“Yes, thank you,” Logan agreed. “Everyone did exactly what was needed. Drinks are on the house.” The crowd cheered, all grateful that the attack had not been far worse for a woman they all admired.
The red lights stopped pulsing, and drinks were poured as only the eight of them remained in the small sitting area.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Nancy asked from where she was seated on the floor, her hand stroking up and down Liz’s leg.
“Yes, I’m fine,” Liz assured her, patting her hand. “I still can’t believe you actually slapped him, Nancy.”
Nancy finally relaxed a bit. “Yeah, but I only got to once.” Her grin indicating she’d like to slap Greg again.
They each made physical contact with Liz, their touch reassuring both her and themselves that she was back where she belonged.
After a little while, Logan felt calm enough to release his iron hold, allowing her to stand. “Let’s go home,” he suggested, and was surprised when Liz shook her head.
“Not until you announce the winners,” she said, and smiled at his look of disbelief. “Sir, I’m fine, and it would be nice to prove it beyond a doubt by continuing the evening’s events. I don’t want to have to remember the club this way. I need to have the party go on or I’ll never feel comfortable here again.”
“Are you nuts?” Logan exclaimed, looking around their circle as if to gather support for his question.
“She’s right,” Garrett said, putting his arm around Logan’s shoulders. “You’ve got a very brave girl, Logan. I say we trust her to know what she needs right now.”
Despite his disbelief, Logan capitulated and nodded. After he got Liz a bottle of water, and Garrett helped Ariel back into her costume before donning his own shirt again, the announcement was made that the prizes for the various costume winners were to be awarded.
Members had been voting all evening and now gathered around to cheer on the victors. Bottles of top-shelf liquors with Halloween inspired labels, such as Witch’s Brew and Warlock Potion, were given out, along with cheap plastic trophies. Nancy was blushing as Jason grinned, watching her accept her prize of sexiest costume. Garrett accepted the prize given to Clayton and Beth for most authentic, with everyone agreeing that even a Keystone cop was a cop. A couple dressed as Dracula and his blood-drenched victim were presented with a trophy for most frightening. A man dressed as a recently reincarnated zombie and his latest victim won hands-down for the most grotesque, the crowd groaning as he picked a gummy maggot from a scabby-looking wound on top of his companion’s skull and popped it in his mouth. The club erupted into cheers as Elizabeth and Logan were declared the most romantic couple.
Holding Logan’s hand and the plastic trophy, Liz accepted hugs and praises for her bravery as they finally began to get ready to leave. As he helped her into the car and secured her seat belt, she noticed that Logan’s hands were still trembling. “I love you, Logan,” she whispered, placing her hand over one of his. “Take me home and love me.”
Logan felt his throat close again with the emotion that consumed him. Despite her insistence that they continue theevening and her reassurance she was fine, his very soul felt bruised. With her words, he realized he needed to have her all to himself. He had no intention of letting her out of his sight for the foreseeable future. Kissing her softly, he traced her cheek with his finger. “Always,” he murmured, his lips sealing against hers.
CHAPTER TEN
A FEW WEEKS LATER…
The events of the Halloween party had shocked everyone, and though they were very grateful that nothing worse than a horrid fright had befallen Elizabeth, the thought of what could have happened would continue to haunt them until the conclusion of the case.
Barbara once again donned her lawyer persona to provide legal counsel to her friends. Though Greg was, without a doubt, guilty of attacking Liz, several mitigating circumstances had clouded the case.
Elizabeth swore she would have no problem testifying at a trial even though everyone knew that facts related to the case would be brought into the public eye.
Logan had attempted to keep his internal struggles hidden until they almost tore him apart. He felt he had failed in the most important duty of a man—especially a Dominant—by not keeping his submissive safe from all harm.
In a meeting with his sister, he broke down, finally admitting to being torn between wanting to force Greg Spenser to face a jury of his peers and wanting to protect his love from that same group. He knew it was highly unlikely they would get a jury made up of a dozen people who truly had no prejudices against whatwas considered by most to be an abnormal lifestyle—practicing any form of BDSM. He was loath to expose Elizabeth to such a group, to be grilled by Greg’s lawyer, who was no doubt determined to portray her as some sort of perverted sexual player, and sure to bring up her many years of consensual play and experimentation.
Barbara managed to change Logan’s focus, to trying to find the perfect balance of justice for Liz and his need to protect her. She didn’t bat an eye as she called in favors, pushing for a fast resolution before people started disappearing for long Thanksgiving holiday breaks. It had been amazing at how her doggedness over the last couple of weeks had paid off.
Everyone, including Craig, was amazed at the change that had come over Barbara. After exchanging her juvenile overalls for a dark business suit, and her pigtails for a severe bun, her eyes were intense as she placed her briefcase on the table in a conference room at the courthouse, snapping it open and pulling out piles of folders, tablets and pens—as if prepared to camp out on that very spot until the matter was settled. While those involved were allowed to sit in a grouping of chairs behind her, she cautioned them not to say a word. “You’ve got to trust me to handle this. If you can’t handle it, leave the room.”
When Logan made a sound of protest, she shook her head, and he saw the woman who had earned the nickname of the Ice-Queen staring at him, her hand lifted. “Shut up, Logan, you need to listen to me. You are in my territory now. If it helps you keep silent, consider this my dungeon, and you are looking at the Domme who is going to make Greg Spenser wish he’d never decided to act like a naughty Little boy.”
Perhaps it was her stern appearance, or the shock at hearing his sister’s choice of words, but whichever it was had Logan nodding and sitting back in his chair. It was also a helpthat Elizabeth immediately reached for his hand, entwining her fingers with his.
It was a silent room that greeted Greg and his lawyer, Charles Wilson. Barbara barely allowed them time to settle before she began. Without letting either man know Logan was actually keen to keep Liz out of the public eye, Barbara coldly informed Charles that if he couldn’t convince his client that the proposal she had worked out with the help of an arbitrator was in his best interest, she’d be more than happy to nail Greg’s balls to the wall. It had been discovered that Greg had waited outside the club until a member dressed in an almost identical monk’s costume had left the party. He had then simply pulled the hood of his robe over his head, walked into the club as if he had only stepped outside for a moment, given a wave as he walked past the desk where several couples were checking in, and walked into the club proper.
Barbara’s unwavering gaze, as she relayed that Greg could well receive years in prison for the attack—adding the attempted kidnapping charge, and the fact that he was in violation of breaking not one but two restraining orders, as well as trespassing on private property as he had no membership at Tastsinn—all added weight to her argument.
She never even blinked when Charles asked for the opportunity to speak to his client out in the hall. Even though the door was shut, she warned the others to remain quiet, not wanting to chance a single sound being overheard by Charles.
The group waited silently, all eyes on the door. When it opened, Barbara said nothing as Charles suggested a few changes to the agreement. He even pointed out that the benefit of reaching a new agreement meant that all parties could avoid a trial altogether, mentioning that the holidays were fast approaching, and everyone should be willing to give a little.
Barbara could practically feel the anger emanating from Logan and was grateful that Elizabeth was holding his hand tightly, her presence the only thing that kept Logan in his chair.
