Now my parents were in my path and hell was about to rain down on them. “Now, for you two. I’ll tell you this. I’m choosing my own happiness from now on. I’ll decide what I want in this life, not you. I choose Arden, and I choose Daimen. They love me, and I love them. I know you need time to process this, and honestly, I can’t look at you, not after you defended the one man who cheated on me more times than I have fingers. So get out of my life and return only when you can fucking accept me.”
Just as Keith had, they attempted a rebuttal, but Levi had returned in time to escort my parents out of the room when Daimen closed the space between us. “I guess freaking and flipping weren’t going to work for that speech. You pulled out the big words for this showdown.” I didn’t want to laugh, it hurt too badly, but he was fucking right.
* * *
Each day I was in the hospital, I’d get a little more information about my accident and what had transpired afterward. To find out that Arden was almost killed caused my breathing to slow. I was so close to losing him, and the person I had to thank was someone I’d assumed was crazy out of her mind.
I’d woken up one afternoon to an empty room. I loved my men, but having a chance to catch my breath by myself was a treat. A knock on the door had me sitting up, hoping it was a nurse.
I was not expecting the petite blonde who popped her head around the corner. She was different in many ways from the first time I’d met her. She was limping, stitches covering one cheek and her forearm.
“Ell?” she asked. “I won’t stay long. I just want to tell you how sorry I am you got caught in Spencer’s crosshairs.” A tear fell on her cheek, and she turned to leave.
“Wait, Lana?” I called after her.
Her body stopped its progression to the door, but she was still facing away from me. “Lana, they told me what you did for Arden.” They’d all claimed Lana never loved Arden, but a woman didn’t throw herself in front of bullets without a great love. “Does he know? Does Arden know that you always loved him?”
With my words, she turned. “There’s so much, so much I can’t say, can’t talk about when it came to why I chose Spence over them. And it was not because I loved Spence.” Her words hit me. “It was because I loved Arden and Daimen too much to stay.” She turned to leave, and that was all I’d get from her.
“Thank you, Lana, for saving Arden,” I called out, and she stopped again. This time, she was at the door.
She twisted her head. “Ell, take care of them and do me a favor. Don’t let them go. Don’t make the same fucked-up mistake I did.” She was gone, and that was all I’d ever know of why Lana stayed with a man who hurt her. Maybe one day I’d hear her story, but for now, I’d do Lana that favor. No way in hell would I ever let them go, not ever fucking again.
58
Daimen
A three-ring circus was how one could coin our life over the past four weeks. Sure, the media got hold of our story, all of it, and didn’t mind sharing it with the whole fucking free world.
Deep into combing through all the legal jargon on my own, one last time after a sit-down with our lawyers, I was about to sign the papers. With only one signature missing, right on cue, the intercom buzzed. “She’s here, Daimen.” Scarlet’s tone was anything but comfortable.
“Send her in.” In coming to terms with the past month, forgiveness was the only thing that seemed to heal old wounds. I looked up in time to witness a different girl I’d once known, even a month ago, enter my office.
I stayed seated, though I extended her a smile. “Hey there.” We’d never get back to what we had, but she was the one reason I had Arden in my life. And if I was being honest, the past two years of her life had not been easy. So much had come out that night when he’d almost killed Arden and shot Lana instead. And every time she looked in the mirror, the woman looking back at her ultimately killed her husband.
I’d known her well enough to know the brokenness would be with her for some time, but only she could navigate this part of her life. I’d always be grateful for her sacrifice, but we knew this last meeting would be our final goodbye.
With Spencer dead, it wasn’t hard to liquidate parts of the company, buying Lana out of all our business ventures. We sold everything we once owned except the nightclubs and the residential and commercial real estate holdings. Lana was done with Chicago. After this last piece of paper was signed and notarized, our company’s new name was Blakely, Torano, and Arnold, LLC.
The sixty-two million dollar buyout was nothing compared to the freedom we’d have. Arden and I owned the company. For us, it was good to get away from our old business partner’s name too.
“Hey, Daimen.” She gave me a tight smile, sitting down across from my desk. “Sorry it took me so long to be able to do this. I mean, it’s just …”
“Lana, I get it. We’ve all been through the wringer. But, seriously, you doing okay?” I asked, and honestly, I was concerned for her.
“Well, when you kill your husband and almost lose your own life at the same time, it might take me a while to sort it out.” Her reply was not snotty but sincere. “No surprise, I’m not staying in Chicago. My sister lives in a small town outside of Seattle. I need a new start. By the way, after today, I won’t be Lana Alders. Going back to my God-given and maiden name seemed fitting with the new start.”
A smile formed on my face. “Shit, I almost forgot about that. Alana always suited you better anyway. Well, Miss Alana Shepard, I wish you all the luck in the world.”
Reaching for my pen, she remained standing, leaning over the desk, and signed her John Hancock on the dotted line. “The funds will be transferred this afternoon,” I informed her. Giving me a handshake and a small smile, she exited my office and my life.
* * *
Ell was released from the hospital two weeks ago, and since then, one of us was always at her beck and call. Stepping off the elevator, I was greeted with, “Give me some fucking space, will you?” In her words was a little humor and a lot of warning. We’d been a little invasive, but it was what we both knew. The thought of losing Ell caused us to pull back and hire a couple of executives who could oversee the day-to-day business while she healed. I won’t lie, giving up control was almost fucking impossible for me, but when I was faced with Arden and Ell having a standoff over a grilled cheese sandwich, I knew I’d made the right decision.
When a chuckle escaped my lips, they turned from their discussion about lunch. “Hey, I guess it’s just not Ell and me who argue,” I stated.
“I fucking ate one grilled cheese already. I’m stuffed, but this jackass here insists I need more and won’t let me dip it in ketchup, saying there is too much sugar in it. Plus, on top of being a dick, he’s making me drink milk. I hate milk.” Her animated tone was adorable. “And if I don’t get out of these four walls, I’m going to go fucking insane and kill one of you.”
Crossing the empty space from our door to the bed we’d barely let her out of, I sat near Ell, gripping her hand gently. “We’re just worried about you, beautiful,” I began, turning to Arden. “One sandwich is good. From now on, you want to ruin your grilled cheese with ketchup, we’ll allow you. And if you don’t like milk, we’ll find something else.”
“You fold like a drunk in Vegas,” Arden countered, laughter filling the room. He repositioned himself on the other side of our bed, insisting Ell heal at our penthouse with a nurse visiting her daily.
“I take it back, funny man, you’re a caveman too!” Her lighthearted tone was all I needed, pulling her head to my lips. “I do have good news for you two Neanderthals.”
Catching a curious glance from Arden, I started, “Oh, yeah, what’s that?”
“I’ve decided to move in with you,” she announced with both Arden and I laughing uncontrollably.
“What did I say that’s so funny?” she questioned, moving her gaze from Arden, then back to me.
“You acted like you had a choice in the matter, little girl,” I announced.
“Yeah, hot stuff, you never really had a choice. We just let you think it was your decision. We’re never letting you out of our sight again.”
With both hands, she raised them, flipping us both off in our own space. I took her fingers and interlaced it with mine, knowing my own confession would bring about a smile.
“Well, I have good news too, beautiful,” I announced.
Her pout turned to a full-on grin. “What?” she asked like a little kid.
“I got permission from your doctor. I’m taking you both on a trip. We leave next week.”
Straightening herself in bed, she questioned, “Where?”
“Well, little girls who flip us off have to wait to find out.”
Her response was typical. Pulling her hand from my embrace, she moved it into my space with the middle finger again telling me what she thought about my response. This woman and the man in hysterics next to her were all I needed.
59
Elliot
After Daimen surprised us with the upcoming trip, nothing I could do would convince them to share the destination with me. I tried; hell, I tried.
“It’s top secret, beautiful, and you don’t have clearance,” Daimen would tease. But the four walls were closing in on me, and I couldn’t live through another week of house arrest. It was like osmosis; Arden had become as bossy as Daimen had been.
It was two days later that they both surprised me with a night on the town at my favorite restaurant. I rarely went there for the price alone, and Keith had never taken me because he claimed he hated French food. But sitting at the table next to the window in Everest, overlooking the skyline of Chicago, my guys must have asked either Andrew or my brother what fine dining establishment I loved the most. We ate a lot and drank even more, and the flirting was over the top. I’d not had sex, or should I say did they allow me to have sex, since being released from the hospital. I thought my north pole would wither away if I was not acquainted with my men’s manhoods soon. After my third glass of wine, I was surprised neither men cut me off. Being just tipsy enough, I leaned into their space a bit and asked, “When the hell will you all fuck me again?” Arden laughed at my words, and Daimen gave me that look I could read like a foreign language. The I’m in charge sort of shit he always spewed.
“Well, hot stuff, it was going to be a surprise, but Daimen wanted to test your willingness in our playroom tonight.”
When I twisted my head toward Daimen, his smile told me all I needed to know. Fuck it. I lifted my hand toward the waiter. “Check, please.”
* * *
During the countless hours of bedrest, Daimen had explained his idea of the playroom.
“It’s not BDSM—not really. I just want a place with toys where we can experiment. But with you, I’ll give you a safe word. I’ll never push you into something you don’t want, but I have full domination in the room, do you understand?”
I nodded my head, but he pulled my chin squarely where I could see his eyes. “And you will call me Sir in the room. You understand?” I only nodded, and with a smirk he shook his head and looked away. I didn’t call him Sir, but we weren’t in the room. What did he expect?
But now, as we stripped in our bedroom, he took my hand and led me into our playroom that had been off-limits until now. I’d done my research, so I was not shocked at the punishment table they called Arden’s fucking table that was made just for his height. It was apparently Daimen’s favorite place to pound my kinky funny man. Or that was what Arden boasted.
“You’ll be naked every time you walk in this room,” he commanded as I passed the threshold.
“You’ll become just as kinky as I am, hot stuff.” Arden’s voice was calm. I didn’t hear this cautious tone often, but he did take his kink seriously.
“You, beautiful”—Daimen pulled me gently to him—“will be lying here.” He pointed at a long table. “It’s called a bondage bench. You love to watch, my little voyeur, so I bought this just for you.” I inspected it from top to bottom, and before I could comment, he continued, “I don’t have whips and chains. That’s not my thing. But I do have a spanking horse.” He pointed at an apparatus that looked like a piece of gymnastics equipment. “And I’ll take your sweet ass over that.” He leaned in and gave me a smile and a peck on the cheek. “Now, I understand what you’re thinking.”
I nodded my head in agreement, but I didn’t say a word. I loved to challenge him, but right now, I chose to stay quiet. “You will be handcuffed; thus, you won’t be able to touch yourself as you watch me fuck Arden over his table.” He wore a cocky grin as if he was enjoying this, and knowing the bastard, he was.
I dutifully did what he asked, but it went against everything that was me. But I was wet, and honestly, this turned me on too much not to play along with him. “And because I love you so much, little girl,” he stated while cuffing both my hands and feet to the bench that looked like a long, padded dining room table, “I won’t even put a ball gag in your mouth. Because I need to hear your moans. How about you, babe? Want to hear our girl moan while I fuck you?”
“Yes, Sir, I do,” Arden answered and winked at me. For some reason, when Arden called Daimen Sir, I could have come. Now, I was pissed I couldn’t touch myself.
“And, little girl, this table is so sturdy, I can fuck you on it if you’re good after I fuck Arden.”
I never understood my deeper desire, but these men brought it out in me. Turning my eyes up to his, I replied, “Yes, Sir. I would like that very much, Sir.” I didn’t even push my luck with any sort of sass because truth be told, I wanted him too much to tick him off.
Pulling Arden behind him, Daimen pushed Arden over his fucking table and cuffed his hands at the front. Arden turned his head toward me with a smile. “You’re fucking gorgeous like this, hot stuff.” My heart stilled. And to think I almost gave this up with them over what the fucking world thought was love. This might not be standard or conventional, but my love for these men surpassed all understanding. In this room was my future—my love—my everything.
Watching Daimen stretch Arden was sexy as fuck. My moans increased when I searched Daimen’s face. “Please, I need to come. I need release.”
“No can do, little girl. Believe me, when I have you, you’ll thank me for the delayed gratification.” I believed that, but I didn’t want to admit it.
The second he pushed his beautiful cock inside Arden, I watched the transformation of my funny man. He clenched his restrained hands only to release them with each thrust. A slow smile built on his face, but we never broke eye contact. His desire and longing and need for this man we both loved never ceased to amaze me.
Pulling out of Arden, after he’d already come, he leaned over the resident funny man and held his body for some time. The beauty in their embrace was all that it took to sum up our love for one another. Turning his head toward me, he said, “Don’t worry, beautiful, you’re next. But I’m going to play the role of voyeur for now.” Walking in front of Arden, he unlocked his cuffs. “Babe, I want to watch you fuck her while she is restrained. Think you can handle that?”
The second his cuffs were loosened, he pushed off the table. “Fuck, yeah.”
Daimen sat in a chair to the side of me while Arden entered me. “Don’t let her come too quickly.”
With a devious smile on his face, Arden’s only reply was, “Ah, no problem.” It was as if he could tell my pussy was clenching around his dick as he slid out.
“That’s cruel,” I pouted, needing release.
He continued this torture with me for twenty minutes; all the while, Daimen looked on, a deep chuckle escaping his lips. “Okay, baby, I think you’ve tormented her enough.”
With one last thrust inside me, my orgasm continued for some time. The arrogant look of my caveman told me he had something to say that would probably make me want to flip him off. “See, little girl, you can thank me now.”
And sure enough, even in handcuffs, I flipped him off.
60
Arden
My eyes adjusted to the light streaming in from the outside. I wasn’t sure what we did last night after falling back in bed when we left the playroom, but my head was at the bottom of the mattress. Ell’s head was resting on my stomach, and out of the corner of my vision, I saw Daimen’s perfect feet. Not sure how someone’s feet could look this flawless but leave it to the SOB with OCD.
This was my future, one I’d dreamed of for so long, but today, I’d come clean. It wasn’t supposed to get this far. I mean, the chances of it working out the way I’d designed were slim to none. But, now, we were naked, tangled up in one another, and our future was ready for us to write.
But I couldn’t start it with this between us. Last night, Ell gave us so much trust—appeasing us both in the playroom. And it was such fucking irony. As my mind wandered to the possibility that they could never forgive me for this, my pulse quickened, and the sweat collected on my forehead.
Daimen and his sexy feet moved from the bed, and his beautiful face greeted me with a long and tender kiss. “Good morning, you sexy bastard. Ready to show our girl more of what our playroom has to offer?” With his bare ass on display, he turned to me, giving me an even better view of his gorgeous cock ready to be licked. No, I think it was time to tell them everything.
Leaning down, Daimen’s face contorted while he placed his hand on my forehead. “Babe, you’re sweating. You feeling okay?”
Elliot was off the bed after hearing Daimen’s concern for me. “Funny man, you okay?” she asked, kissing my forehead with her soft lips.
Foundations: The Power of Three Love Series Page 23
