Countered: A Dark Suspenseful Gothic Romance (The Rule of Lawes Series Book 2)

by Felicity Brandon

  “Since I’ll need my hands for other purposes, I suggest we use these instead.”

  A cheer arose from the assembled men at whatever Lawes held aloft, though, of course, April couldn’t lift her head to see. Lawes didn’t hesitate, crouching in front of her, happily presenting April with his verdict. His large palm opened to reveal two metal clamps, both with what looked like red jewels hanging from them. Her throat dried at his choice. April already had experience with those clover clamps, and however pretty they looked, she knew how much they hurt the sensitive tissue of her nipples.

  “I know you like clamps.” Lawes flashed her a smile before allowing a clamp to fall to the blanket below, tumbling with a small tinkling. “These have small bells at the back of the jewel, so we’ll hear every move you make.” He paused, turning to Fuller for affirmation. “And they do look so fabulous on you.”

  April watched Lawes capture the evil-looking clamp in his palm, and could picture the inane smirk on his face when he looked to the other men. They were all as bad as the other, each one as depraved as the next. None of them was going to come to her rescue. Pushing back the panic, the truth of her predicament bloomed in her mind.

  No one was coming.

  Twelve

  Hannah

  Hannah watched helplessly as the events unraveled, her mind struggling to keep up. Why had April offered to take the heat for her? Her brow furrowed as the weight of the question fell over Hannah once more. It just didn’t make sense. Sure, April had ratted on her to Fuller, but she’d also created the opportunity for Hannah to slip away yesterday. They were quits—there was no need for such self-sacrificial behavior. Yet here they were—all the women taken from their cages and brought here, and all the men were present as well. She would have to witness whatever hideous show April was about to become the brunt of.

  She turned her head to the line of women, her gaze flitting to Lucy out of instinct. Lucy’s eyes widened a fraction, but her head fell low as though she too couldn’t bear the sight of whatever was about to play out. Zander and Matthew were seated on either side of the line, each in one of the large chairs they’d all taken while she’d been paddled last night, a palmful of leash handles clasped in both of their hands. Fuller had also retrieved one of those chairs and was sitting comfortably above Hannah while she was kept on a short leash by his feet.

  A powerful combination of disdain and desire mingled within Hannah at her treatment. There had seemed to be a burgeoning chemistry between her and Fuller earlier in the corridor—but hadn’t she thought the same about Lawes after the dental treatment yesterday? Hannah’s brow knitted further. Christ, had it only been yesterday? Her gaze fell on Lawes. He was crouched in front of April’s face, fiddling with something small and metal in his fingers. Hannah had only been here for a couple of days, but it already seemed like so much longer.

  She had a deep sense of dread that whatever happened in this sink of debauchery, a fragment of her—and at this point, she didn’t know how large that part was—might always be trapped here, on the leash, at Fuller’s feet, waiting for the next episode to topple her into either misery or ecstasy. Her head swirled with the intensity of it all.

  “Fuck!” April’s pained tone captured Hannah’s attention, and her focus shifted back to whatever Lawes had attached to her right breast.

  She’d noticed the small metal object when Lawes had flashed it to Fuller but had never seen anything like it before. As she looked closer, she could see it had two arms, which were both clamping down hard on April’s poor nipple. Below the cruel device hung what looked like a red jewel.

  “Indeed.” Lawes was gleeful, and before he turned to his audience for approval, he flicked the dangling jewel, producing a small chiming sound, like a bell. “Isn’t it perfect?”

  Fuller clapped his palms together, the thunderous sound making Hannah’s heart leap. “It will be,” he cried enthusiastically. “Just as soon as you get the other in place, old friend.”

  “Patience,” Lawes replied with a smile, shaking his head. Collecting the second of the objects, he positioned it at April’s vulnerable left nipple. “These things take time, Mr. Fuller.”

  The man seated next to Hannah laughed, yanking hard against the leash, drawing her even closer to his leg. She lurched in his direction, wrapping herself around the trouser leg before her attention returned to the plight of poor April, just in time to see the second clamp biting at her teat. She didn’t call out this time, but the pain was there, written all over her face, and guilt clawed at Hannah’s insides. Perhaps, Lawes was making this worse on April because she’d taken responsibility for Hannah as well. Her belly spasmed at her reasoning. Maybe he hadn’t intended to use such cruel and humiliating clamps, and somehow, she was partly to blame. With a personality as sadistic as Lawes, anything was possible.

  “There we are.” Lawes rose to his full height before coming to stand beside April’s dangling frame. “What do we think, gentlemen?”

  Lawes grasped April’s shoulder and shook her gently. She winced as the motion aggravated the pressure on her nipples and produced the ignominious chiming as both bells were triggered. There were murmurs of appreciation from Zander and Matthew before Fuller.

  “April looks divine, Mr. Lawes, and I love those bells.”

  “Me too,” he concurred, grinning ear to ear. “They really do add something, don’t they? I’m so pleased we indulged.”

  “What’s next, Mr. Lawes?” Her focus flitted to Matthew, who asked the question from his seat to the right. “I mean, she looks great, but how will you punish her?”

  Hannah wanted to yank the leash from out of Fuller’s hand and march over to the younger man and beat him with it. How will they punish her—didn’t the guy have eyes? Wasn’t it flagrantly clear this was already more punishment than anyone should have to handle? The straps, the suspension, the humiliation, and now, the nipple clamps—what more did April have to endure?

  “I can’t help but notice she’s at the perfect height to offer you some satisfaction.” Fuller smiled with his own consideration. “In fact, if we separate her ankles, perhaps April can service more than one of us at once.”

  Lawes’ eyes lit up at the suggestion. In the pit of her tummy, Hannah knew this had been their plan all along—to tie and string April up, using her in whatever base ways they wanted. Her pussy clenched at the thought. Christ, the idea was awful, yet the low thrum of arousal had returned to her core, drumming out a rhythm that seemed to connect with her needy little clit.

  “Good thinking, my friend.” Lawes’ green eyes sparkled. “Perhaps, you can secure Hannah to an anchor in the floor and join me.”

  She’d barely had time to ponder that proposition before Fuller was on his feet, towering over her. Pulling Hannah a few feet toward the other line of ashen-faced women, he dropped to one knee by what looked like a metal hook secured to the wooden floor. Heart racing, she looked on while he tied the end of her leash to the so-called anchor, effectively securing Hannah to the spot.

  “Be a good girl, Hannah.” Fuller’s gaze flashed her a warning. “You’ve been given one reprieve, but I’m certain there won’t be a second.”

  Rising, Fuller strode back to join his partner in crime, leaving Hannah huddled on all fours on the floor. She was still a few feet from the other women and Zander’s and Matthew’s feet, but she felt like the one on display as she tried to find a comfortable position against the cold, hard floor. By the time she glanced back at Fuller, he was already with April, releasing the binds at her ankles and using other dangling straps from the contraption to fix them wide apart. In a matter of moments, April’s legs were splayed as Lawes lined himself up with her mouth. Reaching for her dark tresses, he fisted her hair ruthlessly. Hannah watched as fresh tears sprung into April’s eyes.

  “Do we need to use the dental gag?” Lawes asked in a wry tone as he turned, addressing his audience. “Or can I rely on you to do a good job, April?”

  “Do what you like.
” Even now, on the edge of the precipice, April somehow found the strength to spit the words back at him. As Lawes’ expression darkened, Hannah was filled with admiration. No wonder the others held April in such high esteem and her defiance was legendary. Though as Hannah watched Lawes release his already excited cock, she began to wonder just how sensible April’s smart-mouthed response had been.

  “Yet again, we’ll play it your way,” Lawes growled. “Let’s start without and see how you fare. I’m sure one of us can run and retrieve the appropriate gag if we need it.”

  April’s nostrils flared, but a moment later, Hannah’s view of her was obstructed by the hulking frame of Lawes as he edged toward her.

  “Open up, pet.” Lawes’ tone goaded, a timbre Hannah recognized only too well. “Open up and show us how good you are with that throat.”

  He didn’t give April time to respond before he plunged his engorged erection into her mouth. As Hannah suspected, April’s body appeared to be at the perfect height to receive him. She imagined most of his significant length vanishing into April’s throat on the first few lunges. Unsurprisingly, April gagged around his cock, but Lawes gave it no credence. He fucked her throat over and over, fisting her hair the whole time while he took precisely what he wanted.

  Thirteen

  April

  After all the time she’d spent in Lawes’ dark world, the insistent thrusting of his cock shouldn’t have been a surprise. It shouldn’t have shocked April as it presided over her denigration. In fact, given everything she had already been through, it should have barely even registered. But April was tired, exhausted, really. Weeks enduring the relentless regime of cages and training, of little rest and even less sleep, of summoning every shred of inner strength she had to fight back and spit in the faces of the men who tried to own her—had all taken their toll. As April hung from the harnesses, she realized she had little more to give. She had spirit and would always resist, but right at that moment—as Lawes took his fill—she was spent.

  “Fucking divine.” She was vaguely aware of his smug tone as his cock finally withdrew from her throat, leaving her gasping for air as spittle fell to the blanket below. “What do you think, Mr. Fuller?”

  April caught sight of Fuller’s polished shoes, circling her body, and braced herself. Helpless and even more uncomfortable now that her legs were being held open, she already had an idea where this line of questioning might be going.

  “Oh, she is.” Fuller’s voice was distant as though he was putting on a performance for those compelled to watch her vilification —no doubt, he was. “April is always a pleasure.”

  “Don’t hold back then.” Lawes stepped toward her again, his erection looming just beyond her head. “This is a punishment for April, but it shouldn’t be one for you. Enjoy yourself.”

  The hand at her calf was the first indication Fuller intended to take his partner’s advice, and April sensed the digits that rose with a feathery touch to her inner thighs.

  “I will.” Both of Fuller’s hands were on her flesh, the two large palms massaging the curve of her behind before they slid under her hips. April was exposed as he spread her cheeks apart, completely unable to prevent whatever he chose to do next.

  “Let’s both enjoy her at the same time.”

  One hand slipped beneath April’s belly, seeming to prop her up while the other pressed between her legs. Of course, she was wet for him—she was always wet these days, the heady combination of powerlessness and frustration meant arousal was never far away—yet that reality never failed to embarrass her. How, after everything, could she find this desirable? There should be nothing arousing about being trussed up and displayed this way, let alone taken by two men at once while she was dangling in their damn leather. Though she loathed it, April couldn’t deny it. There was something hot about it—insanely hot—and it was that knowledge that echoed around her mind as Fuller’s fingers eased into her slick pussy.

  April just had time to gasp in recognition before Lawes’ expectant cock was at her lips again, pushing past the little resistance they offered, filling her throat as Fuller’s fingers pumped in and out of her.

  “That’s it, April.” Lawes’ hand was back in her hair again, but this time she scarcely acknowledged the pain. In fact, April rather appreciated Lawes’ palm as it helped her weary neck manage the new position. “Swallow all of me down, and Mr. Fuller will see that you’re rewarded.”

  “Rewarded? I thought Ms. Page was here to be punished?”

  “Oh, she is.” Lawes’ jubilant voice vibrated over her as his hard length claimed her mouth again. “But as we know, Mr. Fuller, not all punishment is derived from pain.”

  The enormity of what those words might mean was lost on April, her focus splintered between Lawes’ enormous prick and Fuller’s exploring fingers. It wasn’t lost on the owner of those digits, though, who laughed heartily at Lawes’ explanation.

  “Rewarded it is then,” he agreed, increasing the pace of his fingers. “And perhaps if April can please us both, she can be pleasured as well.”

  “Perhaps.” Lawes’ voice took on that raspy tone. “Let’s see if she impresses us. You like our cocks, don’t you, April?” He pulled away from her again, leaving her reeling as his hand yanked her chin up to meet his eyes. “You like being used this way?”

  April panted at the question. She had no desire to give Lawes the answer he wanted, but the sound of the pleasure he and Fuller bandied about sounded good. It had been a long time since she had received any of that—too long. Even though her resolve to contest them was strong, the need made it impossible to think. April’s every waking moment consisted of either burning, unsatisfied need or the dogged desire to resist and fight—the combination was slowly sucking the life out of her.

  “April, tell me you like it. Tell Mr. Fuller you love the way his fingers claim your juicy cunt over and over.”

  Oh fuck. April’s chest heaved at the way Lawes put that and the irrefutable response it invoked. She squeezed Fuller’s digits in silent appreciation. Gritting her teeth, she willed herself not to cave in and whisper the words he desired, but Christ, Fuller’s fingers were so good, and the need in her was so consuming.

  Would it matter if she surrendered? If her resolve faltered and for once, she could be the one to receive pleasure? Her eyes fluttered at the sense of disappointment from somewhere deep in her soul, yet April’s focus shifted away from it.

  Would it matter if she just gave him the right response? Would the other women watching think less of her?

  April’s brows knitted at the conundrum, and all the while, Fuller’s fingers pushed her higher—closer—to the prize she truly sought. In the end, it was the promise of that long-awaited pleasure that made the decision for her.

  In the end, there was no choice at all.

  “Yes.” It was all she could manage at first.

  “What was that?” Lawes’ eyebrow arched at her answer.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Lawes laughed, the sound reverberating around her and making her toes curl. Heat burned in April’s cheeks at the admission, but it was true—she liked it. For all the fear and loathing, she responded to this treatment like nothing else she had ever known. No romantic walks along the beach or dinner dates had ever produced this insanity in her. This was what she craved. This was what she needed, and as the truth escaped, the remaining fight in her ebbed away.

  “Yes, you love my cock?” Lawes’ smirking face was right there, leaning in her direction. “Yes, you want more?”

  “Yes, please, sir.”

  Her core contracted at the humiliation of that moment—hot, mortified, crushing embarrassment which translated into thick, desperate arousal. If only Lawes would take pity on her and let her come. Maybe she’d be able to think straight again. Maybe she’d be able to orchestrate a decent plan to get her out of this neverending nightmare of torment and denial.

  “Okay, April.”

  Lawes inched back in her directio
n, the hand at her face propping her head up while his cock neared her mouth again. Instinctively, her lips parted, expecting him to slide past them and resume his pleasure, but instead, he merely presented his swollen crown to her. April’s gaze flitted north to try to capture his, but Lawes’ attention was on Fuller, one man’s grin spreading as the other fingered her into a frenzy.

  “Let’s hear you beg for it.” Lawes’ gaze was back on her now, those green eyes sparkling in triumph beyond the throbbing length of his erection.

  “What?” she rasped, though she had heard his words only too well.

  Indignation rose in her. Even after everything, after the rigging and the public display of humiliation—even after she had torn through all her own rules—they still sought to degrade her further. It was as if the endgame was April’s entire annihilation, and that meant she was to be humbled to within an inch of her life. Her thoughts were splintered by the sudden swat on her backside, the noise of the thwack registering at the same time as the hurt.

  “That is not how you speak to Mr. Lawes, April,” Fuller snarled. “You know better than that.”

  Her eyes fluttered at the impact, the blow reigniting the prior punishments she’d received in recent days.

  “I’m sorry.” She blew out the words with a deep exhalation. “Sir.”

  “Then answer me properly.” Lawes was even closer now, his cock grazing over her top lip, though frustratingly, he refused to allow her the chance to finish the job she’d started. “I’d like to hear you beg for my cock and for Mr. Fuller’s before you get your chance for pleasure.”

  April scarcely had time for that thought to resonate before Lawes’ member rose, sliding north to the side of her face. The scent of his precum filled her nostrils, and as he dragged his crown across the bridge of her nose to the other cheek, she could feel the trail of it settling on her skin. Her eyes closed in response, the humiliation too much to bear. Not only was the man demanding her utter subjugation in audible form, but now, he was decorating her face with his own arousal. Dangling in her current predicament, April couldn’t avoid the degrading treatment. She panted at the thought, her head tuning into the satisfying rhythm Fuller was still creating.