You are MINE (closed)

[Asa]

She reached for his hands and curled up in his arms. She needed to feel the safety of her cop in that moment. Normally Ram or Bastien would hold her but they were in another state and she had her cop her lover her pet here with her.

Memories... It's... It's okay... I'm... I'm... Okay.

 

[susurrus]

Greg wanted to tell Gabriella that she was anything but okay, but didn't want to potentially spark an argument. If she said she was okay, he'd go with it, whether he believed it or not.

"Must be some memories, babe," was all he said, wrapping his arms around her tighter...

 

[Asa]

Yeah... Memories... None of moms old slimes haven't been around for a long time.

She snuggled close but it was clear she was processing something trying to figure out what caused it all.

 

[susurrus]

The only thing Greg could think of to say was, "I'm here. Talk to me if you need to. I'm a good listener."

 

[Asa]

She told him about when her dad and brother died and how her mother became and how once she hit her teens. How they came after her instead of her mother. Why she ended up living with her brothers and uncle. The night she fought back against one of her mother's drag ins and how her mother defended him over her.

 

[susurrus]

Greg listened attentively. He'd been well trained to do so. The story Gabriella told him was sad, chilling and infuriating all at the same time. He'd heard similar stories before, but none that turned into anyone like Gabriella. Most became drug addicts, prostitutes, or both. Many never even reached Gabriella's age. That she was half as normal as she was was a miracle. He understood why she chose to be the dominant one during sex. It made him doubly grateful she'd become his submissive, at least for a moment.

That her "brothers" were who and what they were was the crazy thing. Even though they were rock-solid, A-numero-uno bastards, they were the steady, comforting part of her story.

He said nothing. He just let her talk. When she was finished, he just held her. His erection had gone away, but that was perfectly fine. It would have been incredibly inappropriate for what was transpiring.

Greg started to pet her hair, trying to become the new comforting part of her life. He knew from the start that from a professional standpoint, this relationship was a bad idea. But he was here now. They weren't mob bitch and cop, they were just a man and woman.

"What do you want to do now?" he asked her, not intoning any ulterior motive.

 

[Asa]

Well you have to work tomorrow and and so do I so how about we get some sleep unless something else ends up happening between us.

She smiled and traced a fingernail down his chest.

 

[susurrus]

When Gabriella suggested sleep, Greg wasn't surprised. He hadn't expected her to want sex after what'd just happened. However, sharing a bed with this woman, regardless what happened, was a treat.

Of course, they were both partially clothed, their previous game having progressed more quickly than their ability to remove what they wore.

Greg took the hand she traced his chest hairs with and brought it to his lips, placing a kiss on the tip of the finger she had extended for the task. He then proceeded to strip Gabriella completely, enjoying seeing more and more of her body as he did so. When she lay naked and delectable on the bed, he got out of the rest of his clothes, too, then laid himself back down, snuggling her in close.

He wasn't sure whether to talk more about what'd just happened or not. Her yawn decided for him.

Pulling the sheet over their nakedness, Greg whispered, "I'll protect you, pretty girl."

 

[Asa]

She smiled at his words and purred softly.

I know my cop will lover.

Her eyes closed as she drifted off to sleep in his embrace.

 

[susurrus]

Greg's dreams as he slept with Gabriella snuggled against him were disturbing. After the story she'd told him, his subconscious played it out for him in a lurid movie, with him in the role of young Gabriella. When he awoke, he found himself much less rested than he might have been otherwise. She, on the other hand, barely moved when he slipped out of bed to get himself ready for work. He left Gabriella where she was, figuring she needed the rest after such emotional exertion.

Just before he left, he tiptoed back in the bedroom, tucked the sheet back up over her, kissed her on the forehead - which stirred her a tad, but not enough to wake her - then headed out for another day battling the forces of evil...

 

[Asa]

She woke up to him gone and sighed. Getting ready for work she wondered why he hadn't let her know he was leaving. Dismissing the thought she went on to work curious what Lance would try today.

 

[susurrus]

When Lance came in, there was an envelope on his desk with Gabriella's name on it. He was tempted to open it and see what it said, but it was sealed tight, and there was no way he'd be able to open it without it being obvious he'd done so.

As with anything regarding Gabriella, it upset and excited him that she wasn't like all the other girls. She was a challenge to be overcome. He was certain that eventually he'd have her, and on his terms, not hers. It was just a matter of time and circumstance.

Lance had been horny all day, so he called in one of the girls and ordered her to give him a blowjob, which she readily proceeded to do...

****

Greg couldn't help but brood regarding Gabriella's reaction the previous night. He didn't let it get in the way of getting his job done, but when there was a lull, it seeped into his consciousness until the next thing arose that needed doing...

 

[Asa]

Work passed as it always did. She played the crowd and everyone made money. She was curious what if anything Lance would try that night. Her mind did keep going back to Greg. He always told her when he was leaving for work. Was her revealing part of her past to him so vile that it had destroyed what they had?

 

[susurrus]

Greg got tied up at work again, so it was an hour and a half before he got to Lance's to see Gabriella.

She seemed relieved and happier to see him than usual. Rather than leaning over the bar to kiss him hello, she actually stepped around and kissed him face-to-face.

"Sorry I didn't wake you when I left, babe. You were sleeping so soundly, I thought just leaving you to it was the best bet."

****

Lance saw Gabriella and Greg embrace, then kiss. Normally, he'd have come out and ripped her a new one for that, but she, and all the other girls, knew that she was an exception to almost all the rules Lance had.

Still, there was the envelope that'd come in. He was going to wait till the end of her shift originally, but decided he should probably deliver it sooner rather than later.

Getting up from his desk, he picked up the envelope and left his office. Lance loved the energy of the place, the smells (even if there was an edge of something unpleasant in the background of it all) , the sounds, all of it. Underlying it all was a thread of sexual tension, as if everyone there was looking for something, but couldn't quite pinpoint or satisfy it.

Lance welcomed some of the regulars, then stepped up to where Gabriella and Greg stood. Anyone else, he'd have chewed out then and there, but he held his tongue.

Holding out the envelope, he told Gabriella: "This came for you. Don't know what it is, but let 'em know I'm not your personal mailman, okay?"

He then waited to see what the message was.

 

[Asa]

No one she knew of would leave anything here for her. If her uncle or brothers where in town they knew her address. She looked between Greg and Lance confused. Opening it up she froze a little seeing only four words on the piece of paper harmless in and of themselves but sent her mind briefly back in time.

~Gabby sweet Gabby girl~

Who... Gave... This... To... You?

Her voice was a little shaky but it was hard to tell if it was rage or fear.

TELL ME!!

 

[susurrus]

Lance was shocked at Gabriella's reaction to whatever message was in the envelope. A flash of recognition appeared in her eyes, and a look of terror, followed by fury accompanied it, though the fear never fully dissipated.

"It was on my desk when I got in," he shrugged. "I don't know if it came in today's mail or if it was dropped off. Regardless, I wasn't here when it came in, and I don't know who picked up the mail today."

There was no more written on the envelope than "Gabriella" in tight block letters, so there wasn't a return address or a postmark to try to reference. It was entirely possible that it'd been dropped in the box with the rest of the mail, in the interim between its delivery and its being brought to the office. It wasn't the first time someone had left a private message for one of the waitresses, so Lance didn't really think much of it. Apparently, though, this one was more than just an everyday, "Thinking of you" type note.

****

Greg saw Gabriella's reaction, and with what had happened the night before, he grew really alarmed. While she railed at Lance regarding where the note had come from, he took it from her clenched fist and read it. The message confused him. It was so simple, so playful, yet it caused anything but the kind of reaction one would expect from a message of its kind.

Lance claimed innocence regarding the note. Greg believed him, because something like this wasn't his style. He was more the type to just take what he wanted. Games weren't like him, and this was obviously a game to someone.

With effort, he pulled Gabriella away from Lance and held her firm, because he could feel her try to pull away to go at Lance some more, determined he knew something about the origin of the note.

"Who do you think sent this?" She didn't answer. Her gaze was inward, and he saw her imploding once more. "Gabriella, talk to me! Who wrote this message? I can't help you if I don't know who you're afraid of."

 

[Asa]

Forgetting Lance she looked to Greg.

We... We can talk later... Its okay... I'm fine.

She looked over to a server she knew could handle the bar for a moment.

Cover for me for a minute or two... I need to make a phone call.

With that she tried to put distance between herself and all of them. Once in the break room she got her phone and called her uncle.

Hey... I need you to find out where... He is... Yeah... No... I'm fine... If I need one of them I will let you know... Just use your contacts and find out where he is.

 

[susurrus]

Greg wasn't really surprised when Gabriella claimed she was alright, even when he knew she was anything but. Between the episode the night before and her vehement reaction to the message in the envelope, it wasn't necessary to have police training to know things were anything but fine. Still, he got the feeling that pushing wasn't going to get him anywhere, but if she kept on, he'd have to start, in the hope he'd be able to break through.

When she pushed past both him and Lance, he just let her go. Lance started in her direction, apparently concerned as well. Greg grabbed his arm before he got two steps.

"Let her go," he sad to Lance's confused, almost angry look. "I don't know what's happening, but I'm hoping she'll open up before it goes too far."

***

Lance didn't want to let Gabriella go. First off, she was the best employee he had, even if she was also the one who'd been there the shortest amount of time. Plus, there was a more carnal part that still hoped eventually she might give in and let him in her pants at some point.

If she didn't want to talk to Greg, he wasn't sure what kind of luck he was going to have getting any information from her, but for some reason, he thought he should try, and started in the direction Gabriella had headed. When Greg stopped him, he resisted the sudden urge to lash out at him. He knew he was a horndog, and a lot of folks thought he was an asshole for what he expected of his girls behind closed doors (yes, he knew it wasn't a big secret). Still, there was a watchdog part of him that felt responsibility to each of them, and seeing Gabriella's distress, it really made him want to hit something.

He let Greg stop him, and although he was seething, stood and stared in the direction Gabriella had gone, like everyone else in the room...

 

[Asa]

She walked back out after she calmed a little and took over tending bar still playing the crowd as always and money flowed through the bar. Still there was a vigilance about her watching every face every I traction but perhaps not seeing what she expected to see. The night seemed to pass somewhat slowly but that just seemed to mean more money.

 

[susurrus]

When she came back out, Gabriella seemed a little less flustered, but still wary of something. Greg was concerned for her, but figured work wasn't the time to ask for her to elaborate on any of what had happened within the last twenty-four hours.

He sat at his usual spot and watched Gabriella, his mind only partially on the conversations people struck up with him. She seemed to scan the crowd, and especially the doors, every few minutes, as if she was expecting to see someone at any time. Greg wanted in the worst way to ask her what the hell was going on, but knew she wouldn't say anything in the bar, and maybe not even when she left the place and it was only the two of them. He'd ask carefully, but knew she'd only speak when she was ready. Her life story was one thing. This, he was afraid, was something entirely different.

***

Lance's habit wasn't usually to hang out with the crowd. The temptation to drink along with everyone was too great. He knew him drinking water or soda just wouldn't cut it with this crowd, and the last thing he needed to do was drink up his own profits.

Still, he ordered a draft and sat beside Greg.

"What the fuck is going on with Gabriella? I know you two are fucking. You made that quite obvious to me already. You're lucky I don't beat you to a pulp for that little show, by the way.

"Anyhow, what was up with her reaction to that damn message? What was on that paper?"

***

Greg was surprised when Lance sat down next to him. Still, it was his bar, he could do whatever he damn well pleased, and usually did. It was just unusual for him to rub elbows with the patrons. Why, Greg had never figured out. He knew Lance wasn't getting fucked every second, and there couldn't possibly be that much paperwork to be done.

In answer to Lance's question, Greg just shrugged. "I really don't know what the hell is going on. She's been acting kind of weird, but I guess with a woman with her upbringing, some really fucked up baggage is bound to drag along behind. The note in the envelope didn't really say much, but as you saw, it really did a number on her."

He took a sip of his drink. "It looks like she's waiting for something or someone. See how she keeps looking at the door, even the back? I got a feeling whatever she's waiting for, it won't be pretty."

***
Lance remembered bits and pieces of Gabriella's file, but hadn't really looked at it since that first time. Greg made it clear that he didn't really get what was happening with her, and Lance figured Greg probably had a few more details from his relationship with her than Lance had in the police file he had in his file drawer. Still, he decided to re-read that file. He downed the last of his beer, got up from the bar, then went back into his office, making a bee-line for the file cabinet...

 

[Asa]

Her file seemed to truly start with her life with her "uncle" Alexi Monroe and her "brothers". Mob ties minor crimes or on the outskirts of her brothers or uncles or their employers rap sheets. The reason she was living with them was listed with a general title of court approved emancipation from parental risk.

 

[susurrus]

Lance sat down with the file Greg had given him on Gabriella. It had a lot of legal stuff, but there was a lot of detail that was missing. He figured Greg had a lot more detail, but wasn't sure how much the cop would tell him about his girlfriend...

***

Greg just kept an eye on Gabriella and her paranoia. At one point, he held a hand out to her and when she placed hers in it with a small smile, he pulled her toward him.

He spoke low into her ear so the rest couldn't hear, "You're going home with me tonight. I'm not leaving this place till you do." He wasn't sure what they'd do the next day, since their work schedules were hours apart and overlapped, but they'd figure something out.

 

[Asa]

I'm fine but yeah we can go to your place... Enjoyed you pleasuring me while we were in the hot tub the last time.

She smiled trying to reassure him and calmed down on her hawk like eyes on everything.

 

[susurrus]

Greg was relieved Gabriella didn't push back when he insisted she'd be going with him. If she'd have told him she absolutely needed to go home to her place, he'd have still adamantly told her he was accompanying her, none of this getting there separately like they'd done so many times before. He wasn't sure if the subject of her fright was lurking somewhere nearby or was just pulling some kind of psych on her, but he wasn't planning to take chances.

He called Gabriella over and ordered a glass of water, even though his glass of liquor was only at half. He decided he was finished with alcohol for the night. He wanted his wits about him, just in case whoever was stalking Gabriella popped their head up sometime between that moment and getting her home.

 

[Asa]

She got him a water and started to go about her work when another server walked over.

Hey Gabriella... Some suit popped in for a really quick drink then as he was leaving made a really weird request. He wanted us to give you a hug for him.

She shook her head and laughed. Gabriella looked to her with a raised brow.