by Jax Hart
“Collar her!”
“Punish her.”
“Show us DOM, how you make her beg!”
The men behind me become agitated. I jerk my face away from him, eyes shooting venom. He grabs the back of my hair, jerking it down enough to sting but not hard enough to really hurt… yet. “On your knees.”
I’m pushed down much to the delight of the crowd. He walks back into the shadows, crooking a finger at me. “Crawl to me.”
“Never!”
A man behind me smacks my ass. I turn, screaming and thrashing the shard in my hand. Before I can strike, it’s yanked from me and I’m hauled back into the wolf’s arms.
“Stop,” he hisses. “I’m trying to save you. But they will demand witnessing your punishment. You shouldn’t have come here, little girl.”
“I’m not a little girl.” I throw my head back trying to hit his chin. His arms cross in front of me. I’m caught in his embrace, plastered against his body. I bite the inside of my cheek until I taste blood. The fight is an aphrodisiac to me. Maybe I just need to admit to myself that I need an alpha. I crave the addictive game of control. The man always needing it and me always defying that need.
“Make her…submit. I demand it.” A man waltzes forward. On his wrist is a green bracelet.
“Don’t be a fool little girl. Do you see that bracelet? It signifies that he’s in the highest rank of the Den. Dimitri charges millions for membership. The man you pissed off is Viktor Romanov, head of one of the cruelest Russian mobs. They flay little girls like you before breakfast. There’s only one way out now.”
He drags me further into the darkness, but the man follows. I turn in my captor’s arms. “Please. Don’t… I-I can’t be humiliated.” My hands splay on his broad chest. I feel his pecs tighten under my palms. The mask should make him seem like a monster. It’s hideous and cruel. Made to make women terrified. But the dark secret I keep locked within is that I crave the monsters.
“Who the fuck are you anyway?” The Russian spits, coming at us. “Since Dimitri is on the other side of the room.”
“No one you want to fuck with, Viktor.”
I already knew the man who held me wasn’t Dimitri. Dimitri wears expensive cologne, but this man wears nothing but the smell of his expensive suit and arrogance. I want to pretend it’s him. My dark love from the past. My nails dig into my own soft flesh. He’s always been my one weakness and that’s why I need him to finally fall.
The Russian snarls at my back. “She must pay for the insults, to keep the other subs in line. Let us watch. You are wearing the Alpha mask. It’s your duty.”
I’m a strong woman but I shut my eyes, burying my face in the safety of my own monster’s neck. I won’t go through with this total humiliation no matter what is asked of me. “Please. I’m no sub. If anything, I’m a dominant myself. I’ll die before submitting to any man.” My protector’s arms hold me closer.
“I know that already, Red.”
He goes hard as I gasp in surprise against his skin. He’s caught me. I’m in the one embrace I’ve run from because it always felt like coming home.
The other DOMS form a half circle around us. Roque’s caress on my bare back is soothing until he whispers in my ear. “Regret all those times you’ve run from me? I can only save you by breaking you again, bella. They won’t let us leave. On your knees,” he commands, dropping me to his feet.
The other men shift, excited at the game. Roque lifts a hand to the mask, removing it. His aqua eyes glitter with fierce desire in the dark. He lifts his chin as I lift mine. This duel. This constant tug-of-war between us refuses to end. Behind Roque is the couple from earlier, the woman nods, encouraging me. I might be the one on the floor as Roque hovers over me, but aren’t I the one with all the power? He smirks, expecting me to refuse. He knows I’ll refuse. So, I do the unexpected. Tilt his world the way he’s always tilted mine. I reach for his belt.
His eyes widen, smolder, and burn as my tiny hands reach inside.
“I didn’t ask for a hand job.” He grabs the back of my head, walking backward into the dark corner. I cry out when my knees burn from being dragged.
But I know what he’s doing. He’s saving me the humiliation and denying them their sick pleasure. This thing between us is for us. No one else. Especially, not spectators.
My tongue darts out, tasting him. “Bella,” he whispers as his hands cup the side of my face. He’s tense, holding back, knowing this isn’t me. “Just bob your head, I’ll make it look real enough.”
I let my teeth scrape alongside him. If there was any doubt just who is in control, it’s gone as he hisses out my name. He steps back away from me and longingly caresses my cheek before snapping a collar around my throat.
And just like that he flips the game on me. The corners of his mouth lift. “Do you know how many times I’ve imagined this moment?”
“That’s it?” Vicktor growls coming close. He jerks me back by my hair and the unexpected pain has me crying out.
“Did you dare touch what’s mine?”
Roque’s face comes out into the dim light causing the females to gasp. Everyone on the planet knows his face. The face of the surviving mob in modern times. It’s plastered on every tabloid page with the rumors the Feds and Interpol can’t seem to get anything to stick. My glance falls to the bracelet at my wrist. The way he looked at me… the way he even now is trying to protect me despite our own sick game… has me doubting if I can betray him even if it’ll mean I’ll finally win.
The hushed crowd backs up. The veins in Roque’s neck pop. His jaw tics. His eyes are the window to all the hell unleashed inside of him. I’d be afraid, too. But I’ve already survived him.
“Salvatore? Didn’t know this was your thing…”
Roque picks an imaginary piece of lint off his sleeve. “Unhand my woman.”
I’m practically shoved into Roque’s arms. “You understand I can’t let this go unpunished?”
The Russian swallows hard but refuses to back down. “The fuck? How was I supposed to know it was you? That she was yours?” He waves us off and tries to leave.
“Don’t move, bella.”
I know I should leave, get the hell out of this club, and never look back. But as Roque rolls up his sleeves, I’m transfixed by the new ink that wasn’t there before. I guess that’s why I didn’t know it was him at first. Roque never had ink on his hands. He moves like a panther all confidence and unleashed power, waiting until the last second to strike. Roque’s fist clips the Russian under his jaw.
The second punch gets him in the sternum. The Russian falls back but raises his fists. “You dare? You’re a dead man.”
“You fuckin’ prick. You gonna start a new mob war over a sub in a sex club?”
“No one touches what’s mine.” Roque growls stalking closer. The Russian pulls a knife. Dimitri’s goons close in but Roque nods them off. It’s one on one. Roque smirks, mimicking with his hands for the jerk to move closer. The man charges going for Roque’s legs. Roque jumps aside, landing an elbow on the back of the Russian’s head. He goes down and Roque follows. Women scream as blood splatters on their evening dresses. Their DOMS, grab them hauling them away, soothing them with more violent delights. I roll my eyes as the women all whimper, needing the pain of S & M to wipe it away.
I just don’t get it. I enjoy the push and pull of power between me and Roque but that’s about it.
Roque finally relents when the man is out cold. I lift my eyes from the loser slumped on the floor to the victor standing over him, watching me with hungry eyes. “I did it for you.” They say.
He crooks a finger at me.
I stand still, defying him to the end.
He places a hand on his hip, “Last chance, Red.”
“You’ll never conquer me.”
“I already have and you know it,” he baits.
“Please,” I roll my eyes.
“You’re the one wearing the collar, pet.”
; I had forgotten about it. My hands fly to my throat, feeling the warm leather. I stand my ground as he approaches, taking a braided leather rope from his pocket.
“Don’t you dare,” I breathe.
Ignoring my swatting hands, he connects it. “Where’s our baby?”
I lower my eyes, not wanting to let him see how badly I wanted it. “Gone.”
“Gone?”
“Yes.”
He grabs my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “You better not be lying to me. Did you…?”
I shake my head. “It wasn’t meant to be.”
He sighs, cradling me to his chest. Dimitri’s men clear the room. The lights come up to a low dim. The room is cleaned. Neither of us move. Or speak. We just stand there and hold each other, forgiving each other for the past. Grieving over the loss of what might have been. While I hold him, I forgive myself for what I need to do. Just for a few more minutes… I’ll stay holding him, wishing him to be what I thought he could be when I was eighteen. I keep lying to myself as I stay in his arms.
The music turns back on. The lights lower again, and a fresh group of people enter The Den. The slow songs fade away as ones with more tempo begin. He spins, backing me straight against the wall. His hungry gaze bores into me before he cups my face and his lips descend. It’s a kiss that transcends time. It’s one of eternal ownership. But mine’s a viper’s in return.
“Salvatore.”
Roque rips his mouth of mine. “I’m a little busy here, Dimitri.”
“I don’t like cleaning up other people’s messes. Especially ones they make in my club. The DOM’s are angry. They think Eden is a joke. She needs to submit.”
“That will never happen.”
“Then you need to leave.”
“Gladly.”
“Not so fast.” Roque keeps me pinned. “What will it be, Red? The dark room or the cage?”
“Are you serious?”
“Aren’t I always?” That arrogant smirk I hate so much makes an appearance. “At least I’m feeling generous tonight; giving you a choice.”
“The dark room. It’s not like I haven’t been locked in one with you before.”
My mention of the first night we met has his eyes glowing hotter. This really is too easy. I am the perfect weapon and it makes me feel sick. I wish this could all be real, and I was just some girl and he was just some guy. I need to hit the brakes on this runaway train before it rolls right over me again. He tugs the ends of the rope in his hand. “Good girl.”
My eyes narrow. “I’m no one’s good girl. Piss off.”
“Tonight, you’ll be mine, Red.”
I’m tempted to stomp my heel on his toes. Instead I grab Dimitri’s hand. “Maybe I want to be his, tonight. What do you say, Big Guy? I’ve already been with him. Too many times. Tonight, maybe I want to try something new.”
Roque growls. Dimitri’s brows lift. “You couldn’t handle me. I’m a real DOM not the mask-wearing actor Roque is. You think he’s an ass? You have no idea. This lifestyle isn’t for everyone and it’s not a joke. It’s not hot wax and spreader bars; glamourized by Hollywood. It’s dark, gritty, violent but the participants want it that way.”
My eyes glazed over. Sex and pain. Violence and ecstasy. That’s pretty much how I feel when I’m with Roque anyway.
“Nice try, Red. But you are all mine. Just like you’ve always been.” Dimitri leads the way. I’m stuck between the two of them. For once, I’m not worried about how I’ll escape since my plan was to get caught. But of all the mental calculations I made, getting caught at an S&M club wasn’t one of them.
Eyes roam over us as Dimitri leads us to a leather paneled door. “Do you have a safe word?”
“What do you think?” I roll my eyes, but he can’t see them as the lights went low again.
“It’s a rule.”
“I’m kind of a rule breaker.”
He turns to Roque. “She wouldn’t last five minutes with anyone else. If she were mine her ass would be as red as her hair right now.”
Roque’s husky laugh skates along my back. I’ll show him. I’ll remind him that it’s always been me. That I’m the erotic poison killing him slowly. That my touch is a burn that never leaves. These men are all fools if they think for one second that women are the weaker sex.
“What is this?” The room is pitch black, but the walls are all made of glass. “The viewing box. It’s a dark room. You can’t see out but everyone else can see in.”
“More night vision?”
Dimitri shrugs. Roque wears a wolf’s smile. I throw them both off their game by striding ahead. I’m the one crooking my finger inviting them both inside. “Why don’t you stay?” I arc my brow at Dimitri.
Roque growls, shoving him back and slamming the door. “Well, well, well, Little Red, the big, bad wolf has caught you at last.”
You have no idea. My heart and body would both be mush in his hands if it weren’t for the evidence Agent Jackass showed me. I’m not convinced half of the women in this club have any idea what it’s about.
I roll my eyes. “Let’s get this over with. What do you want?”
“That’s a loaded question.”
I look around. There’s nothing in this room. Not one shadow, indicating there’s even a box, a chair, anything. It’s not total blackness as promised either. Dim blue perimeter lighting casts a strange glow.
He rushes me. Picks me up by the waist and in seconds my bare back is flush against cool glass. He wraps my legs around his waist, using his hands to help my dress skate higher. Moans of appreciation come from behind the barrier as my ass is pressed against the wall of windows.
Embarrassed, I try to yank it down. “This isn’t me.”
“Look at me. Only, at me.”
I do and what a mistake. I’m sucked into the vortex that is Roque Salvatore. He consumes me like some soul sucking reaper with just one intense stare. I feel my soul untethering from somewhere deep inside. It wants him. It wants to leave me and let him take it.
“That’s it, bella. Come to me.”
The man has barely touched me, and I’m already gone. My hands cup his cheek. It takes everything I have not to be weak and let the tears I feel welling fall. It feels like I need to hold onto every stolen second I have with him before I betray him.
“It’s been too long. I need you so much.” His words are fast and frenzied, but his hands glide slow as they caress me. My head rolls back as his lips blaze a trail of fire. He alternates between whispering curses and love words in Italian against my skin. In the dark, he owns me. He always did. His hands slide all over me. The drum beats faster and faster. I spin in his web, until I don’t know which way is up or down. Until I forget right from wrong.
My hands are all over him too. He dominates me just by breathing, he doesn’t need ropes or chains either. One hand slides further up the inside of my thigh. His teeth scrape against my throat at the same moment he moves aside my thong finding the tiny pearl nestled in the folds.
As he presses it, fireworks go off inside me. I moan and whimper in his embrace, needing more.
“No, bella. No one else gets to watch this but me. Only I own the pleasure I give you.” My back leaves the glass as he stalks to the opposite corner. He presses in a series of numbers into a key box and the room goes pitch black. Gone is the dim blue lighting. Drapes fall from inside, shielding us from view. I’m put down, stripped of my dress. I can’t see him only feel, taste, and smell the rich scent of his skin. “I can’t wait. It’s been too long.” In one long stroke he impales me. We both groan because it feels so fucking good. He increases the tempo and I’m lost, riding the wave that’s Roque fucking Salvatore. My eyes roll back this time in ecstasy as he strokes me with his hand and his cock.
Our bodies slam together. My hands fist in his hair. His fingers bite into my flesh. “It’s always been you, Red. Fucking you,” he grates out seconds before I feel him shuddering inside me. Boneless and limp, my legs fall from where th
ey were wrapped around his back. I still haven’t said anything back. His litany of lusted-filled words were all one-sided. Maybe it’s because I can’t trust myself to speak. I’d break down, tell him everything and let him fix it all. But that’s not who I am. I don’t want or need a man to fix my problems.
“Is this love?” He takes my palm, placing it against his rapidly beating heart. “Tell me this is love, bella. Why else do I never stop thinking of you? Why can’t I let this go?”
I still can’t see his face. I bow my head, laying it against his chest, listening to the thumping sound of the heart I always accused him of not having. I can’t do this. I can’t betray him. Somehow, I need to evade it all without turning him in. He’s never been so damn alpha and yet so tender with me before. He’s the perfect damn man and I can’t have him.
Before I know it, he places my discarded dress in my hands. I have only seconds to make sense out of the bunched-up fabric before he grabs my hand and somehow gets us back to the keypad. He punches in a four-digit code and the door opens. “Ready to run, Red?”
“You know it.”
“Ah, she finally speaks.”
It’s a good thing it’s still so dark because my face is as red as a tomato. He grabs my hand and races through The Den to the bank of elevators I first arrived in. After tapping out another code the doors open. I sag in relief as he presses down.
“Not your thing, eh?”
“If it was up to me, you’d be the one collared.”
“You collared me the second we met in the closet.”
“Which one?”
“The one where I looked into your eyes and saw my future.”
“Please. Through my hazy brown contacts?”
“I knew the first time I had you pinned in a closet. That was the second time.”
“Whatever. I’m out. Thanks for the… um… good time.” As the elevator opens back on the club floor, I rush out. I can’t make this too easy or he’ll suspect something’s up.