Master of Control (Gods of Vegas Book 5)

by Sienna Snow

  “I need one promise from you.”

  “What?” A slight crease formed between his brows.

  “No more lying to me.”

  “I haven’t lied to you.”

  “Lies by omission are still lies.”

  He nodded. “Then I guess I’d better tell you one more thing.”

  “You mean why you so readily agreed to leave Germany? Or how you had a plane, destination, and itinerary ready in less than an hour without worrying about the operations of your organization?”

  Sebastian winced. “Noticed that, did you?”

  “I’m not stupid, and your actions would have been obvious to a blind man. What’s going on, Baz?”

  “The last thing I’d believe about you is that you’re stupid. Let’s sit down for this.” He led me to a set of chairs near us.

  Instead of letting me take my own seat, he sat, and then pulled me onto his lap. He set a hand across my thighs and the other on my back, pulling me against him.

  He was quiet as if waiting for some sign.

  “Spill it,” I ordered.

  He inhaled deep. “Jonas arranged for my mother’s murder.”

  That wasn’t what I expected to hear. “What? How did you find out?”

  “We discovered it after I threw Jonas out of his house.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? You seemed fine this whole time.”

  “I’ve spent the last ten years mourning my mother and sister. My gut told me Jonas was involved, but I tried to ignore it. Knowing the truth doesn’t change the fact they’re gone. In a sense it was closure.”

  His words seemed so calm, but there was no way he wasn’t affected by the news that his father was responsible for his mother and sister’s deaths.

  Sometimes it surprised me how much Sebastian was like Papa. Papa hadn’t shed a tear when Opa passed away. It was business as usual. The only indication Papa missed Opa was the way he’d touch Opa’s picture every morning as he passed it in the hallway.

  “Closure doesn’t mean you don’t feel. The news had to have been devastating.”

  “I won’t lie, my heart aches from the loss of them, but letting the pain overwhelm me won’t bring them back. It’s the threat to you that has me wanting to kill Jonas with my bare hands.”

  “Threat?”

  “Jonas followed us from the beginning. He had pictures of us at Emma’s and at my club. He knew we were together before our wedding. And with you, he found the perfect leverage against me. You’re the one person I’d tear the world down to protect.”

  From the intensity of his words and the way he held my gaze, I knew he was telling the truth.

  Breaking eye contact, I said, “And?”

  “And he negotiated to sell you to Malkovich, the head of a Russian organization trying to gain a larger territory in Germany, in exchange for a favor of support when Jonas tried to take back the family from me.” He clenched his jaw. “As of right now, there are orders to take you by any means necessary and deliver you to Malkovich’s family home outside Moscow.”

  “I don’t understand. Why would he want me? As far as I know, I haven’t had any dealings with any Russian in my work.”

  “According to the transcripts we found of conversations Jonas recorded, Malkovich wants you to breed the next generation of his line. You come from one of the most powerful families in Europe. He’s trying to establish a stronghold in Germany, and you seemed to be his key.”

  What the fuck?

  “Not happening. There is no way in hell I would ever let him touch me.”

  Sebastian’s arms tightened around me. “If the bastard got his hands on you, he’d use any means necessary to make sure it happened.”

  A chill went down my spine. Whoever this bastard was would resort to raping me to achieve whatever demented vision he had.

  “And so, when I insisted we leave the country, you agreed, seeing it as a win-win without telling me the whole of it.”

  “I didn’t want to scare you.”

  “I was already scared. I did have a crazy conversation with Bri where she told me there was a hit out on you.”

  He shook his head. “I wish she’d kept that shit to herself. There’s been some hit or another out on me since I was in grade school. It’s part of the life we lead.”

  “I have a question. How does being a Weber play into your work for Interpol?”

  “My connections get them into places where they’d never have access, and they leave me the hell alone to run my business. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

  “But you’re an agent and the…” I wasn’t sure how to put it.

  “…head of an organized syndicate.” He finished my sentence. “There are lines most of the organizations in Europe won’t cross. I just happen to go after the ones who do.”

  He was talking about sex trafficking. That was the one piece of information Ana had provided me. Sebastian Weber had a no-tolerance view of anyone involved in that world. So it made sense for him to have been involved in Ana’s assignment.

  It still didn’t sit well with me that my husband had slept with one of my friends, but I’d have to get over it. From the way Adrian acted toward Sebastian, he had no issues with the past. All indications showed they were still friends, even if they couldn’t run in the same circles anymore.

  “Have you left anything out? Anything that will make me all stabby, as Ana put it?”

  “No.”

  I wanted to believe there couldn’t be any more, but then again, his job was to keep secrets.

  “I mean it. There’s only so much I can take.”

  He leaned in. “You asked for a promise. Here it is. I promise never to lie to you with omission or otherwise. If I can’t tell you something, I’ll say it point blank.”

  I wasn’t sure how I felt about the latter part, but it was the best I was going to get. At least now I knew what he meant by wearing many faces. Organized crime boss, Interpol agent, and Baz. As long as my Baz was there under it all, I’d handle it.

  The trust would have to come in time.

  “Okay.”

  He smiled, and it reached his eyes for the first time since we entered the library.

  My heart skipped a beat.

  I grabbed his face in my hands and pulled him toward me for a kiss.

  This marriage thing was way more complicated than I could ever have imagined.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Isa

  We arrived back at Ida a little before eight in the evening. What had originally been planned as a brunch turned into a surprisingly relaxing and fun day of food, poker, and laughter.

  It was enlightening to see Sebastian interact with everyone. He shared a history with the Lykaios-Kipos family that went back over a decade. Plus seeing the easy way Adrian and Sebastian interacted eased any lingering jealousy I’d had about the whole Ana and Sebastian thing.

  What surprised me most was that no one seemed fazed by how abruptly we’d gone into the library and then returned an hour later. It was as if it was a regular occurrence in the house. Then again, this was a very animated and intense family.

  Hopefully we’d get to enjoy another of these gatherings before Sebastian and I had to get back home.

  Just as the driver pulled into the residence driveway, Sebastian asked, “Are you tired?”

  I cocked my head to the side. “No. What do you have planned?”

  I knew it wasn’t sex. For some reason, the man wanted to keep me in a state of lady blue balls.

  “I want to revisit something we started during our wedding night but never finished.”

  My heartbeat was a drum in my chest and head. Maybe this was going to lead to some hot monkey sex, after all.

  “Are you willing?”

  Anxiety and excitement coursed in my blood as did the anticipation of what he planned.

  “Yes.”

  “Then follow me.” He offered me his hand and we exited the car as soon as the door opened. We walked past
the front desk and into the main area of the opulent hotel.

  "Where are we going?"

  He continued to guide me past slot machines and card tables. "Do you trust me?”

  “Yes,” I answered and then added, “With my body.”

  It wasn’t the answer he wanted, but we still had things to work through. Too much had happened for me to blindly trust him. Our conversation from earlier in the day had shifted something between us. I knew he wouldn’t go back on his word. He would keep me informed.

  I wasn’t naive enough to believe I’d know everything that went on in his world. I knew from growing up with Papa, sometimes it was better not to know.

  Complete trust would come in time. All I cared about was that my Baz would always be there underneath.

  Sebastian stopped, turning toward me. The intensity of his gaze had my breath catching. He wasn’t upset with what I’d said. He accepted it.

  “One day, you’ll trust me with everything.” He cupped my face. “Just know you’re mine, Isa. To possess, to protect, to cherish. Your pleasure is the balm to my black soul.”

  I gripped one of his wrists as the other settled on his chest. “Your soul isn’t as dark as you believe it is.”

  His easy acknowledgement of my feelings cracked the wall I’d started to build around my heart since I discovered the truth of what happened on the mission with Ana.

  “So, you aren’t still mad at me for denying you an orgasm?”

  I couldn’t help but smile. “Are you mad at me for leaving you with a raging hard-on?”

  “Not as long as I get to end tonight inside you. Which I plan to, and we’re both going to come harder than ever before.”

  “Well when you put it that way, I have no objections of any kind for what’s ahead.”

  His mouth curved at the corners, making his gorgeous looks even more staggering.

  The elevator doors opened as we reached the main floor of the hotel.

  He stepped back, taking my hand in his and thumbing the diamond of my wedding ring. “Then follow me, Mrs. Kohl.”

  “After you, Mr. Kohl.”

  The second we stepped out into the casino area I was awestruck. Rows and rows of slot machines lined one area; another was filled with tables with all variety of games from poker and blackjack to roulette.

  It was bright, with clean lines, and modern. The only contrasts of color were splashes of rich amber. Then I remembered the hotel had been designed as homage to Penny before Hagen and Penny were even an item. The man built a hundred-million-dollar project around the woman of his dreams.

  “It’s pretty incredible,” Sebastian said. “You should see the one Henna built. It puts this one to shame.”

  “We should make a plan to check it out tomorrow. The last time I was here, Henna promised me a day at her over-the-top spa once the resort was operational.”

  A spa day sounded so incredible after the roller coaster of emotions I’d suffered over the last week. Hell, what I’d gone through today.

  He stared at me.

  “What?”

  “I like seeing you like this.”

  “Like what?”

  “Relaxed, not so in control.”

  “I’m pretending to be someone else. I can let my hair down.”

  “I want you to be this way with me all the time.”

  “You know it isn’t possible. The second we step foot on German soil, things change.”

  “They don’t have to.”

  I pulled him to a stop and set a hand on his chest. “I really get it now. We have to play our roles. But I’ll make you a promise.”

  He set his palm over mine. “What’s that?”

  “When we’re alone, when eyes aren’t on us, we’ll be Isa and Baz. Two people who fell hard and fast and are perfect for each other.”

  Something flashed in his dark brown gaze. “Deal. Now I want to show you something I know you’ll enjoy and most people don’t even know exists at this hotel.”

  We took a path filled with the scents of fresh flowers and plants that I assumed led to the botanical garden Penny had told me about on my last visit.

  We approached a well-dressed giant of a man standing by an ornate wall.

  He studied us for a second before asking, “Name?”

  “Sebastian Kohl.”

  The man checked his phone, then nodded and pressed his palm to a plate on the wall. A section shifted, revealing a dimly lit hallway.

  Well, I wasn’t expecting that to happen. But then again, this was a Lykaios property and they were known for their unique designs.

  “Enjoy your evening.”

  The distant sound of music echoing told me there was some sort of lounge on the other side. The decor and the discreet location of the place distinctly reminded me of Sebastian’s club.

  That’s when it hit me. Sebastian was taking me to a kink club.

  The hallway opened up into a room filled with couples and groups enjoying cocktails and food, but what surprised me was the way they were dressed. Women were clad in everything from gowns to barely there lingerie.

  “They allow alcohol in the clubs here?”

  I remembered Lilly telling me there was no alcohol on the premises at Sebastian’s club. The only drinks available were soda and mocktails.

  “Only in the lounge. Anyone taking part in any scene has to take a breathalyzer. They want everyone to be sober when they play. It’s for everyone’s safety.”

  “Are we going to have a drink?”

  “No.”

  My heartbeat accelerated. “Does that mean we’re going to play?”

  Sebastian set his hand on my lower back, almost like a brand through the material of my dress, and leaned into my ear and whispered, “Yes, it does. I’m going to make that fantasy you have in your head a reality. And then when I’m done…” He trailed off.

  “What will you do when you’re done?”

  “I’m going to fuck you stupid.”

  “Oh.” A low ache pulsed in my core. “I can deal with that.”

  “I’m glad you can.”

  Sebastian continued up a set of stairs and what I saw when we reached the top had my blood heating.

  Scenes of all types were in play all around us, in various rooms opened to viewing from clear glass windows. There were couples in the midst of wax play while others engaged in full-on sex.

  This club was very much like Sebastian’s but on a larger scale.

  The one that drew my attention was a man tied to a table while his Mistress caressed him with black gloves.

  I knew what they were—Vampire gloves. Lilly had told me about them. They had these tiny needles, more like thumbtacks in the leather. They were meant to stimulate the skin, to heighten arousal but not hurt. Well, unless the user wanted them to.

  The man arched into his Mistress’s touch and his erection pushed up the fabric of his pants.

  “Do you want me to get a pair?” Sebastian slid an arm around my waist pulling me back, much the same way he’d done the first night we’d been together.

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll have to remember that. Are you ready for your own scene?”

  A thought flashed in my mind. “It’s not public, is it?”

  He cupped my neck and tilted my face up so he could look into my eyes. “No one gets to see you come but me.”

  The possessiveness of his words had goosebumps prickling down my spine.

  “Now, follow me.” He released his hold on my throat and guided me toward a back corner.

  He typed in a code on the keypad and a hidden door opened. We took another hallway and then entered a room lit by candles.

  My breath immediately grew unsteady, and the arousal I felt pulsing earlier now grew to a full-on throb in my clit.

  Sebastian closed the door but didn’t lock it. I wasn’t sure there even was a lock. I knew the rules from the information Lilly had given me. Doors were never locked, just in case things got out of hand and safe words weren’t res
pected.

  That made me ask, “Are there people going to be listening to us?”

  “It’s part of their job, baby. They have no idea who’s in the room. All they do is make sure the people in the room are safe and everything is consensual.”

  “Isn’t that the same thing as being in public?”

  “No, baby. To the people listening, it isn’t voyeurism as it is in the public scenes. To them we’re like any other members of the club—nameless, faceless patrons. The only time we’d ever come in contact with them is if they felt like the scene needed to end.”

  “But we speak German. How will they know what we’re saying?”

  Sebastian snaked an arm around me and pulled me forward. “The Lykaioses have enough technology in this place to know when, where, and what is said. Language isn’t a barrier. Adrian is a genius like his sister and the mastermind behind every piece of technology under the Lykaios umbrella.”

  Before I could ask another question, Sebastian covered my lips with a finger. “No more talking unless I ask you a question.”

  The change in his voice had all the hairs on the back of my neck prickling.

  “When I release you, you will strip and kneel on the pillow by the cross.”

  I glanced in the direction of the St. Andrew’s cross.

  This was really going to happen. I’d wanted it. Wanted to feel the euphoria of letting someone else completely control my pleasure. Sebastian had dominated me from the beginning but there was always a push and pull between us. Here, I’d hand over the reins.

  “Do you understand, Isa?” Sebastian’s question pulled me from my thoughts.

  I swallowed and nodded.

  “Give me the words.”

  “Yes, I understand.”

  “What’s your safe word?”

  Deception came to mind, but then I pushed it away. It no longer fit. Then I knew the word. It made sense. Others had forced us together, but the connection we had from the beginning was instantaneous.

  I looked up at him. “Destiny.”

  He fisted my hair, pulling me in for a deep, mind-numbing kiss before releasing me and moving to the back of the room.

  “Strip and kneel by the cross.”