Chapter 15

Chapter

Fifteen

M ariah noticed that the night had developed a chill. There was a slight breeze blowing and the wind off the Thames was cold. Simon must have caught a glimpse of her goosebumps and removed his jacket, settling it around her shoulders and kissing the exposed nape of her neck. She knocked his hands away and let the expensive tuxedo jacket fall to the ground.

"Being—what was it your father called it? Ah yes, fractious, will not serve you well," he said, bending down to pick up his jacket.

"Get away from me," she said, raising her voice.

The two bodyguards moved in. "Sir, you'll need to move away from Ms. Halsey," said the beefier of the two. He stepped between her and Simon and glanced over his shoulder at her. "Are you all right, Ms. Halsey?"

"Yes, fine. Thank you. Let's not make a big deal out of this."

"No, gentlemen," said Simon, smoothly. "This is not something you want to become embroiled in. Mariah is an artist of some renown, and has, as you might expect, an artistic temperament. However, I have Masters' privileges at Baker Street."

"Simon Howard," said the leaner of her two bodyguards. "I thought I recognized you."

Simon smiled as Mariah watched the attitude of the two men hired to protect her from Simon change before her eyes.

"He may be a Dom, but he's not my Dom," said Mariah, suddenly feeling as if she had overplayed her hand and could be in real jeopardy.

"Don't start, pet." Simon looked at the bodyguard who was still between him and Mariah. "I'm afraid I wasn't as attentive to Mariah's needs as I should have been. She got angry and stormed off to Baker Street, claiming sanctuary."

"He's lying," said Mariah, angrily.

"I've never known Simon to lie," said the smaller guard. "He's a well-liked and respected member of the club. Are you saying Ms. Halsey is your sub?" he asked as he tightened the grip on her arm.

"Yes, exclusively. Have you ever known Mariah to come to the club and not play?" Both bodyguards shook their heads. "And did she scene with anyone this time? Did she even come down to the lounge?"

Mariah stomped her foot in frustration and anger. This was not going the way she had planned. Well, she could always use her safeword. "That proves nothing. And just in case you've forgotten, you can't actually own another person. There are laws about that. So even if I had been his sub, the minute I say we're done, we're done."

"Are you safewording out, love?"

Yes! screamed her brain. Say your safeword and we're out of here. She could use the fact that her bodyguards were Doms against Simon. Just say it.

Instead, she said, "No, I don't need to. You are not my Dom."

Simon chuckled and reached into the inside breast pocket of his jacket and withdrew a long, rectangular, flat box. He opened it and inside was the most gorgeous collar she'd ever seen. It had to be worth a fortune. Hanging from the middle was the scrimshaw pendant she and Piper had both admired.

"You got this at Boodles. How did you know about the scrimshaw?" she asked.

Focus, her brain reminded her. This wolf means to make you his. You hired these guys to keep that from happening. Use your safeword.

"Love," said Simon in a soft and benign tone, "I make it my business to know the things that please you. I also know you don't care for hearts or the traditional collar lock that hangs in the hollow of your throat. So, I got this piece for you instead, and the actual lock will be hidden under your silky mane."

She shook her head to clear it of the spell he seemed to be casting. His voice was deep and clear, audible to everyone present, but his low, reverberating rumble that only she could hear almost drove her over the edge. But she couldn't lose her focus. "I'm sorry, but I don't want that pendant. Some other girl is going to be very lucky when you give it to her."

She tried to heed her inner voice, advising her to look the bastard straight in the eye and use her safeword, but she couldn't.

"Mariah, that's enough. You are that girl. You are my mate and my sub, and your temper tantrum has gone too far."

"Temper tantrum?" she snarled. "I'll show you a temper tantrum, you asshole."

Use your bloody safeword, screamed her brain. Unfortunately, she still didn't seem to be interested in listening to her brain, which was perfectly fine with the pool of heated desire swirling deep in her belly.

She rammed her elbow into the bodyguard's ribs but found to her dismay that what worked in a self-defense class against the men of her father's pack, didn't seem to be as effective on a trained mercenary who did this kind of thing for a living.

The man holding her pushed her back toward Simon, who caught her by her other arm. "I think your sub is in need of some discipline."

SAFEWORD!

"She is indeed. Mariah, apologize to… Peter, isn't it?"

"Yes, Sir. We'll be leaving you now, and I'll let them know back at HQ."

"He didn't hire you. I did," she snarled.

"Have Fitzwallace send me the bill," said Simon smoothly.

If she could just use the damn safeword, the bodyguards would have to get her out of here. But she couldn't seem to make herself say it. Why not? Why couldn't she simply utter one little word and put an end to Simon's trap?

Another voice whispered in her head. She couldn't use her safeword because that part of her didn't want to escape. She knew Simon was right. He was her fated mate and she belonged with him.

"He also didn't crack one of my ribs," Peter returned. "Jeff, let's get out of here. I know some Doms like bratty subs, but I've never been one of them."

"Jeff, help me," said Mariah.

"Are you safewording out?" said Jeff.

And there it was. Jeff was giving her one final chance. Even if he believed that there was an existing D/s relationship, if she used her safeword, he would intervene. She still couldn't make herself say it.

Instead, what she said was, "That's ridiculous. I don't need my fucking safeword. I'm the client, you jerk."

Jeff grinned. "I guess that's a no," he said, shaking his head. "I'm with Pete. I don't much care for brats, especially ones who use bad language and use their defensive skills on someone who has done nothing but try to help them. Do me a favor, Simon?"

"If I can."

"Spank her ass silly and give her a few extra for me and Pete."

"You can't do this," Mariah cried.

"Safeword?" Jeff asked calmly.

Just say it, whispered the voice. One little word.

"Fuck you," she growled. "Don't think I'm done with either of you. Tell Adam Wheldon he can take his bill and shove it up his ass."

"In case you weren't certain," mused Simon. "Fuck you is not her safeword."

Both men chuckled as they turned and walked away, leaving her with a very angry Alpha of London. Simon Howard was pissed. The two erstwhile bodyguards might not have been able to tell, but Mariah could.

W ell, that had gone far more easily than he had thought it might. He'd had such an elegant and elaborate plan in place, but watching her head for the balcony, he'd been unable not to follow. She drew him to her like a moth to a flame.

Simon had followed her outside, hoping to be able to appeal to her submissive streak to give over and accept him as her mate and alpha. But that hadn't worked. Now he needed to get the stiletto away from her, before she got a chance to use it. She had cracked the bodyguard's ribs without giving it a second thought. He imagined that as angry as she was at him, she'd happily skewer him with the blade.

"Let me go," she snarled.

"Not until we have a few things straight, one of which is the next time we visit Baker Street I will expect you to apologize to Pete and Jeff for your behavior this evening."

"Not happening, mainly because I'll never go back there."

"Never is a long time, and it's the best club in London. Of course, at the castle we have a real dungeon. If you like we can set up a play space for our pack and something more private in our suite. Regardless, you will either offer your apology or everyone will see how I deal with my misbehaving sub and then you'll apologize."

Mariah tried to kick him in the shins, but Simon had been expecting her to try some sort of move and was able to easily get out of her way.

"That is enough, Mariah. I've been about as patient and indulgent as I'm going to be. Give me the knife."

"You want my stiletto? How about I shove it through your ribs?"

Simon growled low in his throat. "I said enough, mate."

Watching her respond to his call earlier had been a heavenly sensation; seeing her response to his anger when she knew she was in the wrong was sublime. Her whole body shivered, not in fear, but in anticipation of the confrontation she knew was coming. His mate was no beta like her mother, she was all alpha sub. She would submit to one wolf and one wolf only, and that wolf was him. He'd never been as sure about anything in his life as he was about that.

He called to her again—deep, seductive, mesmerizing. She trembled and goosebumps appeared on her exposed skin. He inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of her increased arousal and wondering how stiff her nipples and wet her pussy would be when he finally got her naked in their bed. The very thought made his cock stiffen with anticipation.

She seemed to shake off her response and brought the blade out to threaten him. "I don't want to hurt you Simon, but I will."

"Maybe, but you won't kill me. And I'm warning you, if you threaten or attack me and manage to draw blood, I will welt your beautiful ass. As it is now, you're looking at an intense discipline spanking. Hand over the knife and you can avoid my strap."

"I am not your mate, and my alpha is my father and he's downstairs at the gala."

"I have your father's blessing and as soon as I claim you he will no longer be your alpha. I had hoped you might be amenable to admit you're my mate and settling in with a minimum of fuss."

"Think again. And if my father has turned on me…"

"Oh, for heaven's sake Mariah, don't be melodramatic. Your father is not a fool, and your mother was his reluctant fated mate. All I have to do is call to you. He already believes me, as he has no reason not to. It would be nice if our pack could see their new mistress is a far cry from the one my father saddled them with. But if your pride needs for me to subdue you and take you to mate by force, I'm willing to do that."

"Why? You walked away from Abriana," she sneered. "Not much to admire in that kind of behavior. Micah didn't even have to lift a finger for you to give her up."

"Is that what the issue is? For heaven's sake, Abriana and I were friends. Did we play at Baker Street and have sex? Yes. Was it ever more than that? No. Micah is a good man and when he told me she was his fated mate, I stepped aside. What should I have done, challenge him to pistols at dawn? Is there someone you'd like me to challenge for you?"

"Of course not. But you have to admit that wasn't very alpha-like behavior."

"Of course, it was. We're not primitive beasts—well, that's not necessarily true. Trust me, some of the things I want to do to you are primal in the extreme. Would I have fought to the death for Abriana? No. She was neither my mate nor a member of my pack. Would I fight to the death for you?" He rumbled possessively, allowing his anger and lust to roll over her. "Absolutely."

She'd become distracted as he spoke to her, and as she searched his face for the veracity of his words, he snatched the knife from her hands. Holding it up to inspect in what little light there was, he smiled. "That's a lovely blade. An antique?"

"One of many. That one is from the Borgias. My mother gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday."

"I'm almost afraid to ask, but what did she get you for your twenty-first?"

"An antique Bowie knife made by Jim Bowie himself. I like knives, they're quiet and efficient."

"Very, but don't you ever threaten me or anyone in our pack with one again. I meant what I said. I'll lay a set of five welts across your magnificent ass if you do."

She held out her hand. "Give it back, it's mine."

"When you have taken your place at my side as Mistress of the London pack, I will consider it. Until then, the stiletto stays with me."

"Bastard," she spat.

"Hardly. May I assume you have no intention of behaving yourself?"

"You may. I'm leaving. You and every other male wolf in the world might think I have no recourse, but you're wrong. My mother lived quite successfully on her own or with Bae Diogel for a number of years. I plan to do the same."

"No, love. That I won't allow. So, you're telling me I have no option but to take you by force?"

"You're really not too bright, are you? Let me spell it out for you. I am not your mate and do not recognize any authority you or my father may think you have over me. This gala is not a wolf-only event. The museum is littered with press so there's little you can do about my leaving, which is exactly what I'm going to do."

"No, my mate, you will not."

Before she could move beyond his reach, Simon had grabbed her. It was too good an opportunity to pass up. As she opened her mouth to scream, he stuffed a silk handkerchief into her mouth and secured it with a silken cord he withdrew from his pocket. It never hurt to be prepared, he thought. He had now effectively silenced her. Reaching into his other pocket, he withdrew his cell phone and called down to Harry. Graham was closer, but the venerable beta and his aunt deserved their night of celebration.

"Simon? Is there a problem?" asked his omega.

"Not a problem per se, but a change in plans. I have my mate in hand. And you know what they say about a bird in the hand is worth two in the—hmm, maybe better not to finish that. I need you to bring the SUV to the loading dock of the museum. We're out on the terrace. I'll let Oliver know I'm taking her so he doesn't worry, but I'd like to get her back to the castle tonight."

"On my way, Alpha," Harry said before ending the call.

Mariah's eyes blazed with impotent fury. She struggled to free herself from his grasp. Simon maneuvered her until he had her hands bound behind her back with another silken cord. He had been hoping for this chance, he knew she liked Shibari. Instead of stopping at her wrists, he also wrapped the cord up to her elbows, ensuring her arms were in a comfortable position and that her circulation was in no danger of being hindered. As he bound her arms, she moaned into the makeshift gag and her eyes had gone soft with arousal. He would definitely have to devise and install a restraint system in their bed and install hard points in the ceiling for suspension.

The idea of a naked, bound, and suspended Mariah was almost more than he could bear. His cock was hard as a rock, throbbing forcefully. A knot was beginning to form.

"As I said, my mate, I'm considering some very feral things I'd like to do with and to you. They say your father knotted and tied your mother the very night he claimed her. I'm beginning to think that might be the quickest way to bring you to heel. Besides, I'm so bloody hard for you at the moment, I think only knotting and tying you to me is going to alleviate my need."

Her eyes widened in alarm until he rumbled soothingly to her. "Do not fear, my beautiful mate, I'll still see that you are pleasured far beyond what you thought was possible." She shook her head. "Yes, Mariah." His cell vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and saw it was Harry. "Problem?"

"No. I hadn't left the city yet when you called. I'm at the loading dock."

"Good man. I'll be down as quickly as I can. If I recall, the balcony has a freight elevator."

He quickly texted Oliver, apprising him of the change in plans and asking him to make their excuses to the assembled crowd. Then he leaned down and hauled her over his shoulder. Standing up straight again, he searched for the elevator that would take them to the loading dock, keeping a squiggling, squirming Mariah in a modified fireman's hold. His cell vibrated again.

A text from Mariah's father: Good luck. You'll need it.

I 'd better start damage control, thought Oliver Halsey.

"Is there a problem, sweetheart?" asked Roz, Mariah's mother and his beautiful fated mate for more than a quarter of a century.

This was where the trouble was most likely to start. Unfortunately, she would also have a whole posse of she-wolves at her disposal who were not inclined to make nice where alpha males claiming their fated mates were concerned.

"No problem. I got a text that Mariah is not feeling well."

"Is she sick? Does she need a doctor?" asked Roz, concerned.

"As you like to constantly point out to me, she's all grown up. If she needs a doctor, she'll get one. But no, it's just a headache and she feels like she's coming down with something. I need to go make her excuses to the museum director and Ms. Valor. You might want to let our friends know."

Oliver made the rounds, perpetrating the little white lie as he went. It was only a small prevarication, as he supposed right now his daughter really didn't feel very well. If she reacted the way he thought she might, within short order her mate would have blistered her bottom. It might have been the first time Simon had done it, but unfortunately wouldn't be the last.

That thought almost made him physically ill and he had to stop, close his eyes, and breathe through the idea that his little girl was truly grown up and was taking the next step in realizing her full potential as a she-wolf. He had no doubt that Simon Howard was a good man or that Mariah was his fated mate. He'd had a background check done the minute he'd learned there was a very good chance that Simon was meant to be with Mariah.

"Babe?" said Roz, rejoining him and wrapping her arm around him. "Are you okay?"

"Now that the love of my life has returned and has her arm around me, what could possibly be wrong?"

Roz rolled her eyes. "Now I know something's wrong."

His Rozalyn had never been easy to fool or manipulate, but she could be distracted. Oliver hauled her in close to his body and nuzzled her. "Being around all these young new couples reminds me of when I ran you to ground and took you to mate. I can still recall the first time I breached you with my knot," he whispered, nipping her earlobe.

Oliver could smell Roz's arousal kick in. She was such a perfect mate for him. She was the other half of his soul. And with that thought, all his concerns for his daughter faded away. Mariah was with the one wolf who could complete her. If they were only half as happy as he and her mother were, he would be content.

Good luck, Simon. My daughter will most likely lead you on a merry chase, but the journey is half the fun.

All my love, Mariah. I have placed you in the hands of your fated mate. Try not to kill him before you figure out how sweet your life can be.