Crime and Punishment 4: Burning Submission

by Trista Ann Michaels

  * * * *

  With a tired sigh, Josh sank into the leather chair facing Nathan’s desk. The drive had been long and incredibly tense. He knew Jennifer was upset, and he had a feeling it had to do with him. He wasn’t sure what to do about his growing feelings for her, so he’d just kept quiet.

  Nathan leaned his hip on the desk and, crossing his arms over his chest, stared down at him in his usual I’m-not-taking-any-of-your-shit pose Josh had seen him use on others. Josh always thought he’d be impervious to that stare, but apparently not.

  “Fine,” Josh drawled. “I know you know what I’m struggling with, so go ahead and give me your opinion on the topic so we can move on.”

  “You’re an idiot.”

  “You said that already, but thanks for the repeat. I haven’t said it to myself enough in the past few days, so it’s good you keep hammering that in.”

  Nathan’s lips twitched at Josh’s sarcasm. “You’re in love with her. She’s in love with you. The two of you will get your shit together at some point.”

  Josh growled low in his throat as he glared at Nathan. “I am not in love with Jennifer.”

  Nathan’s eyebrow rose, and so did Josh’s temper. He really didn’t need or want to be lectured by his friend about his love life. What he wanted was some sleep before he bit someone’s head off.

  His friend pushed away from the desk and walked around to sit down in the oversize leather chair behind it. Although once Nathan sat, the chair didn’t look all that big after all. If Nathan had gotten one any smaller, it wouldn’t have held his muscular frame.

  “I found the man Jennifer remembered,” Nathan said.

  “Already?” Josh asked in surprise.

  “I told you I knew him,” Nathan replied.

  “Who is he?”

  “His name is Dr. Neal Borgan. He’s a neurologist who works on special projects for the government, or more specifically, the military.”

  Josh frowned. “The government is behind this?”

  “Partially, but it’s mostly the drug corporation he partnered with. Dr. Borgan didn’t like what they were doing and tried to stop it. The corporation then hid her from him.”

  Josh nodded. “Which is what Jenn suspected. How did you find all this out?”

  “I asked him.”

  Josh shook his head in disbelief as he sat straighter in the chair. “You just asked him?”

  Nathan shrugged. “He denied everything at first, but then I told him I knew where she was, and she’d told me everything.”

  Josh’s eyes narrowed. “You what?”

  Nathan leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk, clasping his hands in front of him. “The man tried to help her, Josh.”

  “And you believe him?”

  “Yes.”

  Josh sat back but was only slightly relieved. Nathan would never deliberately endanger Jennifer. He must’ve sensed something from Borgan, something that made him comfortable enough to reveal Jennifer.

  “So what now?” Josh asked.

  “He wants to meet with her.”

  “No,” Josh replied.

  “Don’t you think that’s for Jennifer to decide?” Nathan asked pointedly.

  Josh sighed and squeezed his temples between his thumb and forefinger.

  “He’s telling the truth, Josh. That much I can tell. What he wants to talk with her about, I have no idea. He said he wanted to bring it to her himself.”

  Josh raised his head. “I won’t leave her alone with him.”

  Nathan nodded. “Agreed.”

  “When is this meeting supposed to take place?” Josh asked, then added, “If she agrees.”

  “Now that you two are here, we can probably set it up for tomorrow, if Jennifer is okay with it.”

  Josh wasn’t sure how she would feel about this, but if this was what it took to get her freedom back, then so be it. He didn’t trust this Borgan guy, but he did trust Nathan. If Nathan could sense enough to know Borgan had told them the truth, then he should be able to sense if Borgan had a plan to set a trap.

  At least Josh hoped anyway.

  “I know you wanted to use the condo, but Daniel’s there with the FBI agent you sent down to help him with the money laundering that’s going on at Delfy.”

  Josh frowned. “Why are they in Atlanta and not New Orleans?”

  “Daniel’s house and office were both bugged. It was the only place Daniel felt safe enough to talk freely. He makes the trip down to Atlanta fairly regularly, so it shouldn’t seem out of place.”

  “How’s it going?” Josh asked, grateful for the change in subject.

  “Slow. Whoever’s over the accounts is doing a damn good job of covering it up.”

  “Mob only hires the best,” Josh drawled sarcastically.

  “On another side note, did you know my brother owns a BDSM club in the French Quarter and has for about five years now?” Nathan asked.

  Josh raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me? You are talking about Daniel, right?”

  “My twin, yes,” Nathan replied with a slight grin.

  “Then why the hell was he here not three months ago acting like he didn’t know a damn thing about BDSM?”

  Nathan sat back with a chuckle. “Got me. I was never able to read Daniel, so God only knows. Knowing him, he thought it was funny that he pulled one over on us.”

  Josh snorted. “He certainly did that.” He’d thought Daniel would be a natural at domination, but never suspected that Daniel actually already did it. Josh frowned. Or was Daniel the sub?

  “Daniel’s a Dom,” Nathan said, catching Josh’s train of thought. “At least according to the FBI agent you sent.”

  Josh scowled across the desk at Nathan. “I hate it when you do that.”

  Nathan snickered. “I didn’t. The same thing crossed my mind as well, so I assumed you would think it too.”

  “What’s the name of the club?” Josh asked.

  “The Master’s Den.”

  Josh coughed. “I’ve been to that club.”

  “When?”

  “About three years ago. I stopped in for some R and R after finishing up a case. Damn thing is more high-end than yours, but I never saw Daniel there.”

  “You may have been there on a night he wasn’t. The agent says Daniel has a couple of Doms who oversee the place when he isn’t there. Interestingly, they’re twins and apparently work as a team.”

  “Two Doms, one sub.” Josh cringed, which made Nathan chuckle. “Poor sub.”

  “Connelly enjoyed three on one…and no, we’re not repeating it.”

  Josh laughed. “I wasn’t planning on asking. I know better.”

  “Speaking of subs,” Nathan drawled as he rubbed the stubble that covered his jaw. “What do you suppose the girls are up to?”

  “If Jenn’s curiosity is still what it was the other night, my guess is they’re in the playroom.”

  “Are you going to bring her to the club tonight? It should be safe enough.”

  Josh clasped his hands and stared down at the hardwood floor. Was he? He wanted to. He would love to act out a true scene with her, but he really needed to keep his distance. He’d become too attached, and so had she. The more he had sex with her, the more he wanted her, and the harder it would be to break away.

  “No. It’s probably not a good idea.”

  “Like I said, Josh. You’re an idiot.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Jennifer stared in awe at the large playroom with the iron accents and red walls. Empty, it appeared cavernous. Even their voices echoed around them.

  She strolled past a bench that sat a few inches higher than her waist, and ran her fingers over the soft black leather.

  “That’s a spanking bench,” Connelly explained.

  Jennifer’s lips twitched. “At least you get your punishment in comfort.”

  Connelly laughed. “Very true.”

  Jennifer spun and studied Connelly. If Josh hadn’t already told her Connelly was in her la
te thirties, Jennifer would’ve assumed she was younger. She looked good for her age, and it was obvious, by the definition of her shoulder muscles and biceps, she worked out. Jennifer was a tad envious of Connelly’s toned physique.

  Maybe, if she could get her freedom back, she could join a gym somewhere.

  “Have you ever done a scene here?” Jennifer asked, forcing her thoughts back to the present.

  Connelly nodded. “Oh, yeah. Several.”

  “And it doesn’t bother you to do that kind of stuff in front of other people?”

  “It did at first,” Connelly said as she stepped around the bar and grabbed bottled water from the fridge. She held one out to Jennifer. “Want one?”

  Jennifer nodded. “Yes. Please.”

  Connelly handed her the bottle before reaching in to grab one for herself.

  “How did you get past the discomfort?” Jennifer asked as Connelly walked over and leaned her elbows on the bar.

  Connelly shrugged as she twisted the top off the bottle and took a sip of her water. “I just gave myself over to Nathan. I trust him, and he makes me forget the other people are even here.”

  Jennifer could see Josh making her forget or not care.

  “Has Josh talked to you about any of this?” Connelly asked.

  Jennifer felt the heat of a blush move over her cheeks.

  Connelly grinned. “I take that as a yes.”

  Jennifer glanced around the room. “I would like to try it…I think.”

  Her gaze landed on a large roped-off area with two poles toward one end. Jennifer imagined being tied to those poles, her arms spread, helpless to whatever Josh had in mind for her, and her entire body flushed with heat.

  “What’s that area for?” she asked.

  “That’s where the Doms use whips on the subs. As you can imagine, they need a lot of room.”

  Jennifer’s eyes widened as she turned to stare at Connelly in shock. “Whips?”

  Connelly quickly replied, attempting to reassure her, “Josh doesn’t do that. He doesn’t like inflicting that kind of pain.”

  “Does Nathan?”

  Connelly nodded as she brought the water bottle to her lips.

  “Doesn’t it hurt when he breaks the skin?” Jennifer asked.

  “Nathan can do it without breaking the skin. It does hurt, but… It’s hard to explain.”

  Jennifer thought back to when Josh had flicked the towel along her back and legs. It had hurt a little, but the pain had morphed into a need so strong it had nearly brought her to her knees. Did more pain equate to more need and more intense orgasms? Could she handle something like that?

  She was still so new to all this. She did understand fetishes and the concepts behind them, but it was more book knowledge from a couple of college classes she’d taken.

  Some psychiatrists believe sadism and masochism were disorders that needed to be treated. Others believed it depended on the situation. All believed that both could go too far, especially when either party lacked the ability to stop.

  “You look like you have more questions,” Connelly said.

  Jennifer bit her lip briefly. “I do, but I’m afraid they’re way too personal to ask.”

  Connelly smiled. She was very friendly and open. Her curly red hair made her look impish, but she had an obvious sweet side that made Jennifer think of a kind aunt or maybe an older sister. Jennifer already felt as though she could talk to Connelly about anything, but asking her questions about having sex in front of other people seemed a bit too much.

  “I don’t mind talking about it,” Connelly replied. “So ask me whatever you want.”

  Jennifer opened her mouth to say something, when Nathan’s deep voice startled her. She jumped and spun around to see Nathan and Josh walking into the playroom. Her gaze landed immediately on Josh. He’d changed. His jeans hugged his hips, and the flannel shirt he wore brought out the color of his eyes.

  His hair appeared disheveled, as though he’d been running his hands through it in frustration. His brow was wrinkled with worry. She wanted to run to him, but he still had that wall up. She would swear she could see it…his determination to keep it in place was so strong.

  She just wished she knew what had made him put it up in the first place.

  “Don’t believe everything she tells you, Jennifer,” Nathan drawled good-naturedly as he walked behind the bar and tweaked Connelly’s nose playfully. “I’m not the monster she likes to claim I am.”

  Jennifer’s lips twitched in amusement, but her heart ached at the love she could see between Nathan and Connelly. She wanted that for her and Josh. She’d thought they were beginning to have that, but now everything seemed to have changed.

  “She never said you were a monster, although looking at this place”—Jennifer waved her hand around the dark room—“and then seeing you and the whole dark demeanor you throw off, ‘vampire’ definitely comes to mind.”

  Nathan shook his head while Josh and Connelly laughed. “What is it with girls and thinking I’m a vampire?” He looked at Josh with a perplexed expression. “Have you ever seen me bite anybody?”

  Josh continued to chuckle as Jennifer tried to explain. “It’s not biting. It’s the whole…I don’t know. It’s just your presence that puts me in the mind of a dark, romantic vampire.”

  Josh walked behind the bar and grabbed water from the fridge. “You’re not the first person to bring that to his attention.”

  “Perhaps I should change the name of the club,” Nathan said thoughtfully, before turning and wiggling his eyebrows at Connelly. “Or maybe have some fangs added.”

  “Bite her and draw blood,” Josh drawled. “That’ll help convince them otherwise.”

  Connelly’s lips spread into a slow smile as she stared up at Nathan. “I see those wheels turning,” Nathan murmured.

  “You guys just gave me an incredible idea,” Connelly replied, and then she turned and quickly headed out of the room. “I gotta get it down before I forget.”

  Jennifer frowned. “Get it down?”

  “Connelly is a writer,” Josh replied. “She writes thrillers under the name James Connelly.”

  “Oh my God! I had no idea he was a woman, or she, I guess. I read several of her books when I was in captivity. Reading was about all the fun they allowed me to have.”

  “Speaking of captivity,” Josh said as he studied the water bottle in his hand. “Nathan has some news.”

  She turned to Nathan, anxious to hear what he had to say.

  “I found the man you remembered.”

  Jennifer’s fingers began to shake, so she wrapped them around her water bottle in an effort to still them. “Go on.”

  “His name is Dr. Neal Borgan. He’s a neurologist who works on special projects for the government.”

  Jennifer’s breath caught. “The government? How in the hell am I supposed to keep running from the government?”

  “You’re not running from the government. You’re running from the drug corporation Borgan partnered with.”

  “A drug corporation,” she growled with a shake of her head. “That would make sense, since they were experimenting on me with drugs.”

  She knew they’d given her lots of them and what they were trying to do to her, but were they also hoping to figure out how to make normal people like her? But what did any of this mean? How could one person stand up against a massive corporation? How could she ever be free of this?

  “Borgan wants to meet with you,” Nathan said. “I think he wants to offer you a way out of running.”

  Jennifer frowned. “How? By now letting the government kidnap me?”

  “I don’t think so,” Nathan said. “I can read him. Not as clearly as I can Josh or Connelly, but I can tell that what he told me was the truth. Now, we just have to find out what he wants to do.”

  She glanced over at Josh, who stared across the room, not meeting her gaze. The muscle in his cheek twitched. She wanted him to look at her, to offer her some sort
of support. When he didn’t, her heart broke just a bit more.

  She returned her attention to Nathan, who had also turned to glance over at Josh, but now his gaze was back to hers. “Josh doesn’t think it’s a good idea,” Nathan said softly.

  So that was what had Josh so tense. “What choice do I have? They found me once. They can find me again. If Dr. Borgan can offer me a way to stop hiding, then maybe I should hear him out.”

  Nathan gave a nod. “I’ll set up a meeting.” He walked past Josh on his way out of the playroom. “In the meantime, the two of you really need to talk. Do it now, or I’ll sit you two down in my office and tie you both to chairs until you do.”

  Jennifer stared in shock as he shut the playroom doors, leaving her alone with a very angry-looking Josh.

  Jennifer took a deep breath and let it out slowly through her nose. She tapped her nails against the polished bar top, the sound echoing through the quiet room. Josh glanced at her and then her fingers. She stopped but continued to glare at him.

  Josh opened his mouth to say something, but Jennifer cut him off. “There’s really no need to talk, is there?” she murmured. “We’ve already had this discussion. You’re not the relationship type. I accepted that going in.”

  Josh nodded warily but didn’t speak.

  Jennifer continued with her speech. “I don’t know what happened back at the house, if I scared you or—��

  “No,” Josh interrupted. “You didn’t scare me, Jenn.”

  “Good,” she said with a firm nod. “Then stop looking at me like I’m some lab experiment that’s gone wrong.”

  With a confused shake of his head, Josh opened his mouth, but she cut him off…again. “Tonight is our last night. I think I’ve gotten pretty good at controlling my…abilities, so I want to check things out here. I want one night of uninhibited, no-strings-attached Dom/sub sex. Right here…and I’m not taking no for an answer,” she added quickly.

  Josh’s lips twitched as he dropped his gaze briefly to the floor and rocked back on his feet. “You want the full works, huh?”

  “I want to experience Master Josh in action.”

  “Okay. I’ll have Connelly find you something to wear and get you ready.”