AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 14
For the next hour, the girls talked about the plan to help Evie escape Montgomery. It had taken some convincing on the part of Teagan and Ro, but finally, Evie gave in.
"We are in agreement then, morning of the inaugural ball, we'll each go to the spa. Evie is going to make our appointments and let them know exactly the cut and color for our hair and give detailed instructions for the makeup. We will get the dresses together the Saturday before. Guess that about covers it, and we're good to go," Teagan repeated the plan back to the women
"Almost good. It's not quite, well, um… good," Ro said quietly, chewing on her lip.
"We will have to deal with the men after, but sometimes you have to stick up for what you believe in," Teagan answered the unspoken hint.
Evie looked from Teagan to Ro with raised eyebrows. "You mean to tell me that both of your men said no to using you two as decoys, yet you want me to use you as decoys anyway?"
"Pretty much," Ro said.
"Yes, for the mission's guaranteed success," Teagan answered.
"Aren't you worried they might, you know?" Evie's blush made it quite clear.
"Spank us? Oh, I'm not worried Octavius might spank me. I know he will spank me, but I can survive a spanking. I'm more worried about Montgomery or one of his men getting to you before we get you out," Ro said.
"Same. Besides, like I said, I need to talk to Luca about all that."
"About all what, darlin'?" The deep voice came from the doorway, causing all three women to scream.
"Goddammit, Lorenzo!" Teagan turned, hands fisted on her hips, and glared.
"For fork's sake!" Ro shrieked
"Seriously, Luca?" Evie accused.
"The door was unlocked," he shrugged. "Someone told me they were sick, but they wouldn't be the first little girl to tell her Daddy she wasn't feeling well to get out of a red behind. I brought soup in case she was telling the truth," Luca said, holding up a take-out bag with a large container inside before placing it on the table next to the now mostly empty pan of lasagna. Teagan had the sense to look ashamed.
"Well, that's my cue." Evie stood, slipped her fancy high heels on, grabbed her expensive coat from the hook and slipped out the front door.
"Wait for me!" Ro yelled after her sister. "I love you; thanks for dinner." Unlike Evie, Ro didn't bother to put her flats on her feet; instead, they dangled from her fingers as she hurried toward the now open door.
"Ro!" Luca firmly yelled after his friend's wife.
"Yes?" She peeked her head back into the door.
"Put your shoes on, and you forgot your coat. It is wintertime for God's sake."
"Yes, sir," Ro muttered, doing his bidding.
After Ro's footsteps could be heard scattering down the stairs, Luca closed the door and made a show out of clicking the deadbolt into place. Turning on Teagan, he frowned. "You don't look sick to me, darlin'."
"I-I…" Teagan tugged at a free piece of her hair.
"You lied to your Daddy."
"It isn't exactly a lie," she replied with her eyes downcast.
"Explain," he demanded.
"I haven't been feeling well all day. Sure, physically, I am fine but not emotionally or mentally. I guess… I guess I'm mentally ill today. I'm anxious, worried, confused. I don't know what I am Luca, except, I'm not well. So, see, I did not lie!"
Luca crossed the distance between them in a few short seconds and gathered Teagan into his arms. She fought his embrace at first. She wasn't sure why, but she did. She fought it, and he knew she needed to feel his strength, his authority, his dominance. He wrapped her tightly until she stopped struggling. Sighing, she collapsed into his arms.
"You don't get to do this." He pulled her away from him as he spoke, holding her at arm's length. "You don't get to run from me. You don't get to struggle alone, inside your head, and not ask for help, hear me? I love your spunk, and your intelligence is a huge turn on. You can be strong and still take a step back and let me lead. Hell, that surrender, that willingness to submit, just makes you stronger."
