Submissive's Journey (Masters of Blackstone Book 1), page 38
“You might not remember me, but I’m Maxwell McCarthy’s…he’s my protector.”
A nervous breakdown quickly followed in which she told him and half the bar way too much information before he had her shuttered away in the main office. He reached for her hand and she grabbed it like a life line as he explained, “I called Gabe; he and Conor will be here in twenty minutes.”
“I need to get ahold of Everett. Maxwell introduced us, and he’s asked me to be his submissive, so I know he’d want to know what’s going on. I threw my phone out the window of the car, so they couldn’t track me. Can I use yours?”
“Sure thing, love. If you’re certain he isn’t in any way involved in this mess?”
“He isn’t.”
Ion handed her a phone and she sat looking at it dumbly. “Oh my god! I don’t even know how to get ahold of him. His business name is ELH in Savannah.”
Ion pushed her head down between her knees. “Take deep breaths, love. You’re hyperventilating.”
Once she was breathing normally, she sat up again. She watched Ion methodically roll the beads of his long necklace between his thumb and forefinger, and he watched her. After a very long and awkward silence, he said, “I don’t even know what to call you. Will you tell me your name?”
She shook her head. “It isn’t safe. No one else can know who I used to be. I already got Maxwell and Trevor hurt by involving them. I don’t even know how badly they’re injured. There were police and ambulances at their house.”
A strong, deep voice asked, “Did you say Maxwell and Trevor?”
Wide eyed and suddenly terrified, she stared up into the stern face of the huge man filling the doorway. Gabe Gowan. Husband of Alexandra Van Zant, science advisor to the president. Behind him stood the other largest man she’d ever seen in her life, Conor Larkin. She knew him only by tabloids and entertainment news mentions. Like Vikings on steroids, the two overwhelmed the small room when they entered and closed the door behind them.
“You’re safe now.” Gabe commanded, “Tell me everything.”
♥ ♥ ♥
It was snowing when she’d boarded the private jet with Gabe Gowan. Debarking on the tarmac she realized it was also snowing in Savannah. Quarter size fluffy flakes dropped from the sky like slow-motion confetti, creating a quick, thick, blanket of heavy snow. Past experience had taught her to appreciate it, not for the beauty, because it really was breathtaking, covering everything in its path—tree branches, roads, power-lines —like a layer of thick creamy frosting, but because it was wickedly dangerous. She was numb. Gabe had found her Everett Hawthorne in Savannah, quickly summarized the dilemma for him, and was asked to get her to Savannah immediately. She hadn’t said a word since she’d spoken to Everett on the phone.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?”
“I’m scared. One of the enforcers is looking for me and won’t quit until he finds me. I ran, but Maxwell and Trevor got hurt. If I hadn’t ran—“
“Shh, you’ve done nothing wrong.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Stay with Patrick Gowan. No matter what. He’ll be armed, but don’t let his weapon scare you. He’s going to protect you until you reach my side. I want you to board the plane with him tonight and come to me. Understand?”
“Yes, Sir.”
The lie hung between them. You’ve done nothing wrong.
God, why didn’t she tell him the truth then? She’d done so much wrong and Hugh Keller was FBI. The fucking FBI! What if he had been at the school to arrest her for stealing from Jasper’s estate? A small voice argued if he was legit, he wouldn’t have torched her car and he wouldn’t have brought other enforcers with him to hurt anyone who got in his way. Nope, if he was an agent, he was a dirty one.
Except she was the one who had declared war on Hugh Keller and Humans Unfettered five years before. God, she was an idiot! What had she been thinking? She’d stolen everything out from under him and laughed as she’d done so.
She knew she’d do it again—in a heartbeat, if it meant one child would remain free.
The flight was rough, turbulence making her crazy, and the landing had been slightly terrifying when she felt the tires slide, but then she was finally on the ground and safe. There was a black SUV waiting for them on the tarmac. Gabe pressed his hand on her low back to guide her into the back seat. He climbed in beside her. In a moment of ridiculous déjà vu, she heard the driver explaining that the drive, which should only take thirty minutes, would exceed an hour because the roads had deteriorated so badly. He promised to get them to their destination safely.
The driver drove so slowly, she believed she could walk faster.
Julia pressed her forehead to the window and stared out at the falling snow. Normally, she loved snow, but tonight it was slowing her down and giving her too much time to think. You wear our brand. You belong to us. We will always find you.
Maybe she wouldn’t have endangered so many people if she’d taken more time to think, but it was too late now. Even more people were involved. She didn’t have to be a genius to know her life was never going to be the same. She’d never see her students again. They would never know why she’d disappeared. As long as Hugh Keller and Humans Unfettered was out there profiting off the sale of flesh, she couldn’t rest. She would never be able to have real friends, because they would always get hurt because of her. She had to do whatever it took to end them. They shouldn’t have come for her because now she was going to be their worst nightmare. One way or another. She just needed to decide how much she could tell Everett—
Gabe commented, “Older neighborhood, but very fine homes.”
They entered the Historical Landmark District. With every house decked out for the holidays in sparkling lights and glittering snow, the neighborhood seemed inviting, magical.
Gabe told the driver. “I believe his house is just up ahead.”
Julia sat quietly beside him, having not spoken since fleeing Cincinnati. Snow continued to fall heavily, reflecting in the soft glow of street lights, casting a fairy-tale glamour over the mansions lining one side of the street. It would be a perfect neighborhood to raise children in. God, where did that thought come from?
A tear slid down her cheek unexpectedly and she quickly wiped it away.
The driver stopped in the middle of the road, nodding at a wide-porched brick home, every window brightly lit. As she watched from the car, a man and woman came through the wide wood door. The woman was wearing a plunging neckline black dress and the man a tux. Both wore glittery, decorated masks. There was obviously a holiday party going on. What was up with this man and throwing parties?
One thing was for certain though, having come straight from school, she certainly wasn’t dressed for any kind of party. She watched as another couple exited down the wide, brightly lit staircase, followed by Everett. God, still gorgeous…tall, dark, and a-fucking-amazing gorgeous. In a tux? Devastating. He went from hugging and shared farewells to staring straight into the SUV. She covered her mouth and started crying.
Maxwell and Trevor are in the hospital seriously injured. Alexandra had said they were both lucky to be alive. “I shouldn’t be here.”
Panicking, Julia insisted to Gabe. “Take me back to the airport before anyone sees me! I can’t put anyone else in danger!”
She watched Everett rush down the walk and Gabe exited the vehicle. “No, no, no! Please listen, Mr. Gowan!”
Everett reached the car and jerked open the door. He held out his hand to her, but she was sobbing. “I shouldn’t be here. I’m putting you in danger! I have to go.”
Everett’s index finger pressed against her lips, silencing her as he pulled her from the backseat. Calmly, he said softly, “This conversation needs to happen inside, where it’s warm, and when you aren’t hysterical.”
“But, but—”She was running for her life, her two friends had been taken to the hospital on stretchers, and her car was destroyed. Hugh would never stop. Clutching her own arms, she realized she was repeating it all to Everett. He lifted her into his arms and carried her up the sidewalk to the front door with her sobbing incoherently against his shoulder.
“Was she this upset the whole flight?”
“No, completely silent, which was worse. Trust me. Do you know anything more about what’s happened in Cincinnati?”
“We’ll talk inside. Unfortunately, I couldn’t cancel the night’s festivities by the time I received your call.”
She whispered, “I shouldn’t be here. It’s not safe. I’m putting you and all your friends in danger just by being here.”
He bent his head down and met her gaze. “Julia, you are exactly where you belong. We’re going to protect you. You have nothing to fear now.”
They stepped into the foyer and she was immediately assailed by the scent of home for the holidays. She could smell pine and her gaze went straight to the source, a towering tree and yards upon yards of evergreen garland. The scent of burning wood led her gaze to a brightly glowing fireplace. Unlike the last party she crashed, the remaining guest’s voices were hushed, everyone wore clothing, and every eye turned toward her. Their expressions all bore a look of concern. For me?
TRYING TO GET away, Julia pushed against his chest. He could see fresh panic in her eyes, but had no idea what caused it. He’d walked through the house as quickly as he could, but she’d no doubt seen some of his guests. He ensconced them within the elevator as quickly as he could. “Shh, it’s all right, baby. You’re safe here.”
He could feel her shaking, most likely with the surge of adrenaline no doubt coursing through her veins, but the small woman wouldn’t stand a chance against the unyielding wall of muscle preventing her escape. The elevator began its ascent and she collapsed back against him in resignation.
She whispered, “I’m a danger to anyone who helps me. Do you not understand? You, all of your friends! Gabe, his wife, his partners, and babies! Isn’t it enough they’ve already gone after Maxwell and Trevor? And god, I’m afraid for Skye. She hasn’t answered my messages in days. What if Hugh went to her house first?”
Carrying her into his second floor office, Everett settled in a wing chair with her in his lap. Gabe sat to their right in a similar chair. He was glad he’d started a small fire in the fireplace before their arrival. He cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes.
“No more talk of not belonging here. For any reason. I’ve been frantic for hours. Marjorie gave me your message and when you didn’t answer”—his voice crackled with emotion and his eyes glittered with unshed tears. He allowed her to see both, not giving a damn if Gabe saw. “Julia, I don’t know what I’d have done if anything had happened to you. Please, tell me you are mine.”
Her breath shuddered. “I’m yours, Everett. I’m just so scared.”
“I know, baby. I know.” He pressed her face to his chest and kissed the top of her head. “You’re safe here. I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.”
He rocked her and rubbed her back, having no idea what she was thinking or feeling, but he knew she belonged tucked against his side and he would have her collared before another night fell. Julia was where she belonged.
More Roxy Harte
♥
Stand Alone Novels
LOVERS
PORN STARS FALL IN LOVE TOO
BOUND BY TRADITION
DEBONAIR DYKE
PRODIGAL SLAVE
CONTROL
Chronicles of Surrender Series – revised and expanded 2019
SACRED SECRETS – now available
SACRED REVELATIONS
UNHOLY PROMISES
ECHOES OF REDEMPTION
CRIES OF PENANCE
The Van Zant Siblings Series
Brian
SURVIVAL INSTINCT
Alexandra
SURVIVING THE BIG MISTAKES
CONSEQUENCES OF THE BIG MISTAKES
LEARNING FROM THE BIG MISTAKES
SHIBARI PRESENCE
HEALING FROM THE BIG MISTAKES
REVELATIONS OF THE BIG MISTAKES
Jessica
LEARNING TO BREATHE
LEARNING TO BREATHE AGAIN
The Van Zant Siblings Series/Little Bedtime Stories Series Crossover
Julian and Liam/Koko
A LITTLE INDULGENCE
A LITTLE IN DANGER
A LITTLE KINKY ADVENTURE
A LITTLE TEMPTATION coming 2019
Masters of Blackstone Series
SUBMISSIVE’S JOURNEY
SUBMISSIVE’S ROAD TO RECOVERY coming 2019
Little Bedtime Stories Series
Josie
A LITTLE LOST coming 2019
Roxy Harte, Submissive's Journey (Masters of Blackstone Book 1)
