No Going Back (Siren Publishing Allure)

by Redrae Gunn

  Tayen snuck her bike bag, complete with laptop and the essentials, into the back of the Jeep and begged Chad to just park the bike in front of the apartment building at three and bring her bag up from the garage. He had agreed, with some hesitation, but had complied. He agreed to wait in the bar until four. After that, he could leave no questions asked.

  At three Tayen headed to the gym.

  At three fifteen Tayen had given Chad her workout bag and he deposited it in the apartment just like Tayen had requested. She fired up the Harley and left town. Just before Tayen handed her bag to Chad she had sent her preprogrammed message to Caleb and David.

  Leaving town till Sunday. Decided to do a little weekend camping. Available by Facebook only. I’m safe. So…trust me on this.

  Caleb swore at himself, and he called the security department in the building. He asked that the last hour of security footage be sent to his laptop. The security guard sent it, and Caleb waited in his hotel room as the feed started. He tried to call Tayen, but her phone went straight to voicemail. He tried to track her number, but her cell showed her as still being at the apartment.

  The video showed Tayen enter the gym and strip down on her way to the locker room. She was wearing her swimsuit under her clothes. Tayen tied something to one of the diving bricks and threw it into the T area of the pool that was on the balcony. That part of the pool was covered with Plexiglas, and the glass was down allowing for no air if someone tried to surface on the balcony.

  Tayen threw one more brick into the water and then dipped her feet into the shallow end and made a track to the locker room. Caleb watched her dry her feet on a towel she had left by the locker room and then head toward the diving board, just as Theresa entered the gym.

  Tayen smiled at Theresa, said something to her, and then waved at her as Theresa went into the locker room. Tayen calmly walked back down the diving board, put her goggles on, and slid into the deep end of the pool, disappearing into the area on the balcony, covered by the glass.

  Theresa had come back out of the locker room and looked at the pool. She circled it and looked at the wet footprints. She went back into the locker room and came out, circling the pool again. Next she went into the men’s locker room and came back out. Finally she tried the doors to the balcony, but they were locked. Frustrated she grabbed her bag and left the gym.

  The footage from the balcony was grainy, but through the Plexiglas, Tayen could be seen with a brick held in one arm to keep her submerged and a long snorkel in the other hand. The snorkel extended under the Plexiglas and into the open area of the pool. The clear plastic would have been impossible to notice.

  Caleb called David.

  “Send me the footage.” David laughed. “You know what, Caleb? As her best friend I really have to say that you are a controlling freak. As a fellow Dominant, I should remind you that not trusting your submissive is one of the biggest mistakes that you can make.”

  David hung up the phone and Caleb texted him. I understand your point. I know. It is my issue, didn’t mean to make it hers.

  David replied. It’s all good man, ery1 has issues.

  Caleb continued to watch the video. Tayen had exited the pool the minute that Theresa had left. He rewound the video and wondered how she had known that Theresa was gone. From the outside camera Caleb could see Tayen staring directly at a silver, metal trash can at the end of the pool. She could probably see through the gym windows and watch Theresa leave.

  How’d Tay know she left? David texted Caleb.

  Wondered that myself. I think she’s watching the reflection in the metal trash can. Caleb replied.

  The video continued. It showed Tayen pulling herself and the bricks out of the pool. She had mopped up her footprints with a towel, changed into her leathers in less than three minutes, and braided her hair in the elevator on her way to the first floor. She put on dark sunglasses, exchanged bags with Chad before he handed her a set of keys, and she was out the front door.

  The video from the street showed a grinning Tayen secure her bag on the bike before she rolled out of the camera’s view.

  * * * *

  Ten minutes later Caleb sent David another text. How r u OK not knowing where she went?

  David called Caleb. “I would be perfectly okay with her still being at the apartment, but some overprotective person decided that it wasn’t good enough just to trust her, so he freaked her out, and she ran for the fucking hills.”

  Caleb was silent. David continued, “I had mentioned, I know she has mentioned, her survivor instincts. Well, think of it for just a moment. If she thinks she is being stalked, tracked, or trapped, she is going to get the hell out of dodge.”

  “I didn’t think of that.” Caleb ran his hands through his hair and then punched the pillow on the bed. He paced the floor of the hotel room. Two people he produced for were both doing a gig tonight at a huge show in Miami. He wished now that he had just trusted Tayen. “Well, if you talk to her, please tell her that my lesson is learned and I’m pulling Theresa off of her.”

  “I don’t talk to her when she runs for the hills,” David said softly. “She will communicate with me as she needs. I do that so that I don’t slow up her processor. You know she had two GYN appointments this week. One was the initial thing, and the next was a blood work follow-up. That alone has to be enough to send her into a three-hour workout.”

  “I forgot,” Caleb said looking down at the piece of paper Tayen had given him before he had left. It contained the initial appointment and approximate times of when she would be working. “I’m an idiot.”

  “That you are,” David said. “Sorry, but I really do have to side with my BFF on this one, no offense.”

  “None taken,” Caleb said. “I had better get going. Thanks for talking to me. I’ll try to get ahold of her on Facebook.”

  “Oh yeah,” David said, “and if she has been drinking, which most likely she has, expect some of the most smart-ass comments of your life. Not kidding either. I think she turns off her ‘nice filter’ after about six beers. You’ve earned it though.”

  “Thanks a lot,” Caleb said as he hung up. David was right. He had earned it. Caleb called Steve. He might as well tell his own best friend about his stupidity. Maybe Steve would have some advice on how to make it right.

  * * * *

  Tayen had cracked her first beer and was starting a fire in the small, open fire pit. She had stopped at a small grocer in the town nearby and picked up some eggs, potatoes, a whole chicken, a slab of bacon, and two really fat T-bone steaks.

  She was in love with the little cabin she had rented. It was quaint, and though it had the refrigerator, stove, microwave, and coffeemaker, those conveniences were tucked into the far end of the cabin, leaving the main area free of distraction.

  Tayen had run an extension cord out to the picnic table by the fire pit. Both were covered with a large overhang, and Tayen plugged in her laptop. The place had boasted Wi-Fi, but Tayen had doubted she would be able to connect due to the secluded position of her cabin. She was pleasantly surprised when she saw she had full strength on her signal.

  A thunderstorm rumbled in the distance, and Tayen checked the weather. Hail, high wind, lightning, and the chance of tornados. The luck of living in tornado alley. Tayen looked at her bike, and she began removing the wood from the small storage area. The wood rack was just big enough to shelter the bike. She pulled her tarp out of the saddlebag on the bike and succeeded in creating a hail-free zone for her new baby.

  Then she went back to tending her baked potatoes. She had decided to cook the chicken the next day, so she took one of the steaks out of the fridge, grabbed another beer, and headed back outside to figure out her Facebook account. She logged in and listened to FILTH FM. while she deleted the stupid friend requests from people overseas.

  As soon as Tayen logged in, she IM’d David. She could barely keep up, but she assured him that she was okay and in the Loess Hills. Yes, she knew about the damn tornado watch
. Yes, she was eating. She maneuvered her laptop to take a picture of the fire pit with the steak and baked potatoes on it and posted it to her page.

  Is Sir satisfied? Tayen asked.

  Good girl, David replied.

  Caleb sent me the video of your epic escape, David admitted, and then he added, brilliant by the way.

  Perhaps we should purchase the company that runs security, Tayen said simply. She was seriously considering it.

  No, David responded. I took your side by the way. Told Caleb he had some trust issues that he needed to work out. Yes, you were being tracked by Theresa. Chad heard her admit that you were better than she was. I told him that when a rabbit is being stalked it usually leaves the area that belongs to the predator.

  Mother fucker, Tayen replied.

  What? David asked.

  Caleb just IM’d me, and I don’t know this shit very well yet. I’ll close out with you and talk to him okay? Tayen replied.

  Give him hell, warrior, David advised.

  YES SIR!!!! Tayen responded before closing the chat button and clicking over to Caleb.

  Tayen flipped her steak, walked back inside, and grabbed another beer. She brought out a plate and placed her potatoes on it. Her steak was going to be ready shortly, but Tayen pulled it off the fire early. She brought her plate inside and decided to slam her beer, use the restroom, and then grab two beers to bring outside. If Caleb wanted to talk, then talk she would. Tayen returned to her computer and looked at Caleb’s IM.

  Tayen, I know you are on here so answer me please.

  Caleb, hello, yes, I see you. I had to pull my dinner off of the fire. I do apologize for the delay but a 20 oz T-bone is a fine piece of meat that I really don’t want to waste, especially since I love my meat extremely rare and so good that I lick the juice off the plate. Tayen smiled at her response and sipped her beer.

  Caleb ran his hands through his hair. “She’s going to kill me,” Caleb said to himself. “She’s going to fucking kill me.”

  Where are you? Caleb asked.

  Planet earth. Third rock from the sun.

  For real, Caleb replied, trying to be a little lighthearted.

  Avoiding predators in a state away from my current residence, Tayen replied.

  Caleb punched the bed before responding. Do you often run for the hills?

  Stalk much? Tayen asked. Considering purchasing the security company for the condo.

  I screwed up, Caleb replied.

  Ding…ding…ding… What do we have for him, Johnny?

  I want you safe, Caleb said.

  Considering the tornado watch that’s covering this county, I am in a threat zone. However, I have taken all of the necessary safety preparedness statements to heart and am ready if anything should happen. Tayen grinned at the computer. That should just about give Caleb a heart attack if he was anything like David.

  Not fair, Caleb replied. He was running out of things to punch.

  You either. So…when do you want to talk about your trust issues? Oh, gotta pee and grab another beer, so you can take your time with the response, Tayen said as she went in the cabin to relieve her suddenly pressurized bladder.

  Tayen, Caleb had typed.

  Tayen raised her eyebrows and shook her head at his reply. That was so not happening. She went back inside, straightened her clothes, and beat some eggs for breakfast before going back outside to respond.

  Caleb, SIR, you are miles away. I have effectively evaded your security systems and vanished from the face of the earth. Now is not the time to be my sexual Dominant, considering that you aren’t here…my BOB has more control over me right now than you do. Try again. Tayen laughed out loud and then walked away from the computer.

  Fuck BOB, Caleb typed. Tayen was pushing him to the limit.

  Just might, she replied, grinning. She had left BOB at the loft, but she was sure that her hand still worked just fine. Try again.

  Caleb punched the bed several times. Tayen was undoing him. Caleb had only asked for control outside of the bedroom one time in his past, and it hadn’t worked out. He couldn’t believe that he wanted that type of control over Tayen. It wasn’t possible. That wasn’t the type of person he was. Only in the bedroom, Caleb reminded himself.

  Fine. I’m sorry I had Theresa track you. Are you happy now? Caleb asked.

  Well, admitting that you have a problem is the first step. But the apology is accepted. Thank you. Tayen was serious. She appreciated the apology. Caleb had admitted guilt, and he was to be forgiven. If it happened again though, it would be another story.

  Tayen, where are you?

  I value Theresa’s life, therefore, I cannot, with a clear conscience, divulge that information at this time, especially with your stalking, non-trusting issues. Again, I am sorry, Tayen replied.

  Please?

  I am safe.

  Does anyone know where you are?

  Yes.

  Fine. Caleb glanced at his watch. He was going to be late if he didn’t get going. Can I try getting ahold of you after the show?

  Tayen hesitated. Then she decided to bend a little. Not sure how late I’ll be up, but that’ll be fine. If there is bad weather, not sure how the internet and electricity will hold up.

  OK. Tayen, be safe.

  I will, Caleb, sir. You, too. Good luck with the show.

  Thank you.

  Tayen clicked out of the chat and returned to her fire. She wondered just how deep Caleb’s trust issues went. She went into his Facebook page and took her time looking through all of his pictures and most recent posts. Then she went into his website and stalked him there again, too. She still didn’t register with the website.

  Finally when the storm moved through she went inside, ate, and watched the local television station cover the storm. She wasn’t in the path of any tornados, so she curled up with a book and enjoyed the smell of the air. She was finally able to relax now that she knew she wasn’t being stalked. Anonymity worked well for Tayen.

  Chapter 12

  David returned on Sunday afternoon. Tayen met him at the airport in her Jeep. He looked exhausted. Tayen finally got him to open up about his stress once they were home and they’d gone through two bottles of wine.

  “New ad campaign for a female line of soap, deodorant, and the works, major brand by the way, just, I don’t feel like I’ve got the edge on this one and think I might defer it to someone else,” David admitted.

  Tayen finally convinced him not to drop it. The deadline was two months away. He’d think of something. David agreed and thanked Tayen. She was wearing her leather, and she told David all about her weekend in the hills, how the bike handled, the storm, and the fat steaks she had cooked.

  “You are my closest living relative, right? You are also my emergency contact, power of attorney, all of those things, yeah?” Tayen asked. David nodded. “I told Dr. Jones what happened. He said he wouldn’t accept me as a patient unless he knew the details of my scars, due to health issues, liability, and bullshit like that. So I told him. Mostly because, he’s a great doctor, his nurse is amazing, and he’s not judgmental or anything.”

  “Hello? Yes? Please note this for future reference. Tayen was just rambling, and she never rambles,” David said as he held his hand to his mouth imitating a doctor who was dictating a note.

  David then leveled his gaze at Tayen. “What scars?”

  “You’ll get the note,” Tayen replied. “I’ve already signed the papers. Then you’ll know. I finally told someone, and they believed me. He really believed me.”

  “Princess,” David said, “I would’ve believed you if you would’ve told me.”

  “I know, but I just couldn’t, David,” Tayen sighed. “You’re my best friend, and I think that once I told one person, a stranger who could refuse to treat me further, the dam busted loose. I want you to know, too, so the papers are on their way. Don’t ask me to tell you because I won’t. I feel too good right now for all that shit. I do have my all clear bill of health.
No STDs and all that good stuff.”

  “When does your boyfriend get back in town?” David asked.

  “I don’t know,” Tayen replied honestly. “Sometime tonight I think, but I haven’t heard from him today. Plans can change at any time with his schedule, so I wasn’t sweatin’ it or nuthin’, dawg.”

  David looked at Tayen and raised an eyebrow. “FILTH FM. chat room much?”

  “Big ups, David.” Tayen grinned at him, and David groaned.

  “EZ, Lone Wolf,” David replied, mimicking her lingo.

  “EZ, David,” Tayen replied.

  “I don’t know how you go from The Piano Guys to Filth,” David said.

  “I’m nasty like that.” Tayen smirked.

  “Let’s get your nasty on.” David smirked, pulling her upstairs to her room. “Wanna go out?”

  “I do, but, David”—Tayen turned to David and cupped his cheeks in her hands—“you are exhausted.”

  “Tay baby, we are going out,” David said, placing his hands on hers. “I’ve actually been craving a little dominance outside of the bedroom, so don’t deny me of this.”

  Tayen grinned. “What’s Barbie wearing tonight?”

  “Anything but leather,” David replied, scowling at Tayen. “Do you wear anything but leather when I don’t pick out your attire?”

  “Nope.” Tayen smiled as David rummaged through her closet.

  “You are so hopeless.” David smirked as he pulled out a green, laced tank top. David threw the top at Tayen. “Pick out your lady wear. I’d go black if I was you.”

  Tayen stripped and dressed in the ridiculously short, black, spandex skirt that David had picked out. “This screams slut,” Tayen protested, looking in the mirror.

  “Not where we are going, love,” David said.

  Tayen tensed. “David?”

  “It’s much quieter on a Sunday,” David said. “Trust me.”

  “Okay,” Tayen said as she pulled the lace tank over her black bra and looked in the mirror. “Fuck no am I going downstairs like this.”