by Jade West
“People say it’s mindless shit. Scrub it off as soon as they get to it.”
“People are ignorant fucks. Gotta find your own kind, baby, or you’re a ship lost at sea.”
“Mainly found arseholes and backstabbers and liars so far. Well, and my dog, Casey.”
“You’ve been looking in the wrong place, kid. I know East Veil. Well, I know places like it. Grew up in Croydon, the Kenny Estate. Heard of it?”
I had heard of it, gangland central. Ain’t even the Stoneys that’d venture round that place. “Aye. Heard enough.”
“Not the best environment for a lonely teenage freak who didn’t know her place in the world. Had some scuffles, but I came out the other side.”
“How?” I knew I was staring, but I couldn’t stop. Most people flinch when I stare like that, look away, but not Raven. She stared me right back.
“Lucky break. Got involved in youth art, met a guy with a gallery in the city, he liked my stuff. Coached me on, gave me a leg up and I never looked back.” She took a long drag, and blew out a perfect smoke ring. “I met my girlfriend, Jaz, a few years later and she got me into the tattooing. Another lucky break. Still friends now, owe her a lot.”
“I ain’t never been lucky. Could jump into a well of gold and come up holding some other fucker’s shit.”
“Think your luck might just be changing, kid.” She squeezed my wrist again, and it felt nice. “Missy’s a good girl. Loyal, and smart, and kind. Kinky as fuck, but that’s par for the course with us lot.” Her laugh was like a cackle. It suited her really fucking well. “You’ll get used to it, this place. If you’re planning on sticking around, I mean. Give us a shot, and we’ll give you one right back. We’re a good crowd.”
“Dunno what I’m doing,” I admitted. “Feel like a fucking idiot messing around with all them whips and shit. Don’t get me wrong, I like it hard. Like playing rough. It’s in my blood. Just don’t know how to put it together, don’t wanna fuck her up, neither.”
“There’s violence and there’s violence, baby. Depends on the motivation.” She stubbed out her cigarette and offered me another. I took it, grateful. “What we do here isn’t temper, or rage, or violence taken too far. BDSM is sexuality without judgement. We play safe, sane and totally consensual. We look out for each other, too.”
I scuffed my trainers on the ground. “Sophie told you about me? I ain’t like other people. Bad blood, Mam says. Got a short fuse, and used to using me fists before me brain. Kept me alive. Don’t know what someone like Sophie’s seeing in someone like me.”
“She sees soul in you, baby. I see it too.”
“See something in her. Never met anyone like her before.” I looked away. “Ain’t much of a talker usually. Dunno why me mouth’s suddenly running.”
“Talking’s good, enjoy it.” She looked back towards the door. “Say, maybe I’ll have to take a trip down East Veil one of these days, take a look at your work.”
I tried to keep it cool. “Sound, yeah. Got some left they haven’t reached yet. Been going higher these days.”
“I’d like to see them.”
“Can’t miss some of ’em.” I dropped both my fag ends in the ashtray and buried my hands back in my pockets. “Gonna give this place a go, for Sophie.”
“Good choice.” Her eyes were sparkly, like the night sky. I tried to remember, so I could paint her one day. “We’d better get back in, they’ll be wondering where we’re at.”
“Aye.”
I went to open the door but it was already swinging our way. I stepped back, adrenaline spiking on instinct, clearing some space between me and the huge motherfucker heading our way. I heard Raven squeal, and got ready for trouble, but it wasn’t that kind of squeal.
She flew at the man as he stepped outside, jumping up into huge arms that lifted her clean off the floor. The man was wearing a mask, a dark leather thing covering most of his face. He was half naked too, like a bloody gladiator, muscles ripped and tanned, with a fucking massive piece of ink all the way across his chest.
He was a fucking beast.
And he was heading my fucking way.
***
“Masque!” Raven squealed. “Didn’t think you were coming, baby. You’re so fucking late.” She dropped from his arms, and dragged him a few steps over. “This is Callum. Here’s here with Missy. He’s got the most amazing fucking ink, designed it himself.”
The big bastard gave me the chills, made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. He looked tough, not tough like the Stoneys, or me, or Tyler Jones, though. He looked like he’d walk into a bar fight without even breaking a sweat. Calculated and tough. Tough but not hot-headed. Hard to explain.
Was trying to work out whether I needed my wits about me, but he smiled and held out a hand.
“Missy’s a fine girl, congratulations on the guest status.”
I took his hand. It was firm, like the rest of him. “Cheers.”
“Must have some fine ink to get compliments like that from our lovely Raven. She’s quite a talent herself.” He stepped forward into the balcony light where I could see him better. “She designed mine.”
His tattoo was fucking awesome. A huge black beast, bit like a dragon, two heads, though. It curled around his back, touching almost down to his hips. “That’s some cool ink, man.”
“Chimera. One body, two beasts. Resonates with me.” He turned back to the door as it creaked on its hinges. A girl followed him out, tall and pretty. Long dark hair and the craziest green eyes I’d ever fucking seen. Looked like a fucking lynx or something. Raven did another squeal, then more hugs, more kisses, gushing about her tan. The beast turned his attention back to me. “Sorry, we just got back. Holiday.”
Green eyes headed over, threaded a dainty arm through his. “Hey. Who’s this?”
“Missy’s guest.”
The way she looked up at him sent shivers down my back. Her pretty eyes were so wide, smiling like he was God himself in front of her. She offered her hand, and I took it carefully. “I’m Cat. Pleased to meet you.”
Name kinda figured. “Callum.”
“Always nice to see a new face,” she smiled. “Especially a pretty one.”
I was glad it was half fucking dark out here, so she didn’t see me burning up. “You got ink too?” I asked, thinking of summat to say.
She shook her head. “Not yet. Raven’s working on it.”
“You’d look so fucking hot with ink, baby,” Raven said. “And so fucking hot in my chair getting it done.”
“Don’t ask,” Cat grinned. “Masque and Raven are conspiring to decorate my most intimate of places.”
“Yes, we are,” Masque said. “Say, Callum, you’ll have to check out our little show in a while. You can give Cat some feedback on whether she’d suit some tattoos or not. You’ll see enough of her to form an opinion, that’s for certain.”
She seemed to swoon at his words, all giddy, like. I wondered what fucking skills the guy had to make her act like that. Hung like a fucking donkey on steroids, probably.
“What show?” I asked.
“On the main stage,” Raven explained. “Quite an eye-opener.” She winked at me, and my stomach went all funny.
“Will we see you later?” Masque asked. “After the scene?”
I didn’t really know what a fucking scene was. Not really. I shrugged anyway. “Yeah, likely. I’ll be around.”
“We’ll catch you then, chat more about that ink,” he said.
I watched him leave, watched the way his girlfriend melted into his side, like she really belonged to him.
I jumped at Raven’s hand on my arm, but she was only offering me another cigarette.
“Masque and Cat,” she said. “They’re quite a couple.”
“Seem like it.”
“He’s good. Knows his shit, knows how to control himself.”
“Looks like he’d walk into Hades and not break a sweat.”
“You’ll like him,” she sa
id. “And he’ll be a good person for you to know, quite enlightening.”
“Yeah? How so?”
She nodded, eyes twinkling again. “You’ll see, baby. You’ll see.”
***
Chapter Nine
Sophie
“Nice choice. Lad’s definitely got potential.”
My body leapt on instinct, heart rate notching up a gear or twenty. Masque looked more Godlike than ever. His muscles had browned to a sun-kissed bronze, skin so taut he rippled like steel under satin. The dark lines of the beast on his chest called to me, baying for adoration. I wrenched my eyes away before I slavered, looking up instead to the shadowy pools behind his mask. I forced aside the memories of the man’s mouth on mine. On me. All fucking over me. Forced aside the memories of him tearing me apart, of his greedy tongue forcing its way inside, insatiable for the taste of pain.
Masque leaned over the bar to my side, ordering two large reds and a pint of water. I smiled inwardly, knowing exactly how his filthy mind was playing out. He turned to offer, but I pointed to my fresh vodka, smiling thanks. Masque didn’t leave with his drinks, just stared me out, waiting for my response.
“You met Callum, then?”
“Raven seems to have taken a shine to him.”
“Yes, she does.”
“And how about you, Missy? Are you feeling a shine too?”
“I don’t know about that, Masque.” I paused, but he didn’t fill the gap. He rarely does. “It’s very new, we’re very different. And he’s young... and¸ well, I’m not.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
I felt myself flushing. “That’s usually my line with you, Mr Evasive. How was your holiday?”
“Perfect. Thank you.” His bloody attention burned right through my skin. “The lad has it bad for you.”
“How on earth do you know that? He’s only been on the balcony twenty minutes. Did you put him in chains? Beat him until he confessed?”
“Maybe would have, if I swung that way,” he smiled, a filthy fucking smile. “Would you like that, Missy? Does the idea make you wet?” He laughed gently. “I didn’t need to force a confession, the situation is crystal clear. He’s uncomfortable here, edgy, but still he stays.”
“And?”
“There’s a reason for that. I’m confident I’m looking right at her.”
“I think he’s more into Raven than me right now.”
“Raven just speaks the same language. He’s here for you, Missy. Mark my words.”
“Don’t I always mark your words, Masque?” My voice was softer than I intended, more playful. Oh God, how I’d served him. I crossed my legs, clenching myself tight to appease my thrumming clit.
“You mark my words very well, Missy. I remember it fondly.” The corner of his mouth twitched deliciously as his dark eyes roved over me, lingering so long at the juncture of my thighs that it fucking burnt. “I hope he gives you what you need. A pretty little cunt like yours deserves a man who knows how to own it. Like I said, there’s potential there. I can see it in him.”
“It’s just sex,” I protested. “Nothing more could ever work.”
“So, he’s just a cock to you?”
My heart thumped at my breast, defying me as I formed my response. “It’s a bit of fun.”
“I see.” He shrugged. “In that case you won’t mind if I borrow him. I want to shake things up a little for Cat, new experiences. He’d be perfect.”
I felt every drop of blood draining from my face, pooling in my horrified stomach like a rancid lake. He took his drinks, but didn’t even flinch as I yanked him back by his elbow. “Wait... I... um...”
The beast that is Masque leaned down over me, so close I could feel his heat on my face. I held my breath as he brought his face down to mine, exhaling as he planted the softest kiss on my forehead.
“That’s what I was looking for.” He smiled, warmly. A smile so warm it sent tingles through my tits. “Do you trust me, Missy?”
I didn’t need to weigh that up. “Yes, I trust you. Of course.”
“Then let me help.”
“Help? How?” I quizzed, but he was already leaving.
“Remember that trust,” he called.
I was all set to follow, but my time was up. Cat’s green eyes smiled at me as she reached his side, taking up her pint of water like the good little sub she is.
I sat back in my stool, waiting for the jealousy.
But it didn’t come.
***
I watched Raven and Callum approach from across the dance floor, only letting my eyes linger for fleeting seconds, so as not to appear too interested. Raven was alight with expression, and Callum followed mutely, hanging on every single word she was saying. Cara’s dainty arms snaked around my waist, and I leant back against her shoulder, waiting for her verdict.
“Two arty peas in a pod,” she whispered. “That’s cool, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” I said. “I think so.”
“She’s a great judge of character.”
I kissed her on the cheek. “Clearly.”
“Shit, I didn’t mean it like that,” she blushed.
“I know you didn’t. But she is, it’s true.”
Callum’s dark eyes met mine, and for that one moment something clicked. He was still edgy, hands thrust in his pockets in an attempt to appear nonchalant, but his expression said it all. My stomach fluttered, hands itching to reach out and touch him, drag him into one of the playrooms and fuck his brains out, but it wasn’t to be.
“They’re on,” Raven said, grabbing her drink and downing it in one. “Showtime, baby,” she squeezed Callum’s arm. “Here’s your initiation, kid, the best of the best.”
Sure enough, the lighting changed on the main floor, and the ripple of excitement spread like wildfire, a bustling of bodies making their way to the stage. Raven led the way, gripping Cara’s hand possessively en route, and smiling back at us over her shoulder to make sure we were close behind. The spotlights lit up, fixing their glare onto the shackles hanging from the ceiling. The stage was empty, but not for long.
I twisted my arm through Callum’s and he squeezed it close to his side, leading me along after Raven without coaxing. Raven secured us a bench in the shadows, a clear view from the far side of the dance floor. We were just in time to watch Cat make her appearance, stark bollock naked apart from knee high boots. She had the ghosting of bruises across her perfect thighs, the faint remnants of whip lashes across her ribcage. Their holiday had been fun, no doubt about that.
I cuddled up to Callum, daring to rest a hand on his thigh. I smiled inside as he wrapped his arm around my waist, resting solid fingers against the slope of my thigh. Please enjoy this. Please God.
The room turned silent as Cat prepared for the shackles, holding her wrists high in the air and taking slow, deep breaths, oblivious to the roomful of eyes on her body. I gripped Callum’s thigh as Masque stepped onto the stage. The man in the mask moved with purpose, solid steps as he closed the gap between him and his submissive. Cat shuddered as he took her wrists, hands limp in his grip as he fastened her into the chains. My mouth turned dry, thighs clenching involuntarily. Callum must have felt it, as his fingers teased my skin, splaying out to press against me.
I moved my mouth to his ear, whispering just loud enough that he would hear me. “Watch closely. Maybe you can do the same for me sometime.”
He didn’t respond, but I’m sure I felt his breath hitch just a notch.
Cat tested her bonds, lowering her weight into the chains to ensure she was secure. She was. Of course she was.
“Spread your legs,” Masque ordered. His voice had taken on its trademark low growl, thick with lust. She did as she was told, shifting her feet apart without hesitation while Masque took up a flogger from the side of the stage. He swished it in the air by her head, close enough that she flinched. I felt Callum flinch too.
“Don’t worry,” I whispered. “He knows what he’s doing. Sh
e really wants this.”
He grunted in response.
Masque took hold of Cat’s hair, wrapping it around his fingers for grip. He tipped her backwards to the edge of her balance, until her limbs were straining in their restraints and her thighs were taut with the pressure. She moaned as he draped the flogger down over her shoulder, dancing the tails across her stomach and up over her breasts. He snaked it with expert precision, then let go of her hair long enough to wrap the whip around her throat. I took a breath, twitching in my seat.
She didn’t fight him, melting seamlessly to his body as he pressed himself up against her.
“Take it for me, Cat, take all of it.”
Her lips parted, expression glazed in rapture, as though Masque was God Himself. I knew that feeling. It unfurled in my stomach like a flower, dancing right the way down between my thighs.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.” He secured her flogger choker in one hand, sliding the other around to her breast where he twisted her nipple until she groaned. “That’s it. Hurt for me. Show me your pain.”
His grip was so fucking harsh. Her next groan was choked by the restriction at her throat, it came out raspy and desperate.
“That’s right, good girl. Let’s see how much you want me.”
His fingers weren’t gentle, splaying her pussy to reveal her glistening clit to the crowd. She was soaked, her pussy lips like dewy petals, wet and wanting. Wanting him.
I had to choke out my own whisper. “See how good this is for her?”
I felt Callum nod, and my own clit started tingling, hot with its own need.
Masque smiled against Cat’s cheek, perfect lips tight against her skin. “That’s my girl, Cat, my beautiful, sweet, perfect girl. I want to hurt your pretty little cunt, Cat. You’ll give it to me, won’t you?”
She groaned, nodding her head in spite of the pressure at her throat.
“I’m going to hurt you so bad, Cat, so the whole room can share your beautiful pain. I know you want them to see how good you are for me.”