Free Dom Wars Round Two by Lucian Bane

defamation campaign against anyone associated."
    Oh. Dear. God. I suddenly had a mental nightmare image of me being sexually dommed by Lucian flashing across Gramma's television screen. What about Lucian's family? Did they know he was doing this? Judging by the tightness around his mouth, no they didn't, and if they found out, they wouldn't like it.
    Grimes spoke quietly into his phone's headset, then nodded to Danielle. "The car is here. When I open this door, the two of you need to go directly into the open car door. Keep your heads down and don't pay attention to anything else. The grounds are private but we never know what surveillance they may have managed. Just get in that car and get the door closed behind you. Understand."
    Lucian and I both nodded. Grimes drew us up close to the exit door, opened it just a crack and glanced out, then flung it open and waved us through.
    Something, maybe instinct, made me reach for Lucian's hand. When he grabbed my fingers and squeezed, the cold brick in my gut melted. We would be okay. Hand in hand, we darted through the door and crossed the dozen feet of concrete to the waiting car.
    Once inside, with the door closed, we looked around in shock. The car was a luxurious stretch limousine, complete with bar and built-in TV and computer. I had to bite my tongue to keep from squealing and betraying my excitement.
    " Sir? Ma'am? I'm Steven, your driver for the day. If you need anything, just press one of the green buttons on the door panels, the bar, or the climate control panel." He was young with sparkly blue eyes, shiny skin over a pudgy face, smooth voice and impeccable articulation. "We're scheduled to arrive at your destination in twenty-two minutes. Until then, please be assured, you will be perfectly safe. This vehicle is built to the same specifications as the armored limo used to transport the President of the United States. In addition, we have an armed escort." He gave a slow nod and blink with a practiced assuring grin before becoming serious. "Do you have any questions?"
    " Uh. No." Lucian glanced at me as though to make sure he spoke for both of us.
    I smiled at the still waiting man. "Thank you, Steven."
    Looking around at all that luxury, I tried my best not to appear like a small town girl who'd never seen anything that nice. Easier said than done. My fingers itched to stroke the soft leather upholstery. Everywhere I turned, I found amazing bits of opulence.
    The entire ride was quiet and surreal then the car slowed and made a left turn. "We have reached your destination. Mr. Grimes asks that you stay back from the windows as we pass through the security gates at the venue. A sizeable contingent of protestors is uncomfortably close, and there is a significant press presence as well."
    We stopped and I peeked around. Just a few feet away, kept out of reach by armed guards and razor wire, several hundred people carried signs and shouted about demons and perverts.
    " Don't look at them, love." Lucian looked impossibly relaxed with his head against the back of the seat and eyes closed. "The last thing you need is more reason to be a hard-ass."
    I jerked to him, trying to come up with a suitable come-back. Problem was, I was a hard-ass. But I had to be. My anger was lost on the scene outside. Those people were there to object to something I was doing. It didn't feel too great. Suddenly the twilight zone of the entire event had become more real, more… wrong-feeling.
    The car moved aga in and I quickly called up morbid thoughts of Gramma to sustain me. Images of her being neglected and possibly beaten at the nursing home. Jaw trembling, gut-wrenching crying and screaming. She needed me. I had to do this.
    Moments later, we were driven inside what looked like a big warehouse. The anxiety of what we'd just left was replaced with what might be coming inside this creepy place.
    They had us stay inside the limo until the outer doors were closed, insulating us from the insanity