Appreciated (Club Indigo Book 3)

by Karen Nappa

  "What do you mean? You said she's submissive."

  "I don't think she knew that until the night of the wedding. The only gossip about her at work is that she doesn't date other cops. I know she almost arrested James for assaulting Laura when they first met. That was her first exposure to BDSM as far as I know. I think she ran because of her response. I don't know what to do when she gets back."

  "Are you sure she's submissive? Playing once doesn't mean someone wants to be dominated all the time. If she has the tendency and this was her first experience, she's probably confused. That can trigger a flight response. You need to ask yourself how interested you are in pursuing a relationship with her."

  "I've wanted her ever since I first saw her. I think part of what attracted me to Monica, my previous submissive, was her resemblance to Paula. That may be part of why Monica left me, too."

  "I suggest you go carefully with her. Don't spring all of BDSM on her at once. See if you connect without it first."

  "That's good advice, Bob, but it pre-supposes I can get her to talk to me when she gets back."

  "I have confidence you can make that happen." With that, Bob moved down to the far end of the bar to take care of Chris.

  Bob was surprised to see Chris alone. It wasn't normal for the flirtatious guy to be by himself. "Bob, there's something I want to discuss with you." Chris' normally bright face was strained.

  "Sure thing, how can I help?" Bob was curious.

  Chris opened his mouth, closed it again, and drew random patterns in the wetness his beer had left on the countertop.

  "There's no one here. Would you like to talk now?" Bob suggested.

  Chris rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess." He shrugged. "I…" He sighed and looked Bob straight in the eyes. "Can you tell me more about switching?"

  Bob smiled. "So that's what this is about. That's a very broad question. I could go on for hours. Can you be more specific?"

  Chris closed his eyes for a brief moment and nodded. "Okay, it's like this. I never liked submitting, even when training, but my experience with Kate was spectacular. I submitted to her completely."

  Chris was silent, but Bob knew when to prompt a client and when to keep his mouth shut. The fact that Chris was a friend and they weren't in his office didn't mean he would start filling in the silence for him. Let him think!

  "How do you decide if you top or bottom?"

  "I'm not sure how to answer that. I don't think it's something I decide, because that would mean it's a conscious thing. It's not. For me, submitting or dominating depends on the partner I'm with. It also has to do with my mood and how my day went," Bob answered.

  "So the person you're with makes the most difference?" Chris inquired.

  Bob nodded.

  "Is it strange to you that I want to submit to Kate?"

  "Not at all! She's a hell of a woman and a force of nature as a Domme. I've enjoyed playing with her on many occasions," Bob said and noticed how Chris' eyes narrowed. Yeah, that might not have been a smart thing to say to a man in love! Bob held up his hands. "I'm not involved with the woman and I won't ever be, Chris."

  Chris' posture relaxed. "I know, it's just—"

  "You're confused. Not about your feelings for Kate, because they're obvious to everyone in this club, but about being a switch."

  "Am I?"

  "Every person is different, Chris. I'd say you're about eighty percent dominant and twenty percent submissive. Do you realize that all the times you've played with James and a sub, you've dominated the woman, but submitted to James?"

  "What?" Chris exclaimed, looking shocked.

  Bob had to smile again. How was it that people always needed someone else to state the obvious? "Remember the last time, when the two of you tag teamed Laura? Who was leading the scene?"

  "James, of course." Chris looked nonplussed.

  "Of course?"

  "Yes, he's her Dom after all." Chris didn't seem to get it.

  "Yes, he is, but think about it." Time to let him stew. Bob took away the lukewarm beer and poured it down the drain. He wiped down the counter top and placed a fresh bottle in front of Chris.

  Chris slapped his hand on the bar. "I guess you're right. I don't always dominate, and I have no problem giving control to somebody I trust."

  Bob was pleased by his insight. Chris was a smart man and he was being honest with himself. "Does this answer your questions for now?"

  "Yes, it does, thanks, man." Chris nodded and some of the strain left his face.

  "Why don't you grab one of the subs and do some topping?"

  Chris shook his head. "Not in the right frame of mind."

  Bob nodded. He couldn't remember a single instance Chris hadn't wanted to play before. He wondered if Chris knew Kate hadn't played with anyone since the wedding, either.

  "Are you up to manning the bar for a bit?" Bob asked Chris. "Peter is due to relieve me at ten. That's only fifteen minutes." He stole a glance at Ruby. She was an unattached and fairly new member of the club, and both Chris and Bob had played with her and enjoyed her open responses.

  Chris followed his line of sight and chuckled. Bob smiled in return. Apparently, his friend wasn't completely lost in his own thoughts and troubles.

  "Sure thing, Bob." Still chuckling, Chris rose to his feet and headed behind the bar.

  Chapter 4

  As the newest member of the Drug Enforcement Unit Interdiction Squad, Jim was paying close attention to the briefing on the upcoming drug raids. This was a large operation using multiple squads—the Interdiction Squad was joined by the Undercover Squad, the Career Criminal Section, and the Street Crimes Unit was contributing their Gang Squad and both Tactical Enforcement Squads. Captain Andrew Lacey was going over the logistics of the operation. After months of work, they were almost ready for the raids that they hoped would bring enough evidence to take down the latest gang that thought they could operate with impunity in Kansas City. "Since the Tactical Enforcement Squads have the most experience with this kind of operation, I'm going to turn this over to Lieutenant John Nelson."

  "Thank you, Captain. We have six sites to hit, so each squad will have a target. As you know, simultaneous strikes get us the most drugs and the most information. The operation will take place at 0400 when most of the targets should be asleep. All the locations are confirmed so we have no-knock warrants for each. Be sure you go to the correct target; we don't need the PR problem of hitting a civilian home. The sites are in residential neighborhoods, so be aware."

  When the briefing was over, everyone headed to the locker room to get kitted out and they were on their way.

  In the back of the nondescript white van, Jim listened with the rest of the squad as Lieutenant Rivers went over the plan once more. This was his first big bust with narcotics and he hoped his experience in the organized crime unit had prepared him adequately. His team was solid and they been through grueling training. Today, they were going to take down one of the gang's suspected drug houses.

  "You know the drill. All the squads will be moving simultaneously. If we do this right, we'll be in and out, nice and clean. We'll have them cuffed before they know what hit them," Rivers concluded his briefing. There were some 'ayes' and nods, but mostly, the guys were silent.

  Jim checked his rifle and sidearm. He was aware it was more of a ritual than a necessity. Most of them had their habits. Carl D'Antonio was refastening his armored vest, and Joel Conway held the cross he wore between his fingers as he said a silent prayer. His partner Will Tolbert had his rifle in his lap and was stroking it with his fingertips like it was his lover.

  Jim wondered sometimes about how useful this sort of operation was. The demand for drugs remained high, no matter how many gangs they stopped. Every time they took one out, another would move into the opening. They were like orcs. For every one you took out, there seemed to be two more. He sighed. If he wanted to tackle the demand side of the drug problem, he was in the wrong line of work. Maybe he should join his baby
brother. World saving was his department.

  "ETA in five," Rivers informed them from the front of the van. Before the vehicle had come to a halt, the doors were open and they spilled out. In twenty-two seconds, they were at the door of the assigned house and using a battering ram to bust the door open.

  Jim felt the routine slipping in as soon as he entered the house. The team kept close together on entering. Tolbert took the lead, and Jim kept his hand on Will's shoulder. They both halted at the first door, and Conway and D'Antonio moved on. Will nodded and Jim squeezed in response. Will entered the room and took the right side. Jim went left as he followed Will in and spotted a man lying a couch who started to come at him. He aimed his rifle and the man immediately dropped to his knees. Jim moved over and had the man cuffed in less than fifteen seconds. Will called out, "Clear," to let the others know the room was safe.

  In less than two minutes, his team had all the rooms cleared and seven men cuffed on the ground outside. The house had a large stash of drugs, not much money, and too many weapons. Jim and Will were given the job of guarding the house until a team from the Evidence Collection Unit arrived to take inventory of everything they'd found. The house appeared to be a main location for distribution. They saw multiples kilos of heroin plus baggies and boxes of powdered milk and baking soda to cut with the heroin. There was no way these guys were getting out on a technicality.

  About 7:30, four patrol cars pulled up to start house-to-house interviews before the residents left for work or school. It was after eight by the time the Evidence Collection team arrived. Jim was dragging, his eyes gritty, and he needed caffeine. Even the station house coffee would be appealing at the moment, but he knew the importance of protecting the chain of evidence in a case this big.

  Jim had had four cups of coffee by the time the debriefing was over and they were dismissed for the day. He went to the locker room and changed into his street clothes. Will and most of the squad had already left, but Carl and Joel were still in the locker room and he caught the tag end of their conversation.

  "Maybe she's changed since she's been gone," Carl commented.

  "Do you really think that's possible?" Joel asked.

  "I wouldn't mind tapping that ass." Carl continued. "I don't think she'd be so high and mighty after a thorough fucking."

  Joel laughed. "I wouldn't risk my junk near that woman. If she doesn't rip your balls off, your dick would freeze if you managed to get it inside her. She isn't called Haagen-Dazs for nothing, and it's not because she's sweet."

  Jim didn't need to ask who they were talking about, even before he heard the nickname. It grated on him. With Paula gone, the department had been full of gossip about her. Just because every straight guy in the department had hit on her and been rebuffed didn't make it right to discuss her as though she were a sex object. Jim objected to that with any woman, but when that woman was Paula Stone, it was unforgivable. He closed his locker door and walked up to the men.

  "I think it's rude to talk about people behind their backs, and it's even ruder to talk about a colleague like she's a piece of meat." He shot a look at Carl's groin and wished it was icy enough to make his dick shrivel to the tiny size of the guy's integrity. Paula wasn't cold as ice cream—she was sweet and tempting.

  Carl held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, dude, take it easy."

  Joel sided with his partner. "Yeah, man, what the hell? We don't want to fight over a woman. Besides, she must be gay. It's the only reason no one seems to be her type. Her type comes with breasts and no dick."

  Jim sighed at the sadness of hurt male pride. "Or she just isn't interested in dating police officers. Ever thought of that?"

  "Nah." Joel slapped his shoulder. "She turned down Eddie from finance, so it isn't just cops."

  After the excitement of the previous day, Jim sat down to tackle his paperwork. He studied the file on his desk. A couple of months ago, Paula Stone's partner had been involved in a family notification that turned into a drug bust. Jennifer Miller and her boyfriend Ethan Young had been abusing Ms. Miller's son to the point where he attempted suicide. When Det. Christopher had arrived with a social worker to notify Ms. Miller of her son's whereabouts and condition, they'd found a houseful of drugs and a picture of neglect. Both adults were in custody on charges of possession with intent to distribute and child abuse and neglect. The narcotics portion of the case had ended up on Cagney's desk. Josh was in foster care with Jim's friends James and Laura, and he dreaded what he had to do. Besides the fingerprints from the suspects, they had found several other sets and they had to get Josh's prints to exclude him from the investigation. Jim hated to do that because it would probably scare the boy and upset his friends. He drummed his fingers on the desk. First, he would run the prints through the automated fingerprint index or AFIS as the system went by amongst cops.

  Jim went downstairs to the dedicated AFIS computer system. He scanned the first set of prints and the answer came back immediately—a low-level drug dealer. No hits on the second and third sets. Then he put the last set in—suspect in a hit-and-run resulting in death. Damn! Jim saw who the investigating officer was and sighed. This case just got more and more tangled. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and squared his shoulders before he went to find a certain detective.

  Paula looked up from the report she was writing at the sound of a throat being cleared. Jim Cagney stood by her desk looking sinfully handsome in his black leather jacket and jeans. She shouldn't think about him; he was almost a decade younger, for heaven's sake. She had first noticed him when she had given a lecture at the Police Academy. His questions had been intelligent and she had wondered where he had gotten such good instincts. Becoming aware of him as a man had started later when she'd run into him on the job. Prior to the wedding, she hadn't seen him since the racketeering case they had worked on a year and a half ago. She couldn't figure him out. There was something about him that drew her to him. It wasn't just his looks or his masculinity. She was surrounded by testosterone all day. Sometimes it was so thick, she thought she would choke on it. Her ex-husband had oozed it out of every pore and hadn't been able to stomach his wife getting promoted ahead of him. He had been sure she'd only made detective because the St. Louis department had been under pressure to hire more women and minorities. She clenched her fists just thinking about him again. Yeah, good. Anger was a good emotion . Her ex-husband had been six foot two with a larger than life ego and he had been really bad in the sack. His usual MO was pump, grind, release, and sleep without a care for her pleasure. She hated big bad men with tiny dicks and no idea how to use them. Only Jim's dick wasn't tiny and he certainly had known how to use it. Damn, stupid woman to think about his dick and what he could do with it right now. She hadn't always been this stupid around him. When had things changed?

  It took some effort, but she pasted a professional smile on her face. "Hello, Det. Cagney, how can I help you?"

  His eyebrow arched at her formal greeting—as if he'd expected something friendlier after the night of the wedding—but he replied in a similar fashion, "Det. Stone. I have information on an old case of yours." Jim briefed her on his fingerprint discovery.

  Paula closed her eyes when she understood the implications of his findings. "What a mess. This is going to affect Laura in so many ways. The man killed in that accident was her ex-husband. You weren't on that investigation, but you remember the mess that followed, don't you?" Jim nodded and Paula continued. "We have to get Josh's fingerprints first, to exclude him from the investigation.

  Jim nodded. "I think it's best if you get the prints, less traumatic for the kid."

  Paula agreed with him. "I'll call them right away." She pulled out her cell phone. Jim took the hint and left. She couldn't help staring after him and admiring his ass while she waited for the call to connect.

  "Hey, Paula. What's up?"

  "I'm not completely sure, but we've finally run all the prints from the Miller house and we need Josh's to rule him out
from the rest."

  "That shouldn't be a problem. Do you want me to bring him down to the station or can you come here?"

  "We get much better results with the digital scans, so it would be best if you could come to the precinct."

  "I'll need to touch base with James and Henry Cole. Is this urgent, or can it wait until tomorrow?"

  "The sooner the better, but I think it can wait until morning."

  "I'll call you back when I know Henry's schedule and we can set up a time."

  "Thanks, Laura. Bye."

  Laura decided to call Henry first to see when he was free. She liked having him around whenever they had to deal with the police or Social Services.

  "Henry Cole, what can I do for you?"

  "Hi, Henry, it's Laura Turner. I just had a call from the police. They want Josh's fingerprints all of a sudden. Paula said it was about prints at his mother's house, but wouldn't they have asked for them right when everything happened?"

  "Relax, Laura. They don't always get around to things like matching fingerprints when they already have people in custody. It could be that they turned up a match to someone else in the drug mess so they're checking everything. When do they want them?"

  "I asked if tomorrow would be okay. Could you come with?"

  "Sure. I've got time first thing in the morning if you don't mind Josh going to school late. Why don't we meet at the station at 8:00 am?"

  "We can do that. Thanks, Henry."

  She called James and he said to wait until he got home to tell Josh. "Good. I don't want to tell him by myself. When are you coming home?"

  "I'll be there in about half an hour. I just have a few loose ends to tie up here."