“We just don’t know enough,” Galen broke in with a grunt of disgust.
“Still no clues?” Gabi asked.
They shook their heads. “If we hadn’t checked, these two subs might have gone missing for quite a while before anyone noticed,” Vance said. “The kidnapper apparently chooses single women who don’t speak with relatives or friends every day. And he covers his tracks. In Atlanta, he sent one victim’s employer an e-mail saying she had a death in the family and needed time off.”
Rhodes had leaned back in his chair, looking frustrated but lacking the sheer unhappiness the other two showed. He undoubtedly cared more about the success of the investigation than the victims.
“We’re leaving all the decoys in place in case the kidnapper strikes a club twice,” Galen said. “But, Gabrielle, the chances are increasingly high he’ll take someone from the Shadowlands.”
The chill rattled her bones like an icy wind. What if something went wrong? I’m not a brave person, dammit. When the can she held started to crumple, she gently set it on the coffee table and took a calming breath.
Galen set his cane against his leg and leaned back. With a look that seemed all too familiar, his keen gaze went from her hands to her face. Reading her. An experienced agent…or an experienced dom? She narrowed her eyes at him, and a hint of a crease appeared in his cheek.
She looked away. Honestly, Gabi, it’s just your imagination. After so much time in the Shadowlands, of course she saw doms crawling out of the corners like cockroaches.
Vance said, “We’re keeping the news of the missing women quiet for now in hopes of not alerting the unsub. Since we don’t know where the delivery will take place, our only chance is to follow once a decoy is kidnapped. It’s vital you do your utmost to attract his attention.”
With his words, the fear she’d dammed broke over her like a tidal wave. She dropped her eyes, putting her hands between her knees to hide the trembling. A swallow cleared the tightness in her throat. “Yes, I know.” Her chin lifted. “I’ll do my best.”
The sympathy in Galen’s eyes almost did her in. “I’m sorry, Gabrielle. It’s not fair to you at all.”
“What do you mean not fair?” Rhodes said, his higher voice like a rasp against her nerves. “We’re guarding her.” He added under his breath, “She’s not risking anything except a chill from lack of clothing.”
Gabi saw the furious stare the big agent gave Rhodes.
Galen shook his head at his partner and responded to Dickhead in a soft voice almost as bladelike as Marcus’s. “You show her the respect you would for any volunteer—and you’d better guard her very, very well, Rhodes. Am I clear?”
Rhodes’s face turned pale.
Yeah, you idiot, not easy being on the other side of pissed-off dom, is it? Gabi sighed. And that’s where she’d remain for the next two weekends. Even worse, after the night they had spent together, Marcus wouldn’t understand. At all.
Chapter Thirteen
On Saturday, Marcus halfheartedly watched Cullen lightly flog Andrea in the nearby scene area and tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair. After looking forward to seeing Gabi all week, her attitude on Friday night and this evening had come as an unwelcome surprise. Last Sunday at his house, she’d been enthusiastic and loving, and he’d found her sassiness as cute as it was fun. She’d brought his home to life with her husky little giggle. He’d wanted more.
And he’d thought—hell, he’d known—she’d felt the same. But on Sunday, when he’d returned her to the Shadowlands, she’d jumped in her car and… Well, he’d pretty much have to say it looked like an escape. Fleeing.
Marcus shook his head. Last night, she’d treated him as if nothing had happened between them, and had returned to her bratty, inconsistent behavior with a vengeance. Why? She’d loved surrendering to him at his house. He’d been a dom long enough to know she hadn’t faked her submission there and that much of the crap she pulled here was forced. But he sure hadn’t figured out what to do about it.
A scream from the scene area drew his attention, and he smiled as Cullen tossed his flogger aside. The big bartender undid his leathers and first took Andrea’s mouth, then her ass, employing a couple of interesting toys to ensure they both had a good time.
A very good time considering the pretty sub couldn’t stand when Cullen unstrapped her from the sawhorse.
As Cullen cared for his sub and cleaned the equipment, Marcus did a mental check of his trainees. He’d given permission for Dara to go upstairs with a newer dom who appeared mesmerized by her piercings.
Austin had lusted after an older dom for months and finally got up enough nerve to flirt. Quite successfully. The dom had checked with Marcus, then dragged an enthusiastic Austin off to the dungeon. Marcus smiled. There might be a relationship starting.
Uzuri had left early, and since Tanner had already played with a couple who’d wanted a third, he’d finish the evening by serving drinks in the theme rooms. Apparently Sally had gone home to visit her family before school began. Surprising that the little minx hadn’t mentioned her plan to leave; sassy as she was, Sally took her responsibilities seriously.
Gabi was serving drinks and causing trouble. After dumping a soda in a dom’s lap, she’d asked if he wanted ice with his drink. She’d blown up a condom and popped it behind two doms having a discussion. And then she’d told a dom who was buckling ankle cuffs on his sub that he looked good on his knees. Well. Marcus had barely gotten out of hearing before he’d burst out laughing.
He sobered. The practical jokes could be tolerated, but she’d also grown increasingly insolent, deliberately trying to incite a reaction.
He’d made no progress at all. Dammit. His jaw tightening with frustration, he turned his gaze to watch Cullen finish stowing cleaning supplies.
The bartender scooped Andrea off the floor, where she’d waited with a blanket around her. In the sitting area, he dropped into a leather chair hard enough to earn an oomph from the sub. She glared at him. “I can’t believe the way you haul me around like I’m some doll.”
Rumbling a laugh, Cullen slid a hand under her blanket. “You’re my doll, love, and you’re not going to forget it.”
She melted at his touch and the tender look he gave her and snuggled closer.
Envy rolled through Marcus, and he set it aside. He knew full well the pain of loving the wrong woman was worse than the benefits. Before he and Patricia had divorced, she’d either frozen him out, pretended to love him to get her own way, or had temper tantrums. He’d actually preferred her rages—at least when angry, she’d shared her emotions honestly.
He thought of Gabi and the night she’d spent with him. How she’d snuggled closer to him in bed, how the rebellious spark in her eyes had changed to surrender, how she’d touched him… Those emotions had been honest. Or had they? Could he have misread her completely?
“You okay there, Marcus?” Cullen asked.
This wasn’t the time to indulge in unhappy woolgathering. He dredged up Gramps's favorite saying. “Fine as frog’s hair, thank you.”
“How’s your brat?”
“My brat seems to have a button she pushes at intervals to switch on a demon inside her.”
Cullen barked a laugh.
“Seriously, she’s like a whipped dog, licking your hand one moment and attacking the next.” Marcus frowned. “I think she knows why, but she won’t tell me.”
Marcus spotted the sub. In a neon blue halter top and vinyl skirt, Gabi had a dragon tattoo running up her shoulder, and earrings resembling golden claws decorating the curve of her ears. His little dragon sub was still sassing the members. “You ever met her, Andrea?”
“Only to fill her drink orders at the bar.”
Marcus studied her. Andrea was a sub, had been a trainee, and was a compassionate woman. “Maybe she’d be more forthcoming with you.”
“Introduce us,” Andrea said after a second’s thought. “I won’t break a confidence, but I’ll talk to her if I can get her alone.”
“Good enough.” As Gabi neared the group, Marcus beckoned for her to join them.
Her eyes lit at the sight of him, but then her lips firmed. When she stiffened her shoulders and raised her chin, he knew she’d decided to smart off. Yes, he could read her, even if he couldn’t figure out her motivation.
She stood in front of him, setting her hands on her hips. “You guys are sure lazy bastards. Don’t you have scenes to do, subs to beat?”
“Kneel. Now.” Marcus pointed to his feet, putting enough snap into the command to get her to obey before her mind could react.
She dropped to her knees and, a second later, glared at him.
He smiled and pulled her between his legs, facing outward. Defiance or not, her sweet body felt just fine under his hands. He squeezed her shoulders, tracing the muscles beneath the soft feminine padding, enjoying the lovely curve of her neck. Wouldn’t she look beautiful in a strapless gown—perhaps a pretty blue to match the streak in her hair. “Gabi, you’ve met Master Cullen. His sub is Andrea. She was a trainee back when he had charge of them.”
