Protecting it All: Dark Romantic Suspense (Punishment Pit Book 6)

by Livia Grant

  She choked out her response. "Then maybe you can explain it to me? Does your brother hurt Rachel?"

  "Not like you're thinking. Not like Davenport. Never. Rachel is Derek's life."

  "Then why..." She glanced at the spanking bench, hating that she felt butterflies in her girlie parts as she thought about being laid over the bench with Dylan watching her. That wasn't so bad. Then she saw the heavy wooden paddle, not unlike the one Jake had terrorized her with, and all sexual overtones vanished, leaving her with pure dread. "Oh God, you don't want to—"

  He cut her off. "Oh hell, no. I may understand better, but it's not my thing."

  "Then why do they do it?"

  Dylan didn't answer right away. He waited so long, she wondered if he wasn't going to answer at all. "The best I can explain is that Derek loves taking care of Rachel in every way. He loves that she depends on him for even the basics. Rachel is a very submissive person, unable to make a lot of decisions on her own. She loves how Derek makes her feel loved and taken care of."

  "But why let him punish her? What could she possibly do that could warrant those?" Hannah nodded in the direction of the wall of painful implements.

  "I'm not sure. I don't ask too many questions and it's not really my business. I've just seen them with my own eyes. They are a perfect couple. He'd give his life for her. He's at his happiest when he's taking care of her."

  Hannah looked more closely at the adult-sized changing table. The shelf under the top was full of both disposable and cloth diapers. Jars of lotions, long thick thermometers, and an array of sex toys filled the remaining space on the shelf. The hooks and leather straps along the outside edge were out of place.

  Dylan spoke. It took her several long seconds to internalize what he'd said.

  "Excuse me. Could you repeat that please?" she managed to squeak out.

  "I said I want to take care of you too, Hannah."

  She was panicking. She knew it. "Take care of me how? Like this?" She motioned frantically around the room.

  I knew he was too good to be true.

  She tried to push out of his grasp, but Dylan held her tighter, unwilling to let her slip away.

  "Shhh. Not exactly like this, no. But I do want to keep you safe. Make you happy." He stroked her long hair, comforting her until she settled down.

  Doubts still swirled as her mind raced with all she'd just learned. "But why me? You could have anyone you want."

  He scoffed. "Hardly, and I want you."

  She braved a look up at him. He looked serious. "Why? My life is a mess. I'm a mess."

  Dylan squeezed her tighter, moving his right hand to the back of her neck. He made it impossible for her to look away from him. "Seriously? I don't want to hear you put yourself down like that ever again, got it? You're special to me. I knew it the second I saw you for the first time, working behind the bar at the Four Seasons. I knew it when I had to watch you putting yourself in danger by going out with Jake Davenport and I couldn't do anything to stop you. It almost killed me."

  She could see the regret in his eyes. An unwelcome question popped into her head and she blurted it out before thinking it through. "What would Derek do to Rachel if she put herself in danger?"

  The question hung in the air. Dylan looked like he was struggling to come up with an answer. He finally admitted, "I'm sure he'd light up her bottom good with one of those punishment devices over there on the wall."

  "So, he really spanks her?"

  "Yes."

  "You know that for a fact? I mean—"

  "I know it for a fact." Dylan looked uncomfortable with the topic. "I think we've been gone long enough. Let's head back down."

  "But... I mean... why does she let him do that?"

  Hannah was impressed with the amount of time Dylan took to reply. "She consents because it's what she needs. I never used to believe that, but now I do."

  She asked the million-dollar question. "And what do you need, Dylan? Is all of this," she motioned with her arm before she continued, "is this what you want?"

  "What I want is you. You and Connor. I'll take you in any way I can get you."

  He brought his mouth down to hers, bringing the conversation to an end. He'd sure given her a lot to think about.

  Epilogue

  Brianna

  "God dammit, Lukus. Stop treating me like I'm an invalid. I'm perfectly capable of making it on my own. It's only three steps, for Christ's sake."

  Brianna shook her head as she walked behind her husband and his best friend as they made their way up the front walk of their home. She'd never known how ornery of a patient Markus could be until he'd been hospitalized for the last four days after being shot by Jake. She was pretty sure the doctor had wanted to keep him one more day, but the nurses who'd been taking care of him had banded together to convince him to let their unruly patient go home to finish his convalescence.

  In some ways it seemed like a lifetime ago, but in others, Bri could still remember the terror she'd felt when she'd thought Markus had died protecting her. The fear of losing him scared her so much that she'd barely left his side in the last four days, only leaving the hospital when they'd kicked her out, and arriving back early the next morning.

  She smiled as she watched the two Doms navigating the stairs. Lukus had only been around his grouchy friend for thirty minutes and he was already ready to deck him. "Will you let me help you, you stubborn asshole?"

  "I'm stubborn? Who wouldn't take no for an answer at the hospital? I could have driven myself home," Markus said.

  "Oh, for crying out loud, did all of your common sense spill out when Davenport shot you? No one drives themselves home from the hospital after getting shot."

  Brianna stifled her smile at their good-natured ribbing.

  It's nice to have life getting back to normal.

  She rushed around them to unlock the front door, pushing it open so Lukus could help Markus through.

  "Let's get him set up on the couch in the great room."

  They had just entered the spacious room when people started jumping out from behind furniture, yelling, "Surprise!"

  Bri had expected Tiffany to be there. Everyone else… not so much. She plastered a smile on her face to try to hide her annoyance at having to entertain when she was as exhausted as Markus. They needed to crash, not party.

  Her annoyance didn't last long, however, when it became clear that everyone had come prepared to help.

  Markus's mom rushed to hug her son, while Brianna's mom hugged her, pressing a protein bar into her hand.

  "You're looking too thin, Bri. You haven't been taking good enough care of yourself. I made a couple of casseroles and put them in the refrigerator. I want you resting instead of cooking."

  "Thanks, Mom." Bri was grateful. The thought of cooking and cleaning was overwhelming.

  Markus's mom, Jennifer, made her way to Brianna next, moving in for her hug as soon as her mom let go.

  "I stopped at the grocery and picked up some staples for you on the way over. I knew you'd been away from the house for a while and would be out of everything."

  She didn't even get a chance to thank her mother-in-law properly before her own mother whisked the elder Lambert off to the kitchen to whip up lunch for their guests.

  Lukus and Derek had made sure Markus was properly resting in his favorite lounger chair. Bri shot them the evil eye when they suggested breaking out the whiskey.

  "No alcohol for Markus. He's still on medication."

  The three Doms in the room looked at her with surprise, raising an eyebrow at her authoritative demand, considering she was supposed to be a submissive. She didn't back down, putting her hands on her hips and staring her husband down until he finally smiled back at her.

  "God, I love you, Bri."

  Lukus muttered under his breath to keep the older generation in the next room from hearing. "Some Dom you are, you pussy."

  He was reaching to pour his own drink when Tiffany's voice rose above th
e din of the room. "No alcohol for you, Lukus. It's only one in the afternoon. Only alcoholics drink whiskey at one o'clock on a Tuesday afternoon."

  Bri had to work to hide her grin at the shocked look on Lukus's face at being given an order by his submissive. He was about to argue back, but then realized the mothers in the next room might not appreciate him scolding his wife for overstepping her bounds. He reluctantly put the bottle down as Markus jabbed back with a grin. "What was it you were saying there, Lukus?"

  Lukus pinned Tiffany with his best dominant glare. "We'll talk about this more when we get home."

  Tiffany's smile was radiant. "I'd expect nothing else."

  Aiden and Josh had arrived in the middle of the scene. Aiden hugged his sister before turning to his future brother-in-law. "I think you were right. Tiffany isn't changing all that much after all. Still as sassy as ever, I see."

  The cop's barb brought a smile to Lukus's face as he answered. "And I'd have it no other way."

  Derek had been watching the scene play out while he poured his own whiskey. He grinned as he looked at the amber liquid, rubbing it in to his fellow Doms. "Looks like I'm the only one who still wears the pants in his family."

  He was just about to down the drink when Rachel snuggled up to her husband, silently reaching out for the glass and stealing it away from him with a giggle. She didn't say a word. She didn't have to. Her mischievous grin made Derek laugh out loud.

  Derek scanned the room, ensuring the mothers were still in the kitchen before addressing his wife. "I'd have thought that spanking you got this morning would have you on your best behavior, young lady. Maybe I should trade out that small butt plug you're wearing for a bigger size to remind you to behave." He brought his hand down on his wife's ass with a hard swat to help make his point.

  Lukus had made his way to Tiffany, taking her in his arms. Brianna was so happy to see her best friend so in love. "That's my trick too, isn't it, Tiff? Do I need to go out to the glove compartment and get your plugs to make you behave?"

  Aiden released an exaggerated sigh. "Ewww. I'm still here, you know. I'd rather not hear about my sister being plugged if you don't mind."

  As their guests shared good-natured ribbing, Markus pulled Brianna down into his lap. She was careful not to jostle his injury as she hugged him. She was so grateful to have him home safe and sound.

  Hannah and Dylan arrived a few minutes later. Brianna hadn't spent much time with the couple, but she could tell they'd grown closer since the last time she'd seen them. Bri made it a point to go to them, feeling the need to give a proper hug to the woman who had sacrificed so much to help them take down Jake Davenport.

  The women clung to each other for a brief moment, each understanding the precarious connection they shared as intimate victims of a madman. Brianna finally leaned back to look into the younger woman’s shining eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here, Hannah, so I could thank you in person for all you sacrificed to help us take down Jake.”

  “Thanks Brianna, but in the little bit of time I spent with him, I know you were the one he was most desperate to hurt. I’m just so glad we all made it out safely.”

  “Me too. Come, join us as we celebrate Markus coming home from the hospital.”

  Brianna ushered the newest couple in as she went back to retake her place in her husband’s lap. Once everyone was seated around the great room, Derek brought up the topic they'd all been skirting around.

  "So, can we finally get things back to normal around here tomorrow? I'm pretty sure we have a shitload of work backlogged at Titan, and I talked to Ethan yesterday and there are several members of the Pit trying to get a petition going to demand a refund for their fees this month since the club's been closed so much."

  Lukus looked serious. "They don't have to start a damn petition. I was already planning on giving all members a discount next month to make up for it. The problem is, even if we reopen, I still don't have anyone to do the damn shows, and I don't know how much longer we can go without hiring more office staff."

  Bri watched his face light up before he turned to Dylan and Hannah who were sitting on the nearby couch, snuggling.

  "So, Hannah. You're an accountant. You looking for a job?" Lukus asked.

  Brianna didn't miss her conflicted grimace as she glanced at Dylan with uncertainty. "Well, I'm not really sure. I mean..."

  It was Dylan who answered for her. "Thanks for the offer, Lukus, but she can't take the job. She's going back to California. That's where she belongs. It's her home, and her best friend Mia is going to still need her help."

  Brianna wanted to deck Dylan. It was clear to every person in the room that Hannah was fighting back tears. It seemed like Dylan was trying to dump her, forcing her to move halfway across the country from him.

  Hannah tried to push up and out of Dylan's lap, but he held her tight. When her tears spilled over and down her cheeks, he brushed them away gently, his smile not matching the seriousness of the moment.

  Dylan didn't take his eyes off Hannah as he spoke. "And thanks for the job, Lukus, but I'm resigning. My place is in California, too. With Hannah and Connor."

  Hannah's tears turned to sobs as she hugged Dylan hard, peppering his face with sweet kisses.

  Brianna's mom yelled out from the kitchen. "Lunch is ready. Everyone come and get it!"

  The room was animated with good-natured conversations as the couples started to move towards the kitchen. Brianna smiled as she looked at the people she cared so much about. Her heart was almost bursting with love as she returned her attention to her husband.

  Markus reached for her hand, pulling her closer. She'd come so close to losing the love of her life. She'd carried such guilt for putting their marriage and lives in danger by her association with Jake Davenport, but in that moment, Brianna was finally at peace.

  You lost, Jake, and we won. I hope you're rolling over in your grave, realizing how spectacularly you failed at ruining our lives.

  The End

  A Note from the Author:

  I hope you’ve enjoyed the Punishment Pit series. This sixth book brings to an end the Jake story line, but there is still so much ahead for our kinky friends. All future Punishment Pit books will be standalone stories in the same world. We’ll start with taking a peek into Rachel and Derek’s journey into parenthood.

  Have you ever wondered what age-play couples do when they have real-life children of their own? Well, you’ll get your chance to find out in Expecting it All, releasing on December 1st, 2020. In addition to Rachel and Derek’s parenthood story, EIA includes a scene I love to call “Three Doms and a Baby,” as well as getting to spend the holidays with the gang as Lukus and Tiffany officially tie the knot.

  I hope you’ll grab your copy of Expecting it All, available in preorder! Keep reading for Chapter One from Expecting it All!

  Cheers,

  Livia

  XOXO

  Chapter One from Expecting it All – Due out December 1st, 2020

  Rachel

  "You sure this is where you want to go? It seems like a dangerous place for a pregnant lady."

  Rachel Parker held out a twenty-dollar bill to the Chicago taxi driver. "I'm sure. Just wait until I get inside the door, please."

  The older Asian driver flashed her a look that told her he thought she was crazy. Considering it took her a full minute to pull her ballooned body out of the back seat and stand upright, she couldn't really argue.

  Doubt invaded her mind, and she almost climbed back into the cab. With a deep breath, she forced herself to buck up. Her marriage was suffering, and she was on a mission to do something about it.

  Rachel slammed the car door closed, silently cursing the driver as he took off down the dark alley without waiting even one flat second for her to get safely inside the building. A brisk October breeze whipped around and urged her to pull up the collar of her winter coat to guard against catching a chill. Her Daddy would be upset if she caught a cold.

  She reached i
n her purse for the magnetic keycard she needed to gain access to The Punishment Pit. It had been six weeks since she'd been to the private club. It felt like a lifetime. Before she got pregnant, she would spend hours every day in this building with her husband, Derek. Days were spent at Titan Securities on the fourth floor. Nights were spent here at The Punishment Pit, watching her husband on stage and joining him in most shows.

  A now familiar paralyzing fear gripped her as the reality of how much had changed in her life closed in. And all because of one simple decision.

  She wanted to be a mom.

  With three older sisters, all good Catholic procreators, Rachel had been blessed with a baker's dozen nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored. When she started to feel left out as the only sister not to have kids, she'd convinced Derek it was time to take the plunge into parenthood.

  The months since that little stick turned blue had taught Rachel that some decisions were not meant to be made in the spur of the moment. She hadn't considered that having a real baby would ultimately bump her out of the baby role in their family.

  As if he could read her thoughts, her young son shifted inside her, reminding her he wasn't going anywhere.

  It's all right, boo. Mommy still loves you. I just need this last chance to be the baby of the family again.

  Rachel forced herself to put one swollen foot in front of the other until she was in the foyer of the club. Pounding music coming from the other side of the thick door told her the show hadn't started yet. That made her happy. She couldn't wait to surprise her husband. He had tried many times to get her to come with him to the club over the last few weeks, but she'd always turned him down. It was hard to feel sexy when you'd packed thirty extra pounds onto a petite, one-hundred-twenty pound frame. Every part of her body was retaining water. She was sure she'd pop if someone poked her with a pin.

  Rachel used her keycard to gain entry to the main floor of The Punishment Pit. It was busy for a Thursday. She should have called ahead and asked Ethan to save her a seat at the front of the club.