Servicing the Target (Masters of the Shadowlands #10)(112)

“Shit, that was pretty, sis.” Travis smiled at her before frowning at Ben. “You could have let me play too, dickhead.”

“Your sister’s house; your sister’s toys.”

“You cowardly bastard, you shoved him at my little girl?” Anne’s father was red with anger. “And you…” He shouldered aside his son, who’d apparently blocked him from participating. “You’re no better.”

“Hey, they were having a talk,” Travis said so virtuously there should’ve been a halo over his head. “Mom said not to interrupt serious discussions.”

“Don’t look now, Stephan, but she’s not a little girl.” With pride, Ben watched Anne—my woman—help Uzuri stand.

Sirens sounded, growing in intensity.

Off to one side, Travis was still arguing with Stephan.

Ben grabbed some duct tape from the kitchen drawer and started to immobilize the bad guys, leaving the obviously incapacitated one for last. He’d bet his last dollar that the guy—still moaning over his visibly destroyed knee—was Anne’s work.

“Jessica, are you all right?” Anne called as she helped the trembling Uzuri into a chair. “Can you let the police in?”

“I’m good.” Blondie shoved her hair out of her face, scowled at the bearded idiot on the floor, and thumped him in the ribs with her little foot. “And I’d be delighted.”

“You?” Anne glanced at Kim with eyebrows raised.

She got a firm nod back. “I’m fine.” Kim picked up an overturned, metal-based lamp and whacked the same poor bastard with it before setting it on an end table.

Ben chuckled. The Shadowkittens had some wicked keen claws.

Anne heard him and turned. And approached.

His heart rate increased. He straightened and set a foot on the half-secured bad guy.

She flattened her hand on Ben’s chest. Her knuckles were reddened, the creases between the fingers showing broken blood vessels. His woman had hit hard. He’d have to get her an ice pack.

She went up on tiptoes to kiss him lightly. “You’ve earned a reward for sharing the treat.”

“Not much I won’t do to earn a reward,” he murmured. Fuck, he wanted her. Wanted to kneel at her feet, to be ordered to service her, to taste her, to breathe her in.

To feel her hands in his hair as she led the way…and took him with her.

Her hand hadn’t moved from his chest, and she studied him for a second, then her lips curved. “After the garbage is taken away, we’ll talk. Then…”

Then. Yeah. “Works for me.”




With hope budding in her heart, Anne turned to deal with the tasks awaiting her. Bad guys, cops, friends, family. And Ben. Ben most of all.

Uzuri first. But even as she headed that way, Kim pulled the little submissive out of the chair, saying, “While Anne talks with the police, why don’t we clean up the mess?”

“Okay,” Uzuri whispered, but she didn’t move.

Guilt ran through Anne. Those men had been after her, not Uzuri. The vulnerable woman shouldn’t have had to endure the resurrection of past traumas.

Anne put an arm around her waist. “Uzuri.”

Her velvety-brown eyes dropped.

With a finger under the subbie’s chin, Anne tilted her face up. Her beautiful brown skin was marred by a bloody scrape along her jaw and a cut lip, making Anne want to start another brawl. “How are you doing, honey?”

“That’s just it. I didn’t do anything.” Shame showed on Uzuri’s face. “Didn’t fight back. Just…took it.”

Ah, so that was what was wrong. Anne shoved her welling pity to one side; it wouldn’t benefit the young woman. “You’re right. You were no help at all in the fight.”

Tears filled Uzuri’s eyes at the merciless statement.

Anne ignored Kim’s gasp and kept her grip on Uzuri’s chin, holding her gaze. “And that means next time you’ll need to do better. You’re going to take self-defense classes, even if you’re scared.”

Uzuri blinked. “But—”

“That’s an order, sub,” Anne said softly, adding a thread of ice. “Am I clear?”

Uzuri was still trembling, but resolve firmed her mouth and filled her eyes. “Yes, Ma’am. I will.”

“That’s what I want to hear.” Anne squeezed her waist. “You’re stronger than you think; you just need the tools to prove it.” And I’ll be on your ass to make sure you do. “Now, can you help clean this place up while I deal with the cops?”

Given a command, Uzuri pulled herself together. Relief eased her expression. “Yes, Ma’am.”

Obviously recognizing the Domme’s technique, Kim winked, gave a mock martial arts bow. “Let’s get some bags and pitch everything that’s broken.”

As the two headed for the kitchen, Anne turned to her next task.

“Anne.” Her father pulled free of Travis’s restraining grip. “What the hell was going on?”

Oh, honestly. So much for making amends any time soon. She gave him a disgusted stare. “I can’t believe you called Ben a coward for being nice enough to let me finish a fight.”

His mouth dropped open. “You’re my daughter. I—”