Page 27 of They All Own Me

One last push and I'm there, tumbling over into a shattering release that leaves me trembling and breathless. The vibrator falls from my hand as I collapse back against the pillows.

For a moment, all is quiet except for my pounding heart and heavy breathing. The aftermath is sweet – an oasis of calm after the storm.

I reach for the vibrator to switch it off and place it back in its drawer with a sense of satisfaction that Thomas will never give me. As I settle under the covers once more, a small smile plays on my lips.

"Maybe this isn't so bad after all," I murmur to myself before sleep finally claims me.

Chapter 16

Dominic

I leanagainst the kitchen counter, watching Connor pace back and forth across the marble tile. His anxiety is starting to get on my nerves.

"What if she's playing both sides?" Isaac says from his perch on the barstool.

I take a slow sip of my whiskey. "You saw the footage. That prick treats her like garbage."

"Yeah, but-" Connor starts.

"But nothing." I set my glass down with a decisive clink. "She planted the camera and mic exactly where we needed them. Did exactly what we asked without hesitation."

Isaac runs a hand through his hair. "That's what worries me. Too eager."

"Or desperate enough to want out," I counter. "Think about it - arranged marriage at seventeen to that pompous asshole? Her father's just as fucking dirty as Thomas."

"Still risky bringing her here, to our house…" Connor mutters.

The tension in my shoulders eases slightly as headlights sweep across our front windows. Right on time.

"Listen up," I say, my voice dropping low. "She's proven herself useful. More importantly, she's our best shot at nailing Thomas. So everyone needs to chill the fuck out and treat her like an asset, not a liability."

"But-"

"That's an order." I fix them both with a hard stare. "We play this smart, we all get what we want. Thomas goes down, she gets free, and we keep the boss happy. Simple as that."

The doorbell rings, ending any further discussion. I straighten up from the counter, already moving to answer it. "Remember what I said. We need her."

I open the door to find Tatum standing there in a long yellow sundress, looking like she just left some place tropical. Only she can make a sundress look like a damn vanity fair shoot, or whatever the hell those magazines are called. Her eyes widen as she takes in the modern open-concept living space behind me.

"Well, this is unexpected," she says, stepping past me. "I was expecting more of a... villainous lair situation. Secret underground bunker maybe?"

Connor snorts from his spot by the kitchen island. "Sorry to disappoint. We save the torture chamber for special occasions."

"Damn, I knew I should have brought my ball gown." Her wit catches me off guard. Most people who end up in our world don't maintain their sense of humor.

"So, this is where we live." I say with an extended arm.

"Already knew that." "Mr. Vance, Mr. Yates, and Mr. McClellan." She perches on the edge of our leather couch. "My…br… contact is thorough. Ex-military turned IT tech. He pulled your files within an hour of me giving him your descriptions."

"Smart girl," Isaac says, impressed.

"Hey if you ever want to come over to the dark side, we've got an opening," Connor says. "Could use someone with your… skill set."

"I'm sure you could." She crosses her legs, somehow managing to look both elegant and dangerous. "Now, enough chit chat, what's our next move against my dear husband?"

I settle into my chair, prepared to watch Tatum's face as Connor lays out our plan.

"We're going to stage your kidnapping." He says, with as much confidence as he can muster.

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