Dominated: The Enforcers 2 (The Enforcers Series) (17 page)

“But what?” he prompted gently.

“Oh God,” she whispered. “It was a lie. All of it was a lie and it hurts.”

Drake was becoming more frustrated by the moment. “What was a lie?”

“I told her that evidently she didn’t know you as well as she thought she did because you would never share anything you considered yours, and the fact that you
had
shared her should tell her what you didn’t consider her. Then I told her that knowing what she knows about you, she should also realize that you never appear in public with a woman on your arm and that I was on your arm at a very public event so what does that tell her?”

“Good for you, baby,” Drake said softly, proud of her for standing up for herself.

If anything she looked more miserable. And . . . sad. What the fuck?

She lifted glossy eyes to his. Lifeless, dull eyes that stole the air from his lungs because she looked so unhappy and resigned.

“But you did share me with Manuel,” she whispered. “Just, apparently, as you’ve shared your other women with him. What I thought was special was nothing more than something you’ve done dozens of times in the past. I thought that I was doing something solely for you. I
wanted
to do something that was just for you. For your pleasure. That wasn’t about me. How you must have laughed over the idea that I was doing something special for you. It was humiliating to see that knowing look on that woman’s horrid face. How smug and confident she was that I’d
soon be replaced and was nothing more than another woman in a long line of women you have sex with.”

Drake damn near exploded on the spot. It took every measure of control he possessed not to completely flip out, but that would only scare the shit out of her and the last thing he wanted was for her to fear him. Ever. God. Not Evangeline. He cultivated a healthy dose of fear in everyone else, even the women he involved himself with. He had no problem with them knowing if they ever crossed him they’d pay dearly. But Evangeline was the one person on the planet that it would kill him if she feared him. He wanted her trust. Her absolute faith in him that he would never hurt her.

His hands were shaking with fury. Not at Evangeline. Never at Evangeline. He could well understand the source of her upset now that the story had come out. How to explain the difference between her and all the other women he’d fucked? He wasn’t even sure he could explain it to himself, much less anyone else.

He reached for her hands, carefully prying them apart and twining them with his so he held them in her lap.

“Angel, look at me.”

Though he said it in a tender voice, it was a command nonetheless.

With seeming reluctance and a good degree of embarrassment, she lifted her chin until her sad eyes connected with his.

“If you don’t think what I have—what I feel—with you and for you is very different than what I’ve had or felt for any other woman, then you’re wrong. Yes, Manuel has participated on occasion when I’ve had sex with another woman, though not often. But the difference is, no other woman has ever wanted to do something so selfless as to ask me what I want and express her desire to do something solely for me. It’s always been about them. Their wants, their needs. They could give a damn about mine. Manuel’s involvement was to a degree for me because it’s something I enjoy, but mostly it was at the women’s behest and, trust
me, their attention was focused entirely on Manuel. They didn’t give me one thought, never looked at me. My name wasn’t on their lips. They never looked to me for approval or permission. They never set aside their own pleasure for mine and they certainly didn’t torment themselves worrying that by experiencing pleasure, by orgasming with another man that they somehow were betraying me.”

He took a breath, allowing his words to sink in. She looked startled and cocked her head to the side as she rapidly processed all he was saying.

“Only you, Angel. Only you did and thought those things. Only you did it as a gift to me without one thought of yourself. If you don’t think that means anything to me, that you aren’t special to me and you’re just another woman I’ve fucked, then I’m doing things all wrong with you and obviously we need to have a very long, serious talk.”

She looked shocked, color high in her cheeks, her eyes wide as she studied every nuance of his expression as if discerning his sincerity.

“And you know what else, Angel? You were spot on when you said I’d never share anything I really considered mine, and no, I never considered those women mine. You, however, are mine in every possible way. You belong to me. I own you. And I’m never fucking letting you go.

“I realize that sounds contradictory since Manuel has been over—twice—and you did have sex with him at my behest, but Angel, that wasn’t me sharing you,” he said softly, loosening his hold on one hand so he could lift his to cup and caress her cheek. “That was you sharing something infinitely precious
with
me.
For
me. And believe me when I say, that makes you more special to me than any other woman has been or ever will be.”

“Oh,” she said, her mouth rounding in astonished understanding. “I never considered it that way.”

“It’s a fact,” Drake said firmly. “I’m sorry she hurt you. I’m even sorrier that for even one second she made you doubt your place in my life and that your self-confidence took a hit. But baby, if it were any other
woman except you sitting here questioning her worth to me, I would have already shown her to the door, because no other woman matters.”

Her face crumbled, apology and regret shadowing her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Drake.”

He put a finger to her lips before she could say anything further. “You will not apologize for being human and having feelings. Not to me. Never to me. But from now on, if you hear shit that upsets you, then you come to me so I can straighten it out before it gets in your head and takes root. Got it?”

She nodded, though worry was still a ghost in her eyes.

“Now come here and kiss me,” he said quietly.

She leaned in immediately, and he loved that she obeyed without hesitation or question. So sweetly submissive. So fucking perfect. And all his.

He ravaged her mouth, thrusting his tongue deep inside like he was dying to shove his dick inside her sweet little pussy. A groan emerged, rumbling from his chest, sounding like a growl in his throat.

“Bed. Now.”

They were the only two words he was capable of speaking, but they got his point across perfectly. Not waiting for her to rise, he simply swept her into his arms and strode to the bedroom so he could back up his words with actions. After tonight, he wanted there to be no doubt as to her place in his life.

In his heart.

In his fucking soul.

Evangeline stood with Drake on the tarmac waiting impatiently for the inbound plane to taxi to the terminal. She simply couldn’t believe that she was about to see her parents face-to-face for the first time since she’d moved to the city, which seemed a lifetime ago.

She squeezed Drake’s hand until she was sure it was probably bloodless, but he merely smiled indulgently at her and squeezed back.

“There it is,” he said, pointing to the small plane approaching them.

“Oh God, Drake. It’s them!” she cried.

The weather wasn’t great. A cold front had pushed through in brutal fashion, dumping a mixture of sleet and snow over the city for the past two days. Today’s offering was an icy drizzle that the umbrella Drake held over her head did little to shield. She was shivering to her toes but didn’t even register the discomfort of the wind and moisture. She was too focused on seeing her mom and dad.

The plane halted several feet away and she waited breathlessly for the door to open. When her mother appeared at the top of the steps, it was too much for Evangeline to bear any longer. She broke from Drake’s hold and ran to the bottom, waiting as the two attendants helped her mother down the steps.

And then she was in her mother’s arms.

“Mama!”

Tears flowed freely down Evangeline’s cheeks, mixing with the rain and icy sleet.

“My baby,” her mother said over and over. “Let me look at you.”

She pulled Evangeline away and inspected her from head to toe.

“Oh, darling, you look absolutely beautiful,” her mother said in a choked voice.

“Where’s Daddy?” Evangeline asked anxiously.

“They’re getting his wheelchair and carrying him down the steps. Look, there he is now.”

Evangeline rocked up on her tiptoes, straining to see as two men provided a chair with their arms for her father and carefully brought him down the steps. At the bottom, he was met with his wheelchair and he was eased down so he was comfortable.

“Come give your dad a big hug, girl,” her father said gruffly.

Evangeline threw her arms around her dad and held on for all she was worth. Tears obscured her vision but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered except they were here and she could hold them and tell them she loved them in person.

“Angel, honey. I hate to interrupt, but your parents are getting soaked and you’ve been standing here in the rain waiting for them for the past half hour. You’re going to get sick. Let’s get everyone to the van.”

Evangeline pulled away from her dad, mortified that she’d been so rude to Drake. She’d practically forgotten he was even here and she hadn’t even introduced him to her parents.

“Mama, Daddy, there is someone very special I want y’all to meet.”

She reached for Drake’s hand and pulled him into their circle.

“This is Drake Donovan. Drake, this is my mother and father.”

Drake leaned down to kiss her mother on the cheek. “Mrs. Hawthorn, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I now know exactly where
Evangeline gets not only her wit and intelligence but her beauty as well. If looking at you right now is showing me what I’m in for in thirty or so years, then I’m one very lucky man.”

Her mother blushed fiery red. “Oh, nonsense,” she said, momentarily too flustered to even respond. “And please do call me Brenda. You’re family after all, and Mrs. Hawthorn sounds far too stuffy.”

“My pleasure, Brenda.” Then he turned and extended his hand to Evangeline’s father. “I’m honored to meet you, sir. I’ve heard so much about the both of you that I feel like I already know you.”

“Grant,” her father said in his gruff voice. “And I’m pleased to meet you as well, Drake. I’m very grateful to you for looking out for my little girl. Her mother and I have stayed awake countless nights worrying over her living so far away and in such a big city. She’s a small-town girl at heart and she’s too trusting and softhearted for her own good.”

“On that we agree,” Drake said. “But it’s those qualities that make her so special and I wouldn’t change a single thing about her.”

“He’ll do, Brenda,” her father said with an approving nod. “I’d say our girl is in very good hands.”

“Come. The van is parked just over here. Let’s get you folks out of the weather. We’ll get you checked into your hotel and let you settle in and rest, and then Evangeline and I will come get you for dinner.”

They hurried to the wheelchair-accessible van that Drake had rented for her parents’ use while in the city, complete with hired driver and assistant to help with the wheelchair. Drake ushered the women into the van while the attendants got her father in, and then they piled the luggage into the back with the chair. Drake climbed in next to Evangeline and they headed to Times Square, where Drake had reserved a suite at the Marriott.

“Everything is so big here, Evangeline,” her mother exclaimed. “And my word, all the lights. Everyone is in a hurry and busy, busy, busy.”

Evangeline smiled. “Wait until you see Times Square, Mama. It’s insane there.”

Her parents oohed and ahhed the entire way to the hotel, but when her mother got her first glimpse of Times Square, her mouth fell open.

“Well, my word! How does anyone sleep at night with so much racket going on?”

Drake chuckled. “The rooms are equipped with room-darkening blinds so the lights won’t keep you awake. If you need anything at all during your stay, just contact the concierge and they’ll provide whatever you need. Evangeline supplied you with both our cell numbers. Don’t hesitate to call me for anything at all, day or night.”

“You’re a fine young man, Drake,” her mother said, giving him an affectionate pat on the arm. “Your parents must be so proud.”

Drake stiffened slightly and his eyes grew cold for a fleeting instant. His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I lost my parents a long time ago.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that,” her mother fretted. “My apologies for bringing it up like that.”

“No offense whatsoever taken, Brenda,” Drake said, warmth returning to his voice. “It was a long time ago. I was only a child. I barely remember them.”

But Evangeline knew that was a lie. Whatever memories he did have weren’t good ones. In the beginning her relationship with her parents had baffled Drake. Initially he’d been angry over what he perceived as them taking advantage of her because she worked tirelessly to provide for them. It was only later that he’d begun to understand the depths of her devotion to them. And theirs to her.

It was obvious that he’d never had that kind of relationship with the people who’d given him life, and her heart ached for that young boy forced to make his own way in the world. Just as the rest of Drake’s men had done. It was the one thing that they all had in common and that tied
them together. Troubled, difficult pasts with only themselves to rely on and no one else.

“So what are we doing for Thanksgiving, Evangeline?” her mother asked when they stepped out of the van in front of the hotel.

Evangeline smiled. “I’m cooking for all of us at Drake’s apartment. I’d love for you to help me so we can have a big feast like old times.”

“Oh, that does sound lovely, darling. Of course I’ll help. I’d love to. It will be so much fun for us both to be in the kitchen again. She’s such a wonderful cook, Drake, don’t you agree?”

“That I do, ma’am,” he said. “She spoils me with regular home-cooked meals. If I’m not careful, I’ll have to buy an entire new wardrobe.”

Evangeline snorted. As if. The man was built like a brick house. He didn’t have a single inch of spare flesh anywhere on his body. And she ought to know, considering how well acquainted with his body she was.

After getting her parents checked in and all the luggage brought up to the room, Evangeline hugged her parents after urging them to rest before dinner, and then after setting a time to meet, she and Drake took their leave.

It took all of Evangeline’s restraint not to stay with her parents in the hotel room, but they did need to rest. They both looked tired and she was concerned about her father. He wasn’t used to traveling and exerting himself as much as he had during the trip. If she stayed, neither her father nor her mother would rest. They would all stay up talking and catching up.

Drake must have sensed her reluctance to leave because he took her hand and pulled her against his side as they walked to the elevator. He kissed her temple.

“You’ll get to visit with them plenty before they return home,” he said comfortingly.

“I know. It’s just hard to let them go even for a few hours when I haven’t seen them in so very long,” she said wistfully.

“They seem like wonderful people. Just like their daughter.”

“
You
are a wonderful person, Drake. Thank you again so much for making this happen. This is the best present anyone has ever given me.”

She threw her arms around his neck as the elevator doors closed and they zoomed toward the bottom floor, and then she drew his head down to hers and pressed her lips to his.

They were still locked together when the elevator slowed its descent. Reluctantly Evangeline pulled away, her eyes half lidded and heavy. They got off the elevator and walked to the side street where Jax waited with Thane in a car to take them back to Drake’s apartment.

“Do you suppose Maddox would mind going shopping with my mother and me in the morning?” Evangeline asked as they slid in. “I need to go to the grocer and get all the stuff for Thanksgiving. I thought she could go with me, and Dad could hang out at your apartment until we got back.”

“I thought I’d take off work tomorrow, so I’ll keep your dad company. That will give me the rest of the week off with the holiday.”

“You don’t mind?” Evangeline asked.

“Of course I don’t mind spending time with your father, Angel. You go and spend time with your mom. I’ll call Maddox and ask him to be there in the morning to take you.”

With a contented sigh, she settled into Drake’s arms for the ride back to the apartment. For the next five days, she had the three most important people in the world all to herself. Life was, she thought with hazy mellowness, absolutely . . . perfect.