Master No (Masters and Mercenaries, #9)(37)

“Get me the info I need, Tag.”

Tag’s eyes met his. “I will. What are you going to do about the girl if she’s dirty?”

“Whatever I have to.” It was the only answer he was willing to give. He sighed. “I should get ready. She’ll be back soon. I want to move her over to my place. I can keep better track of her there. Has she eaten yet?”

Theo shook his head. “I asked her to pick up some cereal while she was out.”

Poor Erin. She wasn’t getting a cook out of Theo. “Do you have eggs? I don’t eat cereal.”

Tag’s eyes lit up. “Hey, I could eat.”

Ten sighed and opened the fridge to see what he could do. Maybe cooking would take his mind off the fact that he might have to turn Faith over to the authorities.

Or depending on how bad the situation was, he might have to kill her himself.





CHAPTER SIX



“It has to move fast, Erin. I only have a few weeks off,” Faith said as Erin turned toward the house she and Theo shared. It was in an older neighborhood with plenty of trees. Everything seemed green and pretty.

“I’m not being judgmental. God, don’t think that for a second. I’m simply pointing out that you’ve only known Ten for a few weeks. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“And I thank you for that, but I know the score.” She actually didn’t like to think about the fact that she would have to leave him in a few weeks. She’d never really thought about it with Roger. She’d enjoyed their time together? but she’d always been ready when it was time to go back to work. The thought of leaving Ten kind of made her heart clench.

It was because it was new and he was so gorgeous. He was different. Surely she wouldn’t feel this way after a few weeks of spending tons of time together. After she’d actually slept with him, she would likely yawn and go back to her real life. Yeah. That was going to happen.

God, she was going to get her damn heart broken.

She put on a smile. “We’re just having fun. We’re not serious. Not everyone is as suited as you and Theo.”

Erin’s hands tightened on the wheel. “I’m thinking of breaking up with him.”

Faith turned in her seat. “What? Why would you do that?”

“It won’t work,” Erin said, her voice small. “Isn’t it better to rip the bandage off?”

She shook her head, her heart hurting for Erin. What was going on behind the scenes?

“No. Nope. As a doctor I can tell you plainly that it’s a bad idea to rip the bandage off. It tends to do more damage. And what do you mean it won’t work? You two are perfect for each other.”

“I don’t think I’m perfect for anyone,” Erin muttered. “It’s not him. He’s a great guy. I’m not cut out for a long-term relationship.”

Something else was working here. “How long have you two been together?”

She hesitated for a moment before answering. “A year now.”

That was longer than most of Faith’s relationships. “Have you ever had a relationship last this long?”

“No.”

“Then you’re nervous because everything’s going well.” Faith actually knew the feeling. She felt a bit of it this morning. Waking up with Ten had been a revelation. It should have been awkward and weird but it had felt…right. It felt like they’d been sleeping side by side for years. “You need to relax. He’s madly in love with you.”

“I don’t know why.”

“Then ask him.” Communication was important. The lifestyle mentors she’d been around had preached it incessantly. How could a Dom know what worked if the sub never talked to him about it? Sure they were talking about scenes, but Faith had always known when she met the one, she would use that belief in her relationship. She would be open and honest about what she needed.

Was Ten “the one?” Was he the man she might give up her clinic for? She’d always thought she would work until she died, giving her service to the world around her. What if she could have more? What if she could have a family and a husband and love?

“You think I haven’t done that?” Erin’s question pulled her from those dangerous thoughts. “He gives me some bullshit about being strong and feeling like I complete him. I don’t complete anyone, Faith. He doesn’t…he doesn’t even know everything. He’s never met my dad or my brothers.”

“Why haven’t you introduced him? You’re living with the man.” Was she going to introduce Ten to her family? Sure they would be on the island, but there was a difference between “hey, this is my date” and “hello, Dad, I’d like you to meet the man I might be falling for.”

She sounded like such an idiot girl in her head.

“That so wasn’t my idea,” Erin replied. “And I don’t think it’s a good idea for Theo to meet them. I don’t have much contact with my family anymore, but he’s started asking about them. I don’t want those two worlds to collide.”

Ah, so there was the issue. She knew there had to be one buried deep. “You would rather break up with him than have him meet your family.”

“Yes,” Erin answered in a flat tone.