Kemp leaned forward so she could see him on camera and grinned happily, and she heard the distinct screech of duct tape being unrolled.
Hank laughed out loud. “I guess the Duct Tape Dom strikes after all.”
Lucas Jefferson hollered and roared behind the duct tape as he scowled at her and Veronica took her last shot. “Think of the next few years as research, Lucas. I hope you’ve always wanted a boyfriend.”
Lucas glared at her before Travis finally turned the camera so all she could see was him. “He’s unattractive when he’s having a hissy fit. This place is disgusting. I’m glad you didn’t come with us. I’m taking a bath in disinfectant when I get home.”
Veronica heard a bleating noise in the background and she gulped before she finally found her voice. “Um, Travis? Was…oh my gosh…was that a sheep I just heard? That sounded like a sheep. Please tell me I was hearing things?”
Travis glanced at Hank before looking back at her. “Like I said, Nika. I need a bath in disinfectant when I get home. He had several animals in pens. He makes—” Travis clenched his shoulders and looked like he was shuddering. “Duke found some videos.” Travis looked away from the camera for a second and then looked back at her. “Duke says to tell you that what has been seen cannot be unseen and you really don’t want an answer to that question. I can’t wait to come home to your sweet, beautiful face. This experience has made me appreciate my life there even more.”
Veronica nodded in understanding, actually glad he didn’t give her a direct answer. She didn’t want to know the depths of Lucas Jefferson’s depravity, although she did wonder where he found the time for so many nefarious pursuits. “Will you pass on my deepest gratitude to Ace, Kemp, and Duke when you can?”
“Of course. Oh, wait. Ace wants to talk to you.”
The camera moved and Ace’s good-looking face appeared. “Hey, Veronica. You doing okay?”
“Fine. Thank you for everything, Ace.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie. We’re nearly done here. We found a weapon stash and a stockpile of ammo. I don’t know if he would’ve followed through on the threat he made last night, but the fact that he was pinpointing your location has me very relieved that we paid him a visit before we could find out if he’d follow through or not. Listen, I want you to promise me something.”
“Of course.”
“The next time you feel threatened by someone online, I want you to tell someone who can help you with it. Don’t just take it, okay?”
Veronica leaned in to Hank as he hugged her. “I promise. Before, I felt alone, with no one to stand up for me. But those days are over. I have friends who have my back now.”
“All right, then. Here’s Travis.”
He and Hank finished up the conversation and then Veronica turned to Hank. He kissed her and said, “All right. Now that that is taken care of, are you ready to go explore Divine?”
“I am. Thank you, Hank. I’m so glad I’m a part of your world.”
He smiled and hugged her to him, kissing her temple. “Me, too, Nika. Me, too.”
* * * *
Hank thanked Cassie Resendez as she arrived at their table with a bright smile and their coffees, along with a pretty cupcake for Veronica and a kolache for him. “I hope you’re enjoying your stay in Divine, Miss Benedict. Word’s been getting around about you being in town.”
Cassie glanced at Hank and he caught her wink and knew that word was evidently also getting around that she was with Hank and Travis, and he was okay with that. He’d made his choice and he was well satisfied with it.
“Thank you, Cassie,” Veronica said, smiling up at her as she adjusted her eyeglasses. “I’ve grown to love Divine in a very short time.”
It was obvious in the light in her eyes that Veronica meant it as she spoke the words. Hearing that brought him great pleasure. The revelation that she was loved and cared for by him and Travis, and that she was precious to other people in Divine as well, had been monumental for her, and it showed in her demeanor. Gone was the nervous, flustered young woman. She’d been replaced by someone who was truly embracing her uniqueness and accepting the love of others. Helping her to find the acceptance she needed was gratifying to the Dom in him. Whatever she needed, he wanted to give to her.
He’d escorted her through every shop in the downtown district, enjoying each new discovery and seeing it through her eyes, especially at Violet’s Emporium.
She’d gasped as they’d entered through the door on the side street. Violet had been a busy lady, decorating for Christmas, judging by the festooned interior. Veronica had turned in a circle as she took in the sheer volume of the books, new and used, stocked on shelves, stacked on tables, accessed on high shelves against the walls by ladders, on rolling racks, and in bins. There were also locking cabinets containing collector’s editions and first editions.