heart leapt at hearing his apology, she wanted to make sure he realized that no matter his reasoning, she wasn’t going to let him treat her like she was worthless. She’d come too far to offer that kind of submission anymore. “I can understand your concern, but you could’ve handled the situation better. You were already tense from having Hark inside your home, you took the easiest avenue of release and snapped at me because you honestly didn’t think I would snap back.” Her lips twisted into a parody of a smile. “I’m not the same submissive I was before I had Sophie. Coming to America has taught me a lot of things - and the first being that the right man will realize my submission isn’t weakness, nor am I the poor little woman who needs to be protected at every turn. Regardless of what it seems like at the moment.”

  He opened his mouth to protest, but she shushed him by placing her fingers over his lips. “But I’m also smart enough to know when I need help, and at this moment I do need it. But there will come a time when things go back to normal, and I will once more want a say on what happens in my life, not just blindly follow my Master’s lead.” When she finished her piece, it felt as if a large weight had been lifted off her chest.

  “Are you done?” The silky tone should’ve warned her, but she was still floating on a cloud of self-righteousness.

  “I’ve said my piece, Gabriel…”

  “Good.” He didn’t wait for her finish, before he pulled her into his arms, his mouth slanting across hers, his tongue forging deep inside to taste every bit of her. Her gasp of surprise was muffled by his lips, even as her arms climbed up and over his shoulders to find something to cling to, while he kissed her senseless. It was the last thing she’d been expecting. His hand buried itself in her hair as he continued to pillage the soft recesses of her mouth. She was gasping and little shocks of pleasure were sparking off her individual nerve endings when he finally lifted his head, allowing her to breathe once more.

  “What was that for…?” She whispered before slumping forward onto his chest, as he lightly slapped one hand against the swell of her hip. The slight sting did nothing to deter her, instead it sent another wave of sparks along her extremities.

  He smirked, rubbing the sting away. “Because I can?” He leaned in until his nose almost brushed hers. “Or perhaps because I know feeling the burn of my palm will only heighten your sensations later, when I take my naughty little sub back into my playroom.”

  Her breath caught at the memories his words invoked. “And what makes you think I’m willing to follow you back in there - after everything that happened earlier?”

  “Because you want to receive what I have to offer nearly as much as I need to give it to you.” He nuzzled her ear. “And I have a big bowl of steamy hot water and an old fashioned barber’s mug and sable brush with your name on it.”

  She nearly panted at the idea but held on to her self-control by inches. “And what exactly do you think I’m going to let you do?”

  Keeping eye contact, he cupped her between the legs, his palm pressing against the neediest part of her. “I want to shave this pretty little pussy and then lick every fold until you’re gleaming from my kisses.” He squeezed her gently. “But more than anything, I want to love on you ‘til you’re no longer worried about tomorrow has in store, and can only concentrate on the pleasure I can offer you.” He leaned in enough to lick her ear. “So what do you say, louloúdi mou. Care to take a journey back into my playroom?”

  She whimpered with each squeeze of his hand. She wanted what he offered, but there was a small part of her that wanted more than just what he was offering. She wanted to feel him in her mouth, feel his pleasure against her tongue. But all thoughts of it were driven out of her head, as his fingers slipped under the lace edging of her panties to rub o
ver her wet sex. His fingers found her clit with unerring accuracy. “Come for me, Zhenya. Take your pleasure.” Like a tent in a torrential downpour she collapsed into his arms, letting him take her weight as the orgasm washed over her, uncaring that he swept her up into his arms and headed down the hallway towards his playroom.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Gabriel pushed through the open glass door at the front of his building, every particle of him protesting the idea of allowing this to happen. But he was a man of his word, and he told her it was ultimately her decision. But she has another thing coming if she thinks I’m going to allow her to move back into Caelan’s after this is over. It had taken all his considerable control to not bend her over and warm her bottom when she talked about leaving him. True he hadn’t collared her yet, but he knew himself and that was where this was leading: to the luscious brunette next to him sporting his collar around her slender neck. Even as he flagged down the cab with one hand, his cock still throbbed at the memory of her the night before, stretched across his bondage table, her beautiful eyes covered with the dark scarf he’d use for a blindfold. Every limb had been displayed just so when he’d finished his handiwork. Her pretty little pussy, bare now and glistening from the massage oil he’d rubbed over it after he’d finished shaving her, had been a sight he’d never forget. Nor the way she writhed on the bed at the first touch of ice against her flesh.

  “Gabriel?” The sound of her voice next to him, drew him out of his lusty thoughts.

  He turned to look down at her. Dressed warmly for the weather, she looked cute as a button in her long black wool coat, faded blue jeans and red scarf and mittens. Her hair, which had been a mess by the time he’d finished with her delectable body the night before, was now smooth and shiny where it laid on her shoulders. And there was his other precious girl, snug in her car carrier, the handle nestled in the crook of her mother’s arm. Under the fitted cover, he could hear her cooing. Protective instincts tugged on him hard as he wrapped an arm around her waist and drew both of them close. “You be safe you hear me, louloúdi mou? Listen to Ethan, he’ll keep you safe for me. If I find out you risked yourself needlessly, my last punishment will seem like child’s play.”

  As the cab pulled up, he pressed his lips to hers, smothering her surprised gasp. Tangling his fingers in her hair, he kissed her as if his very life depended upon it. He probably would’ve continued to ravish her mouth on the street, if Ethan who was already in character, hadn’t rolled down the window and threatened to take his cab elsewhere. Ripping his mouth free, he swallowed roughly before cupping her cheek to smooth his thumb over it. Looking down into her eyes, he gave her a slow smile. “Damned if I don’t want to haul your sexy ass back upstairs to my playroom.”

  “Come on dude! The meters running! I don’t have time to sit here idling while you play kissy-face with some broad. Either you want the cab or you don’t.” Ethan hollered from the cab, his fake middle-eastern accent grating on Gabriel’s nerves. The damn Indian was getting into his role to the point Gabriel wanted to put his fist into the smug bastard’s face.

  “Keep your pants on.” Gabriel pressed one last kiss to her temple before escorting her to the cab. Taking Sophie from Zhenya, he waited until she slid into the back seat before sliding the car seat in after her. It only took a few deft moves of her hands to have Sophie secured safely. Pretending to lean in to give the cabbie directions, he glared at Ethan.

  “Laying it on a bit thick aren’t you?” He asked Jude’s top operative and former Ranger teams buddy. The fool had the audacity to laugh at him.

  “I’ll tell Dickens you said that, when I give him my report.” Ethan retorted, his eyes dark with merriment, under the white turban he was wearing on his head. With his dark skin and eyes, from a distance they were hoping Karas would just assume Ethan was just another Indian who chose to drive a cab. He blended in perfectly.

  “Whatever. Just make sure you get my girls there safe and back.” He turned to Zhenya. “When you get Dr. Schnieder’s office go about business as usual. Jude has two operatives in the office, who will be posing as a couple, for your protection. You’ll know both of them, but don’t approach them. To the casual observer you need to be just going to your daughter’s doctor appointment.”

  She nodded and gave him a trembling smile. “I’ll be fine.” Then a worried look crossed her face. “Promise me you’ll take care of yourself. I’d feel horrible if you got hurt because of me. Besides you need to stay upright and breathing, so I can give you a piece of my mind when I get back, for not telling me Hark was right across the hall, and has been ever since the day after I came to stay with you.”

  At her feisty show of concern, he wanted to kiss her again but settled for cupping her cheek instead. “You’re mine, remember? Just as much as I’m yours. I’ll try to come out of this in one piece.” Then he backed out and shut the door of the cab, before tapping the roof to let Ethan know he was free to go. He watched ‘til the cab disappeared around the corner before heading back into the building. He nodded to the deskman before heading to the underground garage. Once he was out of sight, he broke into a jog. Entering the darkened garage, he approached his SUV. Next to him, Jude had parked the SUV he’d rented, so it was merely a matter of pausing between the two vehicles, tossing the keys of his SUV to the agent who was going to double for him, and trading his jacket and coat for the other man’s.

  “Go to Poulanos, park in the parking garage a block down, and use the gold key with the red ring around it to let yourself in the front door. The code is 128976 for the alarm.” Gabriel went over the directions once more.

  The other man smiled. “I know. We’ve gone over this several times. I won’t make a mistake. If Karas is having you followed, he’ll think I’m you.” He slid into the driver seat, leaving Gabriel to join Jude inside the other SUV. Climbing into the backseat, Gabriel greeted both Jude and Hark. They’d decided keeping up the story of Hark’s dilapidated van finally breaking down, and was using the rental until his could be fixed.

  “I know this has to be nerve racking for you.” Jude put the truck into reverse, slowly backing out of the stall. “If it were Olivia, I’d be going nuts.”

  Gabriel laughed. “Please. If it were Olivia, Karas would be running in fear. Your Mistress’s reputation precedes her. No man in Chicago wants to tangle with her - other than you and Micah.”

  “That still doesn’t mean she can’t get hurt.” Jude replied, as they approached the gate, swiping the entry card Hark handed him. As the arm raised, Gabriel had to admit the other man had a valid point, but kept his voice light.

  “But heaven help the asshole who does. Because not only is the beating he’s going to receive from you gonna hurt, he’ll be screaming in agony when Olivia rips his ass open with her favorite crop or that single tail.”

  Jude gave a reluctant chuckle. “Yeah, that’s my Mistress. Which reminds me, Mr. Poulanos, when this is over, Olivia is demanding to know when you’re returning to the club. Evidently word has gotten out you’re back in the lifestyle, and there’s been an uproar at the club about your wax play class. She’s already had enough requests that you could run two classes a week for the next six months, and still not have any openings.”

  Gabriel rubbed his neck. “We’ll see. I have always used my current submissive as the model, but Zhenya is a bit leery about the hot wax. Let me get back to Olivia. I need to talk to my submissive first, before I make any decisions.”

  Jude nodded, chuckling softly. “Now there’s the Dom I remember. ” Jude looked at him the rear view mirror before turning onto the street. “Now just hang on to her. She‘s perfect for you.

  * * * *

  “Sophie looks great, Zhenya. Whatever you’re doing continue.” Dr. Schnieder blew bubbles on Sophie’s palms before handing her back to her mother. “I don’t see any lingering signs of her earlier ear infection, and she’s gained nearly a pound since her last visit.” He looked over her folder. “And other than some updates on
her shots, I’d say you’re good to go.” He smiled at Sophie again. “Let me get my nurse in here, and we’ll see about getting this little button’s shots updated. You can dress her in her jumper. Just keep one of her legs free.” He pressed one last kiss to the baby’s palm before straightening. “You can give her some Baby Tylenol or Baby Advil if she starts to run a low fever. Anything above a hundred and one call the office.” He brushed a kiss over her temple. “You take care of that baby and that man of yours.”

  “Of course Dr. Schnieder.” Her cheeks grew red as the older man made another note in Sophie’s chart before exiting the exam room. “This is what I get, mikró pontíki for letting Kalinda recommend me her pediatrician.” The good doctor and his wife were part of the scene. In fact the last time she’d used a guest pass to visit Olivia’s she’d seen Tammy leading her husband around by his cock ring - a sight she’d never expected to see her daughter’s doctor in.

  She’d just finished redressing Sophie when a man, wearing a lab coat entered the room. He was good-looking in a rough sort of way, his dark hair slicked back, and the slacks he wore under the white jacket were neatly pressed. He turned around and gave her a good look as if he were cataloging her every feature, inscribing it to memory. “Zhenya Addi?”

  Every instinct had her wanting to flee but she calmed herself. This was her doctor’s office. Perhaps she was mistaken and man in front of her was nothing more than another doctor or lab tech. “Yes?” She asked fingering the necklace around her neck. The backside of the round onyx and filigree pendant had a panic button on it.

  “Move your hands away from your necklace very slowly.” His voice was calm, as he pulled a sleek black gun with a silencer on the end of it from the pocket of his lab-coat. She slowly let her fingers drift over the panic button, wondering if she had a chance to push it before he shot her. Then she remembered the other panic button on Sophie’s binky.