Safeword: Arabesque (Safewords Book 9) (25 page)

When Sam and Ethan returned, Sam told them, “My manager says Clemente missed the flight he was supposed to take home. Authorities believe he’s driving a rental car, and the assumption is he’s headed home to California. There’s an arrest warrant; it’s just a matter of finding him.” She sighed and looked at Cassie. “Once the media picks up on it, they’ll descend on you. I’m paying the security team to make sure no reporters get close to you.”

Resigned, Cassie said, “I’ve already figured out this is going to be a big deal. Once they put me together with the YouTube video of Kirsten and I taking him down? It’s like a made-for-TV drama. Everyone on the planet will know I’ve been sexually assaulted, and some of them will say I had it coming because of that video.”

Frisco touched the covers over her foot. “They will be wrong. No one deserves this, Sweetness.”

If she’d been up to it she’d have punched him. Instead, she glared and growled, “Don’t push it.”

Sam looked as if she wanted to say something about their interchange, but instead said, “You didn’t deserve this. You didn’t ask for it. I’ll do everything I can to protect you from the media. I’m also making arrangements for a respected local attorney for you. Whether you want to sue the asshole in civil court will be up to you, but the sooner I get an attorney involved the more options you’ll have.”

Cassie made good money but there was no telling how much all of the security and an attorney would be. “How much is all of this costing? It may take me years to pay you back.”

“I don’t want you to pay me a penny,” Sam said. “This is my drama. Jose Clemente is
my
fault, so I’ll take care of you.”

Kirsten tilted her head and told Sam, “This isn’t your fault, either. It’s Jose Clemente’s fault.”

“True,” Sam agreed, “but, if she wasn’t my friend, or if I hadn’t decided to fight a man in the cage, then she wouldn’t be in that bed. It might not be my fault but I have an obligation to take care of her and keep her safe.”

* * * *

Cassie talked to Cam several times a day. She and Cam had started ending conversations with “Love you,” and then “Love you, too,” a while back, and she didn’t think anything of it when she ended the conversation with “Love you, too,” with the room full of her friends.

Until she looked up and saw half of them looking at her in surprise, and the other half looking at Frisco for his reaction.

Frisco looked at them, then her, and walked out of the room.

He returned a half an hour later with fancy coffee for everyone, and a salad he’d put together at the salad bar in the cafeteria — exactly the way Cassie liked it.

She realized his heart was in the right place, but the reminder he could make a salad she’d enjoy better than one she made herself? Made her want to cry as she ate it.

She found herself with just Tara and Kirsten in the room a few hours later, and called Cam while she had a little privacy.

“Isaac called me,” Cam said. “He saw the news reports, and apparently Frisco told him I’d moved in with you, and he still had my cellphone number so he called me to check on you.”

“What did he have to say?”

“Just that he’s worried about you, and he’d been close to calling you to see if you’d go out with him again, since — his words — ‘Frisco’s an idiot.’”

“I don’t…there’s no way I can go out with anyone, Cam. Not after…”

“I know, Cass. I’m here for you, and we’ll figure it out when you come home.”

“I wouldn’t mind seeing him, though. I mean, if he wants to be my friend for a little while? I miss him.”

“Good,” she could hear the smile in Cam’s voice, “I’ll tell him.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

The trip home was hell. Based on her doctor’s recommendation, her friends put her in a wheelchair to get her through the airports, but she was still exhausted by the time they reached the first plane, and half dead by the time they made it through the layover airport and into the second plane.

Sam and Ethan drove her home once they finally landed in Chattanooga, and Frisco followed. Cassie told him she’d be fine, but the damned man was so fucking stubborn headed.

Cam opened the door as Sam and Ethan helped Cassie out of the car. Jake bounded out, started to bump her leg in greeting, but immediately realized something was wrong so he just touched her leg with the side of his head and backed off so the humans could help her up the steps.

Jake had never met Ethan, but didn’t growl or act aggressive. However, he’d liked Frisco in the past, but snarled and rumbled at him today.

“What’s the matter, boy?” Frisco asked the large German Shepherd as he offered his hand for the dog to smell.

“He picks up on my emotions,” Cassie said, breathless as she made it to the top of the steps.

“What, you’re pissed at me, so he is, too?”

“No,” Cam said without trying to hide the anger and grief in his eyes and voice. “You hurt her, and he wants you away from her so you don’t hurt her again. Why the fuck are you here?”

“I need to make sure she’s okay.”

Cam shook his head and followed as Sam and Ethan helped her into the bedroom.

Ethan left her in the bedroom with Sam and Cameron, who helped Cassie undress and get into bed.

Jake jumped into bed beside her, licked her cheek once, and snuggled gently into her side. Cassie put her arm around him and her eyes drifted closed.

* * * *

Sam stepped out, and Cameron leaned over the bed to kiss Cassie’s forehead.

“Do you need anything?” She looked so weak, and so pale. Sam and Frisco had warned him her face was in bad shape, but it hadn’t prepared him for the reality.

He’d been worried before, but now that he’d seen her he didn’t want to leave her side.

“No, but thanks,” she told him. “I took a pain pill as we left the airport and it’s kicking in. Frisco’s being stubborn and probably won’t leave, just try to keep him out of the bedroom if you can. Okay?”

“Of course. Do you want company in bed or should I take the sofa?”

“Don’t you dare sleep on the sofa. Come snuggle with me when Sam and Ethan leave? I’ve missed you.”

Relieved she wanted him near, he tousled her hair and said, “You bet,” before leaving her with Jake.

The thought of having to face Frisco in the living room made him want to run to the bathroom to puke, but he squared his shoulders and made himself walk out the door.

Ethan and Frisco were sitting in the living room, with Sam standing near Ethan, talking.

When Cam entered the room Frisco stood and walked to him.

Cam ignored his former Master and focused on Ethan as he said, “I congratulated Sam on the phone, but I haven’t talked to you. Congrats! I had a performance during your fights, but I DVR’d them and watched when I got home. You both kicked ass.”

Ethan thanked him, and Sam told Cameron, “I felt your gun when I hugged you earlier, and Cass says you took her to the range and you’re good with it?”

“I felt yours, too.” Cam said with a smile.

Ethan chuckled as Sam rolled her eyes and continued. “I don’t have someone from Drake Security here only because I think with Jake to warn of an intruder, and you with a weapon, ya’ll can handle Clemente if he comes. But, he’s
fast
, so if you see him don’t hesitate to shoot. I honestly don’t think he’ll come, but be on your guard and keep it close, okay?”

“I’m not trigger happy, but if the bastard shows up I’ll gladly ventilate him.”

Frisco made a disapproving noise, but Sam ignored him and kept talking to Cam. “Good. Just don’t try to threaten or warn him first. If he makes it in the house, the castle doctrine says you can shoot without giving a warning. With the threat to Cassie you shouldn’t have to deal with legalities, but if you do I’ll make sure you have a good attorney.” Sam waited for him to nod before adding, “If you think Cassie’s scared I can have a Drake Security guy camped out in the living room within twenty or thirty minutes. I think she’s better off without a stranger in the house, and I believe you and Jake together can keep her safe, but if she’s afraid then none of that matters. I’m depending on you to let me know if you think I need to make the call, alright?”

“Thanks. I appreciate it,” Cam said before looking at Ethan. “Would it be okay if I give her a hug?”

“Yeah,” Ethan nodded and gave him a friendly smile, “no more fooling around, but the two of you can touch and share hugs without asking me. Sam will know if something steps over the line; she’ll let you know.”

Cam blushed as he realized Ethan likely knew every detail of his naughty dancing activities with Sam during her bachelorette party. They’d stayed inside of Ethan’s rules, but the two had enjoyed themselves quite thoroughly.

Ethan stood and looked at Frisco. “I don’t know what’s going on between the three of you, or why you’re staying when they’ve asked you to leave. Sam tells me I need to stay out of it and let ya’ll figure it out, but I feel I should say something, so I am. Cassie’s been through a lot, and you know her better than me, but I’m not comfortable with you staying when both Cameron and Cassie have made it clear you aren’t wanted.”

Sam embraced Cameron as Ethan talked, but then relaxed the hug while keeping her arm around him as she turned to look at Frisco. “Don’t answer, Frisco. Consider it a rhetorical question or statement or whatever. Just think it over.” She shook her head. “You’ve hurt both of them. Only you know if you’re here because you want back in their lives, or because of some stupid-assed guilt trip. Figure it out, and don’t hurt them worse than you already have.”

She looked at Cam. “Okay, we’re leaving. If you or Cassie need
anything
I want to be your first call. Okay?”

Cam hugged her again, and was surprised when Ethan drew him into a hug as well, saying, “Take care of her, and make sure you call Sam if you need anything. We’re both here for you.”

Cam looked at Frisco as Sam and Ethan let themselves out the door.

Neither said anything, and a dozen heartbeats later Cam decided he wasn’t in the mood for a staring contest and turned to walk to the door and lock it.

He spun back to Frisco and kept his voice even as he said, “You aren’t my Master anymore, by your own choice.” He lifted his hands in question and let them drop. “You aren’t hers, either. Why the hell are you here? Cassie said she kept asking you to leave and you wouldn’t.”

“Can I hug you?”

Cam’s heart shattered in his chest. He’d tried so hard to be strong around Frisco, but he was dying inside and those words were just too much. He turned away to hide the tears fighting to form, but didn’t trust his voice so he only shook his head in answer.

No one said anything for a few minutes, and when Cam trusted his voice again he said, “I blame you. If you hadn’t turned her away, or had let her budding relationship with Isaac grow, she wouldn’t be hurt.”

“You’re right. I blame myself as well, but I didn’t tell Isaac to stay away. He made the choice despite my telling him he could continue with her.”

“Why did you leave me with Isaac when you went to Atlanta for Tom’s cage fights?” Cam had so many questions. He needed closure, and if this gave him the opportunity he’d take it.

“Because he’s my best friend, and the only Dom I trust to take care of those under my care.”

“Did you know he can’t sleep if there’s any light in the room?”

“I did, and we talked about it before I left you with him.”

“He slept in a blindfold so I could have light.”

“I know.”

“Have you talked to him since Cassie was hurt?”

Cam knew they’d talked, and knew what Isaac had told him, but wanted to know Frisco’s intentions.

“Yes.” Frisco sighed. “He basically told me to shit or get off the pot. Either I step up and take care of her, or he will, and he expects our friendship to stay the same if I choose to give up any future claim to her.”

“Is that why you’re here?”

“Please turn around and look at me, Cameron.”

“You aren’t my Master. You can’t give me orders. Why the
fuck
are you here?” Cam asked again, without turning around.

“Because I blame myself.”

Cam heard Frisco stepping towards him, so he walked towards Cassie’s door, his back still to his former Master as he said, “Cassie said you’re being a stubborn-assed jerk, and if you won’t leave to at least try to keep you out of the bedroom.”

He was mere steps from the door when Frisco said, “I’m sorry.”

Cam stopped, but still didn’t turn, and kept his focus on the doorknob in front of him.

“Why are you sorry?”

“For hurting you.”

Cam laughed, but it was a cold laugh that left a bitter taste in his mouth, and it just pissed him off even more. “No, you aren’t. You may be sorry I told you I fell in love with you and screwed up your perfect record of placing slaves with Masters after training them, but you aren’t sorry for hurting me or you wouldn’t have sent me away.”