Taming Kalinda

by Dakota Trace

  Dominic took a deep breath. “Yeah. She told me to call my damn doctor. The only number the doctor’s office has is hers.”

  Josh tilted his head in confusion. “You gave the doctor’s office Kalinda’s home number, but you don’t know it?”

  “Don’t look at me like that. You were the one who filled out all my forms at the hospital. When the doctor asked if the numbers on my file were okay for contact, I said yes.”

  “All right! Jesus, don’t bite my fuckin’ head off. Why don’t you calm down before you call her back, Dom? If you call now, you’re going to scare the piss out of her.”

  He waited while the man took several deep breaths, before finally extending his hand for the phone Josh was holding.

  “I think…”

  Dominic growled. “Don’t fuckin’ think. Give me the damn phone!”

  Josh shrugged. “Fine, it’s your funeral.” He tossed the phone to the man. “But ten to one she’s not going to answer it.”

  “She’d better.” Dominic paused before locking eyes with him. “She called me Master, Josh.”

  “Good. It means either one of two things. She’s so in the habit of doing it, she hasn’t broken herself of it, or she still sees you as her Master. For your sake I hope it’s the later.”

  “Me too!” Dominic hit star 69 on the phone before listening to it ring on the other end. When it went to voice mail, his shoulders slumped after he left a short message for her to call him at Josh’s. “She didn’t answer.”

  Josh sat down on the couch next to him before putting a hand on his right shoulder. “Don’t give up. It’s only the first day. We’ll wear her down.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Three Months Later

  Kalinda rushed to the bathroom. The nausea that her doctor had assured her would be gone after her first trimester had lingered. She’d been hoping that he’d be right, but at sixteen weeks she was still suffering. After ungraciously puking up the bland toast and weak tea she’d just eaten, she brushed her teeth. She was just rinsing with Listerine when she heard someone knocking on her door. She frowned after looking at the clock on the counter. It was only eight in the morning. Who the hell was banging on her door this early on a Saturday morning? No one other than her boss knew where she’d moved.

  Wiping her mouth on the towel hanging from the rack, she walked into her living room. Peaking through the hole on her new apartment door, she sighed when she saw Nisey and her brother standing impatiently in front of her door.

  “Open up Kalinda, before I call the manager to let me in.” From Caelan’s tone, she could tell he was serious. Perhaps leaving ‘lock, stock and barrel’ while he and Nisey were on a well-deserved two week vacation in the Bahamas hadn’t been her brightest idea. How the hell had he found her so fast? She knew he’d only been home for a few days. She expected at least a couple more days - if not a week - before he figured out that she was no longer residing in the apartment upstairs.

  Glancing down at the thin cotton nightgown she wore, she almost went to get her robe when she heard the scrape of metal against metal. She stared in disbelief when the knob turned and her brother walked in pocketing the thin metal lock picks. Behind him, Nisey glared at her. Shifting her gaze from her friend back to Caelan, she sighed. He looked beyond pissed. Her stomach lurched. Even if she hadn’t been pregnant, that particular look would’ve been enough to turn her stomach.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Kalinda!”

  Her stomach heaved threateningly. “Getting sick, damn it!” She mumbled before quickly scurrying back down the hall to the bathroom. She barely made it. Kneeling in front of the cool porcelain, she rested her cheek on the seat after she finished. God she needed to brush her teeth again.

  “Kalinda?” Nisey’s hand touched her shoulder. “Are you okay? Did you pick up a bug or something?”

  Or something is right. But how the hell am I supposed to admit that I’m nearly four months pregnant without a clue to who the father is? She opened her eyes. “I haven’t been feeling the greatest this morning, Nis. I’m sure I’ll feel better later.” She slowly stood. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to brush my teeth and get dressed before the Inquisition starts.”

  “Okay, girl, I’ll go wait with Caelan in the kitchen. Do you want me to make you some tea or something?”

  When her stomach grumbled warningly, Kalinda shook her head. “Naw. Just go keep Caelan occupied until I’m dressed.”

  * * * *

  Caelan looked up from the coffee he’d just started to see Nisey walking into the kitchen. “Is she okay?”

  “I think so. She’s getting dressed right now.” She came over to lean against him. “She’s different, Caelan, but I can’t just quite place my finger on what’s changed.”

  He wrapped his arms around her. “She’s been different ever since Dominic got shot.”

  “I thought we agreed not to talk about that.” Kalinda entered the kitchen wearing jeans paired with a bulky black IIT sweatshirt. On her feet was a pair of fuzzy argyle socks.

  Caelan released Nisey. “And you promised to talk to them in return. Have you?” He knew damn well she hadn’t. He hadn’t been happy, when he returned with Nisey to find not only a pissed off Josh but an edgy Dominic on his doorstep, wanting to know where the hell he’d sprinted Kalinda off too. Evidently instead of talking to the two men, both still very much in love with her, she’d moved without telling anyone. It had cost him a pretty penny to bribe Jude into tracking her down. He was not quite satisfied when her face flushed.

  He watched as she walked over to the fridge to pull out a bottle of water. “You’re avoiding the question, Kalinda.”

  She took a sip before sitting down across the table from him. “That I am, because frankly my relationship or lack of relationship…” she swallowed roughly. “Let’s face it, big brother, I’m a grown woman who needs to stand on her own two feet.”

  Caelan sat back as the emotions he knew she had hoped to keep hidden crossed her expressive face. “You can’t even say their names, can you? How long are you going to punish them? Haven’t they done everything in their power to make you see what a mistake they made?”

  She rose slowly from the table. “Whether or not they are sorry is a moot point, Caelan. They want the one thing I can’t give them.”

  He stood when she headed out of the kitchen. “It’s time for you to leave, Caelan. I don’t feel well - I’m going to go lay back down.”

  She was almost out of the room when he caught her arm. He was furious. “What exactly do they want, Kalinda? Cutting? Fireplay? What is it that those bastards want that has you backing away from them?”

  She reached up to cup his cheek. “Nothing that drastic, big brother! They want the one thing they burnt out of me: my submission.” She stood on tiptoes before he felt her lips brush his cheek. “Now take Nisey home. I’ll be fine.” He watched as she disappeared into the bedroom. What the fuck was he supposed to do now?

  * * * *

  Caelan stared moodily at the shifter of Aberfeldy Scotch in his hand. After his fiasco with Kalinda this morning, he’d taken refuge at Olivia’s with several of the other Doms. They had gathered in one of the private lounges. Olivia sat on a sleek leather chair with Jude kneeling at her feet, while Gabriel was lounging on the sofa a few feet away with Sara cuddled on his lap. If Nisey hadn’t had to go into the office, he’d have had her tucked against him on the chaise lounge next to the large sofa.

  “I just don’t get it, Olivia. How the hell could her need to submit be gone? It wasn’t even two months ago that she was threatening to come here to find a new Dom!”

  Olivia absently toyed with Jude’s hair before focusing on Caelan. “What happened two months ago aside from Dominic having his first shoulder surgery?”

  He winced as she brought up the names of one of the two men he’d been trying to avoid all day. How was he supposed to tell either of them to quit trying to get his sister back? Both men were obsessed
with her. In fact he’d had to do some quick maneuvering when he’d first entered the club to avoid the main floor, after spotting a familiar blond haired man whipping a restrained slave. After his confrontation with Kalinda this morning, having another with Josh was the last thing he needed.

  He took a swallow of his drink. “Hell if I know. One moment, she’s all hell bent on finding a Master who would appreciate her submission, then the next she’s shutting herself off from everyone. Christ her moods have been so mercurial for the past two months, I’m starting to think she has permanent PMS.”

  Olivia nearly choked on the water she was drinking. “Did you say she’s been moody?”

  “As all hell! I wish I knew what was going on in her head. She’s never acted this way in the past - even when she left for L.A.”

  Olivia wiped her mouth off then glancing over his shoulder before refocusing on him. “I don’t know if this means anything or not, but she came to cancel her membership about two months ago. She told me, due to medical reasons, it wouldn’t be safe for her to play before long.”

  “Damn it! She was sick this morning when I found her. Fuck! I should’ve asked her what was going on instead of jumping on her about avoiding Josh and Dominic.”

  Gabriel leaned forward. “Quit beating yourself up, Caelan. You’re not a mind reader. I’m sure if she had something life-threatening she’d have told you.”

  Caelan groaned. “Like that’s reassuring.”

  “Mistress, may I speak?” Jude’s formal request seemed loud in the room.

  “Of course, pet.”

  Jude sat a bit straighter. “I’m sorry to intrude on this conversation, but from what I’m hearing are you sure that she’s not pregnant?” When the sharp inhalations filled the room, he lowered his head. “I’m sorry Mistress.”

  Olivia tipped his head up. “Nonsense, pet. Why would you draw that conclusion?”

  “You stated she withdrew for medical conditions that would be affecting her in the near future, while Master Caelan has stated she’s been moody. Add that to the fact she’s avoiding Masters Josh and Dominic, but is refusing to find another Master leads me to think that she may be pregnant and doesn’t want them to find out.”

  Caelan groaned. “Son of a bitch, I bet she is! It would make sense.”

  “I hate to be the bearer of bad news but who’s going to be the one to break it to Josh and Dominic. They deserve to know.” Gabriel squeezed Sara. “I’d want to know right away if I were in their shoes. If she is...she has to be at least three to four months along.”

  “She’s pregnant?” The deadly furious British voice from the door had everyone who was sitting in the room turning to look at the man standing there. Josh’s eyes were hard while his nostrils flared. At his side his hands were clenched.

  “Josh, think about this. Don’t go off half cocked.” Olivia’s plea fell on deaf ears.

  He strode into the room to plant his feet in front of Caelan. “Where the hell is she, Doherty?”

  Caelan sighed weighing his options. If he told Josh where Kalinda was, there was every possibility that his sister would never speak to him again, but if he didn’t, he had a feeling the other man was prepared to beat the information out of him.

  “What are you planning to do, Josh? I’m not going to willingly endanger my sister.” It took all of his internal fortitude to hold his ground when Josh growled at him.

  “I’m gonna bring that stubborn little bitch home where she belongs. I’m done playing her game, Caelan. She belongs to Dom and me.”

  “What if she can’t offer you her submission any longer, Josh? Do you still want her?”

  Josh’s eyes darkened. “Even if she won’t submit to us, we want her.”

  “All right. I’ll tell you where she is on the condition that she calls me in the morning.”

  “Done.”

  Taking the paper out of his wallet containing the address of Kalinda’s apartment, Caelan prayed he was doing the right thing before handing it to Josh. The other man strode out of the room so focused he didn’t even say ‘good-bye’.

  * * * *

  Taking a couple of deep breaths, Josh unlocked his SUV. Once inside, he hit the blue tooth button on his phone before dialing his home number. Throwing it in gear, it was all he could do to keep from squealing the tires. After the second ring, Dominic picked up.

  “Done already?”

  In the background Josh could hear the sound of the professional wrestling Dominic was watching. “Shut that shit off. I need you to get the playroom ready. I’m bringing her home.”

  He could hear Dominic’s breath catch. “How did you convince her…”

  “I’m not going to give her a choice. This has gone on long enough. She’s ours and it’s high time she accepted it.”

  “Finally! That’s what I’ve been wanting to do since you talked me into courting her stubborn ass. What changed your mind, Josh?”

  Josh pulled to a stop at a red light before answering him. “She might be pregnant, Dom.”

  “Son of a bitch! Bring her ass back where she belongs. I’ll be waiting.” The click in his ear had Josh smiling.

  “Oh, Spitfire, you’re going to wish you hadn’t kept this from us, if you are indeed pregnant.”

  * * * *

  Kalinda was lying on the futon under her favorite fleece blanket to ward off the chill of the early fall weather. She really missed being able to cuddle up to her personal heaters. She placed her hand over her tummy to reassure herself that the small baby bump was still there. This child was all she had left to remind her of her Master and Sir. When she first heard the noise, she assumed it came from the television set. She had been mindlessly watching Professional Wrestling trying not to think of all the times she’d watched it with Dominic when her front door was kicked open. Sitting up, she screamed when Josh swept in, picked her up off the futon, blanket and all, to cradle her against his chest before carrying her out of the apartment.

  “What the hell! How did you find me? Put me down, you Neanderthal!” She smacked at the hard plane of his chest.

  “No! Are you pregnant?”

  She gaped at him as he strode towards his running SUV. She bounced when he set her down on the seat. Despite her trying to stop him, he still managed to latch her seatbelt before he gazed into her furious eyes. Without thinking, she lowered her gaze.

  “I’m waiting for answer, slave. Are…You…Pregnant?”

  “Good grief, Josh! This is ridiculous! I’m going back inside.” She reached for the seat belt to unfasten it.

  “Do it and you’ll find yourself draped over my lap getting your ass paddled so fast your head will spin.” She tried to find humor in his eyes, but realized she could not see anything other than his determination. Her hand dropped from the buckle. He wouldn’t hurt her, but he was more than capable of doing what he’d threatened.

  “Good girl.” He shut the door before rounding the truck. She caught her breath when he slid in on the driver’s side. The scent of Burberry Brit teased her nose as he shifted the truck into gear. It didn’t take her long to realize he wasn’t taking her to his condo or Caelan’s house.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Home.”

  “But…” she tried to protest.

  “Quiet slave! Unless you feel like answering my question? I might be tempted to go easier on you if I knew you were pregnant.”

  “Yeah right.”

  The sound of his hand hitting her exposed outer thigh had her inhaling sharply. Pleasure followed quickly after the crack of pain when his hand rubbed over the spot he’d just struck.

  “I’ve tolerated a lot from you, slave, over the past few months. It ends tonight. You’re coming home to Dom and me.”

  “Tolerated? I’m not the one who kicked you out, Joshauh Redding! Both times I was the one who got kicked to the curb!”

  “Touché…but that ends tonight. Now sit back and be quiet.” Josh leaned forward to click on the radio. As the soft sound
of jazz filled the interior of the vehicle, she shut her mouth. She’d have plenty of time to do her screaming when they got to where they were going. She might as well only do it once, since she just knew that Dominic would be there.

  * * * *

  Dominic met them at the door when Josh walked up carrying her against his chest. The house, located less than a mile from her brother’s home, was perfect. It was what she’d imagined when she dreamed of sharing a home with either Dominic or Josh. His arms tightened around her as he stepped through the open door. It was evident he wasn’t taking any chances with her running off. She half expected Dominic to take her from Josh, but he didn’t. He merely held open several other doors as Josh maneuvered his way down into the basement. He finally placed her on her feet just inside of what was obviously a playroom. It was similar in structure to her brother’s with the addition of a whipping post in the middle of the room, instead of the St. Andrews Cross.

  “Strip, slave.” She jumped when she heard the command in Dominic’s voice. Looking at him, she noticed he was a bit more slender than he’d been the last time she’d seen him. She briefly wondered how he was doing physically after his surgery. She’d snuck up to the hospital the day of his surgery, but had left before he’d awakened from the anesthesia. She just hadn’t wanted him to be alone.

  “I said strip.”

  When he repeated his demand, she had to fight her instinctive need to do exactly as he asked, but she somehow managed to stand her ground. “No.”

  Her pussy flooded when she saw him holding her favorite flogger. It was the same one she’d given to Caelan to return to him when she’d found it along with her anal plug next to her bed after he’d left. It’d royally pissed her off when she’d found them. In fact she’d taken the plug out to the kitchen before feeding it to the garbage disposal. Unfortunately for her now, it seemed that her inability to destroy the one object that’d had brought her so much pain and pleasure in the past was coming around to bite her in the ass.

  “If we have to strip you, you will be without clothes for the rest of the weekend.” The promise in Josh’s voice had her shivering.