Natural Submission: Book 1 of the Submission Series (29 page)

This “pleasure” included being picked up in a dark van in handcuffs and taken to FBI headquarters where he was given a rundown about how yes, the FBI did know what was going on in Riverland and the surrounding D.C. area and yes, they did have a task force in place and, yes, agent Edmond was supposed to be the one to go in and infiltrate the organization.

Now due to K and his
nonsense
how wise would it be to have two men on the inside? Agent Edmond also had K’s “proclivity” to dominance and would have been a wise choice as well,
by the way.

Yes, but did Edmond have K’s skill on a computer, or K’s talent with accounting K was quick to ask. K pointed out that he was also trained in self defence, and combat proficient. It wasn't like he was helpless and he was
already on the inside.
After much back and forth, reluctantly it was decided that K would continue to stay in, but no one was happy about it.

The Organization was dangerous and K’s role precarious, their money was their life’s blood. If it should become endangered and that scarcity be traced back to K, his life, a high profile asset would be completely forfeit.

* * *

K’s mind returned to the present and his predicament. His hand floated to the nightstand and found his phone. He picked it up and dialed with the pad of his finger entering the cell number by heart knowing the reception he was bound to get. A dark voice answered without preamble "Who’s this?"

K immediately returned the favor. "It’s me."

There was a pause "Where have you been man? its been months."

“Sorry, I had to go off the grid.”

“Yeah, I’d say so, No one knew where the fuck you were, or if you were coming back.”

“Yeah sorry.”

Another pause. “You know, you're one cold son of a bitch sometimes K, what do you want?”

“
A
favor.”

“Shit it figures. What is it?”

“Well Sam, I have this girl right, she kind of wants to
date
.” Then it all clicked in his friend's mind. All that wealth & good looks and K finally found
the one
- who wanted to date, Sam had finally won
the bet
. It took his friend a long time to stop laughing - and finally start dispensing some dating advice.

Chapter 32

The next afternoon there was a knock on the door. To think before yesterday except for the people who helped with the nursery things at
Mab’s Nursery
were pretty uneventful. Now it was like, the place to be.

Paris of course was a regular. Francine opened the door and Paris strutted in with her usual entitled air. “So where is the local legend now?” Said Paris, her bright, thoughtful blue eyes looking around the room. Paris was a trim brunette with long straight hair down to her round backside, but coming from work it was done up in a bun at her neck. She had on one of her sculpted suits, this one an olive green in color, the soft material of her skirt form fitted to her curvy derriere kept high and round from a lifetime of jogging and self defense classes. Her sharp white blouse fit well over her curved full breast with the starched white frothy lace, flattering and sexy against her skin. Her walk was high and confident from kicking ass in the and at the dojo. Her silver jewelry winked in the dull light.

“I don’t know.” said Francine genuinely puzzled. He left this morning and hasn't gotten back yet. What took you so long getting here?”

 “The law is a demanding mistress Francine! We got this new case. It’s awful guy’s gonna pay us a fortune! Guilty as hell.”

“You gonna get him off?”

Paris shot her a look over her shoulder and grunted on her way to the kitchen. “Of course.”

Francine smiled, she had to admit that along with this place her friendship with Paris had probably helped save her. She remembered one incident in particular...

Francine and Paris are riding in Paris’ Porsche Boxster and were pulled over after Paris had run a red light, typical Paris driving. Paris was mumbling angrily as the cop asked her for her licence and registration and went to check her tags.

Francine was in the passenger seat, trying to hold it together, but fear was like a pool and little by little she begins to sink into it’s murky debts. Finally Paris comes out of her irritated bubble enough to turn and see it, "Frannie!” She said, “What's wrong?" Francine is caught up in her flashbacks of being kidnapped. The cop leaned in and shined a flashlight inside the sporty car. Francine sunk into the past, was stuck in it, shaken by her past experience, she turned white as a sheet. The flashlight wasn't helping, it only spooked her more as she shrunk back against the car’s seat whimpering... “Ma’am, are you OK?”

“Yes, she’s fine.” says Paris before she turned on the cop, baring her teeth.

“Ma’am, has she been drinking?” the cop asked.

“Just a glass of wine.” Paris said, fiercely protective,
getting her lawyer
up. She rattled off some other stuff at the cop who finally gave up the fight, letting them go with a citation for running a red light
and speeding
. Francine reminded Paris later that hot girls like her usually got off with warnings if they weren't so mean. Right now Paris’ familiar voice barely penetrated the haze of fear. “Francine, what’s wrong? Are you OK?”

Her voice shook as she said “I’m fine, I’m fine, please, just let’s just go home.” Her voice was very small, like a little girl’s, coming from far away. Paris was shocked. She’d never seen such traumatizing fear. She got Francine home and settled in with a cup of Chamomile tea and wrapped her in the light blanket from the sofa and patiently sat with her.

“Thanks for just - well staying. I haven't had an episode since the cabin." She said softly.

"Since you were with K." Pairs said.

Francine nodded. "Yes," he'd comfort me, make me hot toddies, although I’m not sure he was always honest about what was in them.” She looked up and both of them smiled. Eventually, I asked him to teach me self defense. I hoped it would help."

 "And he did, and it did?" Paris said.

“Yes, I felt stronger after that.”

She told Paris about Armin as well, and was pleased when she said “Well shit Francine, you're a little bad ass aren't you? Smacked him around pretty good! I'm proud of you girl!” Another short silence and then, “You know I'm not letting this go though right? We’re moving forward and pressing charges against that bastard Francine!”

 Francine looked up, as if Paris has caught her at some shameful secret. “No Frannie, I don’t mean K, I can tell you’re hopelessly in love with him. Don't worry I won't tell. I keep secrets for a living, I can keep a few of yours, but the cop? That little shit is goin’ down! I know what K said, but the FBI, they can do a profile, get the IS involved. Maybe you can just identify him from a six pack, they might even already have a suspect! They don't even have to know it came from you! Let me make some inquiries first. poke around a little. I know some people over there.

I think K said what he said to protect you, but Frannie, you're too brave to want this to happen to someone else.” Francine looked down at her tea, thinking of K, how he used to call her his
brave girl
too.

“Please Francine, I know the idea of going down there and IDing this guy has all the enticement of going skinny dipping with pirañas, but I
still
want you to report this.” Paris took her hand in hers, it was cold but answered hers with trust, the fingers closing over in a firm grip. “I’ll be right there beside you the whole time, don’t worry, just leave everything to me!”

Paris was so strong, there was just one more thing she couldn't let go. “You must think I’m pathetic... I mean, after what he did to me...”

“Oh Francine, you're my best friend and the best person I know, I don’t think you're pathetic, I just think you love him and that’s enough for me.”

Impulsively she hugged her pulling her close, the gentle scent of Flower surrounded them both, “It’ll be OK Francine, I promise.” She felt her friend's tears wet her shoulder.

* * *

Francine was pulled back to reality by the time she followed Paris into the kitchen. It was quiet on her nursery, all of her staff had packed up and gone home, the sun was setting. Paris had helped herself to a bottled water from the fridge and was leaning on the island. This wouldn't last long, Paris had a restless spirit. “Hey, I'm bored, how about we get in my car swing by my place. I change outta this suit and we go by that new club they just opened up downtown?”

Francine was tired. She couldn't understand for the hundredth time why Paris
wasn't
tired. They both got up early in the morning to do what they did for a living. Francine knew for a fact that Paris was a night owl. Not only that but Paris actually
jogged
in the mornings and claimed to
enjoy
it. Francine wasn't sure that Paris ever slept, and what she did required
focus
and
concentration
.

She knew for a fact that Paris could be up all night, wake up the next morning at six, jog, report by nine, work all day and then schmooze clients at some fancy restaurant for dinner or their bosses private club and go to another “after party”if that’s what her free spirit demanded.

At
Mab’s Nursery
Francine was the boss and had good people working under her. She could take the next morning off if it came to that, Paris on the other hand would never reveal such weakness just because she’d been out all night.

Francine had given up trying to figure Paris out. “Come on Frannie! It’ll be fun...” She cajoled giving her friend a mischievous look.

“OK, let me change and get my purse...” said Francine giving in, and they were off.

* * *

It was sometime after two am, Francine had suggested going back to Paris’ for a nightcap. Next to her own home Francine felt safest at Paris’ condo. Both ladies lived alone and Paris’ penthouse tower condominium with its doorman, front desk staff and cameras had very good security.

After Francine confessed her ordeal Paris never questioned it. If it wasn't for her beloved nursery, she would have pressed for Francine to get a unit here as well. But Francine’s soul was wrapped in those
damned
plants.

Francine and Paris were all giggles as they abandoned their glasses and started taking swigs right from a the bottle. “He was a
neanderthal”.
Paris said speaking of a guy at the club who’s tried to make a pass at her. The sound of the old fashioned word had them doubled over again and they both started in again with their laughter.

“Oh my gosh!” Said Francine, “What time is it?”

Paris looked around and then gave up, “Fuck, I don’t know.” They looked at each other and snickered. “Whatever happened to our glasses?” Then, “Oh hell, the alcohol will kill any cooties, lets go see what's on TV.”

The two stumbled into Paris bedroom and laid down on her extended king sized bed and turned on her flat screen. There wasn't much on even with the cable.

The two propped themselves up on Paris’ pillows taking swigs from her Moscato like privileged hobos. “I met his Mom ‘ya know,” Said Francine. She was nice.”

“Really?” said Paris.

“Yeah. She likes me.” After a thoughtful pause. “He was nice to me Paris, (mostly), but our relationship was so much about
pleasing
him,"

“Yeah, but that’s what made if fun, right?” Francine smiled in response.

“Soooo how long you gonna make him wait?” both girls were slurring now. Francine laughed drunkenly.

"Francine laughed as well taking another swig "Right? I don't know, I just don't know of we work in the real world ya’ know?”

“I've seen how much you've missed him Francine, Ralph is nice & all, but its like since
Karl's
here, i don't know, you're like iridescent, all, lit up from the inside. And there you go keeping that cookie in the jar!”

 They were both a little tipsy now & delighting at their own power. Their laughter echoed against the beautifully painted bedroom walls.

“What are you talking about?” Said Francine.

“Like in
Think Like A Man.
Your
cookie’s
in the jar.”

“Oooh!” Said Francine, putting two and two together, she pictured herself in the
dreaded
slave pose at Karl’s feet except with her hands in front of her pressed over the lid of big fat fat ceramic cookie jar with her “cookie” firmly ensconced. He stood above her, as she looked up, that
Master’s look
on his sculpted features. This image produced even more of the ridiculous giggles, tickling her insides until she felt tears pierce her eyelids. “I guess so.”