If only she could let go of that last little stupid, stubborn fear and jealousy and totally trust him the way she trusted Mac.
Mac grabbed their carry-ons and led the way through the first checkpoint to the airside terminal monorail. He caught her eye and winked. “It’ll be okay, honey.”
She wished she could be so sure. Mac was a big guy, obviously able to take care of himself. Bryan was huge, beefy.
And owned a gun.
Thirty minutes later, they made it through security and sat at the gate while awaiting their flight. By the time their flight took off, she felt more than ready for a drink to steady her nerves even though she knew it wasn’t a good idea. Besides, she didn’t have any cash on her and suspected Mac wouldn’t buy her alcohol even if she asked for it.
He brushed his fingers along the back of her hand on the armrest.
“I know you’re scared,” he softly said. “But this will be okay. You probably won’t even see him.”
She nodded and stared out the window.
They switched planes in Atlanta before continuing to Columbus.
The closer they got, the more nervous she felt. If it weren’t for Bart, she’d seriously consider leaving it all, even pictures of her parents. It was just stuff, not worth risking her life, or Mac’s, over.
Of course Bryan would go free if she didn’t go back to talk to the police and prosecutors again.
Mac laced his fingers through hers as the plane circled for its final approach. He didn’t speak, sensing her ever-growing tension.
She’d let the men make the plans, willing to go along with whatever they decided. Mac wanted to grab her stuff first thing the next morning so they could leave town immediately after talking to the cops if necessary. They rented a car, then drove to the U-Haul lot where Sully had already reserved a truck for Mac. Clarisse felt jumpy, on edge as they drove to the motel Sully had picked out. Mac got them checked in. She relaxed only after securely locking and deadbolting the door behind them.
While Mac called Sully, she collapsed on her bed and closed her eyes. She jumped, startled, when Mac touched her shoulder what felt like seconds later.
“You hungry?”
She started to say no, but then the smell of pizza hit her and her stomach growled. “Holy crap, where’d that come from?”
He held two pizza boxes and sat on the end of her bed. “You’ve been out for two hours.”
“No way!”
“Way. It’s after seven.” He handed her some napkins. “I’m sorry.
I couldn’t wait any longer. I’m starving. I hope you don’t mind I ordered.”
She sat up and scrubbed her face with her hands. “I can’t believe I passed out like that. I even slept through the delivery guy?”
He opened the boxes. “Yep.”
He’d ordered everything she liked. “Thanks, Mac.”
“We told you we’re taking care of you. Sully and I mean it.” He took a bite.
She knew they meant it. Part of her felt guilty that they were willing to take care of her indefinitely, without her taking things any further in their relationship. Asking nothing of her in return except for her trust, honesty, and fidelity.
Why could she trust Sully to whip her ass, to not to kick her out on her ass, but she couldn’t trust him to own it?
As exhausted as she’d been, at midnight she still tossed and turned in bed. Mac had fallen asleep in his bed and she couldn’t help but lie on her side and watch him. Flickering light from the TV caused shadows to dance across him. He slept on his side, facing her.
She thought about the play party, the things they did to her, the things she helped Sully do to Mac. The blow job.
She could have him. Both of them. Clarisse closed her eyes as Sully’s words rippled through her memory. She’d have to learn to fully trust him if she wanted to really become part of them.
She remembered the nasty jealousy. That pushed her beyond her limits.
When she opened her eyes again a few minutes later, Mac was staring at her. “Hey,” he whispered.
She blushed, glad for the dark room. “Hey.”
“Can’t sleep?”
“No. I’m too nervous.”
He scooted farther away from her and patted the mattress next to him. He wore a pair of boxers and a T-shirt. “Come here.”
“You’ll get in trouble.”
“Not much. He gave me a little leeway. It’s okay.”
Her need and nerves shoved her guilt to the side. She threw back the covers, changed beds, and cuddled next to him. His familiar scent comforted and soothed her as she snuggled against him.
When he wrapped his arm around her, she felt safe and secure.
“Go to sleep, sweetheart. This’ll be okay. We’ll be leaving for home the day after tomorrow at the latest. Once we’re on the road, you’ll feel better.”
She had to admit calling the men’s house her home felt right.
It could be her home forever.
They could be her men.
She wasn’t sure she’d sleep, but when she opened her eyes again she lay alone in bed and grey light crept around the edges of the motel curtains. She heard Mac in the bathroom, talking. Probably on the phone to Sully. A few minutes later the shower started. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She’d wait to take one until after they finished moving her stuff, but she had to call Raquel to confirm their plans. She’d called her after settling in at Mac and Sully’s, to let her know she’d arrived safely and what had happened.
“Girl, I’m so glad to hear from you! Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Has he bothered you?”
“He called once, and I think maybe a drive-by or two, but nothing in the past several weeks. You ready to get the peewee pup?”
“Yeah. We’ll call you in an hour where to meet.”
“That’s perfect, because I’ve got to get him from Tonya’s anyway. He tried to eat John. Tonya’s single.”
Clarisse closed her eyes and tried not to cry. “I’m sorry I’ve dragged you and John into this.”
“Listen to me, this was a long time coming. I wish you’d stood up to him the first time. He’d be in jail, and you’d be free already.”
Clarisse heard the shower shut off. “I know. I’ll talk to you later.”
She was hanging up when Mac emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist.
He smiled. “Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.” He tossed her his phone. “Call Master and say good morning to him, okay?” He returned to the bathroom and shut the door. The marks across his back from the previous weekend were already healing nicely.
Apparently waiting for her call, Sully answered almost immediately.
“Did you sleep well?”
She blushed, started to say yes, then opted for the full truth. “Not at first. Mac offered to let me cuddle with him.” She waited for a disapproving tone, but once again, he surprised her.
“Good.”
“You’re not upset?”
He laughed. “Is your question, are you going to punish Mac?”
“Yes.”
“Of course I am, but not for what you think. Thank you, by the way.”
“For what?”
“For telling me the truth. As Mac will be the first to tell you, telling me the truth, especially if you know there will be punishment, will always earn you a reward.”
The way he almost purred the last word stirred a ball of molten heat between her legs. His voice sounded like it had at the play party.
She closed her eyes and tried to focus. “Thank you for letting him come with me.”
His tone grew serious and firm. “If you honestly think I would have let you return alone, you have a ways to go in terms of learning to trust me, don’t you?”
She didn’t want to answer, but felt his gaze even through the phone. “Yes,” she softly admitted.
His soft chuckle stirred her. “Good girl. At least you admit it. Be safe, I’ll talk to you later. Love you.” Then he hung up before she could reply.