“No, I don’t believe it.”
“Tatum, we checked on Malfee. Alan Malfee was with his wife, at a party, the night you were attacked. And, he was in Las Vegas the day Craig was killed. I’m telling you Rodney is his lackey. He does the dirty work, ’cause I can guarantee you that Malfee isn’t getting his hands dirty with the physical things. That includes killing Craig and ransacking your house to try and find the evidence.”
“Rodney was out of town that night. His wife told me so.”
“He said he was out of town,” Vince said. “I think he was just waiting on you, thinking he could find what they wanted, and then they would be in the clear.”
“Fucking bastard!” Tatum started to cry in earnest, burying her face in her hands. When Knox turned her around and gathered her in his arms she didn’t protest. She grasped his shirt in her fists and sobbed.
She could hear muffled words around her, then the opening and closing of a door. Knox held her close, then lifted her face to his.
“It’s gonna be okay, baby. I promise.”
“I miss him so much.”
“I know. We can’t change the past, but we can make sure they pay. It will be Craig’s final legacy, and you will have helped him fulfill it.”
“You and Vince, too.”
“Yeah, well you’ll just have to think of a suitable way to reward us, won’t you?”
Chapter 15
Tatum sat on the cold chair, naked except for the collar that Knox had fastened to her neck. In the other room, he waited along with Vince and other high-ranking members and owners of Jaguars.
In a few minutes, the door would open, Knox would come in and then he’d take her into the room and give her to Master Chad for punishment. Tatum tried to control her breathing. Her hands shook and she tapped her bare feet against the floor repeatedly.
She and Knox had discussed it last night. Master Chad wanted to do the punishment as soon as possible. They’d managed to keep the incident fairly quiet, except for all the owners, and a few of the members who had belonged to the club for some time. Those people were the ones who would witness her punishment. Witness her flogging, for that was what Master Chad had decreed was needed.
“I’m scared,” she’d whispered to him. “Please don’t do this.”
“Tatum, you have to trust me on this,” he’d replied. “It’s a huge leap for you, I know. But it has to be this way. Do you understand?”
“Yes, but I don’t have to like it.”
“I’m not too thrilled with the idea, either,” Knox had replied. “But you have to understand Chad’s position.”
She’d nodded and sighed. The discussion had come after an end of what had been a horrible day. After seeing the DVDs Craig had made, Knox had driven Tatum to work, where she’d fought hard with Briscoe, who agreed to give her a chance on a ‘trial’ basis to prove once again that she was trustworthy. She’d made sure she was early to work that morning, had taken no personal phone calls, and had worked hard to make sure everything was done.
After work, she’d gone to see Fred, who’d thumped his tail in greeting. She’d cried as she laid her head on the dog’s shoulder and stroked his head. The vet assured her that Fred would be fine, but he wanted to keep him a few more days just to make sure.
Tatum had asked about the bill and been surprised to hear it had already been paid, by Knox.
Today had been so much better. Until nine o’clock, when Knox told her it was time to go to Jaguars. He’d taken her to the private room off the owners’ den, stripped her, and put a collar on her, then told her to wait.
Her hands were sweaty, and when Nate opened the door and motioned her out, she wanted to hug the big man, tell him that she was sorry that he’d been punished because of her. Instead, he’d given Tatum a sorrowful smile, and indicated she should step onto the platform in the center of the room. Large beams bracketed the platform, and Tatum knew she would be bound there. Tatum stood in place and looked at the audience. It wasn’t that big, really, only about fifteen people. Knox sat near Vince. Tatum was surprised to see Pablo standing near the doorway.
She could tell by the look on Knox’s face that he wasn’t happy about what was about to happen.
Chad stood up, flogger in hand and Tatum fought the urge to turn and run. Knox was right. She needed to trust in him. If he thought this was best, then this was what needed to happen.
“Bind her, Nate,” Chad’s voice boomed out.
“Yes, Master Chad.” He attached chains from each of the beams together, then fastened a manacle around each of Tatum’s wrists and ankles, so that she was shackled in the center.
When he was done, Nate went and knelt next to Chad’s wife, Sloan, who gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Tatum took a calming breath, then focused her eyes on the floor just below Knox’s feet.
“Tatum, tell the group why you’re being punished.”
“Yes, Master Chad. I disobeyed my Master. I stole his car from your parking lot. I’m very sorry.”
“And you accept your punishment now? You accept the fact that your Master has given you to me to flog, as the penalty for your crime?”
“I do.”
Chad stepped onto the platform, moving to within inches of Tatum’s body.
“You must care for your Master a great deal, to put your trust in his hands and allow this to happen. You know you can use your safe word and opt out of your punishment.”
Tatum bit her lip. She knew that she could, but then, if she did that, her relationship with Knox would be at an end, and she couldn’t allow that to happen. She needed him too much. She lifted her gaze to Knox and smiled.
“I care for him very much, Master Chad. And I trust him with my body, my mind, and my heart. I accept this punishment as my sentence for the wrong that I did him, and you.”
Chad moved off the platform and Tatum lowered her head. The room was silent, and she tensed up, waiting for the first strike of the leather against her body.
Breathe deep, breathe deep. Relax. It will be over soon, and you’ll be in Knox’s arms. The silence dragged on and Tatum wanted to scream at Chad to “get it over with,” but she couldn’t. She wouldn’t embarrass her Master any more than she already had. He’d done too much for her. It was obvious he cared for her. How could she not trust a man who had proven himself to her over and over, even when she’d practically slapped him in the face?
Knox wasn’t Brandon. That fact couldn’t be any plainer to her. Knox was someone she could trust. Someone she could give herself to. Someone she could love, and who would love her back.
She lifted tear-filled eyes to Knox.
“I’m sorry, Master. Please forgive me.”
“I do, Vixen.” He smiled at her, and then nodded at Chad.
“Very well,” Chad said. “Nate. Release her.”
Tatum jerked her head toward Chad.
“What? I don’t understand.”
“You won’t be punished, Tatum, at least not by me,” Chad said. “This little exercise was to prove to you what you’re feeling; to help you come to terms with it. You could not have done this if you didn’t trust Knox. You knew it deep down, but he tells me you’ve fought it. We just forced it out of you. What you do with those feelings are your and Knox’s concern.”
Tatum groaned as the chains were released. She rushed to Knox and knelt down, putting her head on his thigh. He gently stroked her hair.
“I think you might need this,” Chad said, handing the flogger to Knox. “And I believe room four is open for you. We just might have to rename it the Knox and Tatum room.”
Knox pulled Tatum up and kissed her forehead. They started for the door, stopping at the sound of Chad’s voice.
“Tatum, if you ever do something like that in my club again, you’ll be banned. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Master Chad. I’m sorry.”
He nodded, and Knox began to move again.
“Are you going to flog me?”
“Oh yes, I am,” Knox said. “And Vince’s going to watch. I believe he deserves to be part of this punishment, don’t you?”
“Yes, Master.”
When they were inside the room, Knox kissed her, gently at first, and then more demandingly, his tongue thrusting inside her mouth in long jabs.
“Who do you belong to, Tatum?”
“To you, Master.”
“And if I want to feed you?”
“I’ll eat.”
“And if I need to punish you?”
“I’ll take it.”
“And if I want to fuck you?”
“I’ll beg for it.”
He kissed her again, running his fingers through her hair, the strands of the flogger mixing in and streaming down her back.
“We were made for each other, Vixen. Soul mates, through and through.”
Tatum took a deep breath, opened her mouth, closed it again and then said in a rush, “I love you.”
Knox threw back his head and laughed.
“Considering how hard I know that was for you to say, I think I’m the luckiest man in the world right now. I love you too, Tatum. I’m going to collar you and keep you forever. Any objections?”
“None.”
“Good. Now, bend over the table and let’s wait for Vince, because before I do any of those other things, I have to punish you.”
She nodded and assumed the position that he’d indicated. She’d never been happier to wait for a punishment in her whole life.
Chapter 16
Tatum was surprised that not only did Vince come in, but he brought Chad and Nate with him.
“I didn’t say I wasn’t going to watch,” Chad said. “A small test of your trust. And I thought it only fair that Nate got to see you get punished too, since he got his ass whipped for disobeying the rules.”
Tatum nodded.
“I’m so sorry, Nate.”
“It’s all right, Tatum. It was my fault. I disobeyed my boss. My Mistress will punish me, too. Don’t take it upon yourself. I was the one who did wrong.”
“No, I…”
Chad held up his hand. “Enough. We won’t mention it again after tonight.”
Tatum laid her head down on the table, facing the three men. When Knox moved up behind her, she willed herself to relax. She knew that tensing up would only make the strokes more painful.
When Knox finally trailed the leather over her behind, she closed her eyes and whispered, “I’m ready, Master.”
The first stroke stung and Tatum bit back a cry. By the fifth stroke, her eyes watered. Knox flogged her with even precision, the strands landing on her behind and the back of her thighs. Each strike stung a little more than the last one, and Tatum lost count. Knox hadn’t asked her to keep track of them, and she wondered how many he would give her.
She closed her eyes and willed control over herself. It didn’t matter how many he gave her. She deserved them. She’d done wrong. She’d not only disobeyed him, she’d embarrassed him in front of the club. She would take her punishment as he saw fit.
After a few minutes, the severity of the strikes lessened. The leather teasing her skin – skin she knew must be red with marks. Then, Knox picked up the pace again, landing a few more heavy strokes before gently caressing Tatum’s back.
“Enough, Vixen.” His voice was tender and Tatum nodded.
She opened her eyes in time to see Chad say something to Nate, who nodded and left the room. Chad followed him.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” Vince said. “Call me tomorrow.”
He left without waiting for an answer.
Tatum shivered when Knox caressed her behind.
“I want to fuck you, Vixen. Do you remember what you said you would do?”
“Please, Master. Please fuck me. I’m begging you. I’ll be good.”
Knox trailed his fingers up and down Tatum’s back.
“Do you remember what I said when we started this?”
“Yes, Master, that penetration required trust.”
“I think we have that now.”
She could hear Knox undressing. She wanted to jump up, kneel in front of him, and suck him deep into her mouth. But more than that, she wanted him to fuck her, wanted to feel him pulsing deep inside her body.
“Lie back on the table.”
Tatum did as he asked. She grimaced as her sore behind came into contact with the table. When he centered himself above her, she bracketed his thighs with her own.
“Fuck me, please, Master.”
“Do you know how hard that earlier scene was for me? I wasn’t sure if it would work.”
“That was your idea?”
“Mine and Chad’s. I had to trust him to handle it just right.”
“You trusted him, and I trusted you.”
“Trust goes both ways, baby.”
He positioned his cock at the opening of her pussy.
“You’re so fucking wet for me.”
“Yes,” Tatum gasped, pushing her hips toward him in invitation. “Yes. Fuck me.”
He gently pushed inside her and pulled back when she giggled.
“What are you laughing about, huh?”
“Chad would kill us if he knew we were having sex in here. That’s supposed to be a no-no.”
“Well, I can guarantee you that Chad is with Sloan and Ryan right now, so I don’t think he’ll care.”
He pushed back inside her and gently kissed her lips.
“More.” Tatum bucked up against him.
Knox rewarded her by pushing in more, then pulling back out.
“Beg me. Just like you said you would.”
“Fuck me, Master. Fuck me, please! Make me yours. Fuck me, I’m begging you! Please!”
Tatum’s groans filled the room and turned to sighs of pleasure when Knox pushed himself all the way inside her. He kissed her, and then began to fuck her with hard, swift thrusts. Each time he plunged his cock further inside her until Tatum thought she would die of pleasure.
“I’m going to come,” she whispered against his chest.
“Don’t you dare. Not yet. You’re mine, Tatum, all mine. You’ll come when I allow it.” He thrust harder, sending Tatum’s clit into spasms of pleasure. Each thrust sent her clit into her piercing, increasing her pleasure until she thought she couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Master! Please!” She gripped his hips harder and when he groaned and said, “now,” in a guttural tone she came with him, and she knew Knox was right. They were made for each other. They belonged together. And nothing would ever pull her away from him.
He collapsed on top of her and she kissed his shoulder.
“So good,” he whispered, trailing his lips across her neck. “So fucking good. My beautiful, little Vixen.”
He rose up on his elbows and their gazes locked.
“My strong, virile Master.”
“Do you want to move into my house, or sell it and buy a new one?”
Tatum blushed. “Your house is fine.”
“Good. We’ll move your things tomorrow. But we need to go and get my truck ASAP. I don’t want to leave it sitting for too long.”
“I’m off on Saturday, unless Briscoe fires me between now and then.”
“Saturday it is. We’ll get Vince to go and see if we can stay in our friend’s cabin overnight. That way, we can top you together. Would you like that, Vix?”
“Yes, Master. I’d like that very much.”
“Good. ’Cause I know just the perfect thing. Just the right mixture of pain and pleasure to get my Tatum off.”
“Your Tatum.” She felt his cock swell against her pussy.
“My Tatum.” He kissed her gently and then began to thrust his hips against hers. When he quickly stood up, she said, “No, Master, don’t leave me.”
“Up, Tatum. Come and bend over the table so I can take you from behind.”
She scampered into position. She heard the pad of his feet as he walked to the wall of toys. He was back sec
onds later, attaching a small weight to her slave ring.
“Oh, Master. Too much pressure. Please, no.”
“Hush. No talking.”
He thrust inside her, and soon, the only sound in the room was the hard slap of their flesh as he beat their bodies together in a steady, harsh rhythm. Each movement sent the weight jiggling and drove sweet tendrils of torture through Tatum’s clit.
“I need to come,” she whispered.
Knox slapped her ass. “Did I say you could talk? Silence, subbie.”
He thrust harder, grasping her hips as he thrust deeper and deeper.
“Master! I can’t…”
Knox slapped her ass twice more and Tatum bit her lips to stay silent. He fucked her long and hard, until Tatum thought she would die of pleasure. Then, when she thought that he would last forever, he trailed his hand over her body and tugged gently on the weight.
“Come.” Tatum shot off like a rocket, gripping Knox’s cock inside her and pushing herself against him.
“More, more, more, more. Oh Master! More!”
She felt Knox’s hot seed spread inside her and was grateful for the second time that day that she’d never stopped taking the pill.
“All mine,” Knox whispered against her shoulder. “All mine.”
She turned her face to his and kissed him, plundering his mouth with her tongue.
“Are you always going to be so forward, Vixen?”
“Count on it, Master.”
“Good. More reasons for punishment.”
He turned her over and removed the weight from her ring. She moaned when his tongue gently lapped at her clit.
“Feel better?”
“Tremendously.”
Knox lifted his head and gave her a stern look.
“I mean, tremendously, Master.”
“Hmm. We’re going to have to work on that. Your obedience has been lacking.”
Tatum melted under his smile.
Chapter 17
The cool feel of the wind snaked around Tatum’s body. The cool breeze wrapped itself around her breasts, moved down her body, and caressed her pussy. She shivered and inhaled sharply.
“Be quiet,” Knox said. “No sound whatsoever.”
Dark Redemption Page 18