Page 59 of Compelled Obedience

“Would you like a drink? God knows I’m going to have a glass of wine.” My voice was shaking, which was something else completely out of character. Around him, almost everything I did was.

There was something so controlling about the way he leaned against the doorjamb, crossing one ankle over the other as if very comfortable in my cramped apartment. I had to admit that having him here was a thrill and seemed natural. Even in the dim lighting, I could see more than a hint of mischief in the man’s eyes, the man planning some horrible act of punishment. I felt it in my bones. Did I know that I deserved it, at least if I looked deep down inside? Sure, but I wasn’t in the mood at this point.

“Wine it is since I haven’t had liquor in the house for far too long. And I wouldn’t have wine except some fairy godfather dropped groceries off at my doorstep. I wonder who that was?” I was painfully aware I still had my costume on, the ridiculous look only fit for Blackout or a racy Halloween party.

I poured two glasses, taking my time while I tried to think of the right words of apology. There really weren’t any, not unless I wanted to explain not only the reason for not allowing anyone into Casey’s life but also why I was skittish and being chased by some crazy person.

When he still didn’t make a move or say a single thing, I placed one glass on the counter closest to him. Then I backed away as if the man was on fire or ready to spew some. I took a sip of wine, studying him the same way he was doing to me.

He glanced at the wine then grabbed his glass, backing away from the doorway then nodding toward the living room couch. “Come, Kerri. You and I are going to have a discussion.”

“About?”

“The man hunting you.”

CHAPTER 15

“Life is a precious gift—a gift we often take for granted until it is threatened.”

—Lecrae

Grant

I sat down in the chair opposite the couch, studying the tenseness that remained. Kerri was a very capable young woman, so much so that she’d forgotten how to rely on anyone, let alone how to trust her instincts. Yet it was apparent that she’d never had praise in her life, her family situation likely one of the statistics that I heard about far too often, a broken family just trying to make ends meet.

While I understood loneliness, I’d been gifted the freedom of securing an entirely different kind of family, friends I would die for. I’d proven the actuality of it more than once. The three amigos or musketeers as Lachlan, Jameson, and I’d called ourselves had latched onto each other when we thought we were past needing anyone.

I sensed Kerri refused to allow herself to get close because of fear that it would be taken away from her. Even her obvious friendship with Rebecca was guarded, more so than she needed to be.

And I’d known from the first moment she’d locked eyes with mine that she was a born submissive, eager to learn how to embrace her needs. Terrified she’d crave more. The woman was a kitten disguised as a lioness, clawing her way through the obstacles. Whether right or wrong, I felt it my mission to nurture the shackled beast, remaining patient until she was freed, finally ready to roar.

God, I wanted this woman. To kiss.

To taste.

To fuck.

I had it bad for her yet at this moment, I had to remain cautious or my lion in wait would race away into the wild.

She rocked back and forth, refusing to look me in the eyes. While she remained in the ridiculous costume from the club, she’d removed her thigh-high boots, yanking her hair into a ponytail. Without the colorful mask, she appeared vulnerable, entirely too much so. I glanced at the cut on her cheek she’d tried to hide, likely more from me than anyone else. While it was a reminder that I should have been more aggressive with Sanchez, at least I’d gotten my point across.

“Talk to me,” I said quietly after a few minutes had passed.

“You’re good with kids.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“I do. Casey doesn’t like anyone except for Rebecca. He can’t stand men, but he has good reasons why.” She took a sip of her wine and when she brought her glass to her mouth, I could tell her hand was shaking.

I had a feeling she needed to draw herself out of the black holes she’d shoved herself into before trusting me enough to open up about any aspect of her life. While patience wasn’t one of my stronger virtues, I knew I’d drive her away if I didn’t attempt to remain quiet. I sat back in the seat, crossing my legs.

She darted a glance in my direction then folded her legs under her, still finding it difficult to look me in the eyes. “Casey is my half-brother, a really good kid given a bad deal on life.”

“What’s the diagnosis?”

“Autism, but he could be high functioning if I could manage to get him the right help. Unfortunately, the schools that would really help him are out of my price range. I do the best I can given my level of education, but it’s not enough. Plus, he throws temper tantrums that sometimes even I can’t control. Is that what happened?”

She threw me a tentative look.

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