Misguided Control (The Control Series Book 3)

by Anna Edwards

  "My uncle was an evil man. He beat his girlfriend to force her to miscarry. He was prepared to kill me to get his hands on James' money."

  Colette froze.

  "Family are not always right about what they tell you. Sometimes it’s for their own needs. You listen to them, but you also need to follow what your own heart and mind tell you. Mine tells me that what James and I share is natural."

  "No. My brothers were right. They wanted to protect me."

  "I don't doubt that. I am sure they wanted to keep you safe. But did that protection make you happy?"

  "No." She let out a sob.

  She let go of James' hand and stood up.

  "What would make you happy?" She dared to place her hand on Colette’s trembling arm. The room silenced.

  "I read your book."

  "You read my book. How did it make you feel?"

  Colette's eyes went wild, her tiny fists clenched, and she flew at Amy. Colette managed to get a punch into her face before grabbing her hair and pulling it hard. James jumped to his feet, pulled Colette off her, and threw the manic waif to the other side of the room. He brought Amy into his arms, and Colette started to curse. The doctor punched an alarm button and nurses flooded in. Amy watched from James' arms as Colette shouted names at her, trying to get over to where she stood. Tears formed in her eyes. How could someone be so damaged? One of the nurses injected Colette with a sedative, and she fell still in the arms of another nurse. They carried her from the room.

  "We shouldn't have come."

  "I'm all right."

  "Mr North. Your wife has got further with Colette in a short space of time than any of us have. The book was a trigger point. What is it about?"

  "It’s an erotic romance," Amy answered, her voice was still a little shaky.

  "Please, could I ask you to consent to see Colette again. We are aware of a trigger point and can prevent that."

  "Not happening." James took her hand and pulled her to the door. "I’m not prepared to put my wife in that sort of danger."

  "I understand. Please think about it, though."

  "No. This ends now."

  She tried to speak up, but the expression on James' face had grown thunderous. There would be no point now. She bowed her head at the doctor as they departed.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Amy

  The journey home was done in silence. James wasn't in the mood for conversation and she needed to work through everything that had happened in her head. Colette had been responding so well. She had the feeling that the poor woman was so confused and didn't know what she wanted in her head at that moment. Reading the book would have confused her even more. If Amy could help her, then she would.

  The car pulled into the underground car park, and James helped her out of the car.

  He "Are you going back to the office?" It was one.

  "No. I will work here this afternoon."

  "I’ll check on Thomas and then make us some lunch."

  "Wait."

  She stopped, and James came over to her and put his arms around her waist.

  "I'm sorry for taking you there."

  "Don't be. Colette has an illness. She’s doing the right thing and talking about her problems. Sometimes that’ll get hard, and she may react as she did. She didn't hurt me." Well her cheek hurt a little, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. “Stop worrying. It will be alright next time. Let's go see Thomas."

  "Amy." The Dom's voice was back again. "You do realise we are not going back there."

  "We can discuss it later."

  "No. No, a discussion is needed now."

  There was no point in talking about this anymore at the moment. In his mind all he was seeing was her being hurt. "I'm going to check Thomas. He probably needs feeding again."

  "Don't walk away when I am speaking to you." James grabbed her arm when she reached the top of the stairs to the living section of the house.

  "Go do some work. We can discuss this later."

  "We’re discussing this now. You’re to promise me here and now that you’ll not go to that hospital and see Colette again."

  Okay, they were doing this now. "Let's go to the bedroom."

  "No need. Say you will not go again, and that is the end of it."

  "I can't do that."

  His brows drew together in frustration.

  "I was getting through to her. You heard the doctor."

  "She hurt you. She punched you and pulled your hair. If I wasn't that close, she could have done more damage."

  "If you weren’t near, the doctor would have helped me, or I would have defended myself."

  "You still would have been hurt. It is my job to protect you."

  "I know." She tried to calm the situation by running her hand along the edge of his sharp jaw. "But I cannot walk away, knowing that she is suffering. She is tiny and frail and needs help. She is not Jacob. She is not going to try and kill me."

  "How do you know that for certain?"

  She hesitated. She didn't really have an answer to that. It was just a feeling. The vulnerability in Colette's eyes told her.

  "I can't."

  "Then you’re not going back." He took her arm. "You will not defy me on this. I will have Matthew assigned to you twenty-four a day if needs be. I’m not prepared to take the risk that you are injured or worse.

  She tried to pull her arm away from his, but it was held too tightly.

  "You can cuff me to the bed and spank my arse raw, but I will go back there." Her voice broke.

  He flinched back.

  "I won't do that."

  "Why not?"

  "Because your responsibilities lie with being a mother and making sure my son is looked after." He snapped out his answer.

  Silence.

  She was shaking; she was so angry. Was that really all she was to him now? A vessel to feed his son?

  "I see where I stand."

  He tried to bring her into his arms, but she stepped away from his touch. Miranda poked her head around the door.

  "Sorry to interrupt. Thomas has heard your voices. He’s getting hungry I think."

  "Can you put him in his carseat please, Miranda. We’ll take him to yours. I’ll feed him there." She was trying to hold back the tears.

  "Please." James tried to cradle her again.

  "No. Your son needs me." With that, she left the room, slamming the door behind her.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  James

  The half-drunk bottle of whisky glistened against the flames of the fire. It was nine in the evening, and he hadn't heard anything from Amy since lunchtime. Sonia had come by in the afternoon and packed a bag of belongings for Thomas and Amy. She’d informed him that Mrs North has decided to stay the night at her mother- and father-in-law’s. He didn't argue when she gave him a dirty look and stomped out the house. He poured his first glass and allowed it to burn down his throat.

  A door slammed down the corridor, and Matthew and Sonia's raised voices echoed down the hallway.

  "Are you serious?"

  "Deadly."

  Another door slammed.

  "Where are you going?"

  "I'm going to take Thomas his favourite teddy. I forgot it earlier."

  "He's four months. He's too young for a favourite."

  "Amy wants it."

  "I’ll take it."

  She snorted. "Yeah right, and you’ll tell her to get her arse home and be a good little wife at the same time."

  "No. Okay, I will explain to her that hiding away will solve nothing. A bit like running away from an argument." He could hear the frustration in his bodyguard's voice.

  "Fuck you, Matthew."

  The front door slammed a second later, and Matthew walked into the lounge.

  "Did you hear all that?"

  He nodded.

  "My fault?"

  "She isn't happy with you."

  James held the bottle of whisky out.

  "I’ll get a glass."

 
A couple of hours later, that bottle had been finished, and another was opened.

  "Why do we need a woman?"

  "Because it is impossible to suck our own dicks." Matthew's answer had them both roll up laughing.

  "Yeah, Amy is excellent at that."

  "So is Sonia."

  "You going to talk to her?"

  "Am I overreacting?"

  "You said Colette went for her?"

  "She did, smacked her in the face and yanked her hair."

  "You don't want her getting hurt."

  "I think it is more that I’m not allowing her to go back."

  "She felt she was getting somewhere."

  "Yes."

  "We picked ones with kind hard hearts didn't we."

  "Stubborn is more like it."

  "How was Colette with you?"

  "Not too bad. She seemed alright." James leant forward and poured another whisky for them both. "She didn't seem to like Jacob died while Amy survived."

  "Do you think she is jealous of Amy?"

  "I don't think so. Colette said she was happy I was married. She seemed fine until she mentioned Amy's book."

  "Amy's book about sex? Sex that has been inspired by you and isn't in the missionary position?"

  "Yes, that book." He laid his head back against the edge of the chair and shut his eyes. "Why did this have to happen now?”

  Amy is pissed at me anyway because I won't go rough with her."

  "Yeah, Sonia told me last night. Sorry, mate I lied earlier. Ironically she told me while I was whipping her arse. A bit of a passion killer."

  "I swear those women talk about everything. Sorry again mate."

  "It's cool. We got it back." Matthew also sat back now. "Why are you reluctant?"

  "She gave birth early after we’d had rough sex. She was in so much pain. I couldn't do anything about it. I know they say women forget the pain after they have the baby but what if something I do brings it back."

  "Shit. That doesn't sound right. Sonia is never having a baby."

  "Good decision."

  "And one we should make together. Not you decide on with our boss when you are apparently smashed out of your head." Sonia stood in the doorway tapping her foot. James shrunk down into the chair. Another row was coming on. Matthew jumped to his feet, swayed and staggered. He let off a string of expletives. "How much have you drunk? I was only gone a few hours."

  "Not much." Matthew tried to walk but hit the coffee table and his leg gave way. "Ok, maybe a little." Matthew actually started giggling like a naughty school boy. James couldn't help but join in.

  "You’ve got to be kidding me." Sonia's brows were knitted together in an exasperated frown. "Matthew, trousers down."

  "Babe, James is in the room."

  "I want to see if you’ve broken the skin on your leg. I think sex is slightly out of your capabilities right now."

  "Never out of my capa..abila...fuck it. I can always get it up for you, babe."

  James got up from his chair and helped Matthew to his feet.

  "Cheers boss. Love you."

  "Love you too mate."

  "Oh God." Sonia put her head in her hands.

  "Alright, woman. Stop complaining. I’m taking my trousers off." James stepped back to allow Matthew to lower his jeans. "See? No blood."

  "A miracle. Take them off completely."

  He watched Matthew sway as he did so.

  "Sonia, you would make a good Dom."

  "Don't fucking go there. I am storing up the punishment in my head for her." Matthew had his trousers off and was trying to get his shoe out from the end of one leg.

  James could tell Sonia's patience was growing thin. She’d just spent two hours with Amy. Was his wife crying? Was she angry? The alcohol suddenly didn't settle well in his stomach, and a feeling of soberness hit him.

  "Sonia, I’ll help you get him to the bedroom."

  Before they had a chance to assist Matthew, he had whipped his shirt off, waved it around his head a few times, and was heading towards the bedroom. "Come on babe, let's go play."

  Sonia inhaled deeply through her nose, then turned to James.

  He couldn't help it. Matthew wasn’t going to get any sex, so he followed. It was like a train crash, you just had to watch. When he got to the bedroom, Matthew had his pants off as well. This was nothing new to him. They had seen each other naked before when they had played pre-Sonia and Amy. He stood against the door frame as Matthew tried to bring Sonia into his arms. She side stepped him, twisted around and in an instant had his hands cuffed to a St Andrews cross in the corner of the room.

  "Babe. What the fuck?" Matthew's voice showed he couldn't believe what had just happened. He’d been bested by his Sub. James was impressed with the movement. He gave her a little clap.

  "Sush or I will cuff your feet as well and use your whip. You can have the sore butt for once."

  "Sonia. Undo me now."

  "I said hush."

  "Sonia." Matthew's voice had gone dark. James could see Sonia shiver, she played a good Dom but underneath she was all submissive.

  "You know when he is sober you are going to get it for that?"

  Sonia smirked. "That is what I am hoping. Now as for you. “Go take a cold shower and get a strong coffee. You are going to apologise to your wife."

  "Not any of your business."

  "I’ve just spent two hours sitting with her and your mother while she sobs her heart out. She thinks you don't find her attractive anymore and that you only want her to make babies for you."

  "You know that isn't true. I worship her."

  "I know that, but the point is she doesn't. She is scared. Going to see Colette today was hard for her. She wants her Dom back."

  James cracked his neck. He was an idiot. He wasn't being a good Dom. He wasn't communicating with his wife. He was just allowing himself to get lost in his own worries.

  "I think I prefer being attached to a St Andrew's cross than a lecture." Matthew piped up, but James could see that he agreed with his girlfriend.

  "I’ll go shower. I’ll need you to run me over there." He nodded to the cross. "You better not leave him like that."

  "I know. A good Dom never leaves his Submissive tied up without means of escape. I’ll get Matthew into bed and come wait for you in the lounge."

  "Thanks, Sonia."

  "Just don't come home without her."

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Amy

  Amy laid a sleeping Thomas down in his cot and tucked the blanket around his chubby little body to keep him warm. Not that it would stay there long. She just wanted to sleep herself. It wouldn't come to her though. The bed was cold and lonely. James wasn't in it. Another tear fell. The aura of being unloved surrounded her. Her body didn't excite her husband any longer. A tear tumbled down her cheek. No, she couldn't sit and wallow. Thomas needed his mummy.

  The sound of voices came from the hallway. She got out of bed, pulled a robe around her, and tiptoed quietly to the door.

  "Mum. I want to talk to my wife."

  "She's your wife again now? Not just a mother to your child."

  "I never said that. You're twisting my words."

  "That's how you made Amy feel."

  Amy opened the door.

  "Tell me then." She tried to keep the emotion out of her voice, but there was a hint of distress and anger.

  "Miranda and I’ll watch Thomas. You two go in the lounge and talk." Pete appeared from around the corner and guided Miranda into the bedroom Amy had just vacated. "Take as long as you want. We’ll sleep in here tonight, and you can take one of the other rooms."

  "Thanks, Dad," James replied and held out his hand to her to follow him. There was no way she was ready to hold that hand yet. She motioned with her head that she would follow him. When they entered the lounge, James sat on the sofa. She took a seat on a chair.

  "Sit next to me on the sofa."

  She was about to say she was fine where she was sitting when she looked h
im in the eye, and she shouldn't have done that.

  "This doesn't mean you can touch me."

  "I will not touch you until you tell me I can."

  "Good." She folded her arms.

  "I am sorry for what I said this afternoon. I was not listening to you. I allowed fear to cloud my judgement. I want certain barriers putting in place so you cannot be hurt, but we’ll go and see Colette again. If she lashes out at you again, that’ll be the final time, though. Thomas and I both need you, and I am not prepared to risk anything happening.

  She went to open her mouth to speak, but James continued.

  "I’ve not finished yet."

  She shut her mouth and bit her lip to keep quiet.

  "You ever say that I don't want to get in your pants and bury myself balls deep in your pussy, and I’ll tan your hide. I want to do it in so many different ways."

  "Then why won't you?"

  "I’m scared."

  "Scared?"

  "You were in so much pain when you gave birth and it was so early. I was so scared we would loose Thomas. I don't want to inflict that on you again. I couldn't save you from hurting. What if I do something, and it brings all those feelings of pain back again?"

  She let out a long cry of relief.

  "When I gave birth I was in pain and there was a risk to Thomas. But he is fine, he is strong and healthy. And the pain doesn't mean I don't want to do it again. It was a magical experience. Every second of that day was perfect because it brought us Thomas."

  "But I wanted to take the pain from you. To help you in some way."

  "You did" She reached out to cup his jaw. "You held my hand and gave me strength just as you always do."

  "Have I been a complete idiot and worried about something that wasn't there?"

  She nodded.

  "Damn it."

  "About right."

  "Are you still furious with me?"

  "You promise we can go and see Colette tomorrow?"

  "Once arrangements for your safety are in place. Yes, we can."

  "Then I’m not angry with you anymore. Are you going to be the lover I want again?"

  "I’ll give you one minute to get into the bedroom, remove your clothes and bend over the bed."

  "Er. We’re in your parent's house. I refuse point black to have sex with you here."