“It is getting bad over there. Stephen is having to deal with clients who are refusing to pay their quote. Also, the press are having a field day with him. They want him to talk about Possession and how you become a member. Then with this Dane business.”
James listened while Tate continued talking.
“Rebecca and Isabella are not helping. They live there permanently. Lucas and Sean were talking to me the other day, and they don’t think this thing with Dominic Green is over. Our names are all over this. Kevin and I have increased security, and I recommend you do the same.”
“Then I’ll let you and Kevin handle my security over here. I’ve no idea where to start.”
Tate nodded. “We’ll deal with it at the weekend.”
The sound of a sub crying out in pleasure pulled their attention out of their conversation. James saw the dark-haired beauty being brought to climax. All of a sudden the woman changed in his mind’s eye. He saw two-toned hair. The brown became black with the contrasting dark red underneath.
He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. Prudence shouldn’t be in his thoughts. She was too young and one of his ex’s younger sister.
Turning his attention back to the table, he thought about Prudence with her sweet smile. That sweet smile had turned into one dripping with sexual promise only moments ago.
“I need you to do something else for me,” James said.
“What do you need?” Tate asked as Kevin joined them at the table.
“I want you to do a background check. I want to know past boyfriends, her scores in college, and where she works now.”
What the hell are you doing? She’s younger than you. You shouldn’t be doing this.
Stop.
He couldn’t stop.
Tate pulled out a book and began making notes.
“I need a name.”
“Prudence Star.”
“When do you want this information for?”
“By the end of the week or as soon as you can get it.” James sipped his drink. A sub stood by their table looking down at the floor.
“Yes,” James said with a growl to his voice.
“My master has offered me to you,” the voice said.
“Tell him I’m not interested.”
She scurried away.
“That’s not like you, James, pushing away a sub.”
He didn’t say anything as he downed his drink. Since Prudence had entered Ravage on Friday, training or taking a sub for the weekend hadn’t been on his mind. None of them held any appeal. He pushed Kevin out of the way and got up.
“Get me those details.” He left the dungeon without a backward glance. Some people tried to catch his attention, he ignored them, pretending he hadn’t seen them. James walked out of his club and asked Leo to get him a cab to take him to Possession.
He waited while Leo talked to the taxi firm. They used one who knew the score and kept their mouths shut.
Once inside, the driver didn’t speak to him or acknowledge his presence. James stared out of the window trying to get the black and red haired beauty out of his mind.
At the gate to Possession, he typed in the twelve digit number for his access code. The gates opened and immediately shut when the car drove down the path leading up to the house. When the taxi stopped, he paid some money for them to wait while he was inside.
He was surprised to see there was no doorman when he entered. James kept his coat and made his way down to Stephen’s office.
Lucas and Sean were coming down the stairs looking like they’d just been to hell. He saw Lucas give him a nod of the head before leaving.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” Sean said. The man looked like he’d aged twenty years.
“Are you still drinking from the bottle?” James asked.
“No, I drink from the glass and keep the bottle close by.” Sean walked away leaving Lucas and James alone.
“Where is the doorman?”
“I think you need to talk to Stephen.”
Lucas walked past him leaving James alone.
He knocked on the door and heard his friend’s muffled voice letting him know the door was open.
Walking into the room James was shocked by what greeted him. There were piles of paperwork on the table. Dane sat in the centre of the room looking through some of the mounds of paperwork.
Stephen looked up. “James? Is that you?”
“The one and only. What’s going on?” James asked, stepping around the room.
“I finally emptied the basement of the house that Dad kept hidden. These are all the backlogs of files on the members of Possession.” Stephen went back to reading.
“Why don’t you have a doorman?”
“He quit when he was attacked at the door by a pair who’d managed to get an access code to the gate. They didn’t look like regulars. They were members of the press. After the attack there was an exposé on the people who worked here. I compensated him, and his job will still be here when all this crap dies down.” Stephen explained without looking up.
James looked at the never ending paperwork.
“How did they get the access codes?”
“Someone hacked our security. I’ve had Tate and Kevin put a tighter lock on things. I’m hoping it will hold up any possible threat. I’ve had it up to here with them.” Stephen raised his hand above his head.
Dane hadn’t looked up at him. James didn’t like this other man. For him, he represented all the crap that was happening. If it weren’t for men like him then he wouldn’t be in this position, and maybe Prudence wouldn’t be breaking into his thoughts.
“I’m getting them to boost my security. How is Ursula handling things?” he asked. He liked the other woman. She made Stephen calm and showed him what it meant to be a possessive man.
“She’s not saying anything. I know she hates the fact she can’t finish her degree. Her family are being difficult. They’re worried about her being with me. It is a mess. Eugene really fucked everything up for us.”
Eugene Black was the man responsible for putting Possession and Ravage in the spotlight.
If James could get his hands on the little fucker he’d have killed him all over again.
“Why are you going through the old files and all the old members?” James asked.
“To see if I’ve missed something. I’m following my gut in this one, James. I think there is an answer in here. I have no idea what. Ursula thinks I’m barking mad.”
“Is this because of Lloyd Black?”
“Partly. You do know he was friends with our parents, don’t you?”
James shook his head. He hadn’t known. James frowned as he recalled what Stephen had said about the files being in the basement.
“I thought the files were either on the computer or here,” James said.
“That is what I thought. Only within the last twenty years has information been going on file. My dad printed everything off and stored it away in the house. Possession was not the original house where the club met.”
“Where did the club usually meet?” James asked.
“At my house, the one that has been passed down through each generation of Knox’s. Some of the stuff here is in writing. I think it dates back easily a hundred years.” Stephen closed and file and threw it on the floor.
“Anything with Black and Knox?”
“Yes, you’re not going to like it. This here has the three files of Knox and Black, but there is also Castleden, James. Something went on among our families, and I’ve no idea what it is.”
****
Dane listened to them talk. They were getting close to putting their history together. He’d figured it out the moment he read the files. It was done in code and one he’d easily been able to decipher. These two men had no idea how tightly they were wound with the Black name or how tightly the Black name was wound with Green.
“I’m going to get a drink,” Dane said.
Stephen nodded his head then continu
ed talking with James.
He liked both men and knew when they saw the truth, they would be in for a world of hurt. Dane walked out of the office and down to the bar. He saw Lucas and Sean drinking, which made him hesitate. Staring up the flight of stairs, he walked to the top floor to the far end. He gave three knocks, and Isabella opened the door.
She looked at him like he’d gone mad. Behind Isabella, Rebecca stood.
“What are you doing here?” Rebecca asked.
“I could ask you two the same question.” He pushed past them and slammed the door glaring at them.
Neither of them showed any fear.
“I told you when I came here after getting out. Your being here is not good,” Dane said. All three of them had agreed a few years ago what was going to happen. He didn’t like how it was going. This could all turn on their heads.
“Things change, Dane,” Rebecca said.
“Our plan does not change. Things are going to get ugly. Dominic was just the beginning. He’ll come, and then you’ll both be sorry.” At mentioning him they both winced. He hated to see the pain on their faces. They were two young women who’d suffered a great deal. He wanted them to live their lives without fear. “What are you going to do when they find out the truth? Isabella? Rebecca?”
“I’m sorry, Dane. We can’t run. Too much is at stake,” Rebecca said.
“Sean and Lucas won’t let me run. I’m thankful for your help, but I can’t finish it. This is my home.”
“I can’t protect you here. You’re too vulnerable.” Dane wanted to hurt something. All of his planning was for nothing.
“We know you want to save her, Dane. We’re going to help any way we can to get her back.”
He closed his eyes as he was once again swamped by the pain.
“Nothing is going to help if you two are still around when the shit hits the fan. They’re coming, and they’re going to collect.”
At his words silence descended on the room.
“James and Stephen have no idea how far back this thing goes, do they?”
Dane didn’t say a word. From what he’d read, neither did their fathers or their fathers before them. Whatever happened between Possession and Ravage was about to get a whole lot worse.
“I better go before someone notices I’ve gone.” Dane held both women’s shoulders trying to comfort them. “Please, get out of here before it is too late. You will be nothing but pawns in this war among men.”
He left them going straight to the bathroom when he saw Sean walking up the stairs. Dane locked the door staring at his reflection. He needed more time and more money.
Another part of him didn’t want James and Stephen to be hurt.
Dane closed his eyes shutting off the painful memories. He needed to get Isabella and Rebecca to safety. That was the one promise he was going to keep. The other, he’d die in her place if he had to.
****
“Do you really think they’ll be coming for us?” Isabella asked. Rebecca stared at the younger woman wishing she could give her something to help her feel safe.
“If Dane says he’s coming then he’ll be coming, and if we’re here, we’re as good as dead.” Rebecca thought of Tate and Kevin. They were in love with her. She’d seen the possessive glint in their eyes whenever they looked at her. They wanted to keep her safe, and she hated the fact that they were in love with an illusion. The Rebecca they’d fallen in love with wasn’t the real person she was.
She blinked away the tears filling her eyes. Lloyd Black had destroyed every part of her that was good. Now, she did everything she could to survive.
“Why don’t we run?” Isabella asked.
“I think you should run. I can’t. I owe Cadeon and Stephen so much. They protected me from Lloyd when it got too bad. Then there are Tate and Kevin.” She cut off her thoughts.
“They will love you no matter what,” Isabella said.
She shook her head. “They won’t. Not when they learn the truth. Who could love someone like me?”
Isabella held her close. She took the small amount of comfort that she could in the younger woman’s arms. They both owed Dane so much. Rebecca knew he was putting his life on the line to help them and the men who’d helped to free him.
“I can’t leave Lucas to this. He’s all I’ve got.”
“Then it looks like we’re staying until the end.” They held each other for several minutes. It was the only comfort they could afford themselves in this perilous time. Rebecca knew it was only a matter of time before Possession and Ravage were a distant memory. She hoped and prayed they were all strong enough to deal with the danger that was lurking all around them.
Chapter Seven
Another meaningless day at work and her feet were tired from all the walking she’d done. She needed to find better fitting shoes. The heels she wore were not doing the job she wanted. Prue loved the way the heels made her legs and ass look, but they were a nightmare on her feet.
She leaned back on her sofa, clicking on the television when her phone began to ring. She ignored the shrill tone intent on disrupting her quiet time. The phone went ignored for the next few minutes until the phone lay silent in its cradle.
Her thoughts turned to James as the television showed a romantic comedy. It was too early for any decent movie to be playing. It had been four days since she’d seen James. Monday seemed like an eternity away. Anya and Becky went to Ravage every night after work. They were addicted to the club. She’d declined to go, preferring to stay at home with a tub of chocolate ice cream to keep her company.
Prue flicked through the channels trying to find something to capture her attention when the phone began ringing once again.
She growled before getting out of her chair and answering the call. “Hello,” she said.
There was no sound on the other line. She put the phone down, and it immediately began ringing again. Frowning, she picked the phone up, waiting for the person to respond. Goosebumps erupted on her arms as she heard heavy breathing on the other end. The sound filled her with terror. She’d seen plenty of movies with heavy breathers down the line.
“Who is this?” she asked.
No sound other than the heavy breathing. She put the phone down then turned to sit on the sofa.
The phone began ringing.
Prue picked the phone up and placed it against her ear. The heavy breather was back. She slammed the phone down and disconnected the phone from the wall. Prue stared at the phone and screamed when someone banged on her front door.
She put a hand to her brow, feeling the sweat on her forehead. The neighbourhood she lived in was a good one. She walked to the door surprised to see who was on her doorstep. James stood waiting for her. Prue would recognise that frown anywhere. She soaked him in through the little keyhole.
“Open the door, Prudence. I know you’re standing there.” She stuck her tongue out and pulled a face before putting on a bland expression and opened the door.
“James, I’m surprised to see you here. Veronica doesn’t live here.” Her heart was racing partly from the phone call and mostly because having your wet dream on your doorstep would cause any body to have a meltdown.
“I’m not here to see Veronica. I’m here to see you.” He brushed past her without giving her chance to invite him in.
“You could have waited for an invitation.”
“I’m not a vampire, Prudence.” He moved into her sitting room, glancing around him. She gazed at him stood in her sitting room. The house was a nice size. With him inside the sitting room made her place feel ridiculously small. “Nice place.”
“Thanks. Do you want anything to drink?” she asked, pulling out her ponytail and allowing the locks to fall around her head.
“No. I want you to quit your job,” he said, turning to look at her.
“What? Why?”
“I know where you work, and I don’t want you working there anymore,” he said, removing his coat.
The moment the co
at was gone she lost all sense of her argument as she merely watched him. His body was so large and muscular.
It is not the first time you’ve seen a decent body, Prue. He’s not even naked. Stop simpering, you silly girl.
“You can’t tell me where to work,” she said, folding her arms underneath her breasts.
She saw it.
His gaze went down to her chest and quickly looked up at her. If she’d been looking elsewhere she’d have missed it. That one glance gave her hope.
Why are you hoping? He’s Veronica’s ex. You can’t have him.
She didn’t want him. You do.
Take what you want.
Prue felt like a bitch and was confused. Veronica was a happily married mother. Why couldn’t she be with James? Her life was turning into one long drama. She couldn’t stand it much longer.
“Give me one good reason why I should give up my job?” she asked, pulling his attention back to her. She wondered what he’d do if she opened her blouse revealing the white lacy bra she wore.
Stop! Don’t be bad, Prue.
She wanted to be bad with James so much.
“You work for Cadeon Ashwood,” he said.
“Wrong. I work in the building owned by Cadeon Ashwood. I’ve never met the guy. I know Violet, the woman he’s married to. She was a quiet little thing. I’m not quitting my job.”
She watched him grind his teeth. His jaw locked in anger.
“I’ve told you to quit your job.” He took a step closer.
Prue licked her lips from the way his gaze penetrated her own. She’d never seen him so serious before.
“No, you can’t order me around, James.” She stopped speaking the moment he stood in front of her. She stared up his body wondering what was going on in that mind of his.
“I don’t want you working for him.”
“He’s your friend?” She knew the answer. His and Cadeon’s name had been linked together in the news.
“I know, and I don’t want you working for him, Prudence.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, Mr. Castleden, jobs are scarce in this market. The work I do for Cadeon is good, and I get paid a decent wage. Not many women can say the same.”
Her heart was racing purely for him. His subtle masculine scent teased her nostrils. The scent of leather and hard muscled man was intoxicating. He wore his leather pants making him look sinful.
Owned by the Dom: Part One (The Owners) Page 6