Tamed by Texans (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 5)

“How? I thought Redding had the laptop and was dead.” Sean wanted that laptop at TBK as soon as possible.

“Grayson is a better agent than either Black or I thought. The body that was found wasn’t his. It was a decoy. Gave him time to slip out of the country. He’s in Hong Kong right now, on his way back. Black is coming here tomorrow. Grayson should be here next week.”

“Damn, that’s fucking good news,” Matt sa

id.

“There’s more,” Dylan turned to Scott and Eric. “Lunceford is being moved to another facility. Black called in some favors. The bastard will be residing at ADX Florence.”

Sean was happy about that. Kip would finally be in a cage that his digital claws couldn’t escape.

“And what is this ADX place?” Scott asked.

“It’s the Alcatraz of the Rockies,” Matt answered. “It houses male inmates in the federal prison system deemed the most dangerous and in need of the tightest control. No place on the planet is more locked down than it.”

Sean turned to Dylan. “When?”

“Next week they transfer Lunceford. There’s more for you two,” Dylan told him and Matt. “The team Black put on tracking down Braxton got a lead. They’re fairly certain he’s in Chicago. Two of his best agents are there now and checking into it.”

“God, this is good news.” Tomorrow, he, Jena, and Matt would head to Albuquerque to get her daughter and mother and bring them back to Destiny. “Kip is shoved in a box he can’t get out of. The evidence we need to get Mitrofanov put away for good is on its way to Destiny. Carl Braxton is on the run. And Scott and Eric are going to be dads.”

“Finally, things are going our way,” Matt said.

“You can say that again, bro.”

For the first time in a long time, he felt like the good guys were finally tipping the balance. Jena was here, safe.

* * * *

Jena sat between Nicole and Phoebe. The champagne was flowing generously, pulling out giggles and silliness from all the women present. She felt nice and warm herself. What a place Destiny was. Everyone supported each other.

Amber and her sister, Belle, were laughing at a private joke.

“You better share it with the rest of us,” Nicole piped up. “Or I might have to arrest you.”

“I was just telling Belle that I’m going to feel really good with my guys at Phase Four tonight.” Amber smiled. “If you give me another drink, I might even make it up to the main stage.”

More laughter erupted.

Jena looked at the group. “This is new to me. What can you tell me about Phase Four? And more importantly—BDSM?”

Amber looked at Jena and smiled. “I’ll tell you one thing. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in my life.”

“Hear, hear.” The group raised their glasses.

“Now, ladies, I totally agree with you, but this young woman has asked us a serious question.” Ethel stepped in front of her. “Jena, I’ve been in the life since I married my two amazing men. Yes, it’s fun, but it is also about deepening the relationship. Like most of the ladies will agree, the first time you enter Phase Four you are nervous. No matter how much you’ve been told, you still aren’t sure what to expect. But you go because you’re so in love with your men. You soon learn it’s about trust. But what you learn the most is how very much your men love you. They deliver the highest expression of love by making you the center of their very existence. It’s all about you.”

“Tell her about the paddlings, Ethel.” Amber sat down in her chair in a fit of laughter.

“Sweetheart,” the grand lady said to her. “You will discover more about yourself than you can imagine. There are no rules except the ones you and your Doms give each other. The club is a place for those of us in the life to celebrate our love publically. Not everyone takes the stage. Some of us, me included, keep most of our play private. Others enjoy the freedom of Phase Four. All of us support each other. None of us condemns what happens between people in love.” Ethel paused. “I’m rambling, aren’t I?” she asked, looking at her half-empty glass.

“Yes, you are,” Gretchen said. “That’s how you Irish folks answer a simple question.”

“I’m not Irish and you know it.”

“You married two of them, Ethel. That makes you Irish in my book.” Gretchen turned to Jena. “One thing my dear friend left out was those of us who haven’t found our true loves, like me. I love my life taking care of Megan and her two wonderful guys. There has been no room for a man in my life, but that doesn’t mean I’m dead. I enjoy the pleasure a man can give me from time to time. Quit grinning, Megan.”

“Sorry, Gretchen. You know I love you.”