“We get that a lot.” Galen gave her a sour look, then grinned at Vance.
Yeah, the rumor had come as a surprise. Years past, on one drunken night, they’d even discussed the gossip. They’d both been in the lifestyle for years and had friends in polyamorous relationships. But their boundaries turned out to be same. Male-male action didn’t appeal. Fucking a woman with a brother was more than fun. Actually fucking the brother? Nope.
“How did you two come to be…whatever you call yourselves? Co-Doms?”
Vance smiled. Sally’s curiosity was one of her most annoying—and appealing—traits. “We met in Quantico during training. Galen for the FBI; me for the DEA. Didn’t see him again for years until coming face-to-face at a drug buy. Hell of a shock since we were both undercover—and on opposite sides.”
Galen snorted. “I was part of the gang doing the buy.”
“And I was with the seller as one of his enforcers.” Vance shook his head. “The local cops got wind of the meet, and the whole thing turned into a clusterfuck.”
Her eyes widened, and Vance realized his tone had turned grim.
Galen gave him a wry half smile.
The inside of the deserted warehouse had turned into a nightmare. Indiscriminate shooting, blood everywhere, bodies, men yelling…screaming. Vance had tackled a cop to keep him from getting shot and caught the bullet instead. The impact of the slug hadn’t hurt…at the time…but the sound and the crack of his humerus breaking had twisted his guts. The perp’s next shot had killed the cop he thought he’d saved. Blown his head to—
“Vance.” Galen’s even voice snapped him out of the memory.
Vance rubbed his hands over his face, feeling the dampness of sweat. The cop had had a newborn.
His partner—Mama Kouros—watched him for a second and took up the story, drawing Sally’s attention away. “After surgery, we ended up in the same hospital room. I’d caught a bullet in my leg.” Galen gave a rueful glance at his knee. “After we were released, I stayed in his place until I could get around and until he could use his arm. Between us, we made one whole person.”
And Galen had talked him into switching to the FBI. Turning away from everyone, Vance flipped a cheese sandwich and slid it onto a plate. Only a bit scorched. “Sally, can you dish up the soup?”
“Sure.” Face pale, she stopped next to him at the stove and squeezed his waist. She stayed, pressing her warm body to his chilled one. Softhearted little sub. “Did you guys stay together?”
“Nah. But we stayed friends. When we were both assigned to New York, Galen dragged me into my first BDSM club. Taught me how to top.”
“Really?” She set a bowl of soup in front of Galen and gave him a chiding look. “You corrupted an innocent youth?”
“Nah. I just bent him a bit,” Galen said in a dry voice, as if he were a decade older instead of three years. “He had the last laugh, because I realized it was fun to partner up to torture little submissives.” He fisted Sally’s hair and gave her a light kiss that quickly turned long and deep.
Fuck. Vance was getting hard just watching.
Sally looked thoroughly aroused when Galen let her go.
Maybe they should skip the meal. Or on second thought, he’d almost forgotten this was Friday. “Eat up, imp. Galen and I are supposed to fill in as dungeon monitors tonight. And Z said he’s missed seeing you.” He grinned at her bounce of glee and told his partner, “How about you beat on her for a while tonight.”
“I can do that.”
An enticing anxiety appeared her wide brown eyes.
Galen added, “It’ll be a good chance to break in that heavy flogger I bought last month.”
The little subbie pulled in her lips as if to restrain a laugh, and her dimples appeared.
Galen was reaching for a sandwich and didn’t notice.
Vance did. Might be an interesting evening ahead.
Dressed in her favorite leather miniskirt and dark red bustier, Sally followed Galen into the Shadowlands with Vance behind her.
Ben, the security guard, stood behind his desk in the entry. His big-boned face split in a welcoming smile as he shook hands with Galen. “Little Sally. I thought you were back with us, but you disappeared again.”
At the welcoming boom of his voice, she felt her eyes burn, and she leaned over the desk to kiss his cheek.
His face turned red. He might appear like an evil giant from some barbarian world, but he was one of the nicest men in the world.
“Good to see you, Ben.” Vance slapped his shoulder.
The guys waited for her to stuff her shoes in a cubby before conducting her into the main club room.
Oh, it was good to be back. Music from Metallica mixed with the sounds of floggers and hands against bare flesh and moans. Yelps. Groans. The heady smell of leather. Even the air seemed to have a special weight and feel different from anywhere else in the world. She gave a loud sigh of happiness and noticed both Feds were smiling down at her.
“Come on, pet. Let’s see what Z has in mind for us.” Galen put his hand behind her to get her moving. Vance took her other side.
As they passed the dance floor, gazes turned toward them, and Sally felt rather like a sweet cocker spaniel between two massive guard dogs.
Uzuri was dancing, and her chocolate-brown eyes widened as she looked from the men to Sally. She gave Sally a thumbs-up.
Vance laughed.
“Glad we meet her approval,” Galen said in a dry voice. But a quick peek upward showed he was smiling.
Sally grinned at him. Returning to the Shadowlands after being with Frank, she’d felt as if she’d never reach a happy time, kind of like Sleeping Beauty’s prince trying to chop through the forest of thorns to find his love.
This time she could almost see the Yellow Brick Road. She glanced up at the men. What would they do if she linked arms with them and started chanting,
Galen’s razor-sharp gaze met hers. One eyebrow went up, and his hand moved from her back to her nape. “Whatever you’re thinking,” he said, “think again.”
She scowled. “Only Master Z can read minds. How did you know I wanted to—”
His grin totally lifted her heart. God, he didn’t do that enough. He bent and whispered in her ear, “It’s a Dom secret.”
“Oh fine.” Maybe she’d decorate his canes and paddles too. Draw something girlie…pretty pink flowers.
Yeah.
At the bar, Vance lifted her onto a bar stool and stood at her right. Galen took her left.
She frowned. Did they always set themselves up that way? Were they protecting her or restraining her? Why did it make her feel so squishy inside?
Cullen spotted them and made his way down the bar, filling drink orders as he came. He paused to swat Andrea’s butt and nuzzle her cheek on the way. Sally smiled, pleased at how Andrea’s color heightened at his overt affection. Even though they’d been together for over a year, they still acted like new lovers.
“It’s good to see you, love,” Cullen said to Sally. He put his oversize hand under her chin, studying her face. “You look—”
She felt Vance put his arm around her waist.
Cullen’s hand dropped, and he straightened. He looked at the Fed. “Sorry, gents. I forgot she wasn’t still a trainee.”
Sally froze. She really wasn’t, was she? She remembered the thrill when the Masters had told her she’d be a trainee. How special it had been to belong somewhere and to have the Masters watching over her. The loss… hurt…like something had ripped away inside her.
Galen nodded; his face an unreadable mask. He set a hand on her shoulder, squeezed, and some warmth
