Choosing Rena

by Dakota Trace

  Munching on her own treat, Rena gazed thoughtfully at her sister. “Well it could be because you’re only a week away from your due date. I’m honestly surprised the doctor hasn’t induced you yet.”

  Keisha shrugged. “That could be it. He just seems a bit more intense than usual. He keeps telling me it’s this job he has going on along with my pregnancy hormones that has him up and round the bend, but there are days when I wonder.” She set down the pastry. “Do you think it might be because he doesn’t find me beautiful anymore?”

  Rena leaned back in her chair. There was some truth to the matter, she supposed. Her sister was no picnic to live with under normal circumstances, and even less so since she’s carrying a child. Her expecting motherhood had triggered even wilder mood swings on her sister’s part. Don’t get her wrong, she loved her sister, but Rena had no illusions when it came to Keisha. She was high maintenance even at the best of times. “Sis, I don’t think it has anything to do with if he finds you attractive…”

  “How do you know?” Keisha grabbed her arm. “Tell me…did he say something?”

  Prying Keisha’s hand off, Rena wished more than anything her mother was here. Ruth Ann MacAllister was one of the few people who could talk sense into her stubborn sister. “He loves you, Sis. Before I left, he congratulated me on being smart enough to give up the lifestyle, that if I was lucky I’d find a good man who’d give me children and consider me just as precious as his little blackbird is to him.”

  Keisha’s mouth trembled. “He did?”

  Rena nodded. “Yep.”

  “Oh thank you!” Her sister stood awkwardly to throw an arm around her. The next several moments were a flurry of kisses and squeezes as Keisha showed her appreciation. Rena bore it stoically until the storm passed. Keisha pulled back to stare into her eyes. “Wait a second! What does he mean you’ve given up the lifestyle? You need it just as much as I need chocolate!”

  Rena slowly shook her head. “I haven’t changed my mind. I told you the night of the collaring I’d given up – ”

  Shaking her head, Keisha protested. “Jackson Levough, not submission. It’s part of your soul. How do you honestly think you’ll be satisfied with a vanilla man? For heaven’s sake, Rena Marie MacAllister, you’ve been in the scene for nearly twenty years.”

  Forcing a smile, Rena brushed her fingers over her sister’s cheek. “Probably two years too many.” Moving back from the table, she rose, taking her coffee mug to the sink and dumping her untouched coffee.

  She flinched when Keisha placed her hands on her shoulders. “No. I’m going to tell you again, girl. There was nothing wrong with your submission to that ass. The fault was his and how he handled it was beyond heinous. It took everything I had to convince Eddie not to visit Louis the night you were fired. He was going to kill him for costing you a job you loved.”

  Covering her sister’s hand, she gave it a squeeze. “It’s nice of you to say it, but after twenty years of trying to find the right Dom, I’ve come to the conclusion there isn’t one who can give me what I need.” Releasing her sister, she turned and gently hugged her. Despite everything, they were sisters and they had each other’s backs. “But I’m happy you were able to convince Eddie to behave. I wouldn’t want your baby’s daddy to be in jail.”

  Chapter Six

  Jackson leaned back, a contented sigh escaping him. It’d been too long since he’d been to Pínaka ti̱s Mi̱téras – a cozy family Greek restaurant which was owned by fellow Dom and friend Gabriel Poulanos. In fact, he hadn’t been able to attend one of these munches since before he became so ill. That damn influenza and RSV royally kicked my ass. He’d missed not only the warm atmosphere, but also the surge of acceptance he got from being around others in the BDSM lifestyle.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Gabriel. He was standing near the bar next to Nisey Richardsen, the sub of another one of his friends. A second, very attractive brunette stood on the other side of the restaurant owner. Towering over both women, Gabriel was looking better than he had nearly six weeks ago, when Jackson, fresh out of the hospital, had attended the funeral of Sara, Gabriel’s long-time submissive. The loss of her had hit the other man hard. He still couldn’t believe some punk kid had murdered sweet Sara for a silver necklace and the twenty dollars she’d had in her wallet at the time. Personally, he thought the loss of the necklace had only compounded his friend’s grief over the violent act. Handcrafted in Greece, specifically for Sara, it had been her everyday collar.

  “He doesn’t seem the same without her.” Next to him, Caelan Doherty, another Dom from Olivia’s, swirled the wine in his flute, jerking Jackson out of his thoughts.

  “No, he doesn’t. I can’t imagine losing the woman I love in such a violent way.” Or accept my overwhelming need for revenge. Just the mere thought of the gang-banger at the mall threatening Rena had him seeing red.

  “Too true. He blames himself, no matter how many times I’ve told him he had no way of knowing that some punk would try to mug her and she’d resist, but he brushes me off. I think the only reason he agreed to host the munch tonight is because Nisey asked. She has a Greek friend she met through IADT who expressed an interest in the lifestyle, and she wanted Zhenya to have the same type of introduction she did.”

  Jackson couldn’t help but smile. He’d only heard rumors about how the Irishman next to him had brought his sister’s best friend to her first munch, since it happened shortly before he and Jude had relocated their business from Georgia to Chicago. “Is it true Nisey nearly had a meltdown watching you perform a simple box tie?”

  Shooting a look over his shoulder in his sub’s direction, Caelan chuckled. “Let’s just say I have very fond memories of Gabriel’s office.”

  After giving Gabriel a hug, Nisey and the brunette joined them. Contentment crossed Caelan’s face when Nisey brushed her fingers over his shoulder. “Speaking of the little imp…” He turned his head up to look at her. She looked like the college co-ed she was, dressed in capris and an emerald cotton top. “Did you introduce Zhenya around?”

  “Of course, Máister.” Nisey blushed slightly as Caelan pulled her down onto his lap.

  “She has been a kaló korítsi, Kýrie Dorherty. She even introduced me to your échase ton ánthro̱po” Then Zhenya rattled off a few more sentences in Greek.

  “Whoa, in dire need of a translator here…” Caelan laughed.

  “She said Nisey was a good girl and introduced her to a lost man…I’m assuming she meant me.” Gabriel joined them at the table, a rueful smile on his face very reminiscent of the man Jackson remembered before Sara had died. “Very observant on her part…” His eyes saddened, though a moment later, Jackson saw a glimpse of the old Gabriel as he stared at Zhenya. “…but unfortunately not something she can fix as she wishes. It was a pleasure to meet you, mikrí̱ but I have other customers to attend to.” Nodding briefly to the men, he walked away.

  “I’ll show him, little one.” Zhenya’s eyes narrowed, her brow furrowed as her gaze followed Gabriel’s retreating back. Somehow Jackson had a feeling that Gabriel’s days of mourning Sara were going to be over sooner than the Greek man wanted.

  Nisey forced a smile to defuse the situation before quickly introducing everyone around the table. Jackson didn’t even protest when Nisey sat her guest next to him. Instead he launched into a conversation about what area of Greece she was from, listening avidly as she talked about her home in Xavia, a town on the island of Crete.

  * * * *

  “Don’t let him get to you, Zhenya,” Nisey told her as they waited outside the restaurant, referring to the distant manner Gabriel had treated Zhenya with as they’d checked out.

  “Yes, give him time. He’s not always such a distant ass,” Olivia agreed. “Most of the time, he’s a just dominating one.”

  As the girls broke out in laughter, Jackson marveled at them. Even with Olivia being a Domme, there were some things that never changed…women loved to gossip. Catching Mic
ah’s eye, they separated far enough that even though they were still standing behind them, they were able to protect the ladies if something happened. While the location of Pínaka ti̱s Mi̱téras was a good one and relatively crime free, he still couldn’t fight the urge to protect the women - particularly when Jude and Caelan had gone to fetch the cars which were parked nearly a block away. Exactly what we get for coming to Gabriel’s on a Friday night, but at least the munch was a success – even if the majority of the regulars came to check up on Gabriel.

  The cell on his hip vibrated. Reaching for it, he frowned at the display. Flipping it up this ear, he answered. “Don’t tell me you’ve dropped your keys down a sewer drain again, Jude.”

  “It only happened once you, prick.” Jude seemed on edge. “I need you to get the women back inside. Tell Olivia it isn’t safe to be outside. Some asshole vandalized our car. Call me back when they’re secured. This is a Safe Haven situation.”

  “Gotcha.” Snapping his phone shut, he caught Micah’s eye, before using a tone he learned while in the Rangers. “We need to get inside A.S.A.P., people. We need Safe Haven, now!” He gently grabbed Zhenya’s arm, since she was the closest and pushed her towards the door. Opening it, he interrupted the hostess who was getting ready to seat a couple and told her to go grab Gabriel. When she opened her mouth to protest, he glared at her. “Get him now! This is an emergency!” He parked Zhenya on one of the benches inside the foyer as the hostess stomped off. Nisey sank down beside her.

  “No protest from you?” Jackson was surprised.

  Nisey shook her head. “Nope. You wouldn’t corral us back in without a reason, and whatever’s going on must be pretty bad if you’re invoking the Safe Haven law.” She gave him a smirk. “Besides it’s easier to sit here like a good girl than have my bottom warmed by Máister for putting myself in harm’s way.”

  “Good girl.” He scowled as he realized Olivia wasn’t in the foyer with the rest of the women. Outside the door he could hear Olivia arguing with Micah. “Unlike that God damn Duchess.” He gave them both a direct look. “When Gabriel comes up, tell him it’s a Safe Haven situation. He’ll understand and protect you until Jude or Caelan arrive.”

  Even though Gabriel wasn’t active in the lifestyle at the moment, a sub asking for a safe haven wouldn’t be ignored. It was a change that had been added to the club’s code of conduct after the fiasco Nisey had endured a couple of years back with her first overzealous Dom. It didn’t matter if it was because of abuse by a known master, or if it was an unknown Dom or Domme; it gave refuge to the sub and protected him or her until the issue could be resolved in a peaceable manner. In fact, it was a code everyone at Olivia’s had to abide by if they wanted to be a member. Gabriel was still an active member.

  When he spotted Gabriel weaving his way through the dining room with the irate hostess, he yanked open the door, only to hear Micah pleading with his Mistress to come back inside. As usual, the stubborn-assed woman wanted to dive headfirst into whatever was happening.

  “Duchess, get your ass inside before I take that damn crop you have in your purse to your own backside.” Jackson gritted his teeth as Olivia froze.

  “And just who the hell do you think you’re talking to, Jackson Frederick Levough?”

  “My stubborn assed aunt who won’t even follow the simplest of requests. For God’s Sake, you wrote the damn Safe Haven law. You know what it means!” He stomped up to her. “So we can do this one of two ways. Either you go in peaceably, or I’ll take you inside and let Jude and Micah deal with you…after.”

  Her nostrils flared. “You seem to forget I’m a Domme and should be doing the protecting while they’re…”

  He raked his hand through his hair. “…the men you promised to listen to when it comes to your safety. So please, go inside with Nisey and Zhenya while Jude and I deal with this.” He softened his tone. “Someone vandalized your car, Olivia. And it must be bad if Jude thought you were in danger and asked specifically for you to be inside with the rest of the women.”

  She gave a sigh. “Fine, but I expect a full report of what happened as usual.” Another stipulation for club members; if there was a Safe Haven called then the investigating Doms, or in this case Jude and Caelan, they had to file a report to Olivia. It was one way to keep actual abusers out of the clubs and from praying on unsuspecting subs.

  “It’ll be done,” he was quick to assure her. “Now, I imagine, Ms. Zhenya would love an explanation of exactly what the law is, considering I told her and Nisey to invoke it when Gabriel arrives.”

  Olivia nodded. “As a newbie, she needs to be aware of the law.”

  Jackson held his breath as she re-entered the restaurant. Next to him Micah gave a relieved sigh. “Damn that was close. Why does she have to be so damned stubborn?”

  “I have no idea.” Dialing Jude back, he waited for his partner to answer.

  “Is everyone secure?” Jude’s tone was brisk.

  “Yep, all secure, although I still think you need to paddle Olivia harder the next time she gives you shit about her safety. That woman can teach stubborn to a mule. Now tell me what’s going. Why the hell did you call a code “Safe Haven” over a simple act of vandalism?”

  “Because of what was spray painted on the passenger side door and hood of the car.”

  “What’s it say?” Dread filled his stomach.

  “Well the lighting isn’t the best but on the hood it looks like it says, ‘Death to all freaks! Doms and subs alike.’ And there are several gang symbols on the car doors.”

  “Son of a bitch. How the hell did they know we’re in the lifestyle? It’s not like we wear a huge sign saying we’re into BDSM. This is gonna bring down a shit storm upon us, if the media gets ahold of this.”

  “Fuck, I know. I’m not sure how they found out but the spray paint isn’t the worse of it. All the windows are gone, all four tires are slashed and it smells like they urinated inside the car.” The sound of Jude’s fist hitting metal echoed through the phone. “Olivia’s gonna be pissed. We just bought this car. It’s her baby.”

  “Damn. Have you called the cops yet?”

  “Yeah, but I’m sure we’re not high on their priority at the moment. They said that they’d have an officer out here soon as possible, but when I talked to Ethan a few minutes ago, he said he heard on the police scanner that there was a robbery in progress at the First American Bank on West Madison Street.”

  “Damn. So is Ethan coming out to take pictures?”

  “Yeah he is. As much as he can. The dispatcher told me not to disturb the car because of the gang symbols.”

  “Do you think it has anything to do with the break-in at your place? They trashed all your fetish clothing. Olivia’s and Micah’s too.” A news van came flying by the restaurant, then followed by another one. God, he hoped that the news coverage was for the bank robbery since it was only about four blocks away but had his hopes dashed when a Christian Lifestyles van passed by and then was followed by a U.S. Catholic van.

  “Ah shit! I think you have incoming media, Jude.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  Less than thirty seconds later, he heard an unfamiliar male voice. “Excuse me, Sir. Are you the owner of this car? Are you involved in this disgraceful lifestyle? You do realize you’re going to go to hell for your sins?” Snapping the phone closed, he took off at a run, Micah following him.

  “We’ve got to help Jude. Someone called the damn bible-thumpers.”

  Keeping pace with him, Micah voiced the same question Jackson had been thinking. “How the hell did they find out so fast?”

  “Damned if I know, but we can’t leave him and Caelan alone with those vultures.”

  Chapter Seven

  Pressing an ice pack against his black eye, Jackson leaned back in his office chair. The bright early morning light reflecting off Lake Michigan was not helping his headache in the least bit. He was out of sorts and ached in places he hadn’t known could ac
he. I can’t believe I was done in by the side mirror on Jude’s car. He wanted to do nothing more than to turn back the clock so he could simply kick the ass of the idiot reporter from that narrow-minded judgmental magazine. Instead he’d been nice, asking the man to back away from the crime scene until the police could photograph it.

  “But no, he had to be a jackass and try to push me out of the way. All for a damned story.” Of course he’d lost his balance due to the broken glass and other spilled fluids that he didn’t even want to think about which had pooled under the car. In the end, he’d hit his head on the side mirror while trying to stop his fall, given himself a hell of a shiner, and still had fallen into the mess. “And what does Olivia do? She laughs at my ass before treating me like I’m a five year old again.”

  “Aw, you been fighting with your aunt again, Playboy? Oh wait, you quarreled with her car…” Ethan closed the door as he walked into the office.

  Lifting the ice pack off his face, Jackson flipped him off. “Go ahead laugh it up, you Indian bastard. Next time you’re on guard duty when Olivia needs a security detail.”

  Ethan grinned. “Ah, don’t be that way. Besides me and Ms. Olivia have reached an agreement. She likes me, unlike you, who she barely tolerates and only because you introduced her to Jude. I have a special bond with her because I saved Micah.”

  Glowering at his too cheerful friend, Jackson crossed his arms over his chest. “Don’t you have anything else to do other than harass my ass this morning? One would think you’d be too busy following up leads on the gang symbols from the car.”

  Ethan shrugged. “I put in a couple of calls to some friends down at the Mobile Strike Force who’re working the Greektown area. Until they get back to me, I do have a couple of consults to handle today but I don’t have to be there for at least another …” He made a show of glancing down at his wrist “…two hours. So, nope, I don’t have anything else to do at this particular moment.”