Control

Chapter 48

The following weeks passed quickly. Mikaela and Letty continued to train with each other and Letty’s confidence seemed to grow the more she learned.

Patricia stopped by the following week to give Mikaela a thorough examination and gave her and the baby a clean bill of health. She left Dom a slew of pre-natal vitamins for her. She made one last visit the week of their trip and instructed them both to be careful, rest, and have a good time. She wanted to see them the instant they returned.

Leon continued to call and talk to Dom while Mikaela refused to even be near the phone let alone speak with him. It upset Leon deeply and Dom tried to assure him it was hormonal but they both knew the truth. She was afraid of what he thought about her after he found out about the killings and she was terrified of the way she felt about him.

Dom never pressed the issue with her. He knew her love for him was absolute but when he heard some news from Leon two days before their trip, he grew concerned about her stability when they would arrive and she found out.

Her friendship with Richard grew in leaps and bounds. They spent a lot of time talking about the past and after many tearful conversations, she finally managed to assuage his self-loathing about his inability to protect her on that fateful night.

Dom learned everything he needed from Mikaela and Anton about the family business. They arranged a video conference call to the Italians where Mikaela made herself very clear how things were going to run. Dominic stepped in and reinforced his mate’s words. He was in charge and Anton was his second in command. If anyone stepped out of line, they would meet Frank’s fate. The three of them were a force no one wanted to reckon with.

Anton kept a permanent residence in their subdivision. He spent a lot of time with Dom discussing business and also managed to overcome his inferiority complex to his cousin. He was part of their family and very close with all of them. He was there the day before the trip to Romania knowing full well that Mikaela would accept no other pilot and he was actually looking forward to a vacation.

Vince and Letty’s relationship developed slowly but beautifully. He took care of her when she woke up with nightmares. A side of him appeared whenever she was near. He mellowed and became tender and loving when they were together. She was the same with him. He never missed one of her training sessions and she loved his interest and attention.

Brian and Mia surprised everyone with news of their engagement. They made the joke of saying it wouldn’t be as fast as Dom and Mikaela’s engagement but they planned for the wedding to take place in about four months. They received hugs and congratulations from everyone while Mia showed off her ring.

Dom remained ever the doting husband. He helped his wife through her mood swings and the ever-increasing episodes of morning sickness. He made sure she didn’t over work herself and they even had private training sessions for him to learn everything she knew. She was adamant that they were equals in every way.

The night before the trip, everyone turned in early to pack and rest up for the long flight. They were all going including the dogs.

“Well, my love, I think we’re set.” Mikaela said as she looked over the eight suitcases.

“I hope so, baby, or we’re gonna need a separate plane just for the luggage. Come here, beautiful.” He pulled back the sheet that covered his naked body. She slipped off her robe, crawled in next to him, and he covered them up. “That’s my girl.”

She laid down on top of him and snuggled into his warmth. “Will you still want me when I get fat?”

“God yes! You will still be beautiful to me every single day that you carry our son. You should see yourself through my eyes, baby.” He dug his fingers into her hair and looked deep into her eyes. “You are elemental. Your Indian name fits you.”

She was positively beaming. “I love you, Dominic”. She leaned forward to kiss him.

He stopped her just short of his lips. “I love you, baby.” He closed the distance between them and devoured her mouth. He rolled them over and kissed and licked his way down her body.

She stopped him by grabbing his head and made him look up at her. “You are not going to make me fall apart before I can lavish some affection on you. Now come here”.

He grinned and crawled up beside her. She rolled him onto his back, leaning forward she ran her tongue over his nipple until it hardened and bit down on it gently. She grinned and moved to give the same attention to its twin. “Damn baby. I love your mouth.” Dom said shakily.

She licked his abs, hipbones, and followed the soft line of hair from his belly button down to his straining erection. Her eyes sparkled when she looked up at him. “There are a lot of things I love about you, lover.” She ran her tongue up his length and his hips bucked from the sweet caress.

She stared right in his eyes as she took him deep into her throat. The flat of her tongue pressed against the vein in his cock as her lips moved up and down his shaft. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her as she sucked him. “Mick, baby, please…I need to cum inside of you.”

‘You are!’ She rolled his balls around in her hand and kept working his cock with her mouth, lips, and tongue. ‘Cum for me, baby. I want to taste you!’ His eyes rolled up in his head and he buried his hands in her hair. She could feel him getting close. She cupped his balls in her palm, pressed her fingers along his scrotum, and he shot his load down her throat.

She released him from her mouth, straddled his waist, and lowered herself onto his still hard length. “I love the way you taste too, Dominic. I definitely love to feel you deep inside of me.”

He was still recovering from his orgasm when she started to ride him. “I’ve died and gone to heaven.” His eyes were closed and his head was rolling around on the pillow. “God, baby. You feel so good.” He opened his eyes and saw hers flash. They were joined in every sense of the word. He rolled her over and made slow, passionate love to her.

“Dominic…I love you.” She cried out as he drove into her. Tears flowed from her eyes out of pure love and happiness.

“Baby, I love you too.” He felt her orgasm hit her, drove into her hard, and came for a second time. He collapsed on top of her and tried to calm his racing heart. “You are amazing.”

“So are you and I bet you’re going to sleep real good tonight.”

“Definitely.” He reversed their positions and reveled in her warmth blanketing his body. “How long is this flight again?”

“Long”

“Are you looking forward to it?”

“No. Not at all.”

“Why not, baby? Is it your family, leaving home, or seeing Leon?”

“All of the above. I have a bad feeling about this trip, Dominic. I really don’t want to go.”

“Mick, look at me.” She rose up and looked in his eyes. “Everything will be fine. I’ll be right by your side. I’ll protect you.” He pulled her into quick kiss. “I promise.”

She smiled lovingly at him, kissed him, and curled into his body.

Several hours later, eight people, three pit bulls, and a shitload of luggage were making their descent into the nearest airfield to Mikaela’s family’s town. Her anxiety was rolling off of her in waves and everyone could feel it.

Andros was waiting for them with several SUVs and drivers. He caught Mikaela’s apprehension the instant she appeared on the ramp. “Cousin!” He ran up to her and hugged her.

“Quit the bullshit, Andros. I can smell your fear too.” She whispered as she returned his embrace.

“You got me.” He released her and held his hand out to her husband. “Dom. I’m so happy to see you here.” He saw the others and the dogs and smiled. “All of you.”

“Thanks, Andros. I think they are all looking at this like it’s an adventure.”

“Cousin, where’s Leon?”

Andros held Dom’s gaze when he heard her question and turned to her with a smile. “He is waiting in town. He is looking forward to seeing you.”

“You are so transparent. If he was he would be here.” She looked at Dom and Andros with a reading glance. “What are you both keeping from me?”

“Mikaela, Leon is…” Andros began to fidget under his cousin’s accusatory gaze.

“Wait, Andros, let me see if I can guess.” She began pacing with her hands behind her back. “He isn’t here to meet me when he’s supposedly so excited to see us. He is waiting in town thinking he’s out of my reach. Of course!” She turned back to them. “He’s fucking Janna. Are we going sometime today? I want to rest for a bit and meet with the council.”

“Cousin…”

“I’m here to get you the seat of power and then I plan on leaving as fast as possible. Richard, come with me please.” She stalked off to the lead vehicle with Richard glancing questioningly at Dom as he followed her.

“Dominic, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t sweat it, Andros. We knew this was coming. Now we have to weather the storm. Let’s get going.”

Dom got in the truck, put his arm around his wife’s shoulders, and pulled her closer to him.

The ride to town was quiet in the lead SUV. The others were having a good time sight seeing but they all knew the lid was about to blow off soon.

When the vehicles arrived, the passengers were greeted warmly and their luggage was moved to their dwellings. Mikaela was handled with closed minds and kid gloves. She knew for sure that something was wrong and she eyed everyone like a potential threat.

“Cousin, what is it?”

“Andros, these bastards are hiding something. I feel malice, guilt, and fear everywhere. We need to make our point clear and fast.”

“Baby, how are you going to accomplish that fast? These people are set in their ways. You can’t talk them out of it in one sitting.”

She turned to her husband but her eyes watched the crowd. “Dominic, I’m not here to talk. Andros told them he had my power behind him and he does. These people are afraid of me. I am their greatest weapon that is now being used against them.”

“You are not fighting.”

“It is not open for discussion. I’m going to lie down.” She turned and ran straight into Leon.

“Hey beautiful!” Hi picked her up and hugged her. “God, I missed you!” He put her down and smiled at her.

“Did you? Why weren’t you at the airfield then?”

He could sense her anger and wasn’t sure how to respond. “I just wanted to make sure everything was ready for your arrival.”

“Uh huh. Half-truths are just as easy for me to read as bold-faced lies. You forgot the part where you were busy laying my cousin.” She glanced back to Andros. “Which one is mine and my husband’s?”

“Second one on the left.”

“Fine.” She started towards her temporary residence and yelled over her shoulder. “You look good, Leon. I guess all you needed was a little Romanian to cure your broken heart.”

“Well her mood is perfect for the situation.”

“Andros, my mate is not fighting! She carries my son and I won’t allow any harm to come to her!”

“Dominic, she is here for that reason. These people need to see living proof of their worst fears coming true. She is it.”

“I don’t give a fuck what she represents to them! All I care about is what she is to me and that is my wife and the mother of my child!” He stalked off to follow his mate. “Hey Leon. You should’ve met us at the airfield.” He walked off to join his wife.

He walked into their room and saw her curled up on the bed. “Mick, that was harsh treatment of Leon, don’t you think?” He sat beside her and brushed her hair away from her eyes. “Don’t you want him to be happy?”

She sighed deeply. “Of course I do. Possessiveness is built into me. I’m sorry. I can’t explain it.”

“You don’t have to. I know you belong to me. I am not worried about that at all but I am concerned about this fight. Explain yourself.”

“Dominic…I need rest.”

“Now, Mick!”

Her eyes snapped open and narrowed on his. “Andros and I will take on the elite of the council’s guard. None of them compare to us. It won’t be much of a fight. Don’t worry. Besides, I have an edge they fear. May I lay down now, my love? I need to rest.”

“Yeah, baby.” He kissed her gently on her forehead and ran his fingers lightly through her hair. “I’ll be back in a moment, ok?”

“Ok.” She said sleepily. “Love you.”

“I love you.” He headed to the door, glanced one more time at his wife, and left the room. He spotted Andros across the courtyard and walked up to him. “Take me to the council.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me and considering I’m the mate of the eldest I suggest you do as I say. Now!”

“Dominic…” Andros could see he wasn’t going to change his mind. “Alright. Come with me.”

They strode across the courtyard and come upon a large arena type building. When they entered, Dom noticed about ten men fighting in the center and Andros led him to an observation area. There sat nine men that varied in age from forty to seventy years of age. The tenth seat was empty.

“Gentlemen.” Andros nodded his head in greeting. “I bring to you the mate of Mikaela, ruler of the tenth clan. His name is Dominic Toretto.”

“Will he be sitting in her chair for the event?” The eldest said as he eyed Dom.

“No. I won’t! I’ll be taking her place in the event!”

“Dominic, what are you doing? Those men down there are the finest each clan has to offer including mine.”

“I know what I’m doing, Andros.” He stared at each council member in turn. “I have all of my mate’s abilities. I will fight in her place, which is my right to do so. I will not allow my pregnant wife to be harmed!”

“Has Mikaela grown weak?”

Dom turned his dark eyes on the youngest council member who just spoke. “Not at all. In fact she is stronger than ever, but I still won’t let her do this.”

“You didn’t tell her, did you? She will be displeased. Fine. Stand in Mikaela’s place but she will be detained so that she does not interfere.” He smiled smugly.

“You lay one hand on my wife and I will kill you.”

“Dominic.” Andros placed his hand on Dom’s arm to restrain him. “Let’s go prepare. The match is in half an hour.” He steered him away and spoke over his shoulder to the elders. “Remember, he is her bond mate. He has her abilities and the instinct to protect his wife will be overwhelming.”

The council exchanged nervous glances as the two men disappeared from view.