“There’s our sleepyhead. Pancakes?” He pulled her in for a long, strong hug.

He acted like he’d already had three pots of coffee.

“You’re certainly chipper.”

“Feeling good.”

“How is that possible?”

He gave her a peck on the end of her nose. “Slept like a rock, had a nice morning wake-up, and life’s good.”

His infectious smile made her smile. “Despite last night?”

“Because of it. And because a certain someone figured prominently in my sexy dreams last night.” He waggled his eyebrows at her before turning to the stove again.

Sully didn’t make an appearance. “He went back to sleep,” Mac explained with a sly grin. “I wore him out this morning.” He sat at the counter with her and wolfed his food.

She stared, incredulous. “How can you even walk this morning?”

“Just the way my body is. Yeah, I’ve got some pain, but that’s cool. Except it’s making me damn horny.” He laughed.

She quit trying to figure it out.

* * *

The next afternoon, nearly six weeks after Clarisse had first met them, Sully announced arrangements for Mac to take her to Columbus the next day to meet with the investigating officers and get her things…and Bart. Mac took her to the mall to pick her up a few new items, including a nice dress that he insisted looked great on her.

Clarisse found she couldn’t eat, her nerves one hugely painful knot that threatened to rapidly return to sender any food she tried to swallow.

Sully sent Mac instead of going himself because Sully had a conference to prepare for and would be leaving for New York in two days. He drove them to Tampa International. Because of TSA rules, Sully couldn’t continue with them past the main terminal. He hugged Mac and whispered something in his ear before releasing him. Mac smiled, nodded, and brushed one last kiss across Sully’s lips. She noticed the ID bracelet on Mac’s wrist. His other day collar, worn in conjunction with the silver chain collar around his neck.

Clarisse watched the men’s interaction, startled by the melancholy pang that flashed through her own soul.

Sully smiled at her before his expression grew serious. “Be safe.”

He took her hands in his. “Listen to him, okay? Do what he says. Let him protect you. He’ll take care of you.”

She nodded, blinking back tears. She would miss Sully a lot more than she’d anticipated.

Then he surprised her—he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. “I’m going to miss you,” he whispered in her ear.

“I’ll miss you, too.”

“I’ve given him orders to behave himself, just so you know.

Nothing personal. I don’t want any confusion for either of you. When we’re all home next week, we’ll talk.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head before he released her.

If only she could let go of that last little stupid, stubborn fear and jealousy and totally trust him the way she trusted Mac.

Mac grabbed their carry-ons and led the way through the first checkpoint to the airside terminal monorail. He caught her eye and winked. “It’ll be okay, honey.”

She wished she could be so sure. Mac was a big guy, obviously able to take care of himself. Bryan was huge, beefy.

And owned a gun.

Thirty minutes later, they made it through security and sat at the gate while awaiting their flight. By the time their flight took off, she felt more than ready for a drink to steady her nerves even though she knew it wasn’t a good idea. Besides, she didn’t have any cash on her and suspected Mac wouldn’t buy her alcohol even if she asked for it.

He brushed his fingers along the back of her hand on the armrest.

“I know you’re scared,” he softly said. “But this will be okay. You probably won’t even see him.”

She nodded and stared out the window.

They switched planes in Atlanta before continuing to Columbus.

The closer they got, the more nervous she felt. If it weren’t for Bart, she’d seriously consider leaving it all, even pictures of her parents. It was just stuff, not worth risking her life, or Mac’s, over.

Of course Bryan would go free if she didn’t go back to talk to the police and prosecutors again.

Mac laced his fingers through hers as the plane circled for its final approach. He didn’t speak, sensing her ever-growing tension.

She’d let the men make the plans, willing to go along with whatever they decided. Mac wanted to grab her stuff first thing the next morning so they could leave town immediately after talking to the cops if necessary. They rented a car, then drove to the U-Haul lot where Sully had already reserved a truck for Mac. Clarisse felt jumpy, on edge as they drove to the motel Sully had picked out. Mac got them checked in. She relaxed only after securely locking and deadbolting the door behind them.

While Mac called Sully, she collapsed on her bed and closed her eyes. She jumped, startled, when Mac touched her shoulder what felt like seconds later.

“You hungry?”

She started to say no, but then the smell of pizza hit her and her stomach growled. “Holy crap, where’d that come from?”

He held two pizza boxes and sat on the end of her bed. “You’ve been out for two hours.”

“No way!”

“Way. It’s after seven.” He handed her some napkins. “I’m sorry.

I couldn’t wait any longer. I’m starving. I hope you don’t mind I ordered.”

She sat up and scrubbed her face with her hands. “I can’t believe I passed out like that. I even slept through the delivery guy?”

He opened the boxes. “Yep.”

He’d ordered everything she liked. “Thanks, Mac.”

“We told you we’re taking care of you. Sully and I mean it.” He took a bite.

She knew they meant it. Part of her felt guilty that they were willing to take care of her indefinitely, without her taking things any further in their relationship. Asking nothing of her in return except for her trust, honesty, and fidelity.

Why could she trust Sully to whip her ass, to not to kick her out on her ass, but she couldn’t trust him to own it?

As exhausted as she’d been, at midnight she still tossed and turned in bed. Mac had fallen asleep in his bed and she couldn’t help but lie on her side and watch him. Flickering light from the TV caused shadows to dance across him. He slept on his side, facing her.

She thought about the play party, the things they did to her, the things she helped Sully do to Mac. The blow job.

She could have him. Both of them. Clarisse closed her eyes as Sully’s words rippled through her memory. She’d have to learn to fully trust him if she wanted to really become part of them.

She remembered the nasty jealousy. That pushed her beyond her limits.

When she opened her eyes again a few minutes later, Mac was staring at her. “Hey,” he whispered.

She blushed, glad for the dark room. “Hey.”

“Can’t sleep?”

“No. I’m too nervous.”

He scooted farther away from her and patted the mattress next to him. He wore a pair of boxers and a T-shirt. “Come here.”

“You’ll get in trouble.”

“Not much. He gave me a little leeway. It’s okay.”

Her need and nerves shoved her guilt to the side. She threw back the covers, changed beds, and cuddled next to him. His familiar scent comforted and soothed her as she snuggled against him.

When he wrapped his arm around her, she felt safe and secure.

“Go to sleep, sweetheart. This’ll be okay. We’ll be leaving for home the day after tomorrow at the latest. Once we’re on the road, you’ll feel better.”

She had to admit calling the men’s house her home felt right.

It could be her home forever.

They could be her men.

She wasn’t sure she’d sleep, but when she opened her eyes again she lay alone in bed and grey light crept around the edges of the motel curtains. She heard Mac in the bathroom, talking. Probably on the phone to Sully. A few minutes later the shower started. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She’d wait to take one until after they finished moving her stuff, but she had to call Raquel to confirm their plans. She’d called her after settling in at Mac and Sully’s, to let her know she’d arrived safely and what had happened.

“Girl, I’m so glad to hear from you! Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Has he bothered you?”

“He called once, and I think maybe a drive-by or two, but nothing in the past several weeks. You ready to get the peewee pup?”

“Yeah. We’ll call you in an hour where to meet.”

“That’s perfect, because I’ve got to get him from Tonya’s anyway. He tried to eat John. Tonya’s single.”

Clarisse closed her eyes and tried not to cry. “I’m sorry I’ve dragged you and John into this.”

“Listen to me, this was a long time coming. I wish you’d stood up to him the first time. He’d be in jail, and you’d be free already.”

Clarisse heard the shower shut off. “I know. I’ll talk to you later.”

She was hanging up when Mac emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist.

He smiled. “Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.” He tossed her his phone. “Call Master and say good morning to him, okay?” He returned to the bathroom and shut the door. The marks across his back from the previous weekend were already healing nicely.

Apparently waiting for her call, Sully answered almost immediately.

“Did you sleep well?”

She blushed, started to say yes, then opted for the full truth. “Not at first. Mac offered to let me cuddle with him.” She waited for a disapproving tone, but once again, he surprised her.

“Good.”