Page 35 of Healing Hazel
I stared at him and then snorted. “Wow, that’s ballsy.”
Cedro laughed. “That’s one word for it. Besides, being retired doesn’t mean being without benefits. Believe me, if it had come to that, I’d have put you in government protection and kept you away as long as it took.”
Derek nodded. “And I can attest that he does indeed have the resources to do exactly that.”
I looked at Nigel to see his brow furrowed and knew this was all a bit confusing to him as well. “As long as what took?” I asked, returning my gaze to Cedro.
“For the weasel to be put away. Turned out it took about two months as his prior counts were enough to put him behind bars for a very long time.”
“I-I guess I never even considered that because… he didn’t grab me off the street or lure me into the club. I’m just as guilty because I willingly let him?—”
“No, Hazel,” Derek said taking my hands in his. “You didn’t give him consent to put you in the hospital. You didn’t agree that he could render you unconscious. From what you’ve told us, there wasn’t really any sort of negotiations which was on him and the owner of that dump. Believe me, I’m an advocate of people having the freedom to live life as they like, but that comes with responsibilities. As the Dom, he was responsible to guide you, to keep you safe and he utterly failed to do that. If he’d done that here, he’d most likely never see the sun again.”
I could feel my eyes go wide and Master Cedro grinned. “But since that asshat would never get past the gates of Rawhide, Derek and Jared Stark, along with Wes and I worked together to get that poor excuse for a club shut down. And while you might see a familiar face or two now that you’re healing and embracing your submissive side again, I promise they will be the faces of other submissives looking for a place that is not only actually safe to play, but one that cares for them as people.”
Smiles were on everyone’s face, including mine and I knew that I’d found not only a community who truly loved me, but a family. I was no longer just working at the clinic, or a student in the university, I was part of Rawhide Ranch’s very heart and I knew I was never going anywhere.
“Thank you,” I said softly. “Thank you for seeing what no one else bothered looking for,” I said to Cedro. “And thank you for saving me, Wes.” I looked across to Master Derek. “And thank you for trusting that when Beverly MacIntosh just happened to show up at the hospital and started talking about a future where I’d be safe and could be the person I’m meant to be, I’d one day finally wake up and understand she meant far more than a job. Thank you for giving me a home.”
“You’re welcome, darlin’. We are all mighty happy you’re here.”
“I say!” Sadie said. “Now all we need to do is get you to pull a prank and?—”
“And on that note, we’ll be saying goodnight,” Derek said, standing in one fluid move that belied the fact he did so while transferring his wife from his lap to hang over his shoulder. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“Bye!” Sadie called from her upside-down position, giving us a wave even as her Daddy gave her bottom a smack.
Cedro stood and drew me up and into a hug. I held him for several heartbeats and when he set me back, he said, “My wife, Terrie, and I live on the Ridge. I’d love for her to meet you.”
“I’d like that,” I said honestly.
He shook Nigel’s hand and clapped Wes on his back. “You two take care of these girls or you’ll have me to deal with.”
I smiled. “I think I’ll stock up on some alphabet soup just in case they need reminding.”
Cedro laughed. “You just need to remember the letters CB are part of that alphabet, so call on me anytime.”
We all watched as he walked away and then looked at each other.
“Well, what happens now?” I asked.
Mira laughed. “I think that depends on the two of you. As for me, I’m afraid I’m going to be a party pooper.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize, but of course, you need to go get some rest.”
“Rest? Who said anything about rest?” Mira asked, her hand rubbing over her belly. “I’m talking about food. If I don’t eat something soon, I’ll be the one taking bites out of my Baby Daddy.”
Wes barked out a laugh. “Go ahead as long as you remember I bite back.” When Mira simply wagged her eyebrows, he shook his head. “Come on, let’s get something healthy into you.”
“Tacos it is,” Mira said, not even bothering to react to her husband’s rolled eyes. Simply grabbed his hand and began pulling him toward the door. “Talk to you tomorrow, Hazel. Oh, and don’t forget… wait, you do really have one right? A safeword?”
“Kali,” I said which caused her to pause and then to smile broadly.
“Perfection! Night!”
I leaned back, somehow instinctively knowing I’d find the broad chest of the man I’d been so afraid of losing. The man I now knew I loved with every fiber of my being. I shuddered as his breath tickled the shell of my ear as he bent down to place a kiss on that delicate patch of skin,
“Cali? As in cauliflower?”
