Page 90 of Winter’s Fire

“There are probably things we could do, pet, but the question is, should we? I have to say, I think the answer is no. If Simmonds wants our girl, he needs to come for her, and prove her assumptions about him and her doubts about herself are groundless. He has to prove he’s worthy of her love and trust.”

Another matter worried Rachel, even more than her daughter’s emotional wellbeing. “I understand that, Master, but there’s something else—her job, the one she’s been offered.” A job that could end up taking her from her family permanently. Rachel hated the mere thought of it.

A thumb callused by years of manual labour brushed her cheek, wiping away the single tear she hadn’t been able to control. “It’s easy to still see them as the children they used to be, when grazed knees were all we had to worry about. They’re all adults, love, standing on their own two feet and making their own way in life. That means they make their own decisions—and their own mistakes.”

“My head knows that, but my heart… It’s bad enough with the boys, but to think of our Lucy… what almost happened to her… If she goes ahead with her plans, a mistake could get her killed.”

“A mistake could get any of them killed.” Her Dominant’s grave voice was gentle and understanding but held a core of steel. “So could a lack of attention when crossing the road in the village. We always said we’d never interfere with their life choices, just be there for them and help them pick up the pieces if needed. Lucy’s no different from the boys—we owe it to her to respect her freedom to choose, just as we’ve respected theirs.”

“I know, but she’s still my baby.”

“Mine, too, pet. I don’t want to see her take that bloody job any more than you do, but it isn’t our decision to make—it’s hers. Now come to bed—you’ve earned your orgasms tonight.”

Jack opened one of the drawers in the side table, and brought out a bit gag. Rachel quivered in anticipation. Since the last of their children had left home a few years ago, there’d been little practical need for her to keep quiet while her Dom tormented her into climax after climax, but with a houseful of them visiting until after her birthday, silence was once again essential. The two of them might be aware of their children’s preferences when it came to relationships, but they’d successfully concealed their own dedication to the lifestyle from them for nearly thirty-five years, and that was how it was going to stay.

She accepted the bit eagerly, and when Jack tilted her head up with a forefinger under her chin, her gaze connected with his with all the deep, abiding love that had characterised their bond from the day they met.

“Now what is it to be tonight, my love? A little pain with your pleasure?”

The question was rhetorical, since she couldn’t answer. Rachel closed her eyes, and surrendered to her beloved Master.

Chapter 24

By fair means or foul.

That was what Logan had decided when he set out to track down his errant subbie. As it turned out, the means were mostly fair, with a dash of foul for verification. Bearing in mind Sir Guy’s advice and having come to appreciate the value of it, Logan waited for as long as he could before acting on the information he’d uncovered.

Less than twenty-four hours after his request for leave was approved he was heading north, and by late afternoon the same day, he was knocking on the door of the large, immaculately presented farmhouse where the woman he loved beyond reason had grown up.

The door was opened by a flesh-and-blood brick wall—not Sam, but one of her other brothers, and the likeness was unmistakable. The man made a very effective barrier.

“Logan Simmonds. I’m here for Lucy. I want to see her.”

“She doesn’t want to see you.”

For more than one reason, not the response he was expecting. “You know who I am?”

“Doesn’t take a genius, mate. We wondered if you’d have the balls to come after her. You’re trespassing.”

“So are you. My relationship with Lucy is none of your business.”

“She’s my little sister—that makes it my business.”

“And mine.”

Another voice, approaching him from the right. Jesus, how could a woman with the figure of an angel share the same genes as this pair of fucking human mountains? Still, Logan had bagged more than a dozen Munros in his time—these two would be no challenge.

“Mine, too.”

Three, on the other hand… Logan pivoted slowly on the balls of his feet. The one behind him was the twin of the guard dog on the door. “What’s the matter? Only three of you? Think I can’t take on the full set?”

“Looks as if someone’s already knocked seven bells out of you.” Brother number one again.

“They have. You sure you want to find out if you can take us all, Simmonds?”

And Sam Winter made four. Bingo. He was now surrounded by the entire battalion of Winter brothers. Whatever happened next, even if they beat the crap out of him—not that he gave much for their chances of doing that—she was worth it.

A hundred, a thousand times over, she was worth it. She was worth more than his life.