Control

Chapter 52

She swiftly made her way to one of the waiting Hummers and opened the door. “Get out.” The startled driver quickly scampered out while she opened the back door. “Boys.” She shut the door after the dogs and saw Richard fixing to get in the passenger side. “No.”

“I’m not letting you run off by yourself.”

“I want to be alone, Richard.”

“No.”

“I deserve to be alone.” Her tears flowed again and she came close to hyperventilating. “I cheated on my husband! I betrayed the love of my life and I need to be alone!”

“Mick!” She looked up and saw his imploring eyes. Her heart was breaking but her guilt overpowered her with the need to run.

She ran around to the other side of the car, pulled Richard out, and pushed him to the ground. “I need to go…alone.” She gave him an apologetic look when she saw the hurt and surprise on his face. “I’m sorry. My control is slipping and I have to leave before it goes completely.”

“Why are you losing it again? What are you doing?”

She glanced up as the others got Dom to the bottom of the ramp. He tried to establish their connection and she threw him out. “Mick! Stop!” He saw enough in her mind to know what she was doing and it pissed him off more than he thought possible.

“Micki, answer me!”

She looked down at one of her oldest friends and gave him a sad smile. “I’m breaking my bonds to sanity, love and happiness. I’m going back to what I was.” She backed away to the driver’s side looking at her approaching mate. “I’m going back into exile where I belong.”

“Don’t you fucking do it, Mick!” He was at the vehicle now and his anger was evident. “Get your ass over here now!”

“You feed me anger now when I am about to lose control.”

“I am your control!”

“Not after my betrayal! I was supposed to be made for you. He was inside of me and you know how he made me feel.”

“You liked it! I know! I felt it all but you still belong to me!” He pushed Brian and Vince away. “Bring me my wife.”

They came around the vehicle on either side of her and she held Dom’s angry gaze. “You know what I could do to them when I lose control. Do you want that on our conscience?”

“No.” He walked around the Hummer and stopped Vince with a hand on his shoulder. “Stay clear, Brian.” He stalked up to her and she cautiously backed away. “I’ll deal with my insubordinate mate myself.”

“I release…”

“Shut up!” She dropped her eyes to the ground and shrank in the face of his wrath. “You wanted me to yell at you for what you did? Fine. I’m yelling! I claimed you! You belong to me remember?”

“I…”

“Shut your mouth! I told you I’d never let you go and I meant it! You promised me you’d never leave me and you lied!” His hand whipped out, grabbed her face and made her look up at him. “I own you and you spread your legs for another! Get down on your knees.” He pushed her back and she stumbled to the ground. “Do as I say, Mick.” She shakily got on her knees at his feet and lowered her eyes. “I won’t let you go.” His heart hurt when he saw her body wracking with her silent sobs.

“But he…”

“I let it happen. We’ll deal with why later but you aren’t running again. I won’t allow it.” He touched her cheek and her eyes clenched tightly at the caress. “Get in the back seat.” She stood and moved to get in the vehicle. When she opened the door, she heard him speak in her head. ‘I love you.’ She did not respond as she climbed in and closed the door.

Sallah put a hand on Dom’s shoulder. “Nicely done, son. Gentlemen, if you’d please.” The guys helped him to the car and situated him in the front seat.

The rest of them piled into other Hummers and Vince decided to drive the one occupied by the couple when the driver proved to be too scared to get near them. It was an uncomfortable trip. Dom stared at his wife in the mirror and she stared at her lap the entire way. Her tears never stopped rolling down her face.

When they arrived at Sallah’s home, a doctor was on hand to treat Dom. Vince helped him into a suite and he pulled his mate behind him by her wrist. He did not relinquish his grip on her arm even while the doctor worked on his injury. When he was bandaged up, everyone left the room and Sallah informed them that a guard would remain outside the door. His granddaughter shot him an angry glare and he bid them goodnight with a smile.

“Lay down with me.” He pulled her towards the bed.

She resisted and whispered. “I need a shower.”

“Fine. I’ll come with you.” He carefully got to his feet.

“I do not need a babysitter.”

“You are a child that runs away when things get rough.”

“That is not true! I have run from this fucking gift of mine and 2 men! One who beat me almost to death and the other that loves me more than life. I don’t know which one of you scares me more.”

“Junior is messing with your hormones again, huh? You’re trying to pick a fight but it isn’t happening on your terms. You don’t have that right.” He grinned at her and saw the flash in her eyes. “You get scared and you run like a frightened child. It is pathetic.”

“Who wouldn’t run from you? You are overpowering, intimidating, and controlling!”

“That’s what you need! It’s what brought us together in the first place and you love it!”

She raised her captured arm to his face. “Is this what I need? Do I love this?”

“Yes!” He drug her into the bathroom and leaned down into her face. “I’m not letting you out of my sight and if you keep pushing me I’ll shackle you to me!” He pushed her back. “Now take your fucking shower!”

He slammed the door and leaned back against the only exit. She turned on the water and began to undress when she saw his smirk. Her guilt kicked in and she suddenly felt self-conscious about him seeing her naked. He spoke before she had a chance to react. “Don’t even think about it, Mick. Take off your clothes and let me see if he marked my property.”

She lowered her eyes and slowly unbuttoned her top. Her shirt fell to the floor and she slid her shorts down her legs. She kicked them off and stood there for his open perusal. “He didn’t mark you. Good. Your nipples look sore.” He flicked a finger over one swollen tip and she flinched. “Do they hurt, baby? He work them over good? I know you like a little pain and I’m sure he fucked you hard.”

She flushed from head to toe with humiliation. Her eyes teared up and she drew air in and out her nose in short hard bursts. “May I take my shower now?”

“By all means, get him off your skin.” The water was steaming. He watched her scrub her skin raw repeatedly. In her mind, she was trying to erase the experience of her misdeed. He began to get concerned when she continued her efforts in a daze. “Baby, turn down the hot water. You know you can’t handle the heat.” She began to soap her skin again and did not appear to hear him.

“Mick, turn it down!” He opened the door, turned off the hot water, and held her under the cold spray. “I don’t need you getting sick, love. We are in a palace after all and my slave needs to be punished.” She struggled against his hold and he easily pulled her wet body against his. “Don’t fight me. I’ll make you regret it.”

“You’re hurt.”

“I’ll make do. Dry off.” She grabbed a towel and did as she was told. He opened the door, grabbed her arm, and pulled her over to the bed. “Do you think I should have you painted like that chick in The Mummy so I’d know when you’ve been touched by another man?”

“Do what you want, Dominic.” Her voice was devoid of emotion, her eyes still would not meet his and she laid down on the bed. He let go of her arm, took off his jeans, and climbed in next to her. She rolled onto her side away from him. “Why did you let it happen?”

“I needed to find out a couple of things. I know he was the one who didn’t want the bond broken. I know you thought about me the whole time and did not establish your side of the bond even during…that.” He placed his hand on her waist and felt her tense from his touch. “You are still mine.”

“You should have stopped it…me.” She whispered brokenly. “I am not worthy of you anymore.”

He rolled her onto her back and ran a finger over the tattoo on her right breast. “You are still mine. Always will be. No matter what.” Her eyes were closed and the ever-present tears ran down into her wet hair. He leaned forward and traced his tongue over his name. She drew in a shaky breath as it lightly moved up and over her sensitive nipple. “Does that feel better, baby?”

He continued to lap at her swollen peak and her hands clutched the bed linens as she arched further into his touch. He engulfed her breast in his mouth sucking and biting the tip. She was squirming from his ministrations but would not vocalize her pleasure. He quickly moved his attention to her neglected nipple and gave it the same treatment.

His hand slid down her abdomen and paused over her womb. He could feel a sharp stab of guilt in her before his hand moved down to cup her mound. Her hand latched onto his wrist and he looked up at her weeping face. “Let go of my arm, Mick.” He slipped 2 fingers into her pussy and rubbed her clit with his thumb. “This is mine and nothing you are feeling right now can stop me from taking what I want.”

She reluctantly released her grip and raised her arms over her head in surrender to him. He thought of their first time…when he claimed her and realized that was her intention.

He stroked his fingers into her and could feel her body’s normal reaction to his touch but her shame was written all over her demeanor. Her brow was furrowed, her eyes still closed, and her breathing was erratic. “Relax, baby. I got you. I’ve always got you.”

“Dominic…”

“Shhh.” He rolled on top of her and held her face between his hands. “Look at me. Open your eyes.” She did but stared at his mouth. “Baby, look me in the eyes.”

She shook her head. “No…I can’t.”

“Yes you can.” He slid his length into her quickly and her eyes shot to his. He made the connection. She could feel his love but his pain was there too. He was deeply hurt by her actions but he had buried it under his overwhelming need and love for her. Dom could feel her shame and self-loathing. She hated herself to the core of her being and it broke his heart. “I should have stopped you. I’m sorry.”

“I’m the cheating whore that spread her legs for another. What are you sorry for?” She whispered as she desperately tried to hide how wonderful he made her feel.

“Because you are trying to deny yourself the pleasure of my touch.” He took her mouth in an erotic kiss and looked at her beautiful face. “Because you won’t look at me and you won’t stop crying.” He rolled them over and she found herself on top of him. “Ride me. Make us cum.”

She lowered her head until her hair covered her eyes and began to move on him. His hands grasped her ribcage and helped her. He kept his eyes on her and felt her want for him before she tamped it down. She moved hard and fast trying to bring him to his release. Her own did not matter to her. Her only intent was to please him.

He knew what she was doing because the connection was still open. He was close to her objective just from watching her but he would not give her the satisfaction of denying herself. He drove up into her harder until she tensed and they both came together.

He was surprised when she quickly rose off of him and lay on her side facing away from him. He could see her body shaking from her quiet sobs. He molded his body to hers and put a hand on her upper arm. “Baby…I love you. Please stop beating yourself up for something you couldn’t control.”

“Dominic…the fact that I could not control what happened tells me I was not meant for a normal life. I don’t think I ever was. I’m different and I make people act different when they are around me. I always wanted to be alone but my friends were drawn to me like moths to a flame. I made them happy by taking away their negative emotions. They all became possessive of me and didn’t even know why. I should have stayed isolated like my aunt.”

“I won’t accept that. I have it on good authority that we were meant to be. You need to get this out of your mind because I’ll never leave you alone.” He held her close and her scent lulled him to sleep.

Mikaela was not granted the same sweet release. Her mind was awash with the memory of her infidelity. She loved Dom more than anything. She hoped they could have a normal life of love and happiness but she was reminded by the incident with Leon that she was an aberration.

She waited until he was in a deep sleep before she extricated herself from his arms. She moved quietly around the room trying to find something to wear. After a fruitless search, she surmised their luggage had not been placed in their room.

Her grandfather was a stickler for the old customs and the only clothing available for her to wear was a mid-thigh white cotton dress. It was form fitting and completely see through. She found a pair of sandals that laced up above her ankles. ‘I look like a palace slave.’

She stared at her mate for several minutes committing every detail of him to memory. Her resolve firmly in place, she turned and opened the door. She slipped out, shutting the door behind her and came face to face with Vince. “You are my guard?”

He smirked. “Nice outfit.”

“Stand aside.”

“No.” His face turned serious. “Don’t do this to him. It will kill him. I know you feel bad…”

“Bad? I don’t feel bad I am dying inside for betraying him. The guilt is eating away at my soul and all I want to do is crawl into a hole and die.”

“If you need to run I’m going with you. I’ll give you space to get your shit together but I won’t let you go alone and I won’t let you leave us forever.” He saw her face turn serious. “You got a problem with that, we can go a round. You’ll kick my ass but I’ll wake up enough people to make your getaway a real bitch.”

She looked hard into his eyes and he did not back down. “Fine.” She took off down the hall and headed for the door with Vince in tow. When they got outside, they found Letty in the Hummer. She sighed and shook her head. “I taught you too well.”

She tossed Mikaela the keys and smiled. “Nah. It’s what I’d do if I were in your position. Where are we headed?”

Mikaela got in and started up the engine. “Away from here. I have a place that Sallah doesn’t know about.” They drove out of the city through the desert for close to 2 hours. The passengers were excitedly pointing out the window at pyramids and other landmarks while Mikaela remained stoic.

When they finally reached their destination, Vince let out a long whistle. “This is your place?” They got out and stood awestruck by the vision in front of them.

Her home was new but modeled after an old Egyptian palace. The one level sanctuary was made of rock and stucco. It had replicas of the old gods avatars in between stone columns. It was powered by generators but lit by torches and cooled by ceiling fans. The most breathtaking part of the scene was the fact it was built on an oasis.

“Damn. This place is beautiful. Mikaela, how long have you had this place?” Letty turned to see her mentor and friend walking blindly towards the house.

“I had it built a little under 3 years ago.” She mumbled as she stared at the ground and led them to the entrance. “This is the first time I’ve seen it.”

They walked inside and followed her as she navigated the corridors without lifting her head once. When Vince glanced at her face, he motioned to Letty and they saw she had her eyes closed. “How are you doing that? You said you’ve never seen this place before and you still haven’t.”

“I designed it, Vince. I’m just checking if I still remember the dimensions of the floor plan.” She stopped suddenly and brought a hand to her forehead. “Fuck.”

Letty put a hand on her shaking shoulder and shot a concerned glance at Vince. “What is it?”

“It’s always about the fight.” She clenched her eyes and shook her head. “I have every foot…every inch…of this place committed to memory and I’ve never seen it. Every place I own is branded into my mind so I can fight unencumbered. Every where I go I look for a threat.” Tears rolled down her face from her still closed eyes and she sobbed loudly. “I never see anything else.”

Vince lifted her shaking face with a tender hand and whispered in her ear. “Open your eyes, Mikaela.” She reluctantly did and looked at him. “You didn’t just build a defendable fortress. You built a thing of beauty. Look at it.” He moved behind her and steered her through the house by her shoulders. “You don’t just see threats. Look at the beautiful things that came from your imagination.”

She slowly walked to an open veranda and looked at the lush green trees and water amidst the desolation of sand. “I found this place when I was a kid.” She whispered tentatively. “My father left me with Sallah hoping he could find a way to calm my rage. I threw a fit and ran off for a couple of days.”

Letty’s eyes had widened in disbelief. “He didn’t come looking for you?” She watched her friend’s head shake no. “Your grandfather let you wander the desert alone?”

“Yeah. He knew I’d be okay and that I’d eventually come back. I sat here and felt some small measure of peace come from the land.” Her eyes sparkled in the moonlight and she wore a sad smile. “I went back after I calmed down and never saw this place again until today.”

“You remembered the location after all those years?” She nodded. “Sanctuary. You keep places that make you feel safe in your head just in case you need to run.”

“That’s me, Vince. It’s always been me until now.”

“What do you mean?”

“No place makes me feel safe or calms me anymore. Those things are lost to me now.” She turned to them and lowered her eyes. “My sanctuary is in the presence of a man now. A man I love but hurt more than he will ever admit and I ran away from him. Feel free to explore and pick a room. Mine is in the center of the complex.” She walked off with tears glistening on her face.

Letty moved into Vince’s arms and sighed. “We have a lot of work to do and we gotta do it fast.”

“I know, baby. They won’t last long apart from each other.”