Dominic had already called his brothers Lukas and Roman to apprise them of the situation. He hadn’t given them all the details — they were his brothers, they didn’t need all the details in order to have his back — just to let them know they might be needed.
Now that he had seen her, knew for sure it was her in Tambour’s possession, one thing was very clear to him. Dominic wasn’t walking out of this warehouse without Cassandra.
She was alive and that was the most important thing. But she was currently naked, tied up with her arms stretched high over her head. She was stretched so high her toes barely touched the ground.
Her chin was dragging low against her chest, hair framing around her face so that he couldn’t see it clearly. But he could tell a gag have been tied around her mouth. The only way Dominic knew she was conscious was by the way she kept trying to catch her weight on her toes.
Tambour was pacing back and forth, waving around a knife, screaming at his men in a mixture of Russian and English. From what Dominic could pick up, it seemed as though Cassandra had been about to escape due to Ian’s men’s incompetence.
Dominic forced himself not to think about what had probably happened to Cassandra during her captivity. He would deal with that later. Right now he just needed to get her out alive.
Dominic especially didn’t like how close Tambour got to her while he was pacing with that knife.
They had taken out Tambour’s watchman, who was now zip-tied and sitting outside. But Dominic was much further inside the warehouse then he should’ve been before Tambour realized it. That was sloppy and told Dominic a lot about the man.
Unfortunately what it said wasn’t good. Someone sloppy and angry was more difficult to reason with then someone cold and organized.
“Who the fuck are you?” Tambour finally saw them and spun around. His men had their weapons pointed at Dominic instantly. Titus and Marcelo immediately drew theirs.
“I’m Dominic Rinaldi.” He didn’t go into anymore detail as he continued walking towards them. Ian would know the name.
At his words Cassandra’s head flew up. Now he could see her face. His lips tightened at the bruising and swelling at her cheeks, but had to stifle a small smile at the wariness that entered her green eyes.
She was bruised, gagged, and scared. That was no less than what he had planned for her. But he would’ve never hit her, not with his fists, never like that. He would make damn sure she couldn’t sit for a week after he finished whipping her luscious ass with his belt, but he had never, would never hit her with his fists.
“Rinaldi, this has nothing to do with you.” Dominic’s attention was jerked back to Tambour by his words. “This bitch is payment to me from her family. They stole from me and didn’t have the money to repay when they got caught. The father offered her, since evidently she was the one who let my shipment escape.”
Sounded like Cassandra had tried to help some trafficking victims. A thief with a conscience. Go figure.
“Still.” Dominic gave a half shrug. “I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to let you have your revenge today.”
Dominic could see anger creeping onto Tambour’s face, but the man fought it down. “Look, you don’t want trouble in NOLA, fine. I understand. We’ll just take her and go. I apologize for causing trouble in your city. We don’t want any fight with you.”
His words gave Dominic some hope that he could get out of the situation without killing Tambour and his men. It sounded like Tambour had been given instructions not to get into a battle with the New Orleans Mafia.
“No. You’re not taking the woman with you. Cassandra Clemens is under my family’s protection.”
Now Tambour didn’t even try to hide the rage. “What? She was given to me as payment. You have no right to come in here and take her just because I’m in your city.”
Dominic knew he had to try to talk Ian down from this ledge. Because while he had orders not to do anything against the Rinaldi family, Dominic showing up here and flexing his muscle was not going to sit well with the Russians. Roman also wanted to avoid a war.
But the fact of the matter was, he was not going to let Cassandra die. Not by Ian Tambour’s hand here today.
“This isn’t just about you being in my city. This is about her specifically.”
“Oh really?” Ian sneered. “And what bond do the Rinaldi’s have with her that is stronger than the bond with her own family? The ones who gave her to me?”
Dominic had hoped to avoid this, had hoped money and threat of power would cause Tambour to back down. But evidently that wasn’t going to work. Only the truth would work.
Dominic was about to announce something he’d told less than a handful of people. His own brothers didn’t even know. But it was the only thing that was going to save Cassandra now.
“She’s my wife.”
Chapter Five
Dominic heard Cassandra’s sucked-in breath behind the gag and saw her eyes widen. Did she think he’d forgotten they were married?
He’d obviously caught Tambour off guard too, given the way frustration etched his features.
“Why don’t we put the guns away and work this out,” Dominic said.
Ian gave the motion to his men who lowered their guns. Marcelo and Titus did the same although Dom had no doubt they’d have them up fast enough to put a bullet through Ian or any of his men if needed.
“She’s your fucking wife?” Ian asked.
“I’ve got the marriage certificate to prove it.” Although Cassandra had signed a false last name, not Clemens, so it was useless and void. But that info wasn’t relevant to this situation.
Ian’s hands clenched into fists, looking from Cassandra’s naked, strung-up body to Dominic, obviously trying to weigh the gravity of what he’d done — kidnapping and abusing a known mafia underboss’ wife. “I did not have that information.”
“Not many people do. I’m willing to not hold it against you in any way if you’re willing to let Cassandra go. To leave with me here, right now.”
The situation was precarious. If Ian demanded Cassandra’s life as the only acceptable payment for what was stolen from him, it would get ugly. It would start a war between the Rinaldi family and the Russians, something Dominic wanted to avoid at all costs.
All costs except Cassandra’s life.
“I will pay you, of course,” Roman continued. “Any and all money that you lost at her hand. Plus a ten percent increase.”
Dominic saw Cassandra’s eyes go wide. Did she think she was getting off easy because Dominic wasn’t willing to let Ian kill her? She’d be paying Dominic back every single dollar in ways — on her knees, on all fours, in every darkly sexual way his mind could conceive — for as long as he wanted her.
She might not die a horrifying death at Tambour’s hand, but she’d live long enough to realize one should never betray a Rinaldi.
“Fine, I will not kill her and I will accept your offer for payment.” Ian didn’t look too happy about it, but at least it meant they wouldn’t be going to war. “But I also want some sort of physical retribution. You can understand that I thought I had quite a bit of time to play with her and get my frustration out.”
Dominic had no doubt that the playing would’ve involved that knife and probably other forms of torture for Cassandra.
He gestured towards Cassandra. “She’s strung up, naked. I have no doubt you and your men have already played quite a bit with her.”
Ian released a frustrated growl. “No. I was called away on business, unfortunately. My men were given strict orders that she was not to be used while I was gone.”
Dominic looked at Cassandra. She gave a slight nod in agreement. A tightness he hadn’t even been aware was buried inside him eased at the knowledge that Cassandra hadn’t been raped repeatedly over the last few days.
But it also made Tambour feel like he was still owed more from her.
“I can assure you, Tambour, that I have been searching for my wife fo
r quite a long time. Years. She betrayed me in the most personal of ways, ugliest of ways, and I’m going to make sure she pays for it. Repeatedly and without mercy.”
Ian smiled slightly, obviously liking that thought. Cassandra’s wide eyes filled with fear. Good, she should be afraid. “Regardless, I would like something to ease my frustration. Money doesn’t do that.”
“I’m not going to let you fuck my wife, Tambour.” That was non-negotiable.
“A few cuts then, or punches. I want to make sure she remembers me.”
God damn it. Dominic didn’t want her marked that way. Found it distasteful. And punches could do unexpected damage, especially from someone like Tambour who wanted to inflict as much pain as possible. But at least she would still be alive and there wouldn’t be a showdown between La Cosa Nostra and the Russians.
“No.” Dominic found himself saying anyway. “I will be the only one who will punish her.”
Ian threw his arms up. “How do I know you’re really going to punish her?”
“I will give you a demonstration of what she can expect in my care. I think you’ll find it satisfies your need for physical violence.”
The shorter man looked more interested. “Like what?”
“First I’ll whip her with my belt — thoroughly — while she’s bent over that couch. Every time she sits down for the next few days she will think of you. And trust me, that spanking will not have worn off before her ass is on fire again at my hand. Over and over until I feel she’s learned the pain of betrayal.”
God, how he looked forward to it. And should his resolve to make her pay waiver, he would just imagine the tears and disappointment in his mother’s eyes over what Cassandra had done. That would make it easy to remain impassive.
Ian was studying Cassandra’s naked body. She was hanging more and more weight on her arms now — she was tired — unable to keep herself on her toes. Dominic wanted her down from the position before she injured her shoulders.
“Okay.” Ian’s accent was more heavy in his lust. “I would like to see her ass get whipped. But I also have one other condition.”
Dominic remained stoic. “What?”
Tambour turned to one of his men and said something in Russian, the other man began jogging towards the door. “He goes to get something from my car. Something I bought here on Bourbon Street for my girlfriend.”
“What is it?”
Ian’s smile was pure evil. “A butt plug. My wife won’t let me near her ass, but I make sure my girlfriend will take it there. So I bought a plug. I want you to put it in the fair Cassandra after you whip her. When she leaves the warehouse with it in, then I will consider my debt paid.”
“Fine. We have an agreement. Everyone else needs to leave. This show is for you only.”
Ian’s man came back with the package. As Ian unwrapped it, Dominic was glad to see it wasn’t anything ridiculous. A novelty gag gift really. A medium sized plug that had New Orleans Fucked Me in the Ass written on the wide base in glitter. Dominic rolled his eyes.
As everyone left but Tambour, he crossed to Cassandra. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he lifted her to take the tension out of her arms so he could pull her off the hook that held her zip-tied wrists. He set her back on her feet again and pushed his thumb into her shoulder joints as she brought her arms down. Tears streamed out of her eyes as he kept his thumbs pushed into the ball of her shoulder, but this would help ease the swelling. He massaged the abused muscles quickly. A little pain now would save her much more later.
“I’m going to ungag her. The sobs are the best part.”
Dominic untied the cloth gag. “Do you have any injuries I should know about?” he whispered so only she could hear him. If he needed to get her out of here, he would.
“No.” Her voice was hoarse. Strained. “I can take it.”
“I’m not going to hold back. Tambour will know if I do.”
She nodded slightly, then her eyes fell to the ground.
Dominic turned to Ian. “Get comfortable.”
Ian chuckled and took a chair across from one of the couches. “I’m looking forward to this.”
“So am I.” Dominic turned to Cassandra. “You. Who is your master?”
“You, Sir.”
He gave a slight sigh in relief when she didn’t fight, when she fell back into the roles that had suited them both so well seven years ago. Rebelling now meant Dominic would have to use even more force and she didn’t look like she was up to it.
“That’s right. I’m glad you haven’t forgotten. Now crawl over, kiss Mr. Tambour’s shoes, then position yourself on the front of the couch, knees on the cushions, hands on the back, ass out.”
He watched, still drawn to the beautiful curves of her body after all this time, as she obeyed. Tambour liked it when she kissed his shoes. Dominic knew he would. He’d like the rest even better.
So would Dominic.
Chapter Six
The crack of Dominic’s belt burned against her skin. But it had moved from the jarring, breath-stealing pain of the first few minutes to the kind that she could now settle into. The heat, the pain, was almost pleasant.
Because it was Dominic. Because he knew exactly what to do to get her to the place where the pain and pleasure melded together. How she’d missed this. Missed the dominance, the pain, the helplessness. Only Dominic had been able to make her feel this way. He’d been the only one she’d ever given her trust to enough to allow him complete and total access to her mind and body.
After she’d… left, after what happened seven years ago, she’d never let anyone close to her in that way again. The very few sexual experiences she’d had since her relationship with Dominic had done nothing but remind her of what she’d lost.
Another blow from him. Another sob from her. Both blows and sobs were coming consistently now, because even though there was pleasure, there was still pain. As he said, he hadn’t gone easy on her.
But neither had he been as cruel as she’d expected. There were ways he could whip her, areas of her body, that could’ve thrown her into agony multiple times over. That would not have been pleasant in any way. Instead he’d focused on her ass and the tops and backs of her thighs. She hadn’t tried to get away or cover herself with her hands. She knew that would just make it worse.
Early on, after just a few strokes, when it became obvious she wouldn’t be able to hold herself the way he’d commanded, ass out with her knees on the cushions and hands on the back of the couch, he’d moved her so her waist rested on the back of the couch. He forced her legs apart so they could hold her weight on the cushions.
Ian had laughed. “Yeah, get that ass up higher. I like to see it all red.”
She’d been humiliated that Ian saw her like this, legs spread, ass and even pussy exposed, but at least she was alive. She would worry about the rest, about what Dominic planned to do to her, after she survived this.
She knew everything was red now. Dominic hadn’t been lying when he’d said she wouldn’t be able to sit comfortably. She wailed at another blow to that tender spot just where her butt met her thighs. The plug was going to be agony after this.
“Five more. Count them, Cassandra.” Dominic’s deep voice dragged her back into the present moment.
Her thighs quivered as he struck the left one. “One.”
The right. “Two.”
A burn across the top of her buttocks. “Three.”
A loud sob broke from her lips as the next found her tender sits area again. “F-four.”
He showed no mercy, striking her again in the same place. Cassandra wailed.
“Do you need more, Cassandra?”
She’d forgotten to count. “No, Sir. Five. Five.” She shuddered, tears running down her cheeks, sobbing breaths heaving in and out. She had no idea how she was going to handle the plug without falling apart.
“Rest on your knees now while I get the plug.” She felt his hands on her waist as he eased her onto the couch cushio
ns. Her knees took the weight gratefully.
“Yes, Master.”
“Good girl,” he whispered. There was no way Tambour could’ve heard him. He sounded almost proud of her. The same way he had when they’d been together and she’d tried something difficult to please him. Something deep inside her responded. Eased just slightly enough for her to hang on.
A few moments later Dominic was back. “On your hands and knees on the ground, Cassandra.”
She heard Ian laugh and say something but was focused on moving her body rather than his words. Dominic crouched down in front of her face, the plug in his hand.
“Suck this. It’s the only lube you’re going to get.”
He kept his eyes on hers as she took the plug into her mouth, trying to coat it with as much liquid as she could. But they both knew it wasn’t going to be enough. Dominic shook his head.
“It’s your lucky day, Tambour. You’re going to get two shows for the price of one.”
She hissed out a breath when Dominic moved behind her, his hands on her thighs to slide them open. The cool of his fingers felt good against her fiery skin, but she couldn’t help but tense knowing what was coming. Even if Dominic wasn’t trying to hurt her — which she wasn’t sure was true anyway — this was going to hurt like hell.
She felt one of his hands between her shoulders pushing her chest to the ground, leaving her ass in the air. She tensed for the plug but when she felt it, it was against her pussy instead.
She felt one of Dominic’s arms slid around her hips, pulling her back against him, sliding the plug inside her folds. He leaned over her back the way he had so many times when they’d had sex in this position.
“I’m going to fuck you with this and you’re going to come when I tell you to. I don’t care if your ass and thighs hurt from the spanking, I don’t care if you’re tired, I don’t care if you don’t want to come in front of someone else.” He neither whispered the words nor said them loudly enough to make sure Ian heard him. He said it as if he was talking to her and didn’t care if someone else heard or not. “You’re going to come all over this plug with your dripping pussy because I tell you to. Who owns your orgasms, Cassandra?”
Dominic: A Triple Threat Novel Page 2