by Zenia, Zara
“While she does amuse me, and she is tantalizing, I do not see what she needs protection from!” Theo huffs.
Carolyn, who has been sipping the whiskey, takes a steadying breath and turns to look at him. “My ex-boyfriend. He’s been stalking me. He nearly killed me four years ago. He’s the one I had the ‘bad experience’ with. When I moved here, I legally changed my name, left my home and everything behind in California. Everything except Bella. She moved here first. I moved here to be close to her.”
“Well your first mistake was changing your name legally. Probably how he was able to track you down,” Theo replies, frowning. “Look we are about to open. Augustus, you are on the door tonight, Maximus is already setting up downstairs, Tiberius is on coat-check.” He looks at us. “So, if she’s under your protection, why are you here?”
“I did not want her going home and leading the man there. Especially if he is not yet aware of her address. We were going to come here this evening anyway with hopes of a scene in the VIP area—”
Carolyn shakes her head and looks up at me. “Not tonight, please, sir?” she whispers. “Knowing he’s close by… that he could come in here…”
I frown, thinking a scene would probably help her relax, but she’s right—no one but her knows what the man looks like, and he could show up. I could explain that the only VIPs viewing a scene with us would be vampires and maybe shifters, but I didn’t want to make Theo aware that she knows what they are. “Very well, pet. If you do not wish to, we won’t.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Theo frowns. “Well, if you change your mind, let me know. Your scenes have become popular viewing at the club.”
I nod as he leaves us. Looking down at her, I ask, “Pet, what would you like to do?”
She bites her lip. “I’d like to just go home.”
“Your home?” I ask, just to clarify. I would much prefer us going to mine, but right now she seems fragile, and I don’t want to push her.
She pauses for a moment and says, “Mine,” very softly.
“Very well, are you able to drive?” I ask.
She nods, but it seems hesitant. “Will you follow me to make sure he is not around, sir?”
I smile at her. “Of course. Do you wish me to join you at your apartment, or would you rather I leave after seeing you home, pet?” Not that I would, I’d park the Jag and sit in the lot again, keeping watch over her.
“Will you come in, sir? Stay with me for a little while?” she asks.
“Yes, pet. Come, let us get out of Theo’s hair.” I wrap an arm around her and walk her to the door. As we leave, I say, “Thank you, Augustus, for your understanding. I shall reimburse you for the drink—”
“It’s on the house. And don’t worry about Theo… he’s all bluster.” Augustus grins.
I nod. “Well thank you anyway. We shall see you later.” I help her into her Blazer, keeping an eye out for the large SUV that I’d seen following her. “Drive carefully, pet. I will be right behind you.”
“Thank you, sir.” She starts her car, and I close her door.
I get in my Jag and follow her out of the parking lot. The drive to her apartment complex is uneventful, and I follow her through the gate. I park in the guest parking area and retrieve her from her car, walking her up to her apartment.
We sit on her sofa, and she finally relaxes, kicking off her shoes and putting her head on my shoulder. I can see that she is exhausted. “Pet, lie down, and we’ll watch something on TV.” I pick up her remote and turn to the History Channel. An episode of Forged in Fire is on, so I leave it there.
Carolyn lays down, putting her head on my thigh, and she sighs. Reaching behind me, I pull the blanket off the back of the sofa and drape it over her. I stroke her hair as we watch the episode. Before it ends, she is fast asleep. Carefully, I pick her up and carry her to her room, laying her down on her bed. I undress her, removing her jeans, blouse and bra, and she doesn’t wake. I pull the blankets down on one side of the bed and move her, so she is beneath them and pull them up over her, tucking her in. Quietly, I return to the living room, shut off the TV and find her purse. I pull her phone out, set the volume on vibrate and place it next to her on her nightstand. I return to the kitchen find a pad of paper and pen to leave her a note.
Pet,
Text me when you wake and let me know
if your plans have changed for the day.
If you feel unsafe, come to my house.
I am leaving the extra remote to my gate
here for you.
~James
I return to her room and leave the note under her phone and the keyfob remote next to it. I head out of her apartment, locking her door behind me.
Chapter 21
James
I wake at five-thirty, right as the sun is setting, to see a message on my phone and click to look at it.
Carolyn: Thank you, sir. No, I’m going to my class and then work as scheduled. I get off at eight. Do you want to meet at the club tonight?
I smile, wondering if she will be up for a scene. I do feel a bit depleted and realize I haven’t had blood in a while. If she isn’t up for a scene, I will need to find another donor, which does not thrill me at all.
Pet, are you asking to do a scene? :) I send, questioning her.
Carolyn: Yes, sir. I feel like I may have disappointed you last night. :( I was afraid, but now I realize it was silly of me to be worried. Marvin can’t hurt me in the club… not with you there, sir. And did I hear Theo correctly last night? Is he one as well? Is Augustus? Are they all? How many of you are there?!?!?
I chuckle, seeing her questions. Pet, there are more creatures in this world than you can even imagine. I was a bit disappointed, and though I did think a scene might take you out of your head for a bit, I did not wish to push you if you were not ready for it. That would not make for a particularly good scene. If you still are not ready for a blood play scene, pet, I understand.
Carolyn: Oh, sir! It’s been weeks. I hadn’t even thought! Are you sure you’re all right? Yes, we can do a blood play scene, sir!
Very well, pet, I will contact Theo. Do not worry. I am fine. There are other ways to procure what I need.
The thought of having her again in a scene has me moving quickly. I shower and dress for the night and head out to my car as soon as the sun sets. I want to make a stop at the fetish shop for another outfit for her before I go to the club. I find a delightfully titillating outfit for her and head to the club. I get there just as they open and park in the already half-filled lot. A line of twenty-somethings has already formed, and Maximus is on the door. He’s checking IDs and letting people in two at a time. I reach his side, and he looks at me.
“She okay?” he asks.
I nod. “She’ll be here in a few minutes. You’re checking IDs? Can you keep an eye out for a Marvin Shea? That is who has been harassing her.”
“Already on it,” he answers and lifts the rope for me. “Go on in.”
“Thank you,” I reply and head inside. As I enter, I look around for Theo and see him speaking with the bartender. I move toward him, and he meets me halfway.
“Back without the girl?”
“She’s on her way. Do you have a public area available tonight?”
“For the two of you? You know I do.” He grins, his fangs showing slightly. “Need an extra hand with her?” he asks.
“I don’t share,” I say dryly.
“Hmmm, too bad.” Theo sighs and pulls out his planner. “I have a nine thirty-to-ten window available.”
“We’ll take it,” I reply.
“Do not disappoint us,” he says. “It will be our crowd, of course, no humans anyway.”
I nod. “Is there a place I can take her to change clothes when she gets here? She is coming from work.”
“Use one of the rooms. Find me when she gets here, and I’ll let you in.”
“Thank you.” I give him a nod, and he moves off to do whatever it is he
does around here. Mostly greeting guests and giving orders, from what I can tell. I head to the bar to order a drink.
Fifteen minutes later, Carolyn arrives. I watch her eyeing everyone, I assume looking through the crowd for Marvin. I watch her for a few minutes as she makes her way to me and realize that no, she’s looking at the faces of every person she passes. Men and women.
I move toward her, stopping her progression with a hand to her hip. “What are you looking for, pet?”
She looks up at me and smiles. “I’m trying to see if I can tell who is and who isn’t one of you, but you all just look like us,” she whispers.
I chuckle. “We do hide well, pet. Now come, Theo is going to allow us the use of a private room for you to change clothing.”
“You brought me something new to wear, sir?” Her eyes brighten and her smile widens.
“I did.” We find Theo, and he escorts us to a room. His eyes linger on Carolyn as I thank him.
“My pleasure.” He sighs and leaves us alone in the room.
I set the bag down and tell her, “Strip for me, pet.”
“Everything, sir?” she asks.
I nod and look in the bag, pulling out the first part of the attire. Once she’s undressed, I hand her the fishnet thigh highs, then the black lace, thong panties and the strappy, black garter with a gem encrusted circle that lays over her belly button. Next, I hand her the matching strappy, black lace bra, and she puts it on.
“Sir? I can’t go out in just this... I’ll be arrested!” She laughs.
I chuckle and hand her the last piece. A sheer ruched black dress that barely covers her pussy and ass. The sleeves are bell shaped and hit her at her wrists. “Now all your bits are covered, so there won’t be any arrests tonight.” I grin at her.
“Do I get shoes, sir, or am I going barefoot?” she asks, clearly amused.
I shake my head, pull out the spiked black heels, and she puts them on. “Very nice.” I put her things in the bag and take it with us as we leave. I didn’t bring my toys for her this evening. I figure I’ll have to rely on what is in the room. “I hope you are ready to come numerous times tonight, pet.”
"Yes, sir,” she says, clearly excited. “I thought perhaps you were going to punish me, sir.”
“Oh, there will be punishment, pet. I am going to spank your ass so hard your behind will be tender for a week,” I say, amused.
“Yes, sir,” she squeaks, biting her lip, but I can see the desire banked in her eyes.
“I think we will go down early, pet. I want everyone to know what kind of temptress they have in store for them tonight.” We head down to the dungeons and stop outside one of the curtains as Theo joins us.
“A bit early, but I feel sure everyone will be thrilled to see that you are performing this evening,” Theo says, his eyes gliding over Carolyn. “I know, I for one am looking forward to it.”
Just then a panicked Tiberius shoots down the stairs. “We need you,” he says, looking at me.
“Me?” I question, confused.
“I think your car is on fire.”
“Pet, I am going to trust Theo to keep you company while I see to this.” I glance at Theo.
“Go, I will keep her safe,” he replies.
I follow Tiberius up the stairs. He hands me a fire extinguisher and grabs one for himself. We go out a maintenance door at the side of the building to see the humans all freaking out and someone shouting my name near the entrance. At first, I think perhaps it is Marvin, but then I see who it is, and I sigh.
“Who the fuck is that?” Tiberius demands as we rush to my Jaguar and put out the flames before they spread to anything else.
“That is a deranged lunatic named Aubrey St. John. He’s the one I told you and Theo about. I did hope he was finished exacting his revenge upon me.”
I look to see Aubrey arguing with Augustus who is refusing to allow him entrance to the club.
“First of all, you just set a car on fire! I’m not letting you in here! Besides that, you look like you’re under age! Now, if you don’t leave, I’m going to have to remove you!” Augustus shouts at him.
Aubrey sees me and blurs to barrel into me, taking me down to the ground. Normally that would not have happened but having not had blood in a while, I am in a weaker state than normal. Tiberius pulls him off me, and I stand.
“Thought you could just disappear? I found you, and now I’m going to kill you! You should have fucking died in that fire. I don’t know how you escaped, but you’re not going to again!”
I brush the dirt from my sleeves and look at him. “I don’t think you are going to kill me. You’re nothing but a coward, Aubrey. Let him go, Tiberius.”
Tiberius lets him go, and Aubrey pushes him as he leaves. “This isn’t over! I’ll find you and get you when you least expect it!” he warns and jumps into a blue sports car with tinted windows, peeling out of the parking lot.
I watch him leave, realizing my concerned over him was right on. Apparently, all these years have allowed the wound to fester in him, and he isn’t going to be happy until he kills me. I look at my Jaguar and sigh. I really liked that car.
“He’s a bit off his rocker, isn’t he, mate?”
I nod. “He is. Turned too young, I fear.”
“Sorry about your Jag. Anything salvageable?”
“I doubt it.” I shake my head as we head toward Augustus. As we reach him, a couple of cop cars arrive as well as a fire truck. “Damn.”
One of the cops gets out, sees us with the extinguishers and says, “Everything all right here? We got a report of a teenage vandal harassing and making threats?”
“Everything is fine, officer,” Augustus says. “My brother and our friend here took care of it. The fire is out, and the young man has gone. He’s driving a blue sports car with tinted windows.”
The officer writes that down. “Do we know whose vehicle was torched?” he asks.
“That would be mine, Officer. I won’t be pressing charges.”
He nods. “All right then. I’ll file the report and get out of your hair. You gentlemen have a good night.” He moves over to the firetruck, talks to the driver, and they leave. Then he gets in his car and leaves as well.
We head inside, and I return to the dungeon to find Carolyn still with Theophilus watching a scene between the same two who were performing the night we met. I join them, moving in behind Carolyn, pulling her into me.
“All is well?” Theo asks, arching a brow.
“As can be for the moment.”
“Was it Marvin?” Carolyn asks softly.
“No, I’m afraid the problem was mine. The young man I mentioned before has indeed followed me here to Tucson. He made a nuisance of himself and then left. I should have taken care of him long ago, but at the time, I did not wish to do him any more harm than I already had by killing his sire and nestmates. And over the years, I pretty much forgot about him. I have no idea how he’s tracking me now, though it seems he is bent on taking everything from me, as I did from him forever ago.”
“I see. Any damage?”
“Only to my vehicle.”
“Not the Jag, sir,” Carolyn gasps.
“Afraid so, pet. Do not worry about it. I am not.”
“Well, you two have about thirty more minutes to enjoy this,” Theo gestures to the scene, “and then you may go prepare.”
I nod. We watch the scene a few minutes longer, and I start to relax more. After five minutes, I take her hand and lead her through the gathered crowd. We stroll through the dungeon, stopping to watch another scene for a few minutes. We weave between couples and single doms watching the various shows. Their eyes trail over Carolyn, and I grin. Finally, we make our way to the VIP space.
Once inside the curtained space, I say, “Lift your arms, pet.” She does as I ask, and I lift her dress, pulling it over her head and set it aside. I move to the bureau. Opening the third drawer, I pull out a blindfold and tie it on her. Looking about the room, I decide upon
the St. Andrew’s Cross and move it to the center of the room. I have her face it, and raise her arms into place, cuffing them to the cross, then spread her legs and cuff them in place as well.
“Ready, Pet?” I ask as I take off my suit jacket and shirt and set them with her dress and panties.
“Yes, sir,” she replies.
I open the curtain and see we’ve gathered quite the crowd. It’s a mix of vampires and humans tonight, though they are all guests of the vampires they are with and look to be mostly in thrall. “Pet, do you know why you’re on the cross?” I ask.
“Yes, sir. I’ve been a very bad girl,” she replies.
“You have, pet. Disobeying me when I gave you an important task.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” she says, though she doesn’t sound contrite.
“I don’t think I quite believe you, pet. I think you need a good spanking to remind you to obey your master. Don’t you?”
“Yes, sir, you should spank me good, sir,” she answers cheekily.
“You are being sassy, pet. I think I may need to fill that mouth of yours. What do you think of that, pet?”
“I think sir wants to hear me scream and probably shouldn’t gag his pet, sir,” she answers with a bit more sass.
Our audience laughs.
“Hmmm, I do enjoy hearing you scream, pet. But sassy mouths do need to be punished.” I spin the cross sideways and turn it a quarter so the audience can see. Then I unzip my pants and pull out my cock. “Open your mouth, pet.”
“Yes, sir.” She does as I ask.
I grip her ponytail, tugging it a little and feed her my cock. Using her hair, I move her head, holding her in place as I fuck her mouth. “Have anything to say now, pet?” I ask, grinning.
Her tongue glides over my tip and down my shaft, and I know she’s enjoying herself as she moans deep in her throat.
“No? I didn’t think so.” I grin, pulling out of her and tucking my cock back in my pants. I pat her cheek. “No more sassy mouth from you, pet.”
She grins. “Yes, sir.”
I spin the cross back up properly and turn it, so her ass is facing the audience. Moving to the wall I select a large vibrating plug and add lube to it. “Now, pet, what did I tell you was going to happen tonight?”