Love Slave for Two

Chapter 30

Nevvie’s physical wounds healed. She had to force Thomas to go back to the office, and Tyler to get back to writing. Both wanted to wait on her hand and foot. While Thomas moved on and put it behind him, Tyler was still deeply wrapped in his guilt and shame over the events, no matter how much she assured him that it wasn’t his fault.

She didn’t know how to pull him from that, and when she tried to talk to him about it he deftly steered the conversation elsewhere. It affected his writing, even though he tried to hide it from her. Many days he sat in his office for hours without composing a single sentence.

Bob was their contact with the State Attorney’s office and she dealt with him directly. Tyler had enough guilt and she made a point of keeping the men out of the loop throughout the process.

Nevvie steeled herself for the trial preparation. First step was to inform the assistant state attorney handling the case of their “arrangement.” Bob went with her.

“It is likely the defense will try to impeach all three witnesses, taint the jury’s opinion,” Bob said.

The assistant S.A., Frank Smith, looked like he hadn’t graduated high school yet. “How so?”

“It’s not entirely accurate to say that Ms. Barton is Tyler and Thomas’ roommate. It’s also inaccurate to say she’s Thomas’ fiancée.”

Smith frowned. “Then what would be accurate?”

“The three live together.”

“How is that different than being roommates?”

“They live together. All three of them. Together.”

He chewed on that for a moment, staring at Nevvie before Bob’s words finally sank home. “What? Like those people out in Utah?”

“No. They have a monogamously polyamorous relationship.”

“Try saying that five times fast,” Nevvie muttered.

Bob nudged her foot. “It’s not for religious reasons, and they’re not committing bigamy. I’m assuming you will take a vigorous stance on objecting to any improper questions regarding their personal relationship? It has nothing to do with the fact that Mr. LaRougue stalked Ms. Barton and attempted to murder her.”

Smith grabbed his phone. “Yeah, but I need to talk to my boss.”

The State Attorney, Robert Jimenez, came down to the office and heard Bob out. “All right. I’ll handle this hot potato myself.”

“Won’t that draw more attention?” Bob asked.

“So I get accused of grandstanding in an election year. I’d rather that than lose because a prudish jurist hangs what should otherwise be a slam-dunk case.”

Nevvie couldn’t sleep the night before the trial. Alex’s public defender was overworked, underpaid, and pissed that Alex wouldn’t take the offered plea deal. He would probably make everyone else’s life miserable as a result.

She figured Thomas would do well. More like her in temperament, he’d roll with the punches. But Tyler…

She worried Tyler would blow his cool and lose it on the stand.

“Remember, if you’re forced to answer the question, do it. Don’t get upset if the attorney says something trying to defame us. Let it go.”

“You certainly are calm.” Tyler had reacted poorly when he learned he couldn’t be in the courtroom with her when she testified.

“I want this asshole locked away. I can sit there and stare the fucker down. He’s the one in the orange jumpsuit and fancy bracelets, not me. Living well’s the best revenge, Ty. We’re living pretty damn good, I think. Besides, Bob will be there. It’s okay.”

While the boys headed for the shower, Nevvie made the excuse of wanting to refill her coffee. She opened the drawer where Tyler kept his wallet and removed his ATM card and all his cash except for a ten dollar bill.

Just a precaution. If he blew up and ran, she didn’t want him to get very far without the ability to track him.

When they were ready to go she tossed Thomas his Ridgeline keys. “I’ll ride in back.”

Tyler shook his head. “Let’s take the Lexus. It’ll be easier to park.”

She looked at Thomas, trying to get him to understand without Tyler catching on. Tyler would have understood, but she didn’t have that same type of connection with Thomas.

Thomas looked at her from behind Tyler, confused by her irate glare. “He’s got a point. I don’t mind taking the Lexus.”

“Tom, I’d really like to ride in the truck today.”

“Sugar, it’s okay. If Tyler wants to drive, it’s fine.”

She stalked out of the bedroom, growling under her breath.

“What’s got into her?” Thomas asked.

Tyler shook his head. “Stress, I’m sure.”

Bob sat in the row behind the State Attorney’s table. Nevvie took a deep calming breath as the prosecutor worked his way through the attack with her. When Jason Dean, the public defender, stood, she knew from his smile and Alex’s that she was in for a rough time.

“Ms. Barton, what exactly is your relationship with Mr. Kinsey?”

The State Attorney jumped on it. “Objection, relevance.”

The judge nodded. “Sustained.”

The P.D. was prepared. “Your Honor, in the 911 tapes Mr. Kinsey states his ‘wife’ was stabbed. I’m trying to establish the exact nature of their relationship.”

“Tread lightly, Mr. Dean, I’m in no mood for grandstanding.”

The P.D.’s smarmy smile resurfaced. “Ms. Barton, are you married to Mr. Kinsey?”

“No.”

“Then why did he call you his wife?”

“That’s a good question. I suggest you ask him.” She struggled to keep the snark out of her voice, not wanting to sound like a bitch.

“Are you going to answer my question?”

“I thought I did.”

There was a titter of laughter from the gallery. She risked a look at Bob. He smiled and tipped his head.

Dean wasn’t amused. “Ms. Barton, do you live with Mr. Kinsey?”

“Yes.”

“And you work for his company?”

“Yes.”

“So you are a live-in employee?”

“That is why I was originally hired, yes.”

“What is the exact nature of your duties?”

“I don’t understand the question.” This was a tactic Bob taught her. Ask him to rephrase the question, or say she didn’t understand. It would stall him and possibly derail his train of thought.

Dean looked irritated. “What do you do as an employee for Kinsey Consulting?”

“I am a head project supervisor.” Also another tactic—answer as short and sweet as possible. Make him dig for the info. He’d asked about Kinsey Consulting, not Tyler or anything else.

Dig? Hell, he’d need a friggin backhoe.

“So why do you live in Mr. Kinsey’s home?”

“I used to be his once-a-week housekeeper. I moved in after he saved my life when your client attacked me the first time.”

Dean nearly exploded. “Move to strike, your Honor.”

“You opened this can of worms, Mr. Dean. I suggest you fish or get off the dock.”

Dean’s face reddened. Nevvie risked another glance at Bob, who smiled. She was scoring points.

“You were his housekeeper?” Dean asked.

“Yes.”

“Why are you no longer his housekeeper?”

“I still am.”

“You said you’re a project supervisor.”

“I am—for Kinsey Consulting.”

The State Attorney looked pleased. Dean neared apoplexy. “Is it true that you’re committing polygamy?”

“No.”

“But you’re living with two men.”

“Is that a question, Mr. Dean?”

“Are you living with two men?”

“Yes.”

“Are you married to both of them?”

She smiled. “No, I’m not married to either of them. I wish I could be. They’re good men who’ve twice now saved my life when Alex attacked me.”

Dean exploded. “Move to strike!”

The judge shook his head and looked amused. “Overruled. Sorry, Mr. Dean. You wanted it, you got it.”

The P.D. took a moment to compose himself and review his notes. “Are you in a relationship with Mr. Kinsey?”

“I don’t understand the question.”

Dean clenched his jaw. “Are you now or have you ever had an intimate sexual relationship with Mr. Kinsey?”

The State Attorney stood. “Objection, relevance.”

“Sustained.”

Nevvie successfully fought the urge to grin while Dean regrouped.

“Ms. Barton, do you expect us to believe that you are living with two men and not having a sexual relationship with either of them?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Are you sleeping with them?” he practically screamed.

The audience’s reaction to Dean’s anger nearly drowned out the State Attorney’s objection. The judge pounded his gavel and pointed at the P.D. “You will conduct yourself appropriately, Mr. Dean, or I will cite you with contempt. Now move along or end it.”

Nevvie patiently waited, worried about Tyler. Thomas would handle this schmuck, no problem. Tyler wouldn’t. She knew it already. Ty was good at reading people, but he had a huge blind spot when it came to her and Thomas. He would react without thinking to the guy’s emotional outbursts.

Dean tried again. “Do you also work for Mr. Paulson?”

“Yes.”

“And what do you do?”

“I am his administrative assistant. I handle e-mails, phone calls, edit his manuscripts, and general office work.”

“And this is in addition to your housekeeping duties?”

“Yes.”

“And what is your relationship with him?”

“Objection.”

“Sustained. Mr. Dean, move along.”

“Why did Mr. Kinsey refer to Mr. Paulson as his partner on the 911 tape?”

“Because they’ve been together for over thirteen years. They love each other.” Hopefully that would stonewall him.

“But he called you his wife.”

“Objection, asked and answered.”

“Sustained.”

Fuming, Dean finally sat. “No further questions, your Honor.”

The State Attorney stood. “Redirect. Ms. Barton, you said Mr. LaRougue attacked you before?”

“When I still cleaned once a week for them, Mr. Kinsey and Mr. Paulson gave me a necklace for my birthday. Alex saw me wearing it. When I refused to pawn it and suggested he pawn his Xbox, he attacked me.”

“Objection!” Dean screamed.

“Overruled. Proceed, Ms. Barton.”

Nevvie hoped she looked intimidated. “He went crazy and attacked me. He kicked me, punched me, threatened to rape me. I was supposed to clean that morning for the boys, and when I was late and they couldn’t contact me by phone they were worried and came looking for me.”

She looked at the jury. “They saved me. So yes, I can honestly say I do love them. They took care of me, gave me a chance for a new life. I lost everything in Katrina. I don’t have any family. They welcomed me, made me a part of their family, and I don’t care what other people think or say. They’re good men. They asked me to stay, and they pay me to work for both of them. As long as they want me in their lives I’m happy to stay.”

“Thank you.”

She knew she wasn’t done because the P.D. stood.

“Redirect. You said Mr. LaRougue attacked you, but you didn’t press charges?”

“I was too scared. Mr. Kinsey and Mr. Paulson tried to talk me into calling the police, so did the doctor. When I was eighteen I was raped, and when I went to the police they did nothing but blame me because the guy had money. I didn’t want to go through anything like that again. I just wanted to be as far away from Alex as possible.”

Dean looked like he wished he hadn’t asked the question. “Nothing further.”

She had to walk by Bob on her way out. He nodded as she passed.

Thomas was next. Dean ripped into him for cross examination after the State Attorney finished.

“Mr. Kinsey, if Ms. Barton is your employee, why did you call her your wife?”

“We are very close, and she was bleeding to death on my kitchen floor after your client attacked her. I wasn’t concerned with semantics, it just came out.”

“What is your relationship with her?”

“We are not married, and she works for me.”

“And what is your relationship with Mr. Paulson?”

“He’s my lover.”

A hushed murmur rippled through the gallery. Apparently Dean had expected linguistic gymnastics and the straightforward answer caught him by surprise.

“Lover?”

“Lover.” Thomas held up his hand and pointed to his ring. “Partner, spouse, husband.”

Dean had nothing. He’d been prepared for a sparring match similar to the one he’d had with Nevvie. “Nothing further.”

They adjourned for lunch. Tyler would testify after they reconvened. Bob caught up with them in the witness room.

“Nevvie, girl, you were a pistol,” he said, laughing.

Bob’s obvious amusement relieved Tyler. “Was she really?”

“I think Dean popped a blood vessel by the time she got done with him. She had him twisted in knots. Judge even threatened him with contempt.”

Thomas smiled. “Sugar, you’re amazing.”

“I told the truth.” She looked at Tyler. “Don’t let him rattle you. If he asks you to admit you’re lovers with Thomas, just say yes, it’ll take the wind out of his sails. It’s okay.” She read the worry in his blue eyes and cupped his chin in her hands. “Tyler,” she whispered, “you need to stay calm. Don’t let him goad you into reacting, please. You don’t have to protect my honor, just answer the questions short and sweet, okay? Promise?”

“Of course, sweetheart. Let’s grab some lunch, right?”

They ate, but Nevvie’s nerves nagged her. She worried more about Tyler’s testimony than her own. Ironically she wished she could be in the courtroom with him, calming him, sending him one of their freaky mental messages to not say anything he’d regret.

When the bailiff called Tyler to the courtroom, she squeezed Tyler’s hand one final time. “Keep your eyes on Bob. Don’t get upset.”

Tyler took a deep breath and walked into the courtroom. Nevvie was right, he could do this. Alex wasn’t worth the dirt on his shoes. He’d be damned if he’d give Alex the satisfaction of seeing him lose it on the stand, especially not if it could ruin the case.

He took his seat in the witness chair. The State Attorney’s questions were straightforward, but he immediately knew what Nevvie meant when Dean stood for cross-examination.

Apparently, Dean had changed tactics.

“Mr. Paulson, what kind of employee is Ms. Barton?”

Tyler had expected any question but that. “She efficient, she’s smart, she is quick to learn. We are happy with her services.”

“And what exactly are those ‘services?’”

Tyler ignored the implication. “Housekeeping duties, some cooking. She assists me with editing, answering my phone so I’m not interrupted, taking care of emails and appointments, errands, things like that. As for her exact duties at Kinsey Consulting—”

“That’s all right.” Dean sidled up to the witness box and smiled. “And how are her ‘services,’ Mr. Paulson?”

“She is an excellent employee. We are lucky to have her.”

“And how, exactly, do you ‘have’ her?”

“Objection.”

“Sustained. Mr. Dean, the ice is thin and I feel a thaw. Move along, quickly.”

Dean tried another tactic. “Mr. Kinsey is your lover, correct?”

“That is correct.”

“And you’ve been together how long?”

“Over thirteen years.”

“Did it bother you he referred to Ms. Barton as his wife on the 911 call?”

“Objection, relevance.”

“Sustained.”

Dean thought for a moment. “You picked up Ms. Barton from her apartment one morning when she still lived with Mr. LaRougue, did you not?”

“Yes, the week he attacked her the first time.”

“Did you attack Mr. LaRougue in his apartment?”

“What?” Tyler’s temper simmered.

The State Attorney jumped to his feet. “Objection!”

“My bench, right now!”

Both attorneys walked up to the judge and quietly argued for a moment. They eventually broke their huddle. Dean turned to Tyler.

“Tell me about the day you and Mr. Kinsey took Ms. Barton from the apartment.”

“You mean the day your client beat her to a bloody pulp?”

“Move to strike.”

“You wanted it, you got it. Mr. Dean. Ask and ye shall receive, just make sure you really want what you’re asking for.”

Dean glowered at Tyler. “Did you attack Mr. LaRougue?”

“I never laid a hand on him. Thomas and I heard her screaming for help, and we rushed in. Your client was kicking the bloody hell out of our poor girl.” Tyler felt his voice rising in anger and couldn’t stop it. “Thomas pushed him off her, and I carried her outside. She couldn’t walk. What happened after I left the room, I cannot speak to.”

“So you admit the two of you attacked him?”

“I admit no such thing. We came to her defense. He tried to kill her.”

“Did you break down his door?”

“We rescued her from that fucking bastard!” Tyler yelled, pointing at Alex. He regretted the words as soon as they were out. He’d done exactly what Nevvie asked him not to do.

When the gallery settled, Dean continued his questions.

“Why did the two of you go looking for her?”

“We were worried. She didn’t show up or answer her phone.”

“But was there a particular reason to be worried?”

“She’d agreed the Sunday before to move in with us. We feared her boyfriend would react badly when he found out. She told us she was scared of him.”

“Objection, hearsay,” Dean said.

“Sustained, but, Mr. Dean, remember you’re questioning him now. You’re bringing this on yourself.”

“So you hire her, move her into your home, buy her things, and expect people to believe you’re not sleeping with her?”

The State Attorney looked like he wanted to slap Dean. “Objection!”

“Sustained.”

“I wish to answer that.”

Dean turned, shocked. The judge nodded. “Go ahead, Mr. Paulson.”

“Sleep with her? Yes, we have both ‘slept’ with Ms. Barton,” Tyler angrily said. “She went into hysterics in the doctor’s office and had to be sedated, thanks to Mr. LaRougue’s version of tender loving care. We had to sleep with our bedroom door open to hear her when she awoke, sobbing with panic, Mr. Dean, so one of us could hold her while she cried herself back to sleep. For several weeks, one of us had to sleep with her, as in stay in her room, so any of us could get any sleep. There was nothing sexual about that. She wouldn’t leave our home for nearly two weeks because of her injuries. It took her months to feel comfortable being alone in our home without one of us there.”

He turned a hard eye to Alex. “Then he tried to kill her again and nearly succeeded. She did nothing to him. I hope there’s a special hell for him.”

Dean looked shocked. “Move to strike.”

“Overruled. You asked, he answered. I suggest you finish with the witness if you have nothing further, Mr. Dean.”

“No further questions.”

That’s when the adrenaline shakes hit Tyler and he struggled to maintain his composure. If the jury acquitted Alex because of his outburst, he’d never forgive himself. He just couldn’t hold it in.

“Redirect?”

The State Attorney shook his head. “No.”

“The witness is excused.”

On shaky legs, Tyler stood and walked past Bob. Bob followed. Tyler caught his arm outside the door. “Will you take them home?”

“Sure, but—”

“Thank you.” Tyler turned and took long, quick strides down the hall, away from the witness room. Bob lost sight of him in the crowded corridor.

Tyler loosened his tie and jogged to the Lexus once outside the courthouse.

What a fucking arsehole, Paulson. You’ve done it again.

All she’d asked was for him to stay calm, and he couldn’t even do that one little thing for her. He beat his hands on the steering wheel.

“Fuck!” he screamed inside the closed car. He caught a glimpse of himself in the rear view mirror as he removed his tie.

They’d be better off without him. For now, at least. He couldn’t stand to face her, or Thomas. How would he ever look them in the eye again if they let the bastard go? All because he couldn’t do one little thing his angel had asked.

God, the fucking media would go batshit over him losing it on the stand. Christ.

He started the car and took off.

“What do you mean he left?”

Bob tried to pry Nevvie’s hand from his arm. “He asked me to take you home. I’m assuming he left.”

“Shit!” Nevvie bolted from the witness room, Thomas on her heels.

Panicked, she pushed through people, praying he hadn’t left yet. She ripped her BlackBerry from its holster and dared glance down for a second to speed-dial his number.

Straight to voice mail.

She heard Thomas behind her yelling for her to wait. She didn’t slow, trying to make it to the parking garage. As she rounded the corner, Tyler’s Lexus turned right, headed for the interstate.

“Tyler!” she screamed, running after him. She finally gave up at the corner, trying to catch her breath.

Thomas caught up with her. “Did you see him?”

She nodded, unable to speak, and pointed.

“He’s gone?”

She nodded, falling into his arms.

Thomas kept a steadying arm around her waist for the walk back to the courthouse. He suspected Tyler lost it on the stand.

Bob waited for them in the witness room. “What happened?” Thomas asked.

The attorney took a deep breath. “It wasn’t bad. It helped the prosecution.”

“Bob,” Nevvie whispered. “Please.”

Bob retold Tyler’s emotional outburst. She closed her eyes. “Shit,” she whispered. “I knew he’d do it. He’s running.”

Both men looked at her. “What?”

“He thinks he’s fucked it up. He promised me he’d stay calm and he didn’t. He’s trying to get away because he thinks that will take the pressure off us.”

The State Attorney entered the room. “Jury’s got it.” He looked at them. “Where’s Mr. Paulson?”

Thomas shook his head. “Apparently he wasn’t happy with his performance on the stand.”

“Oh. Well, I think he sealed our case. I looked at the jury when he was talking. All the women looked teary, and damn near half the men, too.”

Thomas was going to take Nevvie to get coffee when a bailiff entered the witness room. “Jury’s back.”

Bob scowled, glancing at his watch. “They have a question?”

Bailiff shook his head. “Verdict.”

“What? It’s only been fifteen minutes!”

Bailiff shook his head again. “Nope, ten. Took me a minute to get in here to tell you.”

Nevvie’s heart caught in her throat. “Is this bad, Bob?”

“I don’t know, but let’s get in there.”

Thomas held her hand as they followed Bob into the gallery. The judge returned and the jury entered. Nevvie couldn’t decipher the judge’s face when he read the paper before handing it to the bailiff to return to the foreman.

She closed her eyes and felt Thomas’ fingers grip hers, Bob’s arm around her shoulders.

“Will the foreman please read the verdict?”

“On the first count, of attempted murder, we find the defendant guilty.”

Nevvie slumped against Thomas, trying not to cry while Bob patted her on the back. She didn’t even hear all of the verdicts.

Alex screamed as the judge ordered him remanded to custody.

When they dragged Alex from the courtroom, Nevvie finally took a deep breath and smiled, then hugged Thomas and Bob.

The prosecutor walked over, and she hugged him too. “Thank you,” she said. “I can’t tell you how much.”

“It’s my job. Sentencing’s on Monday.” He looked at Bob. “Coordinate with my office. We’ll see you then.”

Bob put his hand on her back and guided her out of the courthouse. Thomas followed a couple of steps behind, wanting to hold her hand but afraid to with reporters hanging around. Once they were safely in Bob’s car and speeding away from downtown, Thomas turned to her.

“You okay, sugar?” He reached an arm over the seat and she gripped his hand.

“We’ve got to find him, Thomas.”

The first entrance ramp Tyler found led him to I-275 south. He followed it across the Bay, through St. Pete, and over the Sunshine Skyway. When he pulled out his wallet to pay the toll he realized not only was he low on cash, but missing his ATM card, too.

Dammit. What next?

When he reached the junction to pick up I-75, he blindly chose south.

Why not?

Maybe Miami. Get a room for a few days, let things die down. Once there he’d send Nevvie a text message so she could quit worrying. The last thing they needed—she needed—was him around.

If she even still wanted him around after that outburst.

Then another thought. No, not Miami. Why not the Keys? He’d never been. A little impromptu escape to the bottom of the continental US, still large enough to afford him some anonymity. Miami was huge and frankly the thought of finding a room there intimidated him. He wasn’t at all familiar with it like he was New York.

Key West then.

Bob drove them home. Nevvie’s heart sank when they rounded the corner and saw Tyler’s Lexus wasn’t there.

“Dammit,” Thomas swore.

Nevvie kept trying Tyler’s cell. Every call went straight to voice mail without ringing.

“You want me to hang out for a while?” Bob asked.

“No, we’ll call you if we need you.”

Thomas followed her into the house and sat at the kitchen table. “Where do you think he is, Nev?”

“I don’t know. Where do you think he’d go?”

“He’s never disappeared like this before.” He ran his hands through his hair and pulled off his tie. “Jesus, I’m worried about him.”

“Well, he won’t get far with ten dollars in his pocket. I emptied his wallet this morning while he was in the shower.”

Thomas snorted. “Well, no offense, but he can hit an ATM, sugar.”

She reached into her pocket and held up the card. “You mean with this card?”

Thomas sat back. “Jesus Christ, Nev. But he’s still got credit cards, or did you swipe those, too?”

“No, but I can track those online.”

His jaw dropped. “I think you just earned the title of head evil genius in this house. How the hell did you know he’d run?”

“I had a feeling he’d explode on the stand. I wasn’t sure how he’d react.”

“That’s why you were pissed this morning. You wanted me to hold the keys.”

“I love you, Tom, but—”

He opened his arms to her. “I know, leave this kind of thinking to you two.”

She rested her chin on his head, wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “You’re a smart man.”

“Let’s face it. I’m a moron when it comes to this shit. I’m a guy, pure and simple, and I know it. That’s why I leave this kind of stuff for you and Tyler to handle.” He took a deep breath. In a quiet voice he asked, “Is he going to be okay? Do you think he’ll hurt himself?”

“We’ll get him back safe, Tommy. I promise.”

She held him tightly while he broke down crying.

“I can’t lose him, Nev. I love him so much. I mean, I love you, too, but I can’t lose him.”

“We won’t lose him.”

“I’m scared, Nevvie. I’m scared for him.”

“He’s trying to come to grips with the fact that he can’t make this better.”

“Fuck, can’t he understand we don’t need him to make it better?”

“No. He can’t.”

“What?”

She pulled a chair next to him and held his hands. He was so sweet, and at the same time so painfully stupid when it came to this kind of stuff.

“Thomas, his life revolves around making things better, and us telling him we love him. If we never did anything else for him again in this life except tell him we love and want him, he’s happy. He wants to protect us from this, and he can’t and he feels guilty.”

“He doesn’t need to protect us. We can take care of ourselves.”

“You and I know that. He needs to do it anyway.” She met his eyes. “How do you feel about him when he goes on trips?”

“I worry about him, that he stays safe.”

“Why?”

He couldn’t hold her gaze. “I’m afraid something will happen.”

“Why?” she pressed. “He’s a grown man, older than you. When I’m with him, you tell me to take care of him. Tell me why you feel like that.”

He shrugged. “It’s my job.”

“Becaaaaauuuse?” Come on, Tommy, give me what I want.

He sighed and looked at her. “Because I’m worried someone will hurt him. I’m the ‘guy’ and he’s the ‘girl.’ I get it. I’m not a total idiot.”

“I’m not saying you’re an idiot. When I go out on errands, or we go out of town together, you don’t act the same with me that you do with him.”

He opened his mouth to protest then stopped.

“Admit it. In some ways you think I’m stronger than him.”

He studied her. “You’re a lot more street smart than he is.”

“It’s more than that, Thomas. I’ve never seen you fuck him the way you fuck me.”

She ignored the confusion in his eyes. “Nevvie, you said you didn’t want to—”

“I don’t mean anal sex. I mean you guys get hot and heavy, but you’re always gentle with him, very careful.”

“I don’t want to hurt him.”

She tried again, needing him to get this if he was going to help her bring Tyler home and heal him. “You fuck me a helluva lot harder than you fuck him. You nearly put the bed through the wall sometimes when you fuck me.”

“I thought you liked that.”

“I do like it. How many times have you heard me beg him to fuck me harder?”

He studied her. “It’s like he’s afraid of hurting you.”

“I’m your biker mama. I get down and dirty with you. I love every minute of it.”

He closed his eyes. “I’m gentle with him because I’m afraid I’ll hurt him. You’re his angel, he thinks he has to protect you, and I think I have to protect him, and he tries to take care of both of us. Jesus Christ, you’re as spooky as he is. See, you’re the translator. You complete us.”

“You’re our anchor. You’re strong for both of us. But you also know how strong I really am. He feels guilty that Alex knocked him out.”

“The guy hit him with a chair! He might have knocked me out if he’d hit me like that.”

“It’s who he is. He’s sensitive, but he’s a guy, too. His pride is bruised that he didn’t protect me. He’s hurting, and he’s afraid to reach out to us, because he’s afraid if he leans on us that it’ll hurt us and that we won’t want him anymore. Remember, he still blames himself for all of this. He’s scared because I made him promise to stay calm and he didn’t. He doesn’t realize what he did was okay. He hates himself right now.”

He patted her thigh. “Find him, Nevvie. Whatever we’ve got to do, just find him. Use that crazy psychic crap you’ve got with him.”

She walked into Tyler’s office and powered up his laptop. Thomas watched over her shoulder while she went through the credit card accounts, looking for any recent purchases.

Finally, she found one and pointed. “Sarasota.” She had an idea where he was headed, but didn’t know for sure.

He nodded. “Let’s go. Bring that with you, and the aircard.”

It took them fifteen minutes to pack an overnight bag, change clothes and get on the road. When they reached Sarasota she checked again, found another receipt for a fast food restaurant further south on I-75. They refueled and got back on the interstate. Tyler still had his cell phone off, calls going straight to voice mail.

By dark he’d stopped again for gas, this time in Naples.

“He’s heading for the Keys,” she said. With the aircard connected she refreshed the browser every fifteen minutes. They were still at least one hundred miles behind him.

“How can you tell? He could be heading for Miami.”

“I just know.” She looked at him. “You said you guys talked about it. He’s trying to put distance between him and us. In his mind, probably to keep the press away.”

“I know you’ll find him. Whatever we’ve got to do to get him home safe, I’ll do it. You tell me what you need me to do.”

At midnight, Tyler finally reached exhaustion. A receipt for a hotel in Key Largo appeared on the account. She patted Tom’s arm. “We’ve got him.”

They reached the hotel ninety minutes later. Nevvie left Thomas in the truck, parked next to Tyler’s Lexus, and walked to the office. A small, family-owned place from the look of it, maybe she could bullshit her way through this.

Even better, the desk clerk looked young, probably right out of high school. Nevvie put on a friendly smile. “Hi, I’m with Tyler Paulson, I’m his personal assistant. I need to get another room. We were late getting out of Tampa, and he told us to meet him here. You have another room, right?”

The girl nodded, smiling. “Sure. You want the one next to him?”

“That would be great. There’s two of us.” She filled out paperwork. “Oh, I need two keys. And Ty asked me to pick up a spare for his room. Can you do that?” She smiled at the girl.

“I’m not sure—”

Nevvie laid Tyler’s ATM card, which doubled as a MasterCard, on the counter. “And he told me to put everything on this.”

The girl was, fortunately, not the brightest bulb on the branch. She smiled when she saw Tyler’s name on the card. “Sure, no problem. He seems like such a sweetie. I’ve read all his books. I’ve never met anyone famous before.” The girl worked on the check-in, and Nevvie surreptitiously read the paperwork upside down from her side of the counter.

“He’s in 208, right? I think that’s what he told me, but I didn’t write it down.”

“Yep. You’ll be in 210.”

Nevvie returned to the truck. “Let’s go.”

“Did you find out what room he’s in?” Thomas asked.

She held up the key card. “Of course I did.”

Thomas shook his head as he grabbed the laptop case and overnight bag. “Freaking evil geniuses. Both of you.”

They quietly walked past their assigned room. She whispered in Thomas’ ear. “Look through the peephole, see if the lights are on.”

He did and shook his head.

She put the keycard in and prayed Tyler stayed true to form. She carefully pushed on the door, holding her breath until it swung open unimpeded.

Tyler was asleep on his side facing away from them. She motioned Tom in and silently closed the door, holding the latch, then easing the knob shut. She flipped the safety bar.

In the light spilling from the hall she’d seen the half-empty liquor bottle on the bedside table. He’d spent his cash on liquid comfort.

They undressed in the dark, their eyes growing accustomed to the faint glow from the security lights sneaking in around the edges of the curtains. She walked to the far side of the bed. Kneeling in front of Tyler, she slid the sheet down. He was naked. Well, that made her job easier.

Thomas curled his body around his lover. Tyler stirred but didn’t completely awaken. She smelled the bourbon on his breath.

Nevvie bent between Tyler’s legs, gently licking him. He moaned in his sleep, shifting a little. She felt him respond and took him fully into her mouth, sucking him, trying to arouse him. He was still drunk enough to not fight. He tangled his fingers in her hair, and she reached between his legs to find Thomas, already hard, behind him.

Nudging Tyler’s legs apart, she took Thomas into her mouth, using her hand to stroke Tyler and not lose any ground. She was already wet, and when she knew Thomas was slick enough to not hurt Tyler she sat up and helped position him.

She put Tyler’s cock between her legs and whispered to Thomas, “Now.”

Together, Thomas gently slid his cock into Tyler while she impaled herself on his now-rigid shaft.

Tyler’s eyes flew open. Nevvie planted her lips on his, holding him through his initial resistance. Then he relaxed as he responded to her.

“We love you, Tyler,” she whispered. “We need you.”

He moaned against her neck, wrapping his arms around her and tightly holding her. When he thrust into her she tapped Thomas on the arm. As one they rolled over with Nevvie on her back on the bottom while Tyler kissed her and took long, slow strokes.

Thomas kissed Tyler’s back, lightly running his fingers down his skin and massaging his ass before holding his hips and taking several gentle, easy thrusts.

“We love you, sugar,” he said, his voice low and hoarse. “Man, we’ve been together too long. You can’t leave me.”

She felt Tyler’s approaching climax and held on. With his face pressed against her neck she whispered, “Master, your little slave needs both her masters to make her happy. You promised me anything. I have to have you with me.”

“Ahhh!” He took two hard thrusts before emptying inside her, his body shaking.

Thomas’ climax wasn’t far behind. When he finished he sat up, trying to keep his weight off them.

Tyler sobbed. “I love you both so much. I’m so tired of hurting you.”

“Shh. It’s okay,” she whispered.

Thomas went to clean up and came back with a washcloth for Tyler. He slipped into bed and held both of them. They cradled Tyler between them as he cried, still more than a little drunk. He finally fell asleep in their arms and Thomas kissed her.

“Thank you for finding him. I never would have thought of it.”

She nodded, her arms wrapped around Tyler, and tried to sleep.

Tyler was still asleep on her shoulder the next morning. She felt Thomas’ foot next to hers and rubbed her toes along it. He lifted his head and looked at her over Tyler’s shoulder.

“Good morning,” he silently mouthed.

She nodded, snuggling tightly against Tyler. He awoke twenty minutes later. She felt the change, then heard his sharp intake of breath when he realized he wasn’t alone and that it hadn’t been a dream. He couldn’t see her face. She knew he was trying to decide if she was awake.

She nudged him to her breast and he gently took her nipple into his mouth.

She sighed, “Thank you, Master.” She’d been more than willing to forego her own pleasure the night before, but she was still horny.

He lifted his head. “How can you both still want me?”

With her hand on his neck, she gently pushed him back to her breast. “Your little slave needs her sweet master to love her. My other master needs you, too. It would break our hearts not to have you with us.” She kissed the top of his head as he suckled her, the familiar pulsing throb starting in her lower belly. “We’re a family. Family doesn’t up and leave when times get tough, right?”

“Mm hmm.”

“Don’t speak with your mouth full,” she teased.

Tyler laughed, lifting his head. His eyes were wet with tears. “I’m sorry, Nevvie.”

She kissed him. “Quit apologizing. And quit trying to make it all better. We can handle this.”

Thomas put his arm around Tyler’s waist. “She’s right. We’re okay. If you need us, you can lean on us the way we lean on you. The two of us are strong enough to carry you.” He stroked Tyler’s cheek, his voice growing hoarse. “We’ve been together too long for me to lose you, Ty. Please.”

Tyler nodded and kissed him, then kissed Nevvie. “How did you get in my room?”

“She’s overthrown your evil genius title, sugar.”

His blue eyes settled on hers, melting her. “Thank you, love.” He kissed her then worked his way down her belly, settling between her legs. Thomas cradled her while Tyler brought her to the edge, working two fingers into her, teasing her, finally letting her come after she begged for it.

After dozing for a while they moved to the shower to clean up. Nevvie didn’t say anything but noticed the empty bottle in the wastebasket by the sink. Thomas must have dumped it.

At breakfast, Tyler sat on her side of the booth and barely spoke.

She patted him on the thigh. “We’re going home after we check out, and tomorrow we’ll sleep late.”

He wouldn’t meet their eyes. “Then back to fucking court on Monday.”

Thomas leaned over the table. “It won’t be bad. Nevvie might not even have to testify again for the victim impact part.”

Nevvie noted Tyler’s confusion. “Ty, they convicted him. The jury came back after ten minutes. Sentencing is on Monday.”

He closed his eyes, dropping his head. “Bloody hell. I thought for sure I’d made a right balls-up of my testimony.”

Thomas patted Tyler’s hands. “This is why we keep telling you to stop trying to fix stuff that ain’t broke. If you hadn’t taken off you’d have known. There weren’t any reporters at the house when Bob drove us home. The State Attorney said your little speech probably sealed the case.”

Tyler finally laughed, lifting his head. “To top it all off, somehow I managed to lose my blasted ATM card. We’ll have to cancel it and get a new one.” He frowned when Nevvie and Thomas laughed. “What? I don’t see anything funny about that.”

Nevvie smiled and handed it to him. Thomas leaned forward again, dropping his voice. “As I tried to tell you, our little slave has overthrown your evil genius title.”

Tyler turned to her and smiled, then leaned in for a kiss. “What would I ever do without you, angel?” he whispered.

She squeezed his hands. “Just doing my job.”

“What, taking care of your master?”

She caressed his cheek. “No, Tyler. Taking care of my husband.”

Tyler rode with Nevvie. She’d confiscated his keys before breakfast, just in case. He slumped in the passenger seat, his top two buttons open, shirt rumpled, his tie and jacket on the back seat. She didn’t push him to talk and waited to speak until they finally reached Alligator Alley.

“When will you understand you don’t need to break your back or beat yourself up?”

He looked out the window, studying the sawgrass flats and refusing to meet her gaze. “I don’t seem to be doing a good job of taking care of either of you lately.”

“Stop it. That’s the kind of stuff we mean.” She patted his thigh. “We love you the way you are. Just be you, stop trying to make it all better. We love you no matter what. You don’t need to buy our love.”

He looked at her sharply. “What do you mean, buy your love?”

“You don’t get it. If you never fixed me a cup of coffee again, I’d still love you. Thomas would still love you if you never ironed another shirt. All of that. Everything. We will still and always love you. You are more than good enough, Tyler. Take us at our word. You don’t have to prove yourself. There are no scorecards in our heads tallying up how much you do for us on any given day for us to say, ‘Okay, he reached the limit, we love him.’ The fact that you love us is enough.”

She held her right hand out to him until he took it. She squeezed and softened her voice. “Just love us. We love everything you do for us, but that’s not why we love you.”

He finally squeezed back.

She softened her voice even further. “I need you the way you are. I need you nurturing and nourishing my heart and soul. Thomas has enough strength to take care of both of us, and he needs us taking care of him.”

She glanced at him. “All things considered, you did a damn good job. Because of you we are a family. You brought us together.”

He met her eyes the next time she looked at him. Maybe her words finally struck home. He was wounded so deeply, years of not dealing now catching up with him. So many years, so much pain.

If she ever met his father she’d deck the son of a bitch. And she didn’t feel warm fuzzies for his mother, either.

She kept trying. “Let’s face it, I’m the queen of abandonment issues, I know a thing or two about getting dumped by family. Fuck ‘em. Your father’s an asshole, your mom’s an ungrateful bitch. You have Thomas, and you have me, and you have a whole household of Kinsey women who not-so-secretly drool over you.”

Finally, a genuine smile. “Karen goosed my ass at Thanksgiving.”

Nevvie faked a territorial growl. “She’d better keep her hands off my husband. I don’t share well, especially not with my sister-in-law.”

He laughed.

“I want you to ride home with Thomas after the next gas stop.” She glimpsed his fear and clarified. “You need to spend some time alone together because you haven’t had that in a while. I’ll go on ahead and—” she dropped her voice, “prepare something special for my sweet husbands.”

He looked surprised at the way she changed the words. Usually she reserved that tone of voice for the slave game.

“Husband, Ty,” she whispered. “You’re my husbands. Got it?”

He nodded. “I love you, Nevvie. I love him, but I need you.”

“I know.”

Tyler pumped gas for the Lexus while Tom filled the Ridgeline. She walked over to Thomas and leaned in close. “He’s riding home with you.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

“No. You need to talk. Tell him the things that maybe he hasn’t heard from you in a while because I’ve been around. You don’t get a lot of private time.” She turned, blocking the view, and grabbed his crotch. “I’ll have a surprise waiting for you both, my sweet husband.”

Like Tyler, he was surprised, his reaction to her tone of voice the same.

Pavlov would have been proud.

She kissed them both before leaving and hugged Tyler tightly. “Talk with him.”

“Be careful, sweetheart.”

Nevvie quickly pulled ahead, pushing the Lexus and holding it at eighty. She left them behind and ran through a mental list in her head of things she’d need. She’d completed her preparations by the time the boys pulled into the driveway nearly forty-five minutes after her.

It was dark, and the way she stood inside the doorway made her visible only to the boys from the driveway. When they realized she was naked, both smiled.

Tyler hugged her, sliding his hands down her back to her hips, pulling her to him. “I’m not sure how active I’ll be tonight, sweet.”

“That’s okay. I wanted to give you a nice homecoming.”

Tyler kissed her then Thomas walked in and closed the front door. “Mmm. Me like.”

She grinned and kissed him. “I’d hoped you would.”

They followed her to the kitchen. Except for the light over the kitchen sink, the living room and kitchen were bathed in candlelight.

She’d been busy.

Three steaks sat on the counter, ready to grill, and she had the side dishes almost finished. “I’m assuming one of you will cook these for me?” she purred. “I’ve already lit the grill, but I don’t think you want me covering up, and I don’t want to risk going out in the backyard nekkid in case there’s any free-range photographers on the loose.”

Thomas grinned. “See, Ty? That’s how you say it. Nekkid.” He patted her bum. “I’ll do it. You get the fugitive settled.” He washed his hands and grabbed the plate, taking it out to the patio.

Tyler leaned on the counter. “How did I get so lucky?”

She put her arms around him. “Well?”

He rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. “We had a good talk, sweetheart. Better than we’ve had in a long time, I should think.”

“And?”

He finally met her eyes. “Again I ask, how did I get so lucky? To find two people willing to put up with me?”

Nevvie and Thomas spent all day Sunday focused on Tyler. By the time they went to bed they’d noticed a marked improvement in his demeanor. They met Bob at the courthouse at nine on Monday morning. The State Attorney told him he would get by with reading Nevvie’s witness impact letter and not have her testify.

Nevvie sat, flanked by Thomas and Tyler, with Bob seated directly behind them. She closed her eyes and tightly held the men’s hands as the judge looked at Alex.

“I’m sentencing you to twenty-five years in state prison.”

Alex exploded and lunged. Two bailiffs grabbed him and wrestled him to the floor as he screamed, “I’m gonna kill you, ya goddamned fag whore! Gonna kill you and your little fag boyfriends!”

Tyler tensed but didn’t react.

Another bailiff helped drag Alex from the courtroom. Nevvie looked up and smiled.

Bob patted her shoulder. “It’s over, Nevvie. The nightmare’s over.”