Persuading Eve [Passion Peak, Colorado 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Tara Rose

  An hour later, he had no more clues than when he’d started out, and Phil gave up and went back to his mountain of paperwork. He had to finish it up today or Ken would be on his ass about it, and Phil wanted nothing to spoil this party tomorrow night. It would be the first time he’d parade the fact that he was sharing Eve with Knox, and he wanted everything to go smoothly so Knox would feel like he belonged among the kinksters in this town.

  Knox had never felt as though he belonged anywhere, and no one knew that better than Phil. He was determined to put all that in Knox’s past, where it belonged. He also couldn’t wait to show off Eve. He still found it hard to believe that the sexy siren had chosen him. The fact that she’d now also chosen Knox didn’t bother him at all, and most days that realization also still came as a huge surprise to him. But this felt right in his gut, and Phil had always trusted his gut.

  Right now, as he struggled to finish the paperwork and concentrate not on Clay Martin, but on the party tomorrow night, he also couldn’t help but think that if he’d trusted his gut three weeks ago, Martin might have been caught.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Eve was so excited about the party that she kept tripping on the hem of her costume. Rowena had helped her, Knox, and Phil put together outfits that paid homage to the paintings of Knox’s favorite artist, Vincent Van Gogh. The three were dressed in nineteenth century costumes. Knox and Phil were dressed as aristocrats, and Eve had chosen to dress as a courtesan.

  Van and Rowena were dressed in more traditional Halloween costumes, but Eve loved them. Van looked downright scary as Dracula and Rowena was stunning as the innocent, naïve wench he pursued. “I hate you,” said Eve.

  Rowena laughed as she made last-minute adjustments to Eve’s hem. “I hate you, too. What did I do now?”

  “No matter what you wear, you’re beautiful. I mean, look at you. You’re dressed as a peasant and you’re still stunning.”

  Rowena glanced up at her, breaking off thread with her teeth. “Right. Like you’re so ugly, Eve. I mean really, you’re a fucking dog. Everyone says so.”

  Eve laughed. “Okay. I guess it’s not that bad.”

  Rowena straightened up and tucked her tiny sewing kit back into her purse, and then she gave Eve a thoughtful look. “It’s not like you to fish for compliments. What’s on your mind?”

  Eve cut her gaze toward the den where Van, Knox, and Phil were laughing and talking about something sports-related. “I wish I knew. I’m nervous about tonight and I don’t know why.”

  “Maybe because it’s the first time all three of you are going out in public among your kinky friends?”

  Eve shook her head. “No, I don’t think that’s it. I mean, we’re not exactly an oddity in this town.”

  “No, you’re not. Van and I are the oddballs in this town.”

  “I can’t explain it. I have this unsettled feeling.”

  Rowena smiled. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  “I’m glad you and Van decided to come.”

  “We are, too. And thanks for driving us. Carma, Mateo, and Blaine offered, but your house is closer to ours, and you needed my expert emergency sewing skills.”

  “Yes, I did. I hope now I won’t keep tripping on this damn thing or I’ll end up spending the evening in the ER at Memorial.”

  “Not quite as much fun as a party.”

  Phil walked into the kitchen. “Is everything fixed? Are you ready to go?”

  Eve smiled and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Ready, Sarge.”

  * * * *

  Nash had outdone himself. Eve’s head swiveled around so much that she almost made herself dizzy as she tried to take in everything he’d done to his estate on Cheyenne Boulevard, from the Halloween decorations all over the yard to the spooky music playing from unseen loudspeakers. Most of the snow had melted earlier in the week, and while it still wasn’t warm by any stretch of the imagination, Eve was glad that Nash had been able to decorate the grounds.

  “This is amazing.” She’d said the same thing about a dozen times now, and Phil chuckled.

  “If you think this is great, just wait until we get inside.”

  “How does he do all this?” asked Rowena.

  “He has a staff to help.”

  “I know but still…this is incredible.”

  “Aren’t you glad you came now?” asked Eve.

  “As long as I don’t have to stare at floggers hanging on the walls down there, I’ll be fine.”

  “Well shit,” said Van. “There goes my surprise Christmas present for you this year.”

  Everyone laughed, and Rowena slapped her husband’s arm. “That’ll be the day.”

  “What would you do if I brought one home? Would you honestly not even let me try it?”

  “Van Whitney, since when do you know how to throw a flogger?”

  Eve was sitting in the front passenger seat of Phil’s SUV, and now she turned around to glance at Van when he didn’t answer right away. The look he gave his wife was nothing short of lust-filled. Eve cut her gaze toward Knox, who was sitting next to Rowena. He merely shrugged.

  “And what would you say if I told you I’ve been coming here and talking to Nash and Ian about BSDM?”

  Rowena stared at Van with wide eyes, but the look in them wasn’t fearful or disgusted. Rather, she was clearly surprised, but Eve caught the interest and even lust in her gaze. Since it was the first time she’d ever seen Rowena show any sign that she’d be open to any kind of play, she was riveted. Phil had driven around to the back of the property and parked his car, but no one moved to leave the vehicle as they waited for Rowena to answer Van.

  “Well, I guess I’d say as long as you don’t start asking to chain me up, we can talk about it.”

  “No chains. I promise.”

  Rowena opened and closed her mouth a few times, then let out a sound halfway between frustration and laughter. “Well then why are they in there?”

  “Rowena, not everyone enjoys being restrained.” Eve cut her gaze toward Knox for a second, hoping it was all right she’d spoken up. He nodded almost imperceptibly, so she continued. “Up until a short time ago, I couldn’t handle any of it. Not even soft leather bondage cuffs.”

  “Really?” Rowena sounded genuinely surprised.

  Eve nodded. “Really. BDSM play doesn’t have to involve chains. It doesn’t have to involve impact play, or even pain. There’s no rule book. There are no set activities that you have to do. Everyone plays in their own way. Some people don’t play at all. Some people are just totally into the service dynamic of the Dom/sub relationship.”

  Van snorted. “Rowena would never kneel before me or call me ‘Sir.’”

  “That makes it sound like I’m a ball buster,” she said. “I’m not. You know I’m not. It’s just the whole idea of having to do whatever you tell me to do. I’m too independent for that. I run my own show. I have my own company, just like you do.”

  Phil chuckled and glanced at Eve. “She needs to talk to Carma’s cousin, Annalise.”

  “I did,” said Rowena. “She stayed at our house in July when she came here for their uncle Dominick’s funeral. And I get what you’re saying. Annalise has her own company, too.”

  “Did you get to see her interact with Chad and Dustin a lot?”

  Rowena nodded. “Yeah, I did. She didn’t seem subdued around them at all.”

  “Submissive doesn’t mean necessarily mean subdued or meek. Eve certainly isn’t that way. Everyone’s dynamic is a bit different. Annalise started that company with two other subs in Racy, Indiana, and they all have the full backing and support of their Doms.”

  “You’ve never met Gina Santori,” said Eve. “She’s one third of Giolanna Design Solutions, and she’s a spitfire. The last woman you would imagine as a sub. You’d like her, Rowena. I wish we could go to Racy so that you could meet her and Olivia. I haven’t seen Evan in over two years.”

  “You should go,” said Knox. “You both should.�
��

  “I’d be fine with that,” said Phil.

  “So would I,” said Van.

  Rowena grinned and threw up her hands. “I’ve been ambushed, haven’t I?”

  All of them laughed as they began to exit the car. “We certainly didn’t mean to ambush you,” said Eve. “But seriously, I’d love to go back and visit them. So much has changed since I was hiding out there after I left Darrin. Will you come with me? We’d have so much fun.”

  “Okay. Let’s do it. Gina sounds like a woman I’d love to meet.”

  Once inside, Eve kept glancing around the main floor of the club because she missed something each time. The chains were still there, much to Rowena’s dismay, but even she admitted that Nash had done a fabulous job of incorporating them into the Halloween theme by pairing them with dummies dressed up to look like classic horror movie characters. Music played inside as well, and the entire club gave off the ambiance of being inside a gothic Victorian mansion in an old movie.

  A large metal washtub was set up in one corner and people were bobbing for apples, Nash had moved some of his old pinball machines into another corner, and there was even a ring toss game that used dildos painted to look like vampires, on which participants had to try and toss cock rings. “He’s wasting a shitload of money on that one,” said Knox.

  Van shook his head and laughed. “He has a shitload of money to waste.” He glanced at his wife. “Want to try your hand at it?”

  She slipped her hand around Van’s arm. “Okay. But one question. Do we win the toys if we get the ring on the dildo?”

  “Not those used in the game.” They all whirled around at the sound of Nash’s voice. “But new ones, yes.”

  Rowena laughed. “Love your outfit, Nash.” He was dressed nearly identical to the way Van was. “I guess we had the same idea. Are Ian and Angela here?”

  “Somewhere. Only he’s dressed up as Frankenstein and she’s a cross between what you’re wearing and Frankenstein’s bride.”

  “I love it. Well, Van and I are off to win some kinky toys. We’ll catch up with you all later.”

  “I can’t believe you got them here,” said Nash, after they’d walked away, arm-in-arm and laughing. “He’s been hanging around a lot and asking questions, but last time I mentioned the party, he said he didn’t think Rowena would come.”

  “You don’t know the half of it.” Phil told Nash about the conversation they’d had on the way over.

  “Well, I’ll have to follow up on that interest, then. Don’t want to discourage everyone’s favorite vanilla couple from finally adding a little kink to their lives. What do you think of the decorations this year?”

  “The best yet,” said Phil.

  “Thanks for coming. All of you.”

  “Thanks for inviting us,” said Knox.

  Nash clapped him in the back. “I must go mingle. Have fun.”

  As Nash walked away, Eve spotted Carma, Mateo, and Blaine, so the three walked over to talk to them. They were dressed in costumes from the twenties, and Eve thought they looked amazing. After complimenting them on the outfits, Eve took Carma aside and told her about the plan to visit Racy. “Want to come? You could see your cousin again.”

  “Oh, I would love to. I’ll ask Mateo and Blaine if they mind. Are we making this a girls’ only trip, or are the guys coming, too?”

  “I think Rowena wants it to be just the girls. Will they let you come?”

  “I’m sure they will. We should see if Summer and Angela can come, too. Maybe even Felicity. That way the guys won’t worry as much if we go as a large group.”

  Both women turned as a man whose size and frame could only belong to Tommy descended the stairs. He wasn’t in costume, unless you counted the thick winter coat and the gray fedora he wore. But then, Tommy dressed like that every fall and winter. Eve shivered, although she wasn’t cold. The same unsettled feeling she’d had all week descended over her again. She watched him scan the room, and as soon as he spotted Phil he made a beeline for him.

  “What’s that about?” asked Carma.

  “No clue, but I’m guessing it’s police business.”

  “Want to go listen?”

  “No.” She didn’t need to. She could tell by the look on Phil’s face and the way his body stiffened that whatever Tommy had just told him wasn’t good news. When Phil glanced toward her, Eve’s heart skipped a beat. She’d never seen him look so worried or afraid, and she didn’t like it. Not one little bit.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Eve asked Carma if she’d seen Angela, Summer, or Felicity only because she was suddenly desperate to avoid Phil’s gaze. She knew that he and Knox wouldn’t mind if she sought out her friends, as they’d already discussed protocol for the party tonight. But Carma had to first ask Mateo and Blaine if it was all right for her to leave their side for a while, and by the time she and Carma began to walk around the room to search for their friends, it was clear to Eve that Phil was watching her.

  She knew it wasn’t because she’d done something wrong, so that only left one reason. Whatever Tommy had told him had something to do with her. Was it about Darrin? Had he come back? Eve suddenly remembered the silver Toyota she’d seen behind Wendy’s, and the odd occurrences on Passion Flower Boulevard the night she’d walked home from Rowena’s house. Were they connected? Had she been right that someone had been watching her and following her that night? Was it Darrin?

  Why hadn’t she told Phil or Knox about those incidents? Then again, they’d happened weeks ago so it probably didn’t matter anymore. But what if it did? Should she wait and find out first whether Tommy had told Phil anything that concerned her? She might simply be paranoid right now over nothing, and was merely jumping to large conclusions.

  Even the sight of Summer dressed as a nun wasn’t enough to dispel the feeling of uneasiness that had settled over Eve. When she pointed out her two Doms across the room, Dalton and Wes, both dressed as priests, Carma and Angela laughed, but all Eve could manage was a small chuckle, and even that felt forced.

  Felicity joined them, dressed as Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and when they all turned to admire Maverick as the beast and Kane dressed like Gaston, Eve was momentarily distracted as Felicity launched into a complicated explanation of how difficult it had been for Rowena to pull off the beast costume.

  When Carma mentioned the idea of them all going to Racy to visit, the women turned to that subject, and soon Eve was immersed in the conversation. Eventually, their Doms joined them, and as a group they made their way around the room talking to others, eating, drinking, and playing a few games.

  They watched Rowena win a dildo and a cock ring, and Eve actually saw her blush. Several people watching teased her and Van about whether they wanted to go upstairs to one of the private rooms Nash kept for special guests to play in private, so that they could try out the toys right away.

  By the time they were ready to go home, Eve had pushed away thoughts of Darrin and the silver car. As soon as Phil and Knox had joined the group, he no longer looked concerned, and he wasn’t acting as if anything were wrong, so Eve had decided she’d been imagining things.

  Eve sat in the back seat this time as they drove Van and Rowena home. When they got to the house, Eve scrambled out of the car after them because Rowena had forgotten the container of food that Nash had given her to take home. He always had so much leftover food at his parties that his guests were used to taking home containers full of food. Her skirt got caught on the edge of the car door and ripped.

  “Oh shit.”

  “It’s okay,” said Rowena. “I can fix it in ten minutes.”

  “Do you mind?” she asked Phil and Knox.

  “No, that’s fine,” said Knox. “In fact, why don’t we take Van back to the garage. His truck is ready. That way I don’t have to drop it off tomorrow and he doesn’t have to take time off work to get it.”

  “Works for me,” said Van, sliding back into Phil’s SUV.

  “Wait unti
l we get back to go home,” said Phil, giving Eve a pointed stare. She shivered at the concern in his eyes, recalling again how Tommy had sought him out at the party. But this wasn’t the time to ask about their conversation. “Okay?”

  The tone of his voice left no doubt he expected her to stay put until they returned, and not walk home by herself like last time. Did that mean that night had been on his mind as well, or was she making huge leaps again? “I understand, Sarge. I’ll wait right here.”

  * * * *

  Phil waited until they were driving down Arapaho Lane before he spoke. “I didn’t want to alarm Rowena and Eve, but there’s something you two should know, and I finally persuaded Tommy to let me tell you the whole story.”

  Van and Knox already knew that Clay Martin was out on parole, but only Knox knew that it had been Clay driving the blue Grand Am that he and Nash had seen on Pioneer Lane. Phil filled in the gaps for Van, and then he told them about the silver Toyota and where it had been spotted by Mason Ruiz. He also told them how the park rangers had gone up there but couldn’t find any evidence that anyone had been living inside the abandoned station.

  “Then where the hell is he?” asked Knox.

  “I’m not sure. Tommy came to Indulgence tonight to tell me that he’d finally been able to persuade someone at the ranger station to use their Sno-Cat and haul the car down the road from the station. But that’s not all they found. Some of the snow had melted from the last time they were up there, and they saw footprints in it that hadn’t been there before. When they followed them, they found a campsite, complete with a heavy-duty tent and enough survival equipment to make them believe that’s where Martin has been hiding.”

  Knox ran a hand through his hair. “Fuck. He never left. You were right, Phil.”

  “Yeah. Although this time I’m not thrilled about that.”

  “So where is he right now?” Van’s voice was filled with fear.

  “We don’t know.” Phil pulled up to the main door of Knox’s garage and pushed the control on his visor. Knox had given him a spare one several years ago. The door opened, and Phil waited inside the SUV while Knox walked around the company truck with Van, talking about who knew what. He wished they’d hurry up. He didn’t like leaving Eve alone, although she was with Rowena and he knew that they were safe.