Running in Fear: Dragon's Den (2 page)

Chapter Three

 

Dominic kept his dragon at bay as he held his precious cargo. He scented both Archer's and Granger's dragons close to the surface. One day soon, he would personally track down the bastard that had raped Suzanne.

She squirmed in his arms, and his cock strained against his pants. The scent of her sweet honey filled his nostrils and he couldn't wait to taste her.

“How will it work with the three of you being masters?” Suzanne eventually asked. “Where will I be staying at night? Can you go in the sun? Do you eat? What happens after the weekend if what you say is true? I have a job and a home.”

Archer laughed and sat forward. “The older the vampire, the longer we can stay in the sun. We don't burn if we're out in it. It's uncomfortable, but we're fine. Now, newer vampires would become sick. Yes, we eat. I enjoy a good steak, too.”

“We all enjoy food, Suzanne,” Dominic said. “As far as this weekend is concerned, the three of you will be staying in my home here in the club. I live in a separate wing. All three of us are your masters, Suzanne. You will do as we say. If you have a question, or you're unsure, ask us. Do you have experience as a submissive or slave?” Dominic glanced down at her face.

“I've been to clubs before, but they were public. I never found anyone whom I felt comfortable with to really call a master or be a slave, so I guess the answer is no. I've seen and know the terms, positions, and such.” She laughed and stared back down at her hands. “I even decked the last guy who tried to tell me what to do. I mean, he was such a weasel to think he could try to take a whip to me.” Suzanne glanced back up at him. “You still haven't answered my question about what will happen after this weekend.”

Dominic put her back in her chair and turned it around to face the table. “We don't have much time, I'm afraid. We must be on the road by next week. We're meeting Remi LeBlathe and his pack a week from tonight, and it will take us two days to get there, if no problems arise.” He glanced at Archer and Granger.

“I've heard of Remi LeBlathe. He's one of the strongest, and most powerful were alphas in the United States. Why are we meeting him, and why so soon?” Granger frowned.

“The Goddess came to me last week, as I said earlier. She not only told me of you three, plus the one we seemed to have been missing, she has warned me of a great war coming. All sentinel creatures will be dragged into this war. The renegades have joined forces with outcasts from all kinds. They're building an army, infecting humans. Remi and I have been chosen to coordinate the Northern Hemisphere clans, packs, and so on.”

Suzanne frowned and tapped her hand on the table. “Let me get this straight. It's more or less going to be a war against evil, and humans are going to be fighting too? Wow, that would mean they're about to find out about your kind?” She shook her head. “That alone is going to scare the crap out of them.” Then she stopped and stared up at him. “Wait, you mean all of us? The four of us are going?” She jumped up from her chair and paced. “Dominic, this is too fast. You're asking me accept all of this and take off with you? Give up everything I've worked for?”

He stood and pulled her into his arms. “I know I'm asking for a lot, Suzanne, but you're strong, and you know you belong by our side. Trust us, Suzanne. We won't let you down.”

Dominic glanced up into Anthony's face. “Is everything okay, Suzanne? Have you decided?”

Suzanne turned in his arms and stared up at Anthony. “You didn't stay long, and I didn't hear your lovely mate's scream of pleasure. Is everything okay?” He tried to ease the tension he saw in Anthony's and Tonya's faces.

“I'm afraid my mate was too worried about how Suzanne would deal with the three of you, and I'm afraid I was a little nervous myself. I'm sorry, Dominic, but we love her.”

Dominic nodded and glanced down at the petite woman in his arms. “I totally understand. She is special.” Suzanne smiled up at him and patted his cheek.

“I'm fine, Anthony and Tonya.” She turned and faced her friends. “I mean, what woman wouldn't want three gorgeous men taking care of her? I'll stay with them, and see how things work out.” Dominic could have sworn Granger and Archer let out a breath they'd been holding.

Tonya stepped up to Suzanne and took her hands. “You do understand what a companion is? That there is no going back once they claim you, and you will belong to them?”

Suzanne glanced at Archer and Granger, then up at Dominic, and sighed. “I'm not going to lie, Tonya. I'm scared half out of my mind, but all my life I've wanted someone to take care of me. I've been beaten, raped, and never had a feeling of being safe as I do when I'm held in Dominic's arms. I love you and Anthony, and you'll always be my family, but it's time for both of us to take the next step.” Suzanne pulled away from Dominic and hugged Tonya.

“You two had just better keep yourselves safe, because if I have to kick someone's ass for hurting you again, I'm going to get pissed.”

Anthony stepped up to Suzanne and kissed both of her cheeks. “I promise I will protect her with my life, Suzanne.” He looked Dominic in the eyes. “Take care of her, Dominic.”

Dominic's hands circled Suzanne's waist, and he gently leaned her back against his body. “We will cherish her always. Before you leave this weekend, and after everyone else has left, we must talk. I'm calling only those who are closest to me.”

“Is there a problem?” Anthony stood straight and tense.

“We will enjoy this weekend, then I will fill you in on what must be done. I'm sorry to sound so evasive, but before I say any more, my companions and I need to talk.” He reached over and grasped Anthony's arm. “But whatever you do, don't mention this meeting to anyone. Is that understood?”

“It will be done.” Anthony grabbed his arm back in a tight grip. “You can count on me.”

He nodded. “I know I can. That's why I asked you. Now, let's get this party started, shall we?” Dominic clapped his hands and Alex appeared next to them.

“My liege.” Alex bowed.

“Gather everyone in the main room and give me ten minutes. I'll be up there to start the festivities.” He skimmed his thumb against the side of Suzanne's breast and her body trembled, but she stayed still, not saying a word.

“You are announcing the start of the weekend?” Alex asked, shocked.

He laughed and patted the man on his back. “Yes Alex, but first I have an announcement, and I want everyone's attention.”

Suzanne flinched against him, but still said nothing. “It will be as you ordered.” Alex turned and left.

She looked up at Dominic. “Please tell me you're not going to announce about me?” She cleared her throat, her eyes big, and her body trembled.

“Yes, I am. I've waited too long to find my companions, and we're all going to announce it here first. Let it trickle down to others. I figured a smaller crowd would be easier on you. Since the party is starting, let's set some ground rules, shall we?” He glanced at Archer and Granger.

They both stood and stretched, scanning the room as it filled with people. “First rule: you will only speak when asked a question by one of the three of us. If you have a question, you are allowed to ask it. You know about safe words, right?”

She nodded her head.

“Good, your safe word will always be…”

“Rose. Suzanne reminds me of a beautiful red rose. Her safe word should be rose.” Granger interrupted him, but he smiled and nodded.

“Perfect. I couldn't agree more. So Suzanne, your safe word is
rose
. Once you say that, everything stops, and we will talk. Second—and this is very important—no one, and I mean no one, will touch you but the three of us. Do you understand?” Dominic almost snarled just thinking of another man touching what was theirs. Granger and Archer both turned towards him, as tiny tendrils of smoke drifted out of their mouths.

Suzanne laughed. “I think the dragons are close to the surface.”

Dominic swatted her thigh. “This isn't funny, Suzanne. We haven't joined yet, and we can be very dangerous right now. We're trying to hold back for you, so you can enjoy the rest of the night before we join tonight, but if any man, and I mean
any
man, touches you…”

She turned and hugged him. “Why would I want any other men? I have the three most handsome men here. I understand, Dominic.”

He closed his eyes for a minute and took a deep breath. “Good. While this party is going on, you will not go anywhere without one of us. As soon as we can, we'll find the right guards for you. It's time. Shall we?”

“Wait a minute. Guards? No one said anything about guards, Dominic.” Suzanne frowned at him as he stepped in front of her and grabbed her arm.

He glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “Of course you're going to have guards. You're our mate and must be protected. Not another word.” They reached the stage and he dragged a reluctant Suzanne up with him. Granger and Archer followed behind her.

The room quieted down when the music was turned off. More than three hundred people stared up at them. Dominic stepped up to the microphone as both Granger and Archer stood at each of Suzanne's sides, holding her hands.

“I would like to thank everyone for coming for our annual party. This year, I personally have a reason to celebrate. Normally this kind of announcement is handled more formally, but since most of my personal staff and leaders are here, I'm announcing it now. I would like everyone to meet my companions, Suzanne Butterfield, Archer Morganthe, and Granger Iceshard.”

Dominic turned as Archer and Granger stepped forward and pulled Suzanne up with them. Her head was down as she stared at the floor. Her knuckles were white in each of his other mate's hands.

He turned back to the crowd as the whispers and the shock wore off. Dominic gazed around the room and landed on Alex, who glared at Suzanne.

There had better be a reason you are disrespecting my mate, Alex.

He looked up and he bowed his head.
Please forgive me, sir. It was just such a shock. Are you sure?
Alex sent back through their personal empathic link.

You are questioning me? We will talk later,
he demanded, and found a few other frowns among the crowd.

“Let's start the festivities,” Dominic said, addressing the crowd. “Harold, shut and lock the doors. Demonstrations will be starting in ten minutes, and the food bar is open now. So please, everyone, let's have a safe and good time. Remember, we have guards posted around if anyone should need one. Alex, strike up the band, please.”

* * * *

 

Suzanne kept her gaze lowered to the ground, but she'd heard the gasps and murmurs at Dominic's announcement. Her palms were sweaty, but she refused to give up Archer and Granger's hands, and clung to them for support.

Dominic stepped in front of them, and lifted her chin. “Archer, why don't you take Little Red here out to the dance floor while Granger and I take care of some business? We'll meet you in the other room in a few minutes. Suzanne, I know this is hard for you, but you'll see they will come to see how special you really are. Give them time.” He kissed her lips softly and stepped back. Archer wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her off the stage.

She glanced back over her shoulder as Archer helped her down the stairs. Granger and Dominic talked to each other, scanning the crowd. Suzanne had no chance of denying her men. Just one glance at them standing up there and she melted inside. Dominic had that silver waist-length hair, blue eyes, and facial features of the ancient gods, while Granger's blond knee-length hair and blue eyes made her swoon. But where Dominic was elegant in his stance, Granger was deadly. Nothing went unnoticed by either of them, including her staring at them. Both men turned their heated gazes to her and grinned. Her face burned with embarrassment, and she turned back to look at Archer, who chuckled as they moved into the next room where the band was playing jazz. Candles and lanterns lit the room, and the smell of hot food in the far corner also drifted to her. Archer pulled her onto the dance floor and hugged her body tight against his.

Suzanne glanced up at Archer. “Can I ask a question?” she whispered.

He slid one of his hands down to her ass and squeezed, while the other hand traced the swell of her breast. “Yes, Little Red. What would you like to know?” He kissed her forehead.

“I know a little bit about Dominic, but nothing about you or Granger. Would you tell me about yourself?”

Archer tilted his head to the side and studied her, then nodded. “There's not much to tell really. I was born in the year 1645, in Greece. I have three brothers who are scattered here and there. My mother and father are still alive, and live in Greece. I moved to Florida about eighty years ago, where I promptly took over leadership of the clan there.”

As Archer glided her around the dance floor, Suzanne glanced at the people sitting at the tables, either talking or eating. Some would stop and stare at her and Archer when they went past, but one man, who sat in the back with a slave in between his legs sucking his cock, shocked her for some reason. She didn't know what it was about that man—or vampire, because she could as plain as day see his fangs—but he gave her the creeps. A shiver ran up her spine as she turned her attention away, and focused on more questions. “Will the three of you, well, you know…?” Suzanne lifted her head, and once again stared into his big eyes.

“Do you mean will the three of us fuck each other? I would think so, since I'm drawn to both of them as I'm drawn to you. Now, tell me what's bothering you. I felt your body shake a minute ago.”

She placed her head onto his chest and scooted closer to his body. “It's nothing, Archer. Just got a cold chill, that's all.” Suzanne would be damned if she told him one of his kind gave her the creeps.

All of a sudden, Archer swung her around and up against the wall. He pinned her there with his body. He brought her arms up above her head, and frowned down at her. “Don't lie to me, Suzanne. You can tell me you don't want to tell me something, but never lie to us. Now, I'm going to ask again. What's wrong?”