Saving My Submission BN (26 page)

“He
jacked
off on my
panties,” I explained with a quiver of disgust in my voice.

“Shouldn’t your men be going door to door? Ask her
neighbors if they saw something?” Joshua demanded.

“I don’t need you telling me how to do my job, Mr.
Lars. That’s being done as we speak. It’s procedure.” Sucking in a deep breath,
Pruett softened. “Look, I want to nail this prick just as badly as you do. This
fucker is pissing me off.”

“You and me both. Look, I need you to escort Mellie
downstairs… get her a drink or something, while I finish up here and load her
stuff into the car. She doesn’t need to be here in case he’s left anymore
surprises.” In true Dominant form, Joshua directed the detective in a tone
implying negotiation was out of the question.

“I can do that.” Pruett nodded.

“Thank you. I’ll meet you both down there in a
minute.”

As he handed me off to Pruett, Joshua tucked the strap
of my purse over my shoulder and assured me he’d be right down. I didn’t want
to leave him. He was my lifeline, my rock. Drowning in foreign emotions, I felt
crushed and defeated. I didn’t know how to fight the hammers that kept
chiseling at my control. Panicked and needy contradicted every aspect I’d
aligned in my life. There didn’t seem to be a tourniquet big enough to stop the
timid and indecisive blood gushing within me.

Pruett led me down the stairs and into the family
room. Seated on the couch, I waited anxiously for Joshua to appear.

“Do you have any alcohol? Something to help settle
your nerves?”

I wanted to laugh. Horse tranquilizers wouldn’t be
enough to calm my tattered nerves. Numbly, I pointed to the liquor cabinet on
the far side of the room. There wasn’t much to choose from only had a bottle of
citrus vodka and a tiny bit of amaretto. Pruett carried the vodka to the
kitchen, and I found myself alone for the first time since arriving home. The
hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as an indescribable feeling of being
watched filled me. Clutching my arms around me, I searched for any sign of the
vaporous ghosts that had me on edge.

My cell phone chimed and I jolted The damn thing
sounded like a gong in the silence of the room. Digging the device from my
purse, my hand trembled as I read the message.

Unknown: I’m coming to
see you bunny just as soon as you get those fucking pigs out of MY house. Do it
now, or you’ll be sorry.

My woman’s intuition had been dead on. Davis
was
watching me. I set my phone on my lap and
scanned the walnut bookshelves, looking for a camera or anything out of the
ordinary. Nothing looked amiss. Unsure where he was watching me from, I
realized it didn’t matter. The prick had taunted me for the last time. His
harassment superseded all fear and rekindled my anger. Squaring my shoulders, I
raised my head then lifted my fist and extended my middle finger.

“Fuck you, you son of a bitch. If you want me, come
get me. I’m right here. Either shut up or man up, you fucking pussy.”

“Mellie? What are you doing?” Joshua demanded from the
doorway.

My phone chimed again and I snatched it up to read the
bastard’s new message.

Unknown: That’s going
to cost you, cunt.

Immediately it rang out with another notification.

Unknown: Oh, good.
Lover boy is there with you. Perfect. I think I’ll let you keep him for a
little while… I have plans for the prick.

Joshua snatched the phone from my hand. Reading the
messages, he quickly put two and two together. Sliding my phone into his shirt
pocket, he slowly turned as he glanced around the room. Cupping his hand, he
taunted Davis with a motioned that said ‘bring it.’

“Come on, coward. Let’s see what you’ve got. When I’m
through with you, cocksucker, you’ll wish you’d never been born.”

Anger surged off Joshua like flames. Pulling me up
from the couch, he wrapped a protective arm around me and headed toward the
door. Detective Pruett rounded the corner from the kitchen, his expression
wrinkled in confusion.

“What about her drink?” he asked, striding up next to
us.

Joshua grabbed the glass and hurled it across the
room. As it shattered against the fireplace, glass, ice, and vodka rained down
over the carpet.

“You either find that fucker, or I will,” he snarled.
“Get a team in here to sweep for bugs; her house is infested. Walker is
listening to every word and watching every move we make.”

“Fuck. Get her out of here,” Pruett growled before
storming toward the front door.

“Come on, baby. I’ve got your things in the car. Let’s
go,” Joshua whispered.

My phone dinged once again, but he ignored it and led
me out of the house and into the passenger seat of my car. Once behind the
wheel, Joshua leaned over and fastened my seat belt before flipping open my
purse and grabbing my keys.

“Are you going to read what he sent?”

“No. All I want to do right now is get you someplace safe.”

“Are we going back to Chicago?”

“Yes. But Davis isn’t going to find you. Trust me,”
Joshua vowed as he turned the key in the ignition.

Reaching out, I placed my hand on his. “I do trust
you. I know you’ll keep me safe.”

He softened and a satisfied smile spread over his
face.

“You bet your sexy ass I will.”

He handed me back my phone. “Here, call Savannah.
She’s worried. Tell her we’ll be home in a few days.”

“Days?”

“We’re driving to Chicago. Davis will be expecting us
to fly. If we’re lucky Chicago P.D. will find him at the airport long before we
leave the state. We’re going home.”

Home.
The way he
said the word filled me with warmth.

Staring at the blank screen of my cell phone, I didn’t
want to look at the unread message, but the conviction laced in Joshua’s oath
gave me strength and courage.

Unknown: That’s right,
fuck face. Bring her back home to ME. To a REAL man, you pansy assed prick.

“Joshua, Davis knows we’re headed to Chicago.”

“Good. Now call Savannah, little one. Let her know she
doesn’t need to worry anymore.”

Joshua peeled out of the driveway and raced up the
street as I dialed up Sanna. The Bluetooth engaged and her fragile ‘hello’ came
through the car speakers. As soon as she heard my voice, she burst into tears,
and Dylan ended up taking the phone from her.

“Mellie, don’t worry, we’ll take good care of Sanna.
She’s just scared and worried about you.”

“So am I. But I know we’re going to be fine. Please
tell her not to worry, Dylan.”

 
“I will. Tell
Joshua we’ve been in touch with Ian and we’re getting things squared away on
this end.”

“I’m right here on speaker phone,” Joshua confirmed.
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, utterly confused.

“I’ll explain later,” Joshua replied cryptically.

“No problem. Hey, Mellie, just stick close to him. He
knows what he’s doing.”

I darted a look at the man sitting next to me. His
expression was resolute. Glancing over at me, he smiled and nodded. “Damn
straight, I do.”

“Great. Be careful,” Dylan warned. “We’ll see you when
you get here.”

“Mel,” Sanna cried. “I’ll see you soon, right?”

What if I never got to see my baby sister again? The
desperation in her voice… was the last straw. My walls of bravery and resolve
crumbled as reality and panic stormed through me and I burst into tears. Joshua
reached out and gripped my hand, unable to hide the shock of seeing me fall
completely apart.

“I’ll see you soon, baby,” I sobbed.

“Savannah, I’m bringing her back to you safe and
sound. I promise,” Joshua guaranteed with both conviction and compassion.

“Thank you, Sir. I love you, Mel,” Sanna wailed.

“I love you too, baby.” My voice cracked as tears
spilled down my cheeks.

Joshua disconnected the call and pulled off the
highway onto an exit ramp. Shoving the car in park, he pulled me into his arms
and held me as I sobbed.

“That’s it, baby. Let it all out. I’m so proud of how
strong and brave you’ve been through all this shit. But, sweetheart, you don’t
have to be anymore, I’ve got you, and I’m not letting go.”

Yes, he had me… all of me, from the tough and mouthy
to the damaged and fragile, and everything in between. I trusted him with the
pieces of my soul, because he’d already proven he’d hold them like a priceless
treasure, right in the palm of his hand. For the first time in my life, I
wasn’t afraid to share them, regardless of what the future had in store.

Bolstered by his unyielding compassion, I pulled
myself together enough for us to get back on the road. Staring out the window,
the sound of my sister’s fear resonated in my ear. I’d wasted too many years
neglecting her, and after all that had transpired back at my house, I knew I’d
never feel completely safe there again. I was ready to move… move to Chicago
and find a place to call ‘home’.

Turning my attention to Joshua’s conversation with
Pruett, I listened as he informed the detective that we were driving back to
Chicago, not flying. In charge and in command, Joshua suggested the Pruett put
a net of plain clothes officers at the airport. Davis knew our plan to head
home. Hopefully he assumed we’d fly back to Chicago. With my hand clenched in
my lap, I nervously worried one thumb over the other as I listened to their
conversation. Joshua reached out and threaded his fingers through mine before
bringing my hand to his lips for a tender kiss.

“We were able to get an image off Melinda’s neighbor’s
security system. I’m having it downloaded as we speak. I’ll send it via e-mail
as soon as it’s done. We need a positive ID on this guy to speed things along.
We captured a clear image of his face for a couple of seconds. I’m going to
have our IT gurus blow up some still shots for you.”

“We’ll keep checking our phones. Thanks,” Joshua
replied.

“Stay in touch with me while you’re on the road,
okay?”

“Will do.” Joshua ended the call then frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“Pruett just told us to keep in touch while we were on
the road. I hope to god he wasn’t inside your house when he said that. Kerr
will know we’re not flying.”

“Surely he’s not that stupid, is he?”

“Let’s hope not.”

My stomach swirled in a churning mixture of anxiety
and fear, while my brain spooled in a constant cycle of anger and fear.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Joshua glance my
way. “I can feel the thoughts swirling in your pretty little head. Talk to me,
little one.”

A humorless chuckle rolled off my lips. “I don’t even
know where to start. Anger and fear don’t mix well, so excuse me if I’m not
singing songs about rainbows and butterflies.”

“Spitting sarcasm isn’t going to help either,” Joshua
smirked.

“I don’t mean to be snarky. I’m just being honest.”

“I do appreciate that.” He grinned. “Even though your
plate is full, I won’t allow it to erase the lines between us.”

His message was loud and clear. Joshua expected me to
stay a proper submissive when my whole fucking life was coming apart at the
seams. Even Penn & Teller couldn’t pull that one off.

My phone chimed, alerting us had a message. Joshua
glanced over as his jaw ticked in anger.

“You don’t have to read any more of his fucking
threats, little one.”

“I know.” I didn’t. I didn’t want to see what scathing
shit Davis spewed, but I wasn’t going to let him dictate another fraction of my
life. Leaning over, I dug the phone from my purse and slid the device open.

Unknown: So you and
lover boy decided to drive home. Perfect.
Wanna
bet
that I can figure out what route you’re taking? Watch out, bunny. You never
know where I might show up, maybe even in your hotel room along the way. Don’t
worry. Maybe I’ll let him watch me fuck you before I slit his throat… then I’ll
do yours.

Trembling, I turned off the phone and shoved it back
in my purse.

“Baby… you’ve turned deathly white.”

“If Davis gets his way, it’ll be my permanent color.”

“Did he threaten you… physically, I mean?”

“Both of us. He wants to kill both of us now.” I
closed my eyes. “Oh, and Pruett must have been inside the house when you talked
to him, because Davis has figured out we’re driving back to Chicago.”

“That stupid son of a bitch,” Joshua cursed as he
punched the phone icon on the dashboard, syncing up his own Bluetooth. The
first call he made was to Mika. Joshua didn’t bother asking; he demanded the
dungeon owner contact someone named
Landes
and have a
restraining order drawn up on my behalf.

“You got it,” Mika inhaled deep. “Between Nick, Dylan,
and Ian, my damn phone’s been ringing off the hook. You two get your asses back
here safely. We’ll handle the rest.”

Before I could ask about the plans that everyone
seemed to know about, except me, Joshua called Ian. He informed his ménage
buddy that Davis “just took a massive shit in his kennel.”

“That’s actually a good thing,” Ian chuckled. It
chaffed that he found humor in the whole
craptastic
mess. “Did he threaten to kill you two in a public place?”

“No,” I replied. “He suggested that he
might
be waiting for us at a hotel along the
way so he could slit our throats.”

Joshua issued a low growl.

“Dammit. The prick’s smart. If he continues with the
threats, try and see if you can get him to admit he’d like to kill you and
everyone around you, like at a mall or a beauty salon—somewhere public. I’m not
saying bait him, just lead him if you can.”

“What good will that do?” Joshua asked, clearly
irritated.

“That makes him a terrorist, man,” Ian answered with
glee. “He’ll find himself in a federal shit storm. With enough charges, he
could spend a lot of years behind bars.”