Page 64 of Master Cole

Chapter Ten

Janie rubbedher eyes as Liz limped into her office Friday afternoon. She was about to get up to help her when Liz waved her back into her chair.

“Should I get the doctor?” Janie asked.

“No.” Liz stared at Janie with sad eyes.

Her heart broke for Liz. But she stayed silent, waiting for Liz to speak.

“Help me leave him.”

Janie sat back in her seat. She’d been working with Liz on leaving her husband since she’d been here. Of course, at the beginning her husband hadn’t been so violent. “I’ll call the women’s shelter now.”

“No.” Liz sat forward and stilled Janie’s hand on the phone. “Away from here, can you find me a place away from here? He’ll find me here.” Liz’s voice trembled. “That’s why I came today. He took me from the shelter last night.”

Oh, shit. “The shelter should have called me.” Dang it, there was a reason they had protocols in place to protect these women.

“They probably didn’t realize, and I don’t blame them.” Liz tried to smile but it turned into a grimace. “Harold apparently was watching the place as he’s done here. I only went outside for a second for a breath of fresh air, and he pounced.”

“It’s okay, Liz.” Janie stood up and went over to her, kneeling down next to the chair. “I’ll find you a place, and I’ll even drive you there myself.” Janie gave Liz a light hug. “Why don’t you go see the doc while I make some phone calls?”

“Okay, thank you.” Liz rose from the chair and slowly made her way out of the room. Janie sat down at her desk, pulled up a list of numbers on her computer, and began making phone calls.

Cole walkedinto Whips at one in the afternoon. The place certainly looked different during the day. No music, full lighting.

“Hey, Cole,” Rick said, walking up to him. “What can I do for you?”

“Hi, Rick, thanks for seeing me.” He and Rick were friends, and since Rick knew his history and family, Rick might just be able to help him. “I need to run something by you.”

“No problem, come on back to my office, and we can talk.” Rick led him through the lounging area to another office, which held a big desk, several file cabinets, a TV playing without sound on the wall, and a couple of chairs. “Sit down.” Rick sauntered to his desk. “What’s on your mind?”

Cole stared out the small window behind Rick. “It’s Janie.”

“She got under that thick hide of yours.”

“What?” Cole shook his head.

“Oh, come on, Cole.” Rick leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers behind his head. “I saw your face that night you came in here and carried Janie out. Neither one of you had been back until last Saturday.”

“Because Janie doesn’t belong in a club.”

“Just like Sally didn’t.”

Cole stiffened and stared at his friend.

“I get it. It’s hard with those we love.” Rick leaned forward, his fingers toying with a picture frame on his desk. “We all missed the signs with Sally.” Rick turned the frame around.

Air whooshed out of Cole’s lungs. It was him, Sally, their father, and Rick. He’d forgotten about the day that picture was taken. Sally looked so happy, so carefree in that picture. Six months later she was dead.

“I didn’t know,” Cole said. Damn, had he kept his head buried in the sand all this time?

“No one did. I waited until Sally became of age, but I was, like you, reluctant to have her in the club.” Rick sighed. “Had I known she’d gone to another club and met that asshole I would have done something about it.”

“We’re good Doms, Rick. How did we miss it?”

“Because Sally was a master at manipulation.”

“Now, wait a second.”

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