“Sally would, too,” Sam interjected. “If she had a penis.”
“Lucas, Julian will come for them in twenty minutes. You walk down with them,” Jack instructed. “I’m trusting you with this, son.”
Sam noticed that Lucas sat a little straighter, and his voice was deeper as he answered. “Yes, sir. They’ll be there safely.”
After Jack left for the dungeon, Lucas stood and walked across the room. He stopped at the bar. When he came back, he had a beer in his hand and a small glass of pink stuff. “You’re allowed two. Beer for Sam, vodka with cranberry juice for Abby.”
They could hear the table next to them discussing the day’s events including the miraculous rain storm of fine lingerie.
Sam laughed and downed his beer. He cuddled Abby as she bemoaned the loss of her undies. It didn’t take long before Lucas was watching for Julian’s entrance. Sam took Abby’s hand. He felt a magnificent sense of anticipation, but he could feel her trembling.
Sam wrapped his arms around her. She was perfectly placed in his lap. “Baby, it’s going to be fine. Jack is great with a whip. I promise you’ll barely feel it. He’s going to go so easy on you.”
Her eyes were wide as she peered up at him. “What about you?”
Sam grinned. “He’s going to tear me up, and I’ll love it, Abby. I like the pain. Did I ever tell you what Jack caught me doing when we were still in the foster home?” She shook her head, and he told her something he’d never told another person. “He caught me cutting. I used to run a knife along my thighs and my calves.”
“You told me those were old rodeo wounds.”
“Nah, I did those myself,” he admitted. “It made me feel better. Jack caught me and made me stop. That was about the time I started getting into a whole lot of fights. It was harder back then. I’d just lost my parents and my brother in a car wreck. I was the only one who survived. I liked the pain because it made me feel closer to them. That went away, but I still like pain, Abby.”
She pulled him close and murmured something about understanding. Sam sincerely doubted that she did or ever really would. The important thing was she would accept it. She would accept him and try to give him what he needed. Sam believed that.
“It’s good to see Jackson followed at least one of my dictates,” Julian said as he walked up. He was dressed for the dungeon. Unlike Jack, he’d left off the shirt. Sam understood. Jack would eventually ditch the shirt, too. Julian’s pants were leather and rode low on his hips. His long, dark hair was down for the occasion, released from its normal sleek ponytail. “You look lovely in your collar, dear.” He nodded to indicate the three strands of diamonds around Abigail’s throat. “Normally it’s all leather and metal down in the dungeon. I believe your husband wants you to stand out.”
“Her husbands think she deserves diamonds,” Sam corrected. “She’s our jewel.”
Abby’s face softened, and she kissed his cheek. Sam indicated it was time to go, and she hopped off. She wore only a silk robe and her heels. Abby nervously straightened the thin, fine fabric around her body.
“I don’t see your collar, Samuel.” Julian’s irritation was plainly written across his face. “Have you decided to forgo your punishment?”
Sam pulled his T-shirt off. He wouldn’t need it. “If you don’t see my collar, Julian, it’s because you’re not looking close enough.” He got rid of the bandage. He wouldn’t need that, either. Abby would redo it later.
“I wondered about that request from your master.” Julian inspected the tattoo. “It looks good on you, Sam.”
Sam nodded and took Abby’s hand firmly in his. He noticed that the man from last night was in the bar. Sam had taken note of him the night before because he stood out. He’d been wearing a suit and not enjoying the scene Jack and Abby had unwittingly performed. He looked like the type of man Sam usually tried to avoid.
Julian noticed him, too. He didn’t seem particularly happy to see the man, either. “Mr. Slater, I would have assumed you would be back in Washington this evening.”
The man with the bland face and graying hair crossed his arms over his chest. There was no small amount of belligerence in the gesture. “My business is not finished here, Mr. Lodge. Lucas still threatens everyone in this club and his father.”
“No, I don’t,” Lucas protested.
“You don’t have to worry about Lucas anymore.” Abby squared her shoulders and straightened her spine. She was as dignified as a totally hot woman in a short robe with pretty pink toenails could be. She frowned at the newcomer. “He’s coming home with us. He is completely out of the blackmail business. He’s going to be a cowboy.”
“Probably not forever,” Lucas interjected. Sam had noticed Lucas seemed much more confident than he had this morning. Something had given Lucas a sense of self, and Sam doubted it was the haircut. Lucas stood up to the man named Slater. “I’ll probably go back to school. Jack said he could use a lawyer. I think I could be good at that.”
Slater snorted derisively. “You never were before. Your sister is the lawyer. Don’t even try to compete with her.”
“He isn’t trying to compete with anyone.” Abby practically growled at Slater. Sam hid a smile. Abby’s mama bear was coming out. Slater should step carefully. “He doesn’t have to. He just has to be Lucas. You just get on a plane and head back to wherever you came from. Don’t you give Lucas another thought. He’s not going to give you one.” She slipped her arm through a surprised Lucas’s. She patted his hand comfortingly. “Goodbye, Mr. Slater.” She turned and started to lead Lucas off. She seemed to remember that she was supposed to follow someone. Her red hair shook as she impatiently waited on Julian.
“I wouldn’t mess with that one, Mr. Slater,” Julian said smoothly taking his place at the head of the group. “She seems to have taken your charge under her wing. It’s a delicate wing, but I believe you’ll find it has claws.”
“Damn straight it does,” Abby shot back.
Julian frowned. “Language, Abigail.”
She shrugged. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re not.” Julian sighed, and his head gave a little shake of despair. He looked the campaign manager over. “Are you still going to try to talk to Lucas? He doesn’t seem interested in talking to you.”
Slater followed doggedly behind. “Yes. The contract I signed gave me club access through tonight. The senator wants his son to come home.”
Sam doubted that. The senator wanted his son to shut up. Julian stopped and stared at Slater for a moment, his mouth flat and his eyes flinty. Sam knew that look. It was the one Jack always sported when he was plotting some terrible revenge. Sam wondered what the hell the older guy had done to put that expression on Julian’s face.
“Fine, Mr. Slater,” Julian finally allowed. “I will honor our little contract. You will honor your end. I believe the rules of the dungeon were fully outlined. Have a good evening, Mr. Slater. Abigail, Samuel, please follow me.”
Julian turned and started to walk again. Sam walked beside his wife, slipping his hand through her open arm. He smiled as Lucas leaned over.
“Abby, are you going to insist on acting all motherly toward me?” Lucas sounded disappointed.
“I can’t help it, Lucas. I am a very motherly person.”
Sam caught Lucas staring at the gap in her robe. It showed off her perfectly creamy skin and the round beginnings of the breasts Sam loved so much.
“All right, Abby, but you gotta know, I already have an Oedipus complex about you,” Lucas shot back.
Julian and Abby laughed. Sam wasn’t sure what that was, but he doubted Lucas could ever look at Abby like a real mama.