Her Dom's Lesson (Dominic Powers Book 2) (17 page)

But I can’t leave her legs tied any longer, so I reluctantly pull out of her and finish untying her.  Pulling her with me, I sit on the edge of the bed and she sits on my lap.  I hold her close to me, lovingly stroke her, and whisper to her to reassure her.  “You’re so beautiful, baby.  I love this outfit and you completely shocked me with it.  That was a wonderful surprise.”

“You forgot the honey,” she whispers back and I laugh out loud.

“Well, I didn’t really forget,” I confess.  “I just didn’t want to wait one more second to make love to you.  The night’s still young, though.  Maybe I’ll wake you up by eating honey off of you.”

She snuggles in closer to me, lays her head on my shoulder, and sighs in deep contentment.  “I love you, Dominic.”

“I love you so much, Sophia–more than I can even describe with words.  You’re my heart, my love, and my world now.  There’s no going back, ever.  You’re mine.  And I’m yours, always.”

After several minutes, I take Sophia to the shower and thoroughly wash her beautiful body.  Running my soapy hands over her stomach, I notice it’s slightly bigger than it has been.  I move my hands up to her breasts and back down her torso, rubbing them over the small bump again.  I’m simply amazed and in awe at how her body is changing to incubate our baby.

“Did I hurt you?” I ask.

“No, not at all,” she looks at me over her shoulder and smiles lovingly.

“The morning sickness seems to be getting better,” I state, but I really want her to verify it.

“Yes, I’m just past my first trimester now and it hasn’t bothered me as much this week.  I hope it goes away and
stays
away,” she laughs and covers my hand with hers, directly over her small baby bump.

We stay like this for several minutes, just relaxing in the hot water spray and protecting our baby with our embrace.  So many scenes fly through my mind, imaging how it will be after the baby is born.  There isn’t a single scene that doesn’t have Sophia front and center in my life.  She’s part of me now.  I am her Dom, but she owns my heart.

When the water starts to turn cool, I turn it off and swiftly dry Sophia off before wrapping her in the large bath towel.  I quickly run a towel over me and lead her to the bed.  “Let’s get some sleep, love.  We have a big day tomorrow and you need your rest.”

“What are we doing tomorrow?” she asks sweetly as she snuggles up to me in the bed. 

I wrap my arm around her and spoon her from behind.  I know she isn’t going to like what I’m about to say, but I’ve given this a lot of thought and it has to happen.  She needs to be there with me so that she can also have some kind of closure–whether the outcome is good or bad.

“We’re going to have a talk with your parents.”

Sophia

“We really don’t have to do this,” I try to reason with Shadow as he puts our suitcases in the back of the SUV.  “We can just go back to the airport instead.” 

He puts the last of our bags in and closes the vehicle door.  With one hand still on the door and the other hand on his hip, he levels his gaze at me.  “Sophia, you know I can’t do that.”

“This is a really bad idea, Shadow.  I know what my dad was when I was younger and I know how it was when he finally showed back up.  He could just as well be the one behind Dom’s car wreck and his house burning down!  How can you just let him walk right into this situation?”

Shadow doesn’t respond verbally, but his lack of response coupled with the look he gives me tells me he already knows everything.

“What do you know, Shadow?”

“I know,” he pauses, “better than to get in the middle of family drama unless I absolutely have to.”

Dominic and Tucker walk out of the hotel and join us at the vehicle.  Dom senses the tension in me, his eyes dart between Shadow and me.  He gives me his best smirk before he addresses Shadow.

“Has she been trying to talk you out of going to her family’s house, Shadow?”

Shadow’s smile spreads across his face and I see the mischief dancing in his eyes.  I have a feeling he’s coming up with a response that will get me in just enough trouble so that Dom punishes me, but not enough trouble to make him mad over it.  Narrowing my eyes at him, I respond with a challenge of my own.

He accepts it.  Dammit.

“Well, you know Sophia, Dominic.  She’s playing the maternity card and her
‘mother knows best’
routine.  She says that the dad is clueless,” Shadow replies in mock offense.

“Is that right?”  One side of Dominic’s mouth quirks up as he tries to hide his smile.  “I will definitely have to correct that line of thinking,” he replies, turning his seductive gaze to me, “Later.”

Electricity shoots through my body, causing it to hum with excitement at what playful ideas he has in store for me.  He knows Shadow is only joking but he’s using it to set the stage for us. 
Later
.  He also knows that throughout the rest of the day that thought will be in the back of my mind, pulling me back to him right when I need it most.

The truth is, he knows how much I’m dreading this visit today.  I fully expect my family to belittle me, try to shame me, or tell me I’m weak.  They have no clue what weakness really is.  Just because I’m Dom’s submissive doesn’t make me weak or spineless.  If they push the wrong buttons, they will see first hand exactly how strong my spine is. 

I roll my eyes as Dominic and Shadow walk off since I’m sure it’s to talk about exactly what I said to Shadow.  Tucker gives me a single nod and turns to walk off before I call his name.

“Tucker?”

He turns to look at me, “Yeah?”

“I haven’t had a chance to really thank you for helping me that night.  You even stayed with me in the hospital.  You have no idea how much I appreciate that.  You saved me from him and you didn’t leave me to face it all alone.  You’re a good man, Tucker.  There’s a woman out there who will be so happy to find you one day.”

Tucker wraps his arm around my neck and pulls me to him in a friendly hug.  “For the record, you never have to thank me for helping you, Sophia. But, you’re welcome and I’d do it all over again if you needed me.”  Releasing me, he continues, “Dominic is a different man with you.  He loves you, Sophia.”

Doubts about me still linger–in all of three of these men.  I can’t blame them but I can’t help that it hurts, either.

“I love him more than anything, Tucker.  I’ve meant every word I’ve said to him.”

“He’s very excited to be a father,” Tucker says with a glance at my stomach.  “You’re going to be a great mother, too, Sophia.  Congratulations.”  He flashes his rare smile at me and it makes me think that we’ll be okay again.

“Thank you, Tucker,” I say sincerely.  “For everything.”

Half an hour later, we turn into the drive at what I presume is my parent’s house.  It’s a small, modest house on the outskirts of west Austin.  The neighborhood is nice, quiet, and the streets are lined with well-kept older homes.  It gives me a homey, cozy feeling as I look around, picturing the neighbors congregating for summer cookouts.   Not that I’d ever experienced that with my parents growing up, but it’s still a nice scene to picture here.

Dom squeezes my hand and draws me from the longings of my childhood.  “Ready?” he asks, but we both know that question is asking so much more than the one word implies.

Giving a simple nod, we all exit the vehicle and walk up to the front door.  The sidewalk is lined with well-manicured flowerbeds and the yard is dotted with ornamental trees.  Everything looks so welcoming but I know that looks can be deceiving–because people are deceitful.  Looking for the comfort that my Dom provides, I run my hand down the inside of his arm until our hands are once again locked.  He simultaneously anchors me and sets me free. 

Tucker knocks on the door and we all wait patiently.  My heart is pounding in my chest as my confidence wanes and the trepidation sets in.  Dom pulls me into his side, wrapping his arm protectively around me, and kisses me on my temple.  If this visit stops the attacks on him, it’s well worth the discomfort I feel now.  Taking a deep, calming breath, I let go of the tension and see this for what it is.  If they’re not part of my life after today, it’ll be no different than it was yesterday.

The door opens and a man who looks like the older version of my brother is standing before us.  His eyes first dart to Tucker and Shadow, most likely because of their size, before moving to Dom and then to me.  Recognition settles across his features and his mouth drops open in surprise.  Several heartbeats pass before he breathes again, which is ironic since I am considering using my safe word,
heartbeat
, with Dom right now.

“Sophia?  Is it really you?” he asks, his voice strained with emotion.  His eyes glisten with moisture and I question if I’m just seeing things.

“Yes, Mr. Vasco, she is Sophia,” Dominic answers for me.  “We apologize for showing up unannounced like this.  We have some things we need to discuss with you that can only be said in person.”

He steps back to allow us room to enter and extends his arm into the house, “Come in, come in.  Everyone have a seat.  Make yourself at home.”

As I walk by him, the thought occurs to me that I don’t know what to call him. 
Dad?  Manuel?
  Dom sits on the couch and I take the seat next to him.  Tucker sits in a high-backed wing chair while Shadow walks around, making himself at home, and looking through all the pictures.  He’s the only one who doesn’t seem to have a care in the world.  I wonder if the real reason is because he has a faster reaction time to danger if he’s standing rather than sitting.

My father takes a seat in his recliner and his eyes remain fixed on me.  “Sophia, you are beautiful,” he says emphatically but sincerely. 

“Thank you,” I reply.  “We really should do introductions so you know who everyone is.”

“Absolutely,” Dominic says.  “I’m Dominic Powers.”  Dominic rises and extends his arm to shake hands.  “This is Nick Tucker, my head of security,” Tucker and my father exchange nods, “And this is Shadow.”

Everyone stops to look at Shadow, who is still roaming slowly around the room, examining every decoration as if he is committing it to memory.  “How are you?” he asks, not missing a beat.

“Your name is Shadow?” Manuel asks.

“Yep,” Shadow replies, not offering to elaborate or clarify.

“Mr. Vasco, I realize it’s been a number of years since you’ve seen Sophia, but we have urgent matters to talk about.  I don’t want to be rude, but we need to focus on some questions we have for you,” Dominic takes charge of the conversation.  “It could be a matter of life or death for Sophia.”

“Of course.  If I can help her, I will,” Manuel replies, concern laces his voice and fear sweeps across his eyes.

Dominic sits on the loveseat across from me and I feel the loss of his strength at my side.  I trust him, though, so I know it was with a purpose in mind. 

“Sir, do you have frequent contact with your son, Shawn?” Dominic asks.

“No, not for some time now,” Manuel says solemnly.  “No matter what I said, I couldn’t keep him from the wrong people.”

“So you didn’t pay his bond to get him out of jail?” Dominic asks

“What?  No, I didn’t pay any bond for him.  What was he in jail for?”

“He’s in a lot of trouble, Mr. Vasco,” Dominic starts.

“Call me Manuel, please.” 

Dominic smiles and nods in reply.  “Do you know Harrison Dictman?”

Manuel’s face contorts in disgust, “Yes, I know the bastard.  Are you saying Shawn is in league with
Harrison
?”

“Shawn is in a lot of trouble, Manuel.  He’s facing serious prison time and Harrison has made sure the evidence temporarily disappeared until he gets what he wants.  He’s using it to control Shawn, and by extension, Sophia,” Dominic pauses as Manuel’s head jerks to me.

“What?  How is he controlling Sophia?”

“He sent Sophia to work for me with an agenda to destroy me and my company, using the evidence against Shawn as leverage against her.  He filed a fake sexual harassment lawsuit in Sophia’s name and has had his lawyer demanding millions of dollars to keep it out of the media.  When Sophia refused to help him, he beat her so badly she ended up in the hospital. 

“He’s after her again.  Shawn called Sophia and asked her to meet him here in Austin for dinner last night so they could reconcile.  When we arrived, Shawn was there, but he left Sophia alone with Harrison.  Harrison’s issues with me go way back.  To be blunt, I need to know what your involvement with him is and if you play a part in any of this.”

Manuel is shocked speechless for a moment.  His mouth drops open and he prepares to speak a couple of times before anything actually comes out.  “Hell, no, I’m not part of any of this!  Why would I want to hurt my own daughter like that?  If Shawn were here, I would kick his ass for being part of this!  After everything we did to get Harrison out of Sophia’s life and all the trouble he’s caused our family, I can’t believe Shawn would side with him!”

“What do you mean what you did to get Harrison out of my life?” I ask, dumbfounded at his statement.

Dominic must see the same haunted look that I see on Manuel’s face.  He urges, “Tell us, Manuel.  Help us understand.  We know you have ties to the drug cartel.  There have already been two attempts on my life and one of them could’ve killed Sophia, too.  We need to know everything.”

Manuel scrubs his hand over his face, his hand rests over his mouth, and his eyes are downcast.  It’s obviously a painful memory and he’s preparing himself for reliving it.

“I’d been laid off from my job and Sarah didn’t work.  Times were hard and I couldn’t find work.  A friend who’d been laid off with me called and offered me a job.  He said I’d be a courier for a company, delivering packages back and forth, and I jumped at it.

“During one delivery, I was ambushed by a couple of guys demanding that I give them the packages.  A scuffle ensued, and when it was over, both of those guys were out cold on the ground and I delivered my packages.  I didn’t know that was a test that I passed with flying colors.  It earned me a promotion–in the cartel.  I never even knew I was working for them.

“Anyway, they already had all the information on my family.  If you know anything about them, Mr. Powers, you know you don’t tell them ‘
no’
and live to tell about it.  I accepted my promotion and for a while I was able to avoid doing anything more than roughing up some guys for money they owed.

“The night it all went bad, my partner executed a man for not paying what he owed the boss.  Since I was there, I was an accomplice and I went to prison.  I didn’t realize it at the time, but after my ‘promotion,’ I became a different man.  I had to so I could do the things I had to do. 

“When I was released from prison, Sophia refused to have anything to do with me. That’s when I realized how bad it had been for my family,” he chokes up with emotion, then shakes his head and clears his throat.  “The boss started calling me again and saying he had jobs for me to do.  I felt trapped, and Sarah and I fought a lot about it.