So he could let her be who she was.
How could she do anything less?
And he’d shared his bad guy with her. Actually been delighted to share.
She had a feeling they’d be just fine sharing other things.
Like a baby.
Like a life.
The cops entered the room—one glanced around and started calling in an ambulance. The other was in the doorway, talking with Jessica.
Raoul pushed past him and into the living room.
Kim shook her head at him. “You’re late.”
He stared at the rough-looking men on the floor for a second. “Are you hurt, gatita?” He looked Kim over carefully, searching for damage.
“I’m fine.”
“Home invasion?”
“An abuser looking for the battered women’s shelter,” Kim said.
Fury darkened his expression, yet he drew her into his arms very, very gently. His gaze took in the graze on Uzuri’s jaw, checked over Jessica, then lingered on Anne’s cheek. “Are you all right?”
“Minor damage to everyone. And Kim did very well. She has an excellent punch, in fact.”
Kim beamed.
“But battles bring back…” Anne let her voice trail off, but he’d caught her meaning. The violence could well resurrect nightmares from his submissive’s past.
He nodded his understanding.
Anne looked at her friend. “Kim, I’m so sorry.”
“For what?” Kim asked.
“It was my activities with the shelter that endangered you.” Although she couldn’t figure out how the bastards had found her home.
Raoul shook his head. “We all volunteer there, Anne. We know the dangers.”
“It’s not your fault,” Kim said. “And I’m really, really glad we were here.”
Anne felt a chill at that thought. She truly would have been in trouble if she’d been alone. After a second, she smiled. “In that case, I very much appreciate the visit, the advice, the help with the…trash”—she glanced at the men being handcuffed by the officers—“and the cleaning up after.”
Kim pulled free of her Master and gave Anne a gentle squeeze. Jessica and Uzuri both came to claim hugs as well.
My posse. “Thank you all,” she whispered as tears prickled her eyes.
After another set of hugs, the women headed out. Hands waving in the air, Kim and Jessica were comparing their fighting techniques and teasing Uzuri about how she’d have to catch up.
Raoul still stood in the center of the room.
Anne frowned. “How did you get here so quickly?”
“I was already on the island. I asked to be their designated driver so I could speak with you afterward.”
“Raoul…”
“My friend, please forgive me for last Saturday,” he said softly. “My worries caused me—”
“I know,” she broke in. “You were right to worry. I wasn’t paying enough attention.” She remembered how Raoul’s ex-wife had blindsided him. How he’d blamed himself for not seeing what was in front of his face. “You realized that, didn’t you?”
“I had told him to talk with you.” His mouth flattened into a line. “That night at the club—”
“You did nothing wrong. And it’s done,” she said. “Thank you for being there for Ben.”
“Is it done?” His lips twitched. “You realize if I don’t inform Z that you’re returning, you’ll have him on your doorstep within an hour…if not sooner.”
She raised her eyes to the ceiling, asking the universe for patience.
Ben appeared and drew her against his side, so solid and warm that she wrapped her arms around his waist to pull him closer.
Raoul’s gaze went soft.
Ben kissed the top of her head and said to Raoul, “You tell Z if he interrupts my time with Anne, I’ll teach Uzuri how to booby-trap every piece of equipment in the Shadowlands.”
“Now that is a very effective threat.” Raoul gave him a respectful nod. “I’ll let him know.”
“Ms. Desmarais? If I could get some information from you?” More police as well as paramedics had arrived.
“Of course.” With Ben at her side, she gave Raoul a kiss on the cheek and turned to give her report.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
An hour later, the house was quiet, thank fuck. Raoul had left with the women, promising the Mistress that Uzuri would spend the night at his house.
The cops had left.
Travis had left.
Ben was alone with Anne. About damn time.
After grabbing drinks from the fridge, he entered the living room and looked around. Despite being upset, Anne’s friends had done a fine job of cleaning.