by Jenna Jacob
It was a heady rush knowing that with one simple command, Mercy would willingly hand everything over to him, her power, her passion, her love.
She would beg him to wrap his lips around her pebbled nipples, flick and lave his tongue over her crinkled flesh. Whimper and moan for him as he feasted on one, then the other before tearing her pants down over her hips. He’d direct her to spread her bare, wet folds open and inhale the spicy sent of her cunt, then devour her until she was ready to shatter. Kellan would warn her not to come, and she’d follow his command. Not out of fear but out of the need to please him. And when he hoisted her legs over his shoulders and drove his dripping cock deep inside her quivering core, she’d whisper to him…tell him that she loved him.
“I want to touch you so badly, Sir,” Mercy whispered without raising her head.
Kellan briefly closed his eyes to will away the carnal fantasy uncoiling in his head.
Rescue her with your control and command.
“As I do you, angel. But we can’t always have what we want.”
“I know, Sir.”
“And I hate to tell you this, little one, but you won’t ever have what you want if you continue to Top from the bottom. Do you know what that means?”
“Trying to get my own way?”
“Yes, by trying to manipulate a Dom.”
“I would never do that.”
“You already have, numerous times.”
She raised her lids and gaped at him as if he were from Mars. “When?”
It took all the self-control he could muster not to grin. She was so fucking precious…so intriguingly innocent in the ways of submission.
“Do you actually want me to list them all?”
“Yes.”
“Yes what?”
“Yes, please.”
“Yes, please who?”
“Oh. Yes, please, Sir.”
“Very well. We’ll start at the top. In my chambers yesterday, you argued with me when I informed you that I would take you home.”
“But…but you weren’t Dominating me then.”
“Wasn’t I? My Dominance isn’t a switch, little one. It doesn’t flip on and off like a light bulb. While I can adjust it at will, make no mistake, even when I’m lenient, I’m man and Dom…one entity.”
“Oh,” she whispered. Her lips remained pursed in an inviting O. Christ, he wanted to kiss her again.
“In the parking garage. You handed down the ultimatum if I didn’t answer your question. Do you remember?”
“Yes, Sir,” she replied. Her quiet reply was teemed in remorse.
She was finally beginning to understand. Her awakening filled him with pride.
“Shall I continue?”
“No, Sir. I get it.”
“Do you?”
She nodded, though a bit too pensively for his liking.
“Tell me then, think back…what do you suppose was your boldest attempt to usurp my Dominance?”
“They all seem pretty foolishly bold at the moment.”
“Attempting to blindly find your way is anything but stupid. It takes guts to try and spread your submissive wings without someone there to show you how to fly.” He paused and let her ponder his words. “I’ll help you figure out the answer. It was just now, when you disobeyed me and removed your bra after I instructed you not to.”
“I-I…” Her rebuttal died on her lips as he sent her a frown. She lowered her gaze again. “I thought you didn’t want me…sexually.”
Kellan placed his fingers beneath her chin and lifted her head until she met his eyes once more. “Nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve wanted you since the first night I laid eyes on you. There’s nothing I want more than to release my cock, grip your silky hair, and drag your mouth to me. Feel your slender fingers slide over my rigid shaft as you part your pretty, plump lips and glide your hot, slick tongue all over me.”
Her whole body trembled. Mercy sucked in a raspy breath. Heat danced in her shimmering aqua eyes. “I’d like that, too, Sir.”
Kellan was in awe of the girl.
She possessed the heart of a true submissive. While that heart had led her to hook up with Kerr and brought a world of shit down around her, she hadn’t broken. Her spirit, her desire, her need to yield and please had survived. Mercy possessed the same brave, sassy spunk that Leena once had.
But it had taken the courage to exert his Dominance, boldly put Mercy on her knees here before him, to realize how he’d missed someone who challenged him the way she did.
“Unfortunately, we can’t. I know from experience that concussions don’t heal overnight. It’s my duty as a Dom to protect you in all ways—physically, emotionally, and mentally.”
“Mild concussion,” she corrected, then quickly bit her lips together as if she’d screwed up.
“Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t ever want you to conceal your feelings. You’re free to always speak your mind, but Topping from the bottom won’t be tolerated. Understood?”
“Yes. Thank you. I was afraid I’d be wearing a permanent ball gag if I couldn’t express myself.”
Kellan chuckled. “You don’t like ball gags?”
“I hate them.”
“I’ll be sure to remember that.” He grinned.
“I bet you will.” She bit back a taunting smirk. “But I am feeling better.”
“I’m glad to hear that, but you’re still not well enough for… Well, let’s just say your physical health supersedes everything for now.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Her reply was no different than all the other subs at the club, but when those two words rolled off Mercy’s lips, his Dominance expanded along with his chest and his cock. Kellan could feel her trust. He could easily see himself gathering up the intricate pieces of her submission and sculpting her precious power into a mind-shattering new world for her. Their shared pleasures would be more than immense.
The image of watching her soar to the heavens under his command unleashed a sizzle of want to sear his balls. Clutching his hands tightly to keep from losing his shit and touching her, Kellan bent and kissed her forehead.
“You may lower your arms now, angel.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Her breathless reply taunted his angry erection. In a perfect world, he’d lift her off the bed and carry her down the hall. He’d strip her naked and put her on her knees in his shower and fill her mouth with every hard inch of him.
But this wasn’t a perfect world…it was a perfect storm, named Mercy. And Kellan was caught in the eye.
“Relax and rest some more if you can. I’m going to grab a quick shower.” And jack off again, ’cause who doesn’t need a chapped dick? Dammit! “In a little bit, we’ll drive to your apartment and pick up your things.”
“Thank you for everything…Sir.”
“You’re welcome.”
Her gratitude warmed him all the way to the shower and through another quick but powerful orgasm courtesy of his fist. As Kellan stood at the dresser fastening the button of his jeans, he gazed at the wedding photo once again.
“I don’t know if I can move on yet or not, love. Hannah’s convinced you’d want me to,” he whispered. “It’s the guilt that’s living, breathing inside me I’m not sure I can overcome.”
Confessing his fears, even to Leena’s image, seemed to lighten some of the load from his shoulders. If he knew for certain that she would want him to forge ahead, his decision would be a no brainer. He’d not only train Mercy, but collar her, and move her in with him as well.
“No one ever said life was fair or easy,” he grumbled before choosing a shirt from the closet.
Dark, ominous clouds drifted overhead as he and Mercy drove to her apartment.
“I’ll try to be quick so we don’t end up like a couple of drowned rats on the drive back to your place.”
“Take your time. A little water won’t hurt us.” Kellan grinned. “Do you have your keys?”
“No. I
have a spare under the mat.”
He arched his brows in shock. “That’s probably not a wise thing to do, especially with Kerr still on the lose.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t leave a key there. They haven’t caught him yet?”
“No. Before Hannah arrived, I phoned Amblin. He’s as frustrated as we are. Kerr seems to have vanished off the face of the earth.”
Mercy nibbled her bottom lip as worry stamped her features.
Kellan reached over and clasped her hand. “I’ll keep you safe. Trust me.”
“I do trust you and I know you’ll do everything in your power to keep him from me.”
“Damn straight.”
As he pulled in and parked in front of her complex and turned off the ignition, Mercy eyed the empty slot where she normally parked. “Oh, I just realized…my car’s still at the club. Crap. I have no idea where the key is. I had it before…”
Kellan raised his hand. “Relax. Everything’s fine. I, ah, I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you. Things were a bit hectic last night. Your car and key are safe and sound. Mika texted me while we were at the hospital. After things settled down at the club, Woody went outside to make sure your car was locked and found your key lying on the street. He took it inside and gave it to Mika. Max or maybe Samantha drove it to Mika’s after Genesis closed to make sure it didn’t get towed,” Kellan explained while watching the anxiety bleed from her face. “When you’re able to drive, we’ll go over to Mika’s place and pick it up.”
“I can’t believe this.”
“What?”
“Everyone at the club…they’ve opened their hearts to me. I have no idea how I’ll ever be able to repay them…and you.”
“You don’t have to. We’re a close-knit, kinky family. We take care of our own.” Far off in the distance, a flash of lightning webbed the sky. “We’d better get inside. I don’t want you to be melting.”
At least not in the rain.
Kellan preferred her to melt all around him. Before his unruly cock woke again, he hurried from the car and helped Mercy into the complex. He bent and lifted the rubber welcome mat outside her apartment door. A loud clap of thunder shook the building just as Mercy touched his shoulder.
“Wait. It’s been moved.”
“What?”
“The key. I never place it sideways…always vertical.”
Kellan plucked up the key and stood. “Wait over there until I check things out.”
“What if he’s in there, waiting for me? You might get shot.”
He bent and lifted the leg of his jeans, then lifted the Glock G28 from the holder strapped to his ankle. While this model was only assigned to law enforcement officers, most of the judges were granted licenses for them, just in case things went south during a trial.
“You have a gun?” Mercy’s eyes widened.
“I usually only carry it for work, but after last night, I won’t be leaving home without it.”
She gave a tiny nod before walking toward the entrance near her door.
“I’ll be out in a minute.” He gave her a wink as he slid the key into the lock.
Kellan stepped inside and flipped on the light.
The words: YOU’RE GOING TO DIE, BITCH were painted on the wall above her couch.
His gut and jaw clench simultaneously.
A flash of lightning illuminated the ominous message. The hairs on the back of his neck tingled. Though he wanted to inspect the rest of the rooms, Kellan knew he needed to preserve the crime scene. Frustration ate at him as he eased out of the apartment and let the door close in his face.
“What’s wrong? Why did you come out so fast?” Mercy nervously asked as she hurried in beside him.
Kellan gripped her elbow and led her to the stairwell leading up to the second floor and nodded for her to sit down. Rain pounded against the glass panels framing the main door. Thunder and lightning added to the sense of foreboding that clung to his flesh.
“You’re scaring me. What did you see that made you leave so fast? Was Kerr there?”
As Kellan scanned the entryway, he pulled out his cell phone. “Give me a minute and I’ll answer you.”
As he dialed 911, Mercy gasped and covered her mouth with a trembling hand.
“This is Judge Kellan Graham,” he stated to the operator. “I need to report a 549.”
“In progress?” she asked.
“I don’t believe the perp is still at the location, but I’m not sure. You need to let Officer Amblin know I’ve called this in. I have reason to believe this is connected to one of his ongoing investigations.”
After relaying Mercy’s address to the dispatcher, Kellan hung up the phone and sat down beside her. Placing his gun on the step next to him, he wrapped Mercy in his arms while they silently watched the storm rage outside.
He was thankful as fuck that Mercy was now staying with him. Images of what could have happened if she’d returned to her apartment alone last night spooled through his head.
Kellan knew she’d be horrified by what lay waiting inside, but there was nothing he could do or say to candy-coat Kerr’s ghastly threat. All Kellan could do was try and cushion the blow. While he hoped the vile message would be the extent of the damage, deep down he feared it was but the tip of the iceberg.
“I think Kerr found the key you left under the mat. He, or someone has been inside your apartment.”
“Why? How do you know?”
“There’s something ugly spray-painted on the wall above your couch.”
“That motherfucker! Did you look in my office? Is my gun…my computer… Oh, god. My whole life is on that thing. If he…”
When she tried to stand, Kellan held her firmly in place, feeling the panic that consumed her. “I don’t know. When I saw the shit on the wall, I stepped back out.”
“We have to look. I need to see if he stole my computer…my jewelry… Why are we just sitting here?” Terror strained her voice as tears filled her eyes.
“Because that’s what we need to do. We can’t go inside. We might inadvertently mess up the crime scene. If we touch something that held the only fingerprint he left behind, we’d ruin the only chance we might have of adding more time to Kerr’s, or whoever’s sentence.”
“Why do you keep saying or someone or whomever? We both know it was Kerr who broke in.” She rested her elbows on her knees and cupped her face in her hands.
“Occupational hazard, I guess. You know…the whole innocent-until-proven-guilty thing?” He shrugged.
“What vulgar words did that bastard paint on my wall? No. Wait. Let me guess…bitch, whore, slut, right?”
“No. It was a threat, angel.”
“Tell me what it says. Please!”
Kellan exhaled a heavy sigh and scowled. “It said, ‘You’re going to die, bitch.’”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Struggling to keep from succumbing to the panic rising inside her, Mercy pressed a palm to her swirling stomach and gritted her teeth. In the past, she might have naïvely let Kerr violate her body, but he didn’t have permission to invade and vandalize her home, her sanctuary, and trash all she’d worked hard to achieve. She wanted to hunt him down and beat him to death…put an end to his reign of terror.
Feeling as if she were crawling out of her skin, Mercy shoved at Kellan to get him off her.
“What are you—”
“I know you’re trying to comfort me, and I’m grateful…honestly. But I feel like I’m suffocating. I need to get up…pace…work off some of this anger before I explode.”
Kellan chuckled softly and released her.
“What’s so damn funny?” She lurched to her feet.
“Nothing. I thought you might fall apart over all this, but I can see now that I was wrong. You’re ready to kick ass.”
“Damn straight. That…that…prick has no right to torment me or all the other shit he’s doing,” she railed. “He’s crazy. Certifiably insane. Off his fucking rocker. And he picked the wrong wom
an to fuck with. If I have to, I will hunt him down and make him wish he were never born.”
“Settle down, Wonder Woman, you won’t be going anywhere without me by your side and until your head has healed. But I’ll make you a promise. If Kerr happens to come strolling in the door, I’ll hand you my gun and you can blow his head off.”
“Perfect! I’ll aim for the little worthless head in his pants first…then finish him off after he’s suffered enough. I think a week or two ought to do it,” she growled.
“Remind me never to piss you off, angel.”
The sexy crooked grin on Kellan’s face took some of the starch out of her, but the storm inside raged in time with the one wreaking havoc from the skies.
After the police arrived, Mercy was allowed into her apartment. When she saw the damage with her own two eyes, the vortex of rage consumed her once more.
The message painted on her wall made her want to scream.
“You first, asshole,” she snarled.
Though her television and computer were still in the apartment, both screens had been smashed to smithereens. Her gun was gone.
As she and Kellan walked from room to room, inventorying the destruction, her blood pressure spiked and her head throbbed.
She wanted to cry when she saw all the beautiful antique tableware she’d spent months scouring E-bay for, now lying in a heap of broken shards and dust on the kitchen floor. In her bedroom, the brand-new damask bedding ensemble she’d purchased last week had been sliced to shreds. The pretty silver accent pillows were ripped open and flattened, while the white fiberfill littered her room like clumps of snow. Mercy quickly checked the drawer of her nightstand and bit back a scream. The bastard had even stolen all her vibes and sex toys.
Fear took a backseat to anger. Mercy was livid.
“Why? Why did he do this?” she spat. “Does he think I’ll be so scared, so intimidated that I’ll—what?—go running back to him and beg him to kill me?”
“No, angel. This is a warning.”
She issued a humorless laugh. “Like his threats and pointing a gun to my head weren’t enough?”
She didn’t wait for him to answer. Mercy simply turned and stormed out of the bedroom, past the uniformed officers sprinkling graphite and dusting it away from nearly every available surface, and into the kitchen. Grabbing the broom and dustpan from the pantry, she began sweeping the remains of her dishes off the floor. Tears of anger stung her eyes and traveled down her cheeks.
