Just For You, Sir (Doms of Decadence) Read online

  “This wasn’t a date,” she said as they stepped outside. Drat, it had grown colder. She was going to have to start getting to the shelter earlier so she could claim a bed.

  Derrick held open the passenger door for her, handing her the box once she had buckled her seatbelt. “I know. But that doesn’t matter. When a woman is out with me, I pay. I don’t care who they are.”

  He closed the door and walked around the car, to the driver’s side.

  “Derrick?” she queried, feeling ungrateful all of a sudden.

  “Yes?”

  “Thank you. The pie was delicious and just what I needed.”

  Even in the limited light from the diner, she saw him relax. “You’re welcome. It may not have been the most ideal circumstances, but I’m glad I met you, Jacey.”

  “Me too.” Surprisingly enough, she actually meant it.

  Chapter Four

  “Ahh, there’s my favorite girl,” the slimy voice said from behind her. “How you doing, Jacey?”

  Jacey hid a shudder, determined to show no reaction. But how did he manage to make her name sound like a dirty sex act?

  She continued to move down the line, smiling her thanks as food was portioned out onto her plate. Some days she longed to use some of her cash supply and stay in a motel for the night. Just a cheap one. Somewhere that she could be alone. Where there wasn’t a room full of other women, snoring and farting and where she didn’t have to put up with weasels like Ronald hassling her.

  Right now, she’d give anything to be back in the diner with Derrick. She just couldn’t get him out of her mind, those deep, brown eyes, his sexy voice and his wide shoulders. How would it feel to have him touch her? Kiss her?

  “Aren’t you gonna to talk to me? Cat got your tongue? Or is it frozen ‘cuz you’re such a frigid bitch.” That last bit was whispered in her ear.

  Ignore him, ignore him.

  She turned away, walking over to sit at one of the long bench seats in the eating area of the shelter kitchen.

  Ronald sat next to her, so close that his stench made her gag. And she thought she’d grown used to the smell of unwashed bodies. Her stomach clenched and she swallowed heavily, fighting back nausea. She placed her hand over her tummy, trying to calm her queasiness. She hadn’t had lunch and she needed to eat. For the baby more than herself. However, it seemed that pregnancy made her more sensitive to smell and Ronald was fast turning her off her food.

  “Please move away from me.” He was just a bully. Don’t react and he’ll go away.

  “Now Jacey, is that any way to speak to a friend.” He leaned in as he spoke to her. He ran his fingers up her arm. “Play your cards right and you and I could be very good friends.”

  There was a thump as someone sat on his other side and Jacey glanced away from her food to see Cady leaning forward. Cady was a regular at the shelter, who kept mostly to herself. Cady was small like she was, but she was tough. She’d never let anyone push her around.

  “You know, Ronnie, you might wanna try a breath mint now and then, because you’re literally talking shit,” Cady told him before digging into her food.

  Quiet laughter rose from the people at the table as Ronald grew purple with rage. He glared at the other people sitting around them until they shut up, looking uncomfortable.

  “You’re gonna regret that, you little bitch,” he hissed at Cady.

  “Not as much as your mother regretted having you,” Cady replied. “You know, if you were twice as smart you’d still be stupid.”

  Jacey wished she had a quick mouth like Cady, but she’d been raised not to fight back. Not to show any emotions. And Stephan had only reinforced those lessons. She didn’t have a clue how to fight back other than being silent. Maybe she needed to learn some of Cady’s attitude.

  Fury lit Ronald’s face, making a vein pop out on his forehead as his hands clenched into fists. He was so angry, she felt sure he was going to hit Cady. Obviously, everyone else did to as they whole table remained quiet, watching.

  “Right, ten more minutes everyone,” one of the shelter volunteers called out, breaking the spell.

  Ronald stood and giving Cady a last glare, stormed off, leaving his uneaten tray of food behind.

  “Waste not, want not.” An older man, with a long, gray beard, slid into his seat and started to dig in.

  Jacey forced herself to eat. Last time she’d taken a good look in the mirror, she had noticed how prominent her cheekbones were. The baby needed nutrition, and so did she.

  When she was finished, she picked up her tray and took them to the kitchen window before making her way into the sleeping quarters.

  “You’ve got to stick up for yourself with people like Ronald.” Cady said, falling into step beside her.

  “I know. But I figured if I ignored him he would just give up.”

  Cady snorted. “How’s that working out for ya?”

  “Not great.”

  “You’re different from everyone else here. You’re softer, you say please and thank you. You stand out, and being in this place, you don’t wanna stand out.”

  “It’s kind of you to worry about me.”

  Cady let out a frustrated breath. “There you go again. I’m not worried about you. We’re not friends. We’re not goin’ to go out and get manicures and facials and whatever else you used to do with your friends. I’m here to survive and I’m just tryin’ to give you some advice so you survive too. You need to toughen up.”

  Jacey stopped, grabbing Cady’s arm. “I thought I was doing a pretty good job of surviving.” She hadn’t caved, hadn’t fallen into a ball of hopeless despair and just given up.

  Cady looked her up and down. “Gotta admit, you’ve done better than I thought. First time I saw you, I felt sure you weren’t gonna last the week. But you got to fight back. People like Ronald, they don’t play by any rules and you can’t either.”

  Jacey thought for a long moment. “You’re right. So teach me.”

  Cady put her hands on her hips. “What am I? Some social worker?”

  “No, but you’re a good person and you like me.”

  “We’re not friends,” Cady repeated as she walked into the women’s sleeping area of the shelter.

  Jacey let out a small smile. “But you’ll help me?”

  “Yeah, all right.”

  ***

  Derrick leaned back on the sofa in his living room, tapping his fingers on the arm. Was it possible to be obsessed with a woman after meeting her just once? Derrick was seriously beginning to think there was something wrong with him. He just couldn’t stop thinking about a tiny pixie with big brown eyes and a riot of curls.

  “Derrick? Derrick? Derrick!”

  Derrick sat up in his chair, startled to find Holly standing in front of him, hands on her hips.

  “I’m sorry, love. Did you say something?”

  Her forehead creased into a frown as she stared down at him. “I’ve been calling your name for the last few minutes. What is wrong with you? You’ve been like this for the last two weeks. One minute you’re normal, the next you’re in another world.”

  He smiled at her. “Nothing is wrong. I’m just preoccupied. Now what did you ask me?”

  Holly continued to frown, but answered him anyway, “Brax will be here in about forty minutes so I thought I would order some takeout, anything in particular that you feel like?”

  “Whatever you want is fine with me.”

  “You sure you’re okay with Brax and me staying tonight?” she asked with uncustomary shyness.

  Shit. He must really have been acting like an idiot if she had to ask him that. Holly had lived with him for years, and he’d worked hard to convince her that she was in no way a burden to him. Yes, he’d helped her through some serious rehabilitation and a sticky divorce with his asshole brother. And, yeah, he’d given her a place to live and a job. But he considered himself to be the lucky one.

  “Come here.” He crooked a finger at her, pulling her down on the
sofa beside him. Swinging his arm around her shoulders, he tucked her in close.

  “Holly, you know that this is your house just as much as it is mine. You are welcome here anytime and you never, ever have to ask. Got me?” He kept his voice low, bordering on the edge of stern. He wanted her to realize how serious he was.

  Holly shifted so she could look up at him. “I know. It’s just, well, things are different now that I’m married to Brax. I figured maybe I shouldn’t just come and go as I please.”

  “Holly, you are and always will be my sister. Wherever I live is your home as well. No matter what is going on in either of our lives that will never change, understand?”

  A smile crossed her lips and she hugged him tight. “Thanks, Derrick.”

  “No thanks needed.” He ran his hand down her cheek. “You’re looking a bit pale, is everything all right with you? The drive isn’t getting to be too much?”

  She leaned back, rolling her eyes. “You’re starting to sound like Brax. You know a lot of people have longer commutes than I do.”

  “Yes, but they aren’t my sister,” he said, watching her worriedly. She was definitely pale and tired.

  “What is this appointment you have tomorrow?”

  She and Brax were staying the night because of an appointment they had in the morning. Derrick hadn’t really questioned her about it, but from the way she couldn’t meet his gaze, he now wondered if that had been a mistake. A surge of alarm filled him.

  “Oh, it’s nothing,” she said.

  “Holly,” he said warningly, turning her to face him. “Spill.”

  She sighed. “Brax and I promised each other that we weren’t going to tell anyone until we knew for sure, but, well, we think we might be pregnant!”

  Derrick sat back in shock. He hadn’t expected that. Then he stood, swooping Holly up in a big hug and swinging her around.

  “Oh, love, that’s fantastic.” He set her on her feet. “I’m going to be an uncle.”

  “Well, we’ve only done a home pregnancy test, and although they’re meant to be pretty accurate, I want to check with the doctor.”

  “You’ve got an appointment with an obstetrician tomorrow? Have you checked them out? Do they have a good reputation?”

  “Whoa.” Holly held out her hands, laughing. “I’ve done my research. Dr. Francis has an excellent reputation; she’s very popular so we had to take the first available appointment.”

  “Good. Here, sit down. Bloody hell, I shouldn’t be swinging you around like that. Are you feeling all right?”

  “I’m fine. Just a bit tired. I haven’t been sick yet, although I’m sure that’s coming.”

  Derrick frowned. “How far along are you?”

  “About 6 weeks.”

  “You shouldn’t be traveling so much if you’re pregnant, you need to get more rest.”

  She blew out a frustrated breath. “Derrick, please, I’m fine. I don’t need both you and Brax on my case.”

  He knew when to back down. Although he would be talking to Brax about this the first chance he got. Holly needed to take things easier. It was probably time he started looking for another assistant. Maybe someone to help out part time so Holly could just work from home.

  He’d miss her terribly, but her health and safety came first.

  “Okay then, love. What say we order some takeout. What’s healthy for a pregnant woman to eat?”

  ***

  In the end they settled for pizza. Brax arrived a few minutes after the pizza was delivered. After finishing their meal, they all sat in the living room. Derrick leaned back in the sofa with a yawn.

  “You look tired, man. Somethin’ going on?” Brax asked.

  Holly was snuggled against Brax on the sofa. “He’s been preoccupied for the last two weeks.” She tapped her chin, thinking. “You’re not having nightmares after having seen that accident, are you?”

  Derrick held back his smile. It was nice to have someone be concerned about him. “No love. No nightmares.”

  “Then what is it? I’m worried about you.”

  Brax gave him a long stare, one that very clearly told Derrick he better clear this up right now and put Holly’s mind at ease. Derrick nodded. In that, they were both in agreement.

  Derrick sighed. “I’ve been thinking about the girl I met at the accident.”

  “Cece?” Holly asked her eyes widening.

  “No.” Like he’d want anything to do with that spoiled brat. Turned out she had been driving under the influence. She could very easily have hit Jacey or another car and killed someone. No, he hadn’t wasted any time thinking about her.

  Another reason why Jacey had no business out walking in the middle of the night. That was something he’d never allow if she were his.

  “I’ve been thinking about Jacey, the other woman I met that night.”

  “Oh,” Holly said, glancing up at Brax.

  “I can’t stop thinking about her. I wish I knew she was all right.”

  “Have you got any reason to suspect that she isn’t okay?” Brax asked, with a frown. Brax was a Dom as well, and he knew all about the driving need to protect someone smaller and more vulnerable than himself.

  “I don’t know, just a feeling.”

  “Maybe you should try and find her. Do you know her last name?” Holly asked.

  He shook his head. “And the only address I have for her is a large apartment building.”

  “Well, it’s a start, isn’t it?” Brax said. “And if you are thinking about her this much then you probably need to try and find her. For your peace of mind as much as anything else.”

  ***

  “I think I’ve found her.”

  Stephan Worthington sat up straight, gripping his phone tightly.

  “What? Seriously?”

  His stepbrother laughed. It was low, menacing sound. Stephan held back a shudder. Although Evan came in handy, particularly when Stephan had a job he didn’t want to get his hands dirty with, he could never fully trust him. There was something wrong with Evan.

  When they were young, pet rabbits and dogs had started to go missing in their neighborhood. Stephan knew it had something to do with Evan, although his father had never suspected his stepson as the culprit. Evan’s mother, Stephan’s stepmother, might have known, but she would never accuse her precious son of doing anything wrong.

  As they’d grown older, Stephan had found ways to use Evan’s lack of a conscience to his advantage, but he always figured there would come a time when he would have to do something about Evan.

  Something permanent.

  “How did you find her?”

  “It was easy. Stupid bitch got her picture in the paper. I’ve had my team on the lookout across the country. Two weeks ago, she was in a newspaper in Austin, Texas.”

  “What? Why was she in the news?”

  She wouldn’t dare go to the press about him, would she? She had to know that would be a death sentence.

  “Oh, she was being a Good Samaritan. She happened to be one of the first people on the scene when that stupid bitch, Cece, had a car accident.”

  “Wait, you said that was two weeks ago, she could have moved on by now. What took your team so long?”

  Stephan wasn’t even sure who Evan’s team was. Didn’t want to know, quite frankly.

  “It’s a big country, you know. We’ve had a lot of places to look.” Evan’s voice grew increasingly agitated.

  “You’re right, I’m sorry,” Stephan soothed. “You did an excellent job. What now? Will you send someone out there?”

  What the hell was she doing in Texas?

  “Since you’re my brother, I’m going myself. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that little problem.”

  ***

  “So, the doctor said everything is all right?” Derrick asked, looking over at a beaming Holly who lay resting on a lounger by his outdoor pool.

  “Yep, everything is great. We have to go back in six weeks for an ultrasound to check on the
baby and she gave us some information to read.”

  Brax was currently thumbing through a number of pamphlets. “There’s a lot of information here. A lot of stuff you can’t eat. No more coffee, either.”

  Derrick’s eyes widened. “Seriously? How will you survive? Aren’t you nine-tenths caffeine?”

  “Smart ass.” Holly whacked him on the arm. “And I can have one coffee a day.”

  Brax just grunted.

  “Well, I suppose we’d better go get ready then head back home,” Holly said, standing.

  “Not so fast. I bought something for you.”

  “Derrick, you didn’t have to do that,” she replied.

  “Yes, I did. I’ve wanted to do this for a while. Follow me.” He led them toward the attached garage. Then over to the latest model Volvo S60.

  “You bought a new car?” Holly queried, looking puzzled.

  “No, I bought you a new car. It has a top safety rating, traction control, airbags and I had a navigational system put in. That tin can you’re driving isn’t safe. I saw what can happen when a car like that is in an accident and it’s not pretty. With all this commuting and a baby on the way, I want you in something safer.”

  “As do I,” Brax agreed.

  Holly turned to look at him. “You knew about this?”

  He shrugged. “Derrick called me to ask what I thought. That’s why I was a bit late getting here last night; I stopped at the car lot to have a look at this car.”

  “And neither of you thought to ask me? I should get a say in this. I like the car I have.”

  “And just how are you going to get a car seat and stroller and everything else you’ll need into the car you currently have, sweetheart?” Brax asked.

  Holly bit her lower lip. “All right, point taken. But I have plenty of time to look for a new car.”

  “Now you don’t have to,” Derrick said. “I found you one of the safest cars available. Call it an early birthday present.”

  “My birthday is in November, Derrick.” She turned to Brax. “You’re really okay with this?”

  Brax smiled. “Derrick can be very convincing and he wanted to do this for you, and now for the baby as well.”