Dungeon Games (Masters and Mercenaries #6.5)(43)

“And when I’m not? I’m just supposed to be okay with that? I’m supposed to let Simon or Big Tag f*ck around with my sub because she needs it?”

Alex’s eyes went wide. “What? Maybe we need to get on the same page here. We’re talking about scenes. Not f*cking. We’re talking about flogging and spanking and the occasional whipping if she wants it. Do you honestly think Ian’s screwing Karina? Have you met his wife? First, she would seriously take off his balls and second, she would likely throw down with Karina.” A little smile came over Alex’s face. “Of course, if we could get them to do that in a vat of Jell-O, it might be worth it.”

Was he the only one who saw it? “She goes to privacy rooms with O’Donnell. She disappears with Simon sometimes.”

“I believe you’ll find that all they do is talk. Li likes her. So does his wife. And Simon gets a lot out of aftercare, but I would bet my life that he doesn’t have sex with her. Trust me, that man has more problems with Chelsea than he can handle.” Alex put a hand on his shoulder. “Like I said, take off the glasses you’ve been viewing the world through for the last several years and see her. See who she really is and then if you still want that sub who will never argue with you, never challenge you, I’ll make it my mission to find her. And let the crap Harris talked about go. See Karina for who she is now, not who she used to be.”

Alex patted his shoulder in an almost paternal move and then Derek was alone, the door closing behind McKay. Derek stared out the window, the Dallas cityscape in his vision, but all he could see was Karina. He could see her lying beside him, the early morning light caressing her skin. He could stare at her for hours because she was exactly what Alex had called Eve. She was a mystery.

He took a deep breath and let himself be still for a moment. Years had passed, but he suddenly wondered if he’d ever really come home. He’d held himself apart. He’d let himself go numb because it was better than feeling the pain, better than really healing because if he healed he would have to make the decision to go on living.

The week with Karina had shown him he might want more, but he had to know. He had to know what she was hiding before he could make any decisions.

And if she wouldn’t tell him the truth, then he was a man who knew how to walk away. Even when it hurt.





Karina’s cell phone trilled and she glanced down. Damn. Her brother-in-law. She stared at it for a moment. Somehow she didn’t want to answer. Her life seemed damn near perfect and he was threatening that. She didn’t want to think about the past. Just the now. And the now included another cup of coffee.

She touched the button to send the call to voicemail.

“Yes, the doctor said she’s fine. Tristan is doing great. He’s so damn cute, Jake. You have to see him.” Adam Miles walked into the break room with a tablet in his hand. He was talking into it and it looked like he was using Facetime. “He’s gaining weight. He’s up to twelve pounds. He kicks those little legs all the time and I can’t keep him in bundling to save the kid’s life. Our boy’s an escape artist.”

His baby. Tristan. The little guy was eight weeks old and so cute Karina could hardly stand it. He did kick his little legs and push on his blankets until they were gone. He also sucked on an imaginary nipple in his sleep. So freaking cute.

She nodded Adam’s way. Jake was in Europe. They shared a wife. Serena. She wrote romances. Karina liked her books. She gave Adam a smile and he winked her way as he talked into his tablet. “Don’t worry about us. The baby’s fine. Serena’s already working up a storm. We’re cool. Just do your job.”

“I will. I just wish I was with you guys.” Jake’s voice came over loud and clear. “How did the checkup go?”

Adam looked up and winked her way. “Can you hold this for me? There’s something I need to show Jake.”

She was game. She took the tablet and sure enough there was Jake’s face staring back at her. “Hey, Jake. How’s Europe?”

“Shitty. When I think of a cruise, I think of sunshine and warmth. It’s f*cking cold in the Baltic. And Big Tag is pretending this is his honeymoon or something. I can’t walk into a room without catching sight of him on top of Charlotte. I’ve seen more of his junk in the last couple of days than in all our years at Sanctum. And Simon and Chelsea are still circling each other warily. Jesse took his training on making towel animals to a new level. He just leaves towel penises in everyone’s rooms. You know, the usual stuff.”

What Jake didn’t mention was that the usual stuff also included near misses with weapons of variable caliber. “You watch your back, Dean.”

Jacob Dean smiled. “You watch yours, too. Or rather let the lieutenant watch it. We got the update. You be careful. Any bullets fly your way, you hide behind Brighton. He’s tough. He can handle it.”

“Okay, turn him my way.” Adam had walked back over from his errand at the fridge. He held a small plate in his hand and a fork.

Karina turned the tablet and Adam suddenly had a shit-eating grin on his face as he held up what looked like a slice of lemon cream pie.

“The doctor’s visit went great,” Adam said. “Perfect. Serena is clear for activities of all kind, so that’s why she made me this pie.” He took a bite, obviously relishing it. “It’s the best pie, Jake. It’s after-baby pie. It’s ‘haven’t had any pie in three months’ pie. It’s all my pie because they don’t have this pie in Europe, motherf*cker. Mmmmm. Don’t worry, I’ll eat your share, too.”