There are three cases before his, and we sit quietly and watch as the attorneys go through their paces. There are two motion hearings, then a rescheduling, and the moment arrives. Two burley bailiffs pull a man through the doors and I hear Rayanna give a little gasp.
Over the time he’s been in the jail, it appears Bacchus has grown a beard. He looks very little like the picture Ted showed me. Besides the beard, he’s shaved his head, and his eyebrows have taken on this cant that’s positively frightening. Plus in the pictures he was wearing glasses, but he has none now. I don’t know if they took them away for safety purposes or he just isn’t wearing them. Wouldn’t surprise me if the state paid for LASIK surgery for him or something. Sounds like something they’d do.
“Are both of you ready?” Judge Carroll asks the attorneys.
The prosecuting attorney stands. “We are, Your Honor.”
“And we are also, Your Honor,” Bacchus’s defense attorney replies.
“Very well. Will the defendant please rise.” We all watch as he gets to his feet. “Mr. Bacchus, you are charged with attempted murder, terroristic threatening, intention to do bodily harm, assaulting a police officer, three counts of brandishing a weapon, and possession of a firearm by a felon. How do you plead to the charges?”
Even from behind I can see his swagger, stupid motherfucker. “Not guilty, Your Honor.”
“Mr. Evans,” Judge Carroll says toward the defense attorney, “is your client aware of the ramifications of his plea?”
“Yes, Your Honor, he is.”
“Very well. Can everyone be ready for a court date in six weeks?” Both attorneys nod. “Mr. Romaine, schedule with the clerk and get it on the docket, then inform Mr. Evans.”
“Yes, Your Honor. No problem.” The prosecuting attorney shuffles some papers around. “I’ll gladly coordinate with Mr. Evans.”
“Thank you for your cooperation. Bailiffs, return Mr. Bacchus to his cell. Next case.”
They pull him up and lead him away, but when he reaches the door to leave, I see him turn and stare straight at Rayanna. From beside me I feel her shiver and my arm instinctively wraps around her shoulders. He mouths something that I can’t understand just as they pull him through the doorway. “Well, that wasn’t as bad as I expected,” I whisper. She says nothing. “Babe?” No reply. “Baby, don’t you think that went pretty well?” Just as I turn, I catch her shaking her head. “Rayanna?” Without warning, she leaps up and runs out of the courtroom, and in seconds I’m up and right on her heels.
I burst through the doorway at the front of the building right behind her. “Rayanna! Stop!”
“Didn’t you see what he said?” she wails and falls to her knees. At that moment, the rest of our party pours out the front doors. “Didn’t you see? He means it, Lucien!”
“I saw his lips move, but I don’t know what he said.”
“He said, ‘I’ll kill you both.’ Lucien, he’ll kill us. I swear, he will.” She’s sobbing so hard she can barely speak.
“Babe, he can’t hurt you from inside the jail cell,” I remind her as I try to pick her up off the concrete, but she won’t stand. She’s just resigned herself to kneeling there, doubled over and gasping with the pain of her emotions.
“He’ll get out! He will, Lucien! He’ll kill me and Carly, I know he will! This is horrible, and now all of you are in danger too.” She just keeps wailing and people are staring.
“Be right back,” I hear a voice say. Sitting there on the concrete, I wrap my arms around her and rock with her. Olivia and Trish squat in front of her and try to talk to her, but she won’t even look up. In a minute or so, the voice is back―Ted―and he’s got a syringe of something. “Here. I’ll give her this. It’ll take a minute or two to take effect but after that, she’ll feel better. Rayanna, I’m going to give you a small dose of a mild anti-anxiety medication, okay?”
“I don’t care! I’m as good as dead! Why can’t any of you see that?” she stutters and sobs.
Ted buries the needle in her arm and in a minute or so, I can feel her start to relax. It takes me a couple of tries, but I get her up on her feet and then scoop her up and carry her to the car, everyone following me. Once I’ve gotten her in the car, they come to her one by one and tell her they’ll support her and be there for her, but I’m not sure she understands. Her eyes have gotten a little glassy and she’s pitching over toward the driver’s seat.
“I need to take her home,” I tell them all. Everyone takes a turn hugging me before I go around the car, and the last one is Brian.
“Lucien,” he whispers in my ear, “I love you and I’m here for you. You have no idea how proud I am to be your brother.”
I just shake my head. “I’m just thankful all of you are here with us. Thank you so much.”
He claps me on the back with both hands before he turns me loose. “Call any of us if you need us. I mean it. We’ll be glad to come over and sit with her, bring food, whatever you need.”
Ted is standing off to the side and I just find his face with my eyes. “I need to talk to you in about two hours.” Instead of answering me, he gives me a little salute and I know when I call, he’ll answer.
We make our way back to the apartment, her head resting against my shoulder as I drive. Nothing good can come of what I saw this morning unless he stays right where he is. She thinks he won’t.
And she knows him a lot better than I do.
* * *
“I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Shoot,” Ted answers.
“Do you think we could make arrangements for her to at least talk to Carly? She misses her so much, Ted, and I think that would really help her.”
“I’ll call Reagan and see what I can do. I don’t think she’ll be opposed to that. I’ve got to call her anyway and talk to her about the proceedings this morning. Want me to give her your number?”
“Yes, please.”
“If you don’t hear from her, take it that she’s decided it’s a bad idea.”
“Okay.” I don’t like it, but what choice do I have? It’s not my call. She and her husband are caring for the child, so we’re sort of at their mercy.
Rayanna is sleeping soundly in the middle of the bed when my phone rings forty-five minutes later, and it’s a number I’ve never seen before. “Hello?”
“Is this Lucien Pelletier?” a woman asks, and I cross my fingers.
“Yes, ma’am. It is.”
“I’m Reagan, Rayanna’s sister. How are you today?” No doubt this is awkward for her.
“I’m doing better. Rayanna’s asleep. I assume Ted talked to you?”
“Yes. He did. Bless her heart, I’m glad that piece of shit is … Oh, I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t talk like that to you.”
“No, you’re right. He’s a piece of shit and he needs to stay right where he is or, better yet, go to the state pen.”
“Boy, that’s the truth. So Ted says you wanted to talk about Carly?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Please. It’s just Reagan. And I can call you Lucien?”
“Yes. Please. And I think she’d benefit from at least talking to Carly,” I explain.
“I think she would too. Carly would benefit from talking to her. She talks about her mommy constantly. The longer they’re apart, the harder it will be for them when they’re back together. But we’re still scared of Connor.”
“I can understand why. Today was the first time I’d actually seen him, and he’s a scary motherfucker if ever there was one.” As I talk, I shudder just thinking about him.
“Yes, he is. If you’d seen her when he was finished with her … Lucien, there wasn’t much left. It’s a miracle she’s alive. I mean, really. It was terrifying, looking at her in the hospital. I suppose Dr. Lawrence showed you pictures.”
“He did, from about two weeks after.”
“Then you just can’t know. When they brought her to the hospital, she didn’t even look human. I r
emember thinking that it would’ve been better if she’d died.” Those words make something curdle in my stomach and I feel sick. “Please, be careful. If he should happen to escape and come for you, you’re a dead man walking.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen, Reagan, but if it does, I’ll be prepared. They’re supposed to notify everyone related to the case if that happens.”
“If it’s anything like the systems around here, you’ll find out four days later after he’s come looking for you and beaten you to a bloody pulp. Inefficient bastards.”
“So could I call you sometime soon and let her talk to Carly?”
“Sure! She gets out of school at three every afternoon and I pick her up, so we’re home by three thirty or so. Maybe around four thirty some afternoon?”
“That would be great. Or on a weekend because, you know, I work.”
“We’re not going anywhere tomorrow morning. That would work. I’ll just call you.”
I can’t believe how easy this is, and I decide right then if I ever meet this woman―no, when I meet this woman―I owe her a huge thanks. She really does want what’s best for this child. “Thank you so much. We’ll be waiting for your call.”
“Sounds good. And thank you, Lucien, for caring about my sister. I don’t know what your relationship with her is, but she needs you.”
“I love her. And I’m going to be here for her. You can count on it.”
“Good. Talk to you in the morning. Bye.”
I end the call and say a silent prayer of thanksgiving. It’s also striking how much they sound alike, and I decide that I’m looking forward to meeting Reagan and her husband. Maybe before too long Rayanna can go and visit. That would be a great thing.
“Who were you talking to on the phone?” I hear a sleepy voice ask and turn my head to find her standing at the head of the hallway.
“Oh, business. You know.” I hate to lie to her, but I want tomorrow morning to be a surprise.
“Do you have an appointment this afternoon?”
“Nope. I’m home for the rest of the day. Anything you want to do?”
Her face is expressionless when she asks, “Can we talk for a minute?”
I pat the sofa cushion beside me. “Sure! Come over here and sit down.”
She snuggles into the end of the sofa, legs curled up. When she finally speaks, she says, her voice low and even, “Lucien, if you want out, it’s okay. I’ll understand.”
“Nope.”
“But he’s―”
“Nope.”
“But really, if you―”
“No. Stop it. I’m not going anywhere. I’m yours. Unless you don’t want me anymore.”
“God, no! That’s not what I’m saying! I’m saying that I’m afraid for your safety. I really am.”
Something hits me right between the eyes, something so obvious that I can’t believe I didn’t catch it before now. “We have somewhere to go tonight. I hope you’re ready for this, because I believe you are.”
Her brow furrows and her eyebrows drop into a deep V. “Where?”
“We’re going to the club.” I’ve been tender and soft with her, but she needs to see what I’m capable of. That will end her worrying, even though it may bring a whole new set of problems of its own. But one way or another, she’ll get the message.
I’m tender with her, but I’m tough as nails. If he ever manages to get out, Connor Bacchus will find that out.
Chapter Seven
We stop at the adult store where Melina works and find her a couple of things to wear. They’re not revealing at all, but they’re not street clothes, which are frowned upon at the club. The leather shorts are cute, the leather bustier-style tank is gorgeous, and I got her fishnet stockings and a pair of ankle boots to wear with it. While we were there she saw some jewelry she thought was cute, so I got that too. She has no idea what I’m about to do.
As soon as we get to the club, I find out Trish and Clint are there, so I ask Trish to take her into the locker room and help her get herself together. I change out pretty quickly and head out to the floor to look around. One glance finds exactly what I’m looking for.
In a couple of minutes, Rayanna and Trish step out of the locker room. I was going for cute, but I didn’t realize the effect those clothes would have until just now. She looks sleek and sophisticated, and I know if she weren’t dedicated to me, we could have a problem when the other Dominants see her. But she looks away from Trish and when she sees me, a smile breaks across her face that lights up the room. They part as they reach the bar and Rayanna makes her way across the rest of the expanse to me. “Well? How do I look?” she asks, twirling for me.
“You’re beautiful. Oh, I see Trish braided your hair too. That’s a nice touch.” As soon as she steps up to me, I give her a hearty kiss. If any other Dominants were watching, they got the message loud and clear. “Come on over here. We need to talk.” She lets me lead her across the room to one of the sofas and when we’re seated, I take both her hands. “I have to do something tonight and you have to see me do it, but first, I have to assure you―I will not be having sex with anyone. Got it?”
She gives me a strong nod. “Got it.”
“But babe, you need to see what I’m capable of. What I’ve been doing for years. These are not things I necessarily want to do to you because I’ll do what they want or need me to do, but they will represent who I am and what I’ve been doing most of my adult life. Brian or Clint will come and sit with you to help explain anything you don’t understand.”
“Okay.” Something tells me she doesn’t really understand what this will be like.
“Okay. I see a couple of submissives and I’m going to go talk to them, see if I can arrange a scene. When I do, I’ll send one of the other Dominants over here to sit with you.”
“Yes, sir. I’m good.” If she’s worried, she’s not showing a hint of it.
“Good.” Leaning over, I brush my lips against hers before I turn and walk away. Two very attractive submissives are standing together about twenty feet away, and I make a beeline toward them. “Good evening, submissives.”
They both turn and smile but drop their eyes appropriately. “Good evening, sir. How can we help you?” one of them asks.
“I need someone to play with tonight, someone who doesn’t mind a bit of pain.”
“That would be her, sir,” the brunette says and points at the blond.
“Yes, sir. I would be glad to play with you. Will this entail intimacy at some point?”
“Let’s talk about this and I can tell you what I’m trying to accomplish.” When we reach the bar, I lean over to Brian. “Can you please go and stay with Rayanna until I’m finished with this scene?”
He curls his lower lip in uncertainty. “Sure. I’ll get one of the guys to watch the bar.”
When he walks away, I turn to the young woman, introduce myself properly, and tell her what I’m doing. As we’re talking, I notice her looking past me over my shoulder. “Is something wrong?”
“I take it that’s your submissive behind you back there, sir?”
“Yes. It is.”
“She’s got the sweetest face. If she’s with you, why are you talking to us, sir?”
“My submissive has issues not of my making, deep-seated ones from a dangerous situation. She needs to see what I’m capable of so she knows the real me and can make an informed decision about whether or not she wants to continue our relationship. I can do that and make one of you very happy in the process.” That’s the best explanation I can give. I’m not willing to go into Rayanna’s personal problems with them. “You tell me what you need and I’ll make sure you get it.”
They look at each other, and I wish I could translate their back and forth glances. Finally, the brunette asks, “Is sex on the table, sir?”
“Because of her situation, no.”
They both stand there for another full minute, deep in thought, and I’m struck that they’re having to g
ive so much consideration to the fact that I just said I’m not going to fuck them. Wow. It’s the blond who finally makes a decision. “Okay. Can you at least give me an orgasm? Out here?”
“I can do that.”
“Okay. I’ll do it, sir. Can we negotiate this?”
“Absolutely.” I motion for her to sit with me on another sofa across the room but before she walks away, she leans in and kisses the brunette, and I realize they were hoping to scene together with someone. I don’t think I can handle two tonight, not after the day I’ve had.
Our negotiation details exactly what I had in mind. I check with the guy manning the bar and he tells me to use the second performance area, so we head that way, and I check to make sure Brian and Rayanna have moved that direction so she can see. They have. We’re good to go. “Everything off,” I tell the young woman and watch as she slips off her bustier and wide thong, both in deep blue satin. Shaved bare, the lips of her sex are plain to see, and a hint of moisture glistens in the low light.
This performance area has a large rope web on the back wall, and I remember when Brian said there’s a member who’s former U.S. Navy and he hand-knotted the whole thing. It’s impressive. The ropes are very, very thick, about three inches in diameter, so there’s a good foothold there. “Up on the web, facing outward.”
“Yes, sir,” she answers, and I watch her beautiful ass as she climbs up. “How high, sir?”
“One more … Yes. Right there. That’s perfect.”
“Um, it’s hard to …” she says as she tries to maneuver on the ropes.
“Let me hold your hand so you can turn. Yeah, it’s kinda tricky.” She wobbles a little as she turns around, but she finally manages. “Feet shoulder width apart.” When she’s in position, her beautiful mound is about chest height to me, and that’s perfect. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Safeword?”
Eternally Yours: Bliss Series, Book Six Page 13
