Page 32 of Royal Pain

“I’m going to drag you through the court system and I assure you, I will win full custody of my son. You aren’t fit to be his mother.”

He ended the call and I wanted to cry. Why did I always let him do this to me? Why? I closed my eyes, trying to calm down.

“Is everything okay?”

Hearing Gage’s voice made me jump this time. I found it so difficult to turn around. I always wore my emotions all over me when it came to Joseph and if there was one thing I knew about Gage, he was very observant. But I had to face him. I certainly couldn’t ignore the man. I tried to act as if I was fine when I finally did turn around. But seeing him, the concern in his eyes, the caring brought tears to my eyes. “Just fine.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

I tried to laugh but it sounded fake. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. You’re shaking and crying.” He rubbed my arm. “What is happening? Is someone threatening you?”

He’d obviously overheard part of my conversation. “Look, it’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“Don’t do that, Evangeline. Don’t. I might not be the best guy in the world, but I would never try and hurt you. I already told you that. Trust me just enough. Maybe I can help.”

“No one can help me, Gage. My ex-husband is a horrible man. Trust me when I say I didn’t know that when I got involved with him. He won’t let me go, continues threatening me. I just… I don’t have the strength any longer to push him away. Even a restraining order isn’t going to do any good.”

“Why?”

I could tell he was furious already. “Because of his family. They are… very important and have more money than God. Even changing my phone number twice didn’t work. He knows everyone in Connecticut.”

“He’s threatening you?” His chest was puffed up.

I did nothing more than nod.

“Tell me who he is, his last name and I will do something about this.”

It was my turn to touch his arm and the electric current passing through us was even stronger than before. “I very much appreciate you wanting to do something, but even you can’t do anything and I don’t want you fighting my battles. Just because we… anyway, that doesn’t mean I’m going to attach myself at the hip. Okay?”

“I do not accept any man being abusive to a woman. Ever. I don’t like this. You’re terrified.”

“I just need to get a stronger backbone. Now, I have a couple more days in paradise and I plan on enjoying them before I need to return to reality. He can’t hurt me here.”

He lifted his head toward the sky, grumbling under his breath. “I don’t like it.”

“That is so sweet. Don’t worry. I will be fine.”

I also knew enough about the man to know he was blowing a gasket but trying his best to honor my request. “Last night. You left.”

“I honestly didn’t think it would be the best thing to come back to the hotel room in my evening clothes. You know?”

He laughed. “I guess you’re right.”

“As it is, they’ve already grilled me since they know I never stay out late. Like never.”

“Well, you are on vacation. Different rules apply.” At least he was smiling but it was easy to tell he was seething underneath. “I have an offer to make. You are under no obligation to say yes.”

“Okay. Color me intrigued.”

His grin widened. “Why don’t I show you around the BDSM world? If you’d like to try something or attend a class, which we do have, that’s entirely up to you. You might enjoy seeing how different the lifestyle is to what you heard about on the internet.”

Trying to remain nonchalant around the man was one of the toughest things I’d ever done. I was giddy inside at the thought of spending more time with him, sexual or otherwise. I liked the guy. “Well,” I said as I brushed one hand through my hair.Meanwhile, my stomach was doing flipflops from the number of butterflies swarming inside. “I could do that.”

“Now, of course, zero pictures. No stories on your social media sites and no names mentioned if you recognize any of the members. I will be a powerful master. Do we agree?”

When he used the word master, I thought for certain I might fall into his arms. “I think I can handle that. I’m more… into the rules.”

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