Control

Chapter 38

Mikaela brought a hand up to touch the painful bump on her head. Her eyes opened slowly and she saw him. He had taken off his shirt and was sitting on the edge of the bed cradling his head in his hands. Her eyes darted across the room and took in the still form of her mate. “Dominic!”

She moved to get up but Leon turned and grabbed her arms. “Micki, don’t move.” She struggled against him but he managed to pin her to the bed and straddled her waist.

“What happened to Dominic?”

He lowered his eyes and whispered. “His attention was on you when you fell. I hit him with a lamp.”

“Let me go, Leon.”

“I’m trying but I can’t.”

“Why?” Tears welled in her eyes but she kept her voice calm.

“There is something in you that calls to me. An empty place that needs to be filled in both of us. I can feel you and it draws me to you.”

She focused on his words and began to figure it out. “You are my friend. You are my best friend. By the gods, I bonded with you on some level! Leon, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that I was capable of doing this.”

“Shhh! It’s okay, Micki.” He held both of her wrists in one hand and used his free hand to wipe away her tears. “Don’t cry, baby. I hurt when you hurt.” His hand ran over her healing cut on her cheek that he had bandaged a couple of days earlier. “Beautiful.”

She tensed with his touch and the use of that word. “Stop it. You don’t know what you’re doing. This isn’t you.”

“You’re right. I have no idea who I am anymore. I’m just a buffer between you and Dom!”

“No. You’re not!”

“I’m someone that he lets play with his things when he feels like it!”

“Leon, stop it. You don’t understand…”

“No! I don’t! Please tell me.”

“I made a special bond with Dominic the first night we met. He and I can feel everything the other is feeling. I think somehow I did the same thing with you but on a much smaller scale. You can feel what I feel, can’t you?”

“You’re scared…of me and sad because of what you’ve done to me.” He released her wrists and cupped her face in his palms. “Don’t be scared of me.”

“You’re pushing me to give you something I’m not at liberty to give. I belong to Dominic and only he can grant your wish. I love him and I would never hurt him like that. Leon, please let me go. I know this can be overwhelming but I can help.”

He looked into her eyes, covered her body with his own, and laid his head on her shoulder. She went rigid beneath him unsure of his intent. When she sensed nothing but his love and sadness, she held him to her. “I’m sorry, Micki. I didn’t understand all these things you were making me feel and I didn’t know how to deal with it. I won’t lie to you. I still want you but I don’t want to hurt either of you.”

“It’s okay, baby. Everything will be okay.”

“I doubt it. Dom will never let me near you again and I can’t bear that thought. He’s right, you know?”

“About what?”

He rose up on his forearms and gave her a sad smile. “You are addictive. I want you so bad it hurts.” He kissed her lightly on her parted lips and once on her forehead.

“I’ll try to fix that for you but not the way you think. Let me up so I can tend to Dominic.” He rolled off of her and she moved swiftly to Dom’s side. “My love, wake up.” She picked his head up into her lap and ran her hands over his face. “Baby, open your eyes.”

“Mick…are you okay? Did he?”

She smiled that his first thought upon coming to was of her safety. “No. I’m fine.”

“Where is he? I’ll kill him.”

“No, Dominic. It’s my fault he’s acting like this.”

“How’s that?”

‘I have a bond with him as well. I don’t know how or when it happened but it’s there. It is no where near the strength of ours but he can feel and feed off my emotions.’

Dom looked over at Leon on the bed and a wave of resentment shot through him. His head snapped back to face her. ‘I won’t share you with him again!’

‘You share me with him whether he is with us or not. He can feel my need and desire for you. He is suffering and it is my fault. I have to help him. Dominic, he could’ve done anything he wanted to me while I was out of it and he didn’t. He fought for control and he didn’t do anything.’

‘Are you saying what I think you’re saying?’

‘No. I’m asking for your permission. Dominic…Rob never had a girlfriend while he was bonded to me. He said it was his choice but I don’t think it was.’

‘Undo it! Take it back!’

‘You know the rules to the bond. We both have to want to break it. I don’t think he will do it.’

‘Figure it out!’

‘Baby, calm down.’

‘How can you tell me to calm down? You’re telling me that he is going to keep sniffing around you and you want my permission for what? To let him fuck you?’

‘No! I don’t want anyone inside of me but you.’

‘Then what?’

‘To help him.’

‘No. I won’t let him touch you again. Ever.’ He held her shoulders in a tight grip and shook her.

‘It is your decision, my love, and I will obey you but remember how you felt when we were separated. I’ll go talk to him.’ She rose to her feet, moved to the bed, and sat beside Leon.

“What was all of that?”

“Nothing. We were just talking.”

“You never said a word.”

“We don’t have to.” She blushed. “I know it is all very unusual but what about me is normal? A friend of mine would’ve called it sci-fi.”

“He doesn’t look happy. I guess I was right after all. He won’t let me near you again.”

“We’ll work on that later. Pass me my clothes.” He handed her shorts and top to her and she got dressed. “Come with me.” She held out her hand.

“Mick, where are you going?”

“Outside. To help him with his problem.” Leon grabbed her hand and they walked out the door. Dom pulled on his jeans and followed them out. “Sit down. Both of you.”

“Why me? I don’t have a problem. I can have you whenever I want you.”

“Dominic! You are being an asshole.”

“I’m the asshole? He’s the one who tried to rape my wife!”

“Sit down! Now!” Dom reluctantly sat next to his woman making sure to keep her closer to him. “Get comfortable and close your eyes.” She sat in the lotus and could feel the tension between her mate and her friend. “Relax. Start at the top of your head and push the tension down your body.”

She felt them struggle to push their anxiety and anger from their bodies. About 30 minutes later, she could tell they were calmer. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah.” They said in unison.

“Good. Now talk to each other.” She stood up and their startled eyes met hers. “Don’t give me that look. Talk. I’m going for a swim.”

They watched her strip off her clothes and run out into the water. When she disappeared under the waves, they turned back to each other. “Dom, I’m sorry for everything. I know what she means to you and I didn’t want this to happen.” All Leon got for a response was a glare from Dom. “I do love her and I would never hurt her.”

“What about me? You hurt me. Leon, I love her and I would never cheat on her. I don’t think it’s even possible. I didn’t appreciate that comment. I worship her. Do you understand?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry I said that.” Leon paused for a moment and screwed up the nerve to continue. “Dom, I feel incomplete. Do you feel that way when she isn’t near or when you can’t touch her?”

“I feel that way right now.” He said as he watched her swim off shore. “You got a raw deal. I know what you’re feeling but I want my mate to myself. She’s going to see if she can undo what happened.”

“I don’t know if I want it to go away.”

“You won’t find a moment of peace without her and she is mine. I only wanted to give her a new sexual experience when I let you join us the first time. I never intended for you to become a permanent participant in our sex life.”

“I didn’t either.”

“Leon, she has to break it or you won’t ever find someone else to be with.”

“Dom…”

“No!” He tamped down his anger and tried again. “I won’t share her. You need to sever this tie to her.”

Tears came to Leon’s eyes when he thought of not being able to sense her anymore. It was an empty feeling but he knew he had to accept it. If he didn’t, Dom would never allow him to be in her life. Their lives. “Okay.”

“You’ll do it?”

“I don’t want to lose either of you. I’ll let this go if you promise me you won’t keep us apart. She said I was her best friend and I want to keep that.”

“I promise. She needs you like that. So…you release her?”

“Yeah. I release her.”

At that moment, Mikaela felt the bond break along with a small portion of her heart. She wanted Leon to be free but a small part of her was selfish and wanted to have a friend that knew what she needed. She knew this had to be painful for him too. She felt relief come from both men and understood immediately what transpired. Dom gave Leon an ultimatum and Leon agreed. He released her so that they could remain friends. “Hey, you two! Come out here!”

The men got to their feet, shed their jeans, and swam out to her. Mikaela’s pained eyes met Leon’s and Dom could tell they both felt somewhat diminished. “I have a favor to ask of you, Leon.”

“Anything, beautiful.”

“Will you give me away tomorrow?” Tears ran down her face but she kept her eyes hopeful.

“It’d be my honor, baby.”

She hugged him, pulled back, stared in his eyes, and gave him a kiss on his lips. “Thank you. This means the world to me.”

“It’s the least I can do for my best friend.”

“Alright, you two break it up.” Dom pulled Mikaela to him and wrapped her in his arms. “I don’t want you getting any ideas.” He nuzzled her neck and ran his hands lovingly over her stomach.

“No ideas here, lover.” In fact, she felt light-headed and nauseous. She grabbed her head when she felt it spinning.

“Baby, are you ok?”

Mikaela broke away from Dom and swam for shore. She got about halfway there when she got so dizzy that she started to flounder in the water. “Mick!” Dom swam over to her and lifted her up out of the water. “Baby, are you ok?”

“I’m gonna be sick.”

He cradled her in his arms, ran to shore, and into the bungalow. She jumped out of his arms and ran to the bathroom. He followed her in and found her dry heaving on her knees in front of the toilet. “You haven’t eaten, baby.” He smoothed her hair back from her clammy forehead. “It couldn’t be morning sickness this soon, could it?”

“I have no idea. This is all new to me.”

Leon came up to the doorway with their clothes in his arms. “Is she okay?”

“Do I fucking look okay to you?”

Dom smiled at her outburst and looked at Leon. “Are you ok?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“We should head home. I want Sallah to have a look at her.” Dom wet a washcloth and gently ran it over her face. Then he grabbed a beach towel, wrapped it around her body, and tucked the edge between her breasts.

“You okay to sit on the bed while we get dressed?” She nodded. “Good. Come to daddy.” She wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her out and set her on the bed.

Leon had dressed and handed Dom his jeans. He held Mikaela’s clothes and sat beside her. “Are you feeling any better, darlin?” She shook her head no and laid her head in his lap. He ran his hand over her hair and her eyes drifted shut.

Dom buttoned his jeans and looked at them. They looked just like the picture in her dojo. “Come on, baby. Let’s get you home.” He picked her up and started for the door. “Boys! Come!”

Leon held the door for Dom and the dogs and then followed them out. They made their way to the house as quickly as possible. Dom could feel their son and he smiled. He knew he was okay but he was worried about his woman.

When they were closer to the house, Dom sent Leon ahead to get Sallah and meet them at their home. “Mick…”

“I’m okay.” She whispered.

“No, you’re not. I don’t know if junior is a factor but I know you have separation anxiety.” He watched her profile for any sign of acknowledgment and saw none.

“I’m fine.” Her voice was shaky and sad. “You are all I need.”

“You lost Rob and Leon. I understand.”

“I lost you too. I walked away from all of you.” She shook it off and lightened her voice but he knew better. “This is a delayed reaction to the whole day. I’m just tired.”

“Okay, baby. We’ll get your grandfather to check you out, and then I’ll feed you and put you to bed. Don’t give me any shit about eating either. I need to take care of you and my boy.”

When they came up to the house, everyone was waiting on the patio. He walked up to them and they parted to let him pass inside. “Dominic, stop. Mia?”

“Yeah, Mikaela?”

“We’re on for tomorrow and I’d like you to be my maid of honor.”

“I’d love to.” Her smile was beaming.

“Vince.”

“Dom.”

“We’ve known each other since we were kids. It’d only be right if you were my best man.”

“I’m there, brother.” Vince smiled and slapped Dom on the shoulder. “I can’t believe the big dog is going on a leash.”

“Put me down, Dominic.” He lowered her to her feet and she looked up at Vince. “That leash ties on both ends.”

His eyes roamed over her towel clad body and returned to hers. “A man could have a good time with a woman like you on a leash.”

She returned his smile, cocked her head, and knocked him on his ass. “You really are a pig, you know?”

He smirked and rubbed his jaw. “Yeah, I know.” Dom helped him to his feet and Vince laughed. “Damn, I like that woman. She is a spitfire.”

“I know. She’s my spitfire though. Sallah, Mikaela is not feeling well. Can you take a look at her?”

“Of course, Dominic.” He moved towards her and began to steer her inside. She stopped when she saw Letty. “Child?”

“You were hoping I wouldn’t come back. You know if you ever put your hands on him again…”

“I know.”

“No. I don’t think you do…but you will.”

Dom could feel her anger building and knew she was about to explode. “Mick, go inside with Sallah.”

She turned her narrowed eyes to him. “Are you protecting her? I have the right to fight for what is mine!”

“Baby, I’m yours. You don’t have to fight for me and I’m protecting you.”

“From her? Please!”

“From yourself. Now go inside.”

“Don’t tell me what to do. I’m not a fucking child!”

“Man, Dom. When her hormones kick in, she is going to be a real bitch to handle.”

“Letty!” Dom clenched his eyes knowing that there was going to be hell to pay. Mikaela threw a right cross to her chin that effectively put Letty in her place on the ground at her feet.

“That wasn’t even at my full strength. I pulled the punch.” She looked down at her and grinned. “I wanted to do that the first time we met, you mouthy bitch. What was all that shit on the beach earlier? You seemed like you wanted to be friends but you know what? I knew it was bullshit. I told you I know everything. I knew it then but I didn’t have the time to deal with your petty shit.”

Letty struggled to get to her knees and Mikaela kicked her in the gut when she did. “Ow! That looked like it hurt. I’ll make you a deal. You keep away from my husband and I’ll let you live…here even.” Mikaela pushed her over onto her back with her foot so that she was looking up at her. “You can choose a house for yourself or keep up your little affair with Vince and move in with him.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Vince and then back to Letty. “You’d let me stay? Why?”

“They consider you family. I don’t but they are family to me and I’d put up with you for their sakes.”

“Mick.”

“Dominic, if you dare interfere…”

“Be quiet, woman! I was going to say you have nothing to worry about. I am yours alone. Come here, baby.” She walked slowly to stand before him. “We have to set some ground rules. Your emotions are feeding into our son and his into you. You need to stay calm. You will not hurt yourself fighting or training. And finally, I will run the damn Italians until the baby is born.”

Her eyes flashed and she was about to argue until he quieted her with a glare. “Don’t argue with me. I won’t allow you to put undue stress on yourself or our son. Now come inside so Sallah can help you.”

She turned to the others and forced a smile. “I vote for music, barbecue, and a bonfire party tonight. I’ll handle the music. Brian, will you and Vince get the wood together for the fire?”

“Sure, Mikaela. I think the buster and I can handle that.”

She glanced at Brian and spoke to Vince. “You know, Vince, he doesn’t like being called that so stop it. Leon, my love?”

“Yeah, baby?”

“You and Dominic are on the pit. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m being sent to my room.” She turned and stormed into the house.

Sallah, Leon, and Dom all looked at each other and smiled. “It’s hormones.” They said at once and laughed.

Andros walked over to them shaking his head at Dom and Leon. “I don’t know what you two are laughing about. If she’s this cranky now, just imagine how bad she’ll be later. She is deadly, you know? I’d say you’re fucked.” He wandered into the house laughing at the expressions on their faces.