Running in Fear: Dragon's Den (7 page)

Slowly she crawled out of the bed, and stared down at the four of them. Her men were so handsome and strong, but Suzanne felt left out. A cold shiver ran down her spine. She turned and saw the small suitcase she had brought with her. It held the only things she had left in the world.

Snatching onto the suitcase, Suzanne made her way to the bathroom, and got dressed in her favorite jeans and sweatshirt.

She was hungry and hurt. Not one of her men had said they had loved her last night. Suzanne brushed her hair and quietly made her way down the hallway to the kitchen. “It's stupid to think they would say the words, Suzanne. I mean, come on, you've only known them what, twelve hours?” she whispered to herself and took eggs, bacon, and juice out of the fridge.

“It will take time, but they will love you.” Dominic's father said behind her.

She sighed and turned to greet the ghost. “That was a private thought. Now, what can I do for you, sir?”

Dominic's father studied her and sat down. “Go ahead and make your breakfast. We'll talk while you cook.”

Suzanne nodded, and the frying pan came floating out of a cabinet. She laughed and shook her head. “So what do you need to talk to me about?” Suzanne turned on the stove, and placed the bacon into the pan to fry. After that, she took the glass that floated to her, and poured herself a glass of orange juice. She sighed with relief when it went down without coming back up.

“As you know, there is a war coming, and it's going to be a long deadly battle. Your gift to see and hear us will only help this battle.”

Frowning, she sat down, and stared at him. “What gift? You mean I can see and hear ghosts?”

He nodded and paced around the room. “There are many of us waiting to help the cause. You will speak for us to Dominic and Remi. We can go where others cannot, giving the path of light a better chance to win this war, but there are some risks.” He stopped and faced her.

“Why can't it be simple? Do I have ‘hurt me’ written on my body or something?” Suzanne flipped the bacon, knowing Dominic had wakened.

“Of course you don't have anything written on your body. My son bathed you last night. You are clean as a whistle.”

“What, you saw that?” Suzanne wiped around, and pointed the spatula at him. “You stay out of my bathroom and bedroom. It's bad enough I see you like this. I don't need you watching us have sex. That's just not right.” She shivered when Dominic strolled into the kitchen, frowning at her.

“I take it you're talking to my father again?” He leaned against the counter, staring at her.

“Yes, and you'd better tell him he can't watch us in the bedroom. That's just wrong! Now, what is this so-called danger you're speaking of, Andrew?” Suzanne turned back to the bacon.

“You will not only be able to see the good ghosts, but on occasion there will be those whoare evil, Those whom hell has not claimed yet, plus other creatures that not even Dominic or others can see.”

Suzanne banged her head on the cupboard above the stove. “Let me get this straight. I'll be able to also see evil things? Will they know I can see them and hear them?” She turned and glanced at Dominic's father, who shrugged.

“That, I do not know. I guess if you don't show any signs you are aware of them, they won't know, but with the way you screamed when you saw me, I don't see you being able to control your emotions.”

Blair, Granger, and Archer came into the kitchen, and took a seat at the counter, distracting her.

“See, you can't even control your reactions to your mates when they walk into a room. How are you going to act when you see a demon?” Andrew asked.

She turned to Andrew and glared at him. “Just because I happen to like the view when they walk into the room, doesn't mean I'm going to run off screaming every time I see something. If I know there are things out there, I can prepare myself, even if I see a demon.” The ghost grinned. “Really?”

She turned to see what looked like a large red monster staring at her. Suzanne turned to Andrew. “You did that on purpose! I don't like being tested. I don't care who the hell you are. Get out of here, and leave me the fuck alone. I've had enough today!” she yelled, throwing the spatula. It went flying right through him.

He laughed and disappeared from the room. “You'll do. See you soon, Suzanne. We have more to discuss, but I will leave you to deal with your angry companions.”

“Why, you pompous old fart? God, I wish I could deck you!” Suzanne turned to glare at her mates. “And why the fuck are
you
angry at me when I haven't done a damn thing?” She yelled, and knew at that minute that yelling was the wrong thing to do.

Dominic attacked her. Grabbing her, he swung her onto his shoulders. “Granger, turn off the stove. She can eat when I'm done beating her ass, and laying down the rules.”

“Laying down the rules? Dominic, I swear you'd better put me down this instant. How dare you growl at me? And if you think for one minute you will control every second of my life, think again, you big…
ouch!
” Suzanne jumped as his large hand made contact with her butt before he threw her onto the bed.

“Strip her, and destroy those awful clothes she wears. I'll be damned if she isn't open to my touch at all times,” Dominic ordered Archer and Granger, as he and Blair stood at the end of the bed.

“No, you can't. They're all I have left!” Suzanne tried to escape their hands, but they were too strong. They stripped her down, and shredded the last of her clothes. She got on her knees and glared at Dominic. “You know I could handle the dominate thing, but to destroy the last things I had to my name is
wrong
,” Suzanne said through clenched teeth. She jumped off the bed and dashed into the bathroom, locking the door.

Suzanne fell to floor, leaning against the door, and stared up at her empty suitcase. Nothing, not even her outfit for tonight, was in it. Everything was gone. She didn't have their love. Suzanne was now a vampire and new emotions and feelings surrounded and confused her. Before, she was able to handle it if something, or someone, attacked her, but now everything had changed.

Tears slid down her face. She hated herself for showing such weakness, but they wouldn't stop. Suzanne closed her eyes and laid her head against the door, when strong hands scooped her up. She stared into Blair's silver eyes.

He shook his head, and the door opened when he carried her out into the bedroom. He gently lowered her to the bed and turned her onto her stomach, which was now tense and full of knots.

Chapter Eight

 

Suzanne struggled against Blair while he attached the cuffs to her arms and legs. Every one of them had felt her emotions, her fears, and they would deal with those after they dealt with her defiance. He walked over to his cabinet and opened it, selecting which flogger to use on her. He grabbed the long black soft leather one, knowing it was the first time for her to experience that pain and pleasure.

He walked back to the bed and ran his hand across her ass. “Do you know what you did to earn this punishment?” His voice was only a whisper, but she heard him.

Suzanne didn't say a word, her face buried in the pillow. She refused to talk to him. He swung back and let the flogger hit her ass.

“You just were turned, Suzanne, you woke to new sensations, but did you wake us up, and let us help you deal with it? No!” He walked to the other side of the bed and swatted her again, watching the red marks brighten on her ass.

“Instead you left the safety of our room while we were still asleep. Didn't you think we would be worried about you when we woke and found you not in the bed where we put you?” His voice raised a little as once again the flogger came down on the back of her thigh. She flinched, her knuckles white, as she held onto the chains that bound her.

“But yet when I come to find you, you're yelling at my father, disrespecting him. Even if he is a ghost, he is a king!” He snarled and brought the flogger down again on her ass. Dominic took a deep breath and glanced at Blair, who smiled and nodded.

“Then you turn that wicked mouth on me, cussing me out. Not to mention you covered what belongs to us, and you
do
belong to us. For us to pet, to feed, to care for, and to clothe as we see fit.” He swung the flogger down one more time on the other side of her butt.

Suzanne jerked her head up, and glared at him. “What am I, your
dog
? To pet me, to feed me, to clothe me? I woke up and saw you sleeping peacefully, wrapped in each other's arms, not mine. I knew you formed new bonds last night while I was asleep, but I wanted to let you sleep. I needed to deal with this my own way, and I can't help it if I yelled at your father. He shouldn't have put a…a demon next to me!” she cried and dropped her head back into the pillow, hiding her tears. But her body trembled.

Dominic jerked his head towards Blair, who shrugged. “What do you mean, my father brought a demon into my home?” Dominic sat down on the bed and released her arms, while Granger released her legs. Dominic picked her up, and cradled her in his arms. “Tell me, Suzanne, what my father said and did. How am I to help and understand if you don't tell me?”

She curled up into a ball. “He's right, I'm not strong enough to do this, Dominic. I'm weak. I can't even control my tears. You need a stronger female, not someone who is broken.”

Blair sat down next to them and brushed her hair away from her face. “Tell us what he said, Suzanne.”

Suzanne laid her head on Dominic's chest. “He said I would see all ghosts, and other things that you couldn't, including evil things. That I could tell you what the ghosts find out, about the evil ones, since they can go places you can't. They, the good ones, want to help with the fight, but he told me I would also see the evil ones. He didn't know if they would be able to tell that I could see them or not, that it all depended on my reaction to them when they came around. He teased me about the first time I saw him, then he tested me by bringing a demon into the kitchen. That's when I threw the spatula at him and yelled at him.”

Dominic was furious. No wonder she attacked. “Is my father in the room now, Suzanne?”

She frowned and glanced around the room, then growled. “Yes…” She hissed. “I told him not to come into our bedroom and bathroom, Dominic. I don't want him in here. This should be our room.” She curled up further into his arms, trying to hide her body.

“Father, you will not test our companion, or come into our bedroom again, unless it is for an emergency. Is that understood?” Dominic snarled. “I hate that I can't see him to talk to him.”

Suzanne glanced up and frowned. “What? What do you mean, open myself up to Dominic? Don't yell at me, I can't help it, I don't understand.” Fresh tears slid down her face.

Dominic sighed and glanced down at Suzanne. “What is he saying?”

“He called me a dunce, and told me to open myself up to you. He said you would be able to see and hear him if I was touching you, but I don't understand what he means. It doesn't mean I'm stupid.”

Blair, Archer, and Granger snarled. “Enough!” Dominic ran his hand down Suzanne's face. “What my father was saying is that he wants you to reach for my mind. Remember when you wanted to read our thoughts? Well, now you can. Can you try?”

She nodded. “Can I have a blanket? I don't like him seeing me naked.” Blair grabbed the blanket behind them and covered her.

Slowly, she relaxed, and closed her eyes. Dominic could feel her touch inside his head—soft, hesitant, but Suzanne opened her mind to his. He turned and glanced at his father, who sat in the chair by the bed.

“Finally. I swear it was like pulling teeth dealing with her.” His father sighed. “We don't have much time. You have to leave tomorrow if you're going to make the other stops. Franco has moved some of his men closer to your lands, knowing Blair is here.”

Dominic felt Suzanne flinch against him, creating a bigger gap between them. His dragon roared inside him. “I thank you for the warning, but if you ever insult my mate again, I will find a way to smash your face. I respect you, Father, but I won't have her hurt again. Do I make myself clear?”

His father turned and stared at him, then at her. “She is beautiful when she is furious. I will try, that is all I can promise, Now I will take my leave. It's time I go spy on Franco. I'll be in touch soon.” Dominic shook his head and looked at Suzanne.

“Come. Archer has breakfast ready.” He stood, pulled her up, and draped his arm around her waist. They moved to the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, he pulled out a chair for her when Archer set the last of the food onto the table. Suzanne carefully sat down and flinched as she sat, but didn't say a word. They all took their seats. She reached up and drained her orange juice.

Archer and Granger piled food onto her plate, but she said nothing as she slowly ate.

Dominic sat back and watched Suzanne. He knew she wanted clothes, yet she wouldn't ask, afraid to say anything. He glanced at Blair, who frowned at her, knowing she wanted to leave. “Suzanne, talk to us. You have so many things running through your mind, I don't even know where to start.”

Suzanne glanced up at him, tears once again forming in her eyes. “What am I supposed to say, Dominic? You've taken everything, but given nothing. I had nothing left of the life that I built but what was in that suitcase, and you destroyed it, as you've destroyed me.”

Blair, Archer, and Granger snarled. “How dare you accuse him of destroying you? He would give his life for you!” Blair shouted.

She turned and glared at him. “You shout at me when you ask how I feel? I have given all four of you everything. I gave up
my
life, because I knew I belonged with you. I even gave you my love, when it's hard for me to do that. But what did I get in return, Blair? Do you see what I want in my brain and heart? I'm different., I don't know where to go, I'm expected to use this gift everyone keeps saying I have to help in this war, when it scares the crap out of me. I have no clothes. I feel naked inside and out, but what do I get? I get ‘we'll feed you, clothe you, pet you, and make you safe.’” She sighed and pushed her food around on her plate. “Where's
my
bond, Blair? It's obvious you four have it, but I don't. I can read your thoughts, but it means nothing.

“Your father said the love would come later, as if it was an afterthought. You all know I've never had love, but all you give me is sex. Great sex, but I could have had that spreading my legs for the Bloods if that's all I wanted. Excuse me, please.” She got up and walked to the door before she turned and stared at him. “I was willing to wait since it's only been a day, but earlier your words destroyed what hope I had, Dominic. I don't know how to get that hope back. I'll try, and be that strong person your father wants, but I can't promise anything anymore.” She ran out of the kitchen, and they all heard the door slam when she got to the bedroom.

“How can she not feel the bond now that she's one of us?” Granger asked.

Dominic stood, his chair slamming back against the floor. “She doesn't feel the bonding, because we did it before she changed. She was still human, and right now she still has the emotions of a human. Suzanne might always have them, with the trauma she had to deal with at such an earlier age. Damn, I was fool for saying those words to her. Granger, Stephan is here with her friend, and his sister. Go greet them, and have breakfast set up downstairs. Blair, wake your brothers, and find out how close Franco is. Archer, let's go. It's time we start showing our female what she means to us. Today and tonight we concentrate on her.” Everyone nodded as they went off to do as he bid. “The clothes arrived last night. They are in her closet, as you ordered,” Archer said as they made their way towards the bedroom.

“Archer, I've never made such a mess with anything, as I have with her. For the first time in my life, I'm afraid, and I don't like it.”

“Tell her, and show her, Dominic. That is the biggest gift you can give her right now.” Archer opened the door, and they both sucked in their breath.

Suzanne was curled up in the large window with a blanket wrapped around her, just staring out at the window. Her eyes were swollen from crying. She glanced up at them as they made their way to her.

Dominic reached down to pick her up, and she jerked back. “Oh baby, I'm so sorry.” He dropped to his knees in front of her. “I've made such a mess of things. I truly believed you would feel as we felt when we bonded last night, but I should have known the bond didn't take since you were human at the time. I've hurt you with my words. Please forgive me. I can't lose you, Suzanne. You're already embedded in my heart and soul.” He laid his head in her lap, and wrapped his arms around her, just holding her.

Slowly, she brushed her hand through his hair. “I'm not going anywhere, Dominic. It just might take me a little longer to trust any of you again. I know in my head that I belong here, beside all of you. I crave your guidance, but there is a part of me that will always need reassurance from each of you, that I'm important to you, even if I can't have your love. I'm sorry I can't change that.”

He lifted his head, and scooped her up into his arms, taking her seat. “My Little Red, you have all our hearts. Didn't I tell you yesterday you had captured us? I meant it, Suzanne. Where we are dark, you are our light.” Dominic kissed her lips softly. “Go with Archer. We have a surprise for you.” He helped her stand but took the blanket. Archer led her to the walk-in closet. He opened the door, and stepped aside as she stepped inside.

Dominic laughed at her small cry. She traced her hands over the clothes. Suzanne spun around and glanced at both of them. “They.re for me, all of them?”

Archer laughed and leaned over, capturing her lips. “Yes, Suzanne. Dominic called a few favors in last night after he heard about your apartment, and well, you can see what they brought.”

Suzanne crumbled to floor and cried. “You do care. I'm so sorry…”

“Oh, Little Red, don't cry. It's okay.” Dominic picked her up and hugged her. “Why don't you go splash some cold water on your face, and I'll pick out a nice outfit for you to wear to meet your friend downstairs?”

Her head jerked up. “Della's here? Oh thank you, Dominic.” She wrapped her arms around him, kissing his face.

He shook his head, and swatted her ass. “Go, so you we can eat breakfast with your friend, Stephan, Lissa, and the others. And Suzanne, you will eat this time. You need the food,” Dominic ordered, and she grinned.

“I told you all she needed was you to open up.” Archer smirked.

“Shut up, Archer.” Dominic selected the green dress. She would look lovely in it, along with the green satin slippers.

Suzanne emerged, her hair all brushed out, and smiled. She glanced at the dress and traced it with her finger.

“It's so beautiful, I'm almost afraid to wear it. I've never had such nice clothes before.”

He slid the dress over her head. “Well, you deserve it, and you'll wear nothing but the best as long as I can help it.” Dominic nodded. “Perfect. Now put on the slippers, and we'll go downstairs.”

Suzanne smiled all the way downstairs, touching the dress as if it would disappear from her body. “Thank you again, Dominic, for my new clothes.”

Dominic lifted up her chin before they entered the main hall. “It is my pleasure to give you things, Suzanne. I love to watch your face light up, and your eyes shine. Let's see your friends, beauty.” Dominic stepped into the main room.

Blair and Granger came up to Suzanne, and smiled down at her. “You look beautiful Suzanne,” Blair whispered, and kissed her lips. “I'm sorry for earlier, yelling at you. I was wrong.”

She cupped his cheek. “Maybe all of us were wrong this morning. Let's just start over, shall we?” They both nodded, and kissed her before they stepped aside.

A tall woman with blond hair screamed and rushed Suzanne, hugging her tight. “Look at you! My God, do you clean up nice.”

He shook his head and wrapped his hand in Stephan's. “How's Lissa?” Dominic glanced down at the table, where Lissa sat her gaze down at her plate.

“She won't say a word, Dominic. She's so frail, I'm afraid to touch her.”

Suzanne released Della, and hugged Stephan. “You should have seen me, Stephan. Let me talk to her.” She patted his arm and made her way to the table, nodding to Tonya and Anthony. All eyes were on her as she pulled up a chair next to Lissa, and the room quieted down.

“Hello, Lissa, I'm Suzanne, a friend of Della's.” She leaned over and took Lissa's hands into hers. “Has Della told you my story?”

Lissa shook her head, and glanced up at her.