“Don’t worry, my legs are all wobbly,” she replied, then unexpectedly began to cough, “and I have no desire to get out of this bed.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Finding the keys, he moved back to the bed to hug her quickly, then strode briskly from the room, but as he approached her door he paused and listened intently. Though he didn’t hear anything from the other side, he drew his weapon, then opened the door a crack. The hallway was clear. After a quick check of the rooms and finding no sign of life he moved down the stairs, then on a hunch he walked into the front living room and peeked through the side of a curtain. The red sedan. There it was, parked directly across the street, the driver drinking a beer and reading a newspaper.
“Where the hell are you, Johnny. You should be here by now,” Marco muttered to himself as he pulled out his phone and called him again.
“I’m a minute away,” Johnny declared as he answered. “I got held up.”
“There’s a red sedan parked across from the house. It’s Dean’s driver. He appears to be alone. “
“Got it.”
Ending the call, Marco moved quickly through the remaining rooms. Finding them empty he strode outside and gazed down at the broken man on the ground. His limbs were at odd angles, but to Marco’s surprise there was very little blood. Bending down he placed his fingers against Jason’s throat to feel for a pulse.
“Haven’t killed me yet you fucker.”
Jason’s feeble voice had mumbled the words, and shocked that the lifeless body had spoken, Marco almost stumbled backwards. He couldn’t believe Jason was still alive. His body was a crumpled, disjointed mess. The sound of approaching sirens caught his attention, and hurrying back inside he found two of the medics from Johnny’s team striding through the front door with Johnny a few steps behind.
“Through there,” Marco said, pointing to the French doors that led outside. “He’s busted up bad, but he’s alive.”
“He’s alive?” Johnny exclaimed. “How is that possible? Are you sure?”
“He just spoke, and I wasn’t dreaming.”
“Holy shit. I hope to hell he makes it.”
“He doesn’t deserve to,” Marco grimaced. “He’s a monster.”
“He’s a monster with a whole lot of information locked in his head, but I need to see Kat. Is she upstairs?”
“Yeah, and I’m coming with you. I hated to leave her.”
“You had to make sure the house was clear. I’ve been there. It sucks.”
Kat had suddenly felt very cold and had managed to change into a pair of warm pajamas. She had just climbed back into bed when she heard Marco’s return, and a moment later there was a gentle knock on her bedroom door.
“Kat, it’s Marco, I’m with Johnny. Are you decent?”
“Yes, you can come in.”
“Hey, how’s my number one agent?” Johnny asked as entered. “What the hell were you doing grappling with a Hollywood heartthrob on your patio?”
“Good question. I would have been safer going on the raid.”
“Are you all right? You sound terrible.”
“Yes, fine, it’s just a cold, but I was freaked out when it happened, and Marco, I totally forgot to tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“Jason Dean is…hold on…” she said, grabbing a tissue and sneezing into it. “Sorry. Jason Dean is HH.”
“Jason Dean is HH?” Marco repeated. “How do you know?”
“He told me. I figured the only way to stay alive was to get him talking and control of the conversation, and it worked. That’s down to you, Johnny. You taught me how to do that.”
“That is incredible news. Absolutely incredible,” Johnny exclaimed. “He’s been hiding in plain sight all this time. Did you find out what HH stands for?”
“Yep, Heaven and Hell. He said that’s what he does. His drugs promise people heaven, then puts them through hell.”
“Like that song,” Marco declared, “what was it?”
“Bon Jovi, You Give Love A Bad Name, and that’s where Jason got it.”
“He did the same to those girls in that house,” Johnny murmured. “You’ve done an amazing job, Kat, now you need to get better. I’ll need a full statement of what happened here of course, from both of you, but that can wait.”
“Shit, I didn’t even ask,” she suddenly blurted out. “How’s Jason? I assume he’s, uh, toast?”
“Shockingly, he was alive when I checked on him,” Marco said soberly. “He was a mess, but he was alive. No telling for how long though.”
“I’d better get back to it,” Johnny said. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Kat.”
“Marco saved me. Marco and a ratty old nightgown that I’ve had forever. When I think what could have happened…”
“But it didn’t, and I’ll always be grateful. I’ll speak to you tomorrow, and I won’t hug you, I don’t need your cold. Bye, Marco. Great work. I’ll call Steve with the news. Damn…Jason Dean is HH. The bastard was right in front of our noses the whole time.”
As Johnny walked from the bedroom, shaking his head, Marco sat down on the edge of the bed and wiped some runaway hairs from Kat’s forehead.
“I’m going to take a shower then climb into bed and hold you all night.”
“You’ll catch my bug.”
“I’ve had a flu shot, and I’ve bought some of that anti-cold stuff.”
“Anti-Cold stuff? What’s anti-cold stuff?”
“It helps prevent a bug from taking hold. I’m hoping it will stop it in its tracks if it tries to jump off you and land on me, but Kat, I don’t care. I’m not leaving, and I’m going to make sure you get better.”
Leaning into him she rested her head in his chest and moved her arms around his waist.
“I’m so happy you’re here Marco, and I’m so happy I met you.”
“That makes two of us,” he murmured, holding her tightly. “I hate that you’re sick, but I do like you like this.”
“Like what?”
“All soft and cuddly. When you’re like this I’m changing Kat to kitten. Remember when I mentioned that?”
“Of course I do, and if I didn’t have a sore throat and stuffed up nose I’d be purring,” she said softly, and as if to make her point she coughed and sniffled. “Dammit. I don’t do sick!”
“Take some more of your potions,” he said as she reached for a tissue, “and before I take that shower I have something I want to ask you.”
“Okay. Go ahead.”
“How did you end up on the patio with Jason?”
She was about to pour some nighttime cold medicine into a tiny plastic cup, but she stopped and stared up at him.
“Uh, can we talk about it tomorrow?”
“I figured as much. Don’t worry, I would never punish you while you’re sick, but I want you to tell me now, though I can guess.”
“Why don’t you do that, guess I mean.”
“You thought if you could get him on to the patio, you could duck inside and close the slider on him, or, worse case scenario, push him against the railing and hope it gave way, which it did. Am I close?”
“The first bit. I didn’t think about the railing, and I’m glad,” she said softly. “Seeing him fall off the way he did, and that howl he made, it was horrifying.”
“We’re taught to use everything and anything at our disposal to defend ourselves, so it would have been understandable if you’d done that, but I have to tell you…”
“What?” she pressed.
His voice had fallen quiet and he was staring at her intently.
“When I saw him trying to pull you over with him I thought my heart was going to stop. It totally scared the crap out of me.”
“Me too,” she mumbled, “I’ve never been so terrified in my life.”
“Hopefully you’ll never be in a position like that again.”
“Hopefully.”
“You mean the world to me Kat, and I felt it at
that moment. It was almost like a flash of light.”
“I felt it too, and, uh, if you’re still going to start up that detective agency business, I’d love to join you.”
“There are going to be some serious rules. Can you live with that?”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Kat and Marco were eager to see the infamous glass mansion, and a few days later, with Kat’s cold virtually gone, they made their way up the hill, and were soon riding through the guard gates and into the exclusive community. As the gleaming home came into view, though she’d seen the structure in photographs, it still took her breath away. Rolling up the driveway and into the motor court, they joined several pickup trucks and SUV’s, and as they climbed off the bike and pulled off their helmets, Kat gazed at the architectural wonder.
“I’m surprised he had a place like this,” she remarked. “You can see into every room?”
“What was it Johnny said? Hiding in plain sight? It may look like there’s no privacy, but I’ve heard there are hidden rooms all over the place.”
“Hey you two,” Steve declared, moving swiftly up to greet them. “How are feeling, Kat?”
“Great, and I’m glad to finally see this place. What are you doing here? What’s with all the cars and trucks?”
“We’re doing a major search, and it’s good you got here when you did. Starting tomorrow we might be tearing this house apart.”
“Why?” Kat asked as they started walking towards the front door.
“Jason Dean has been forthcoming about almost everything, and I call him Jason rather than Ernie because I have to keep it as a habit. He gets crazy if anyone calls him Ernie.”
“I remember,” Kat said rolling her eyes.
“Almost everything?” Marco asked. “Let me guess. Where’s the cash?”
“Right on the money,” Steve chuckled, “if you’ll forgive the pun.”
They’d entered the foyer, and they stood quietly, taking in the white floors, black rugs, and extraordinary steel sculptures.
“This place is amazing,” Kat murmured. “It’s gorgeous, but it’s…what’s the word I’m looking for? Sterile. That’s what it is, it’s sterile and it’s cold. It’s not like a home at all.”
“Wait until you see the red room. That was their chamber of horrors. Padded vinyl walls, rubber floors, totally bizarre, and there’s the playroom as well.”
“Playroom?” Kat asked. “What do you mean, playroom?”
“You know, all that BDSM stuff. He was into some kinky shit. Anyway, we’ve found plenty of drugs and weapons but none of the money, and I’m convinced there’s cash around here.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Marco muttered, his mind still on the playroom.
Noticing Kat was staring into space, obviously deep in thought, he smiled. Her thoughts were probably like his; filled with floggers and other wicked implements of pain and pleasure.
“The money!” she suddenly exclaimed. “I’m so sorry. I was so out of it I totally forgot.”
“You know where it is?” Steve asked, staring at her in surprise.
“Maybe. I made a joke about the landscaping around the house. I suggested he had a tropical forest so he could hide the green in the green.”
“Damn. That never even occurred to me. I’ll get people out there right away.”
“Can we wander around the house?”
“Sure, and thanks. I hope you’re right.”
For almost an hour Marco and Kat roamed through the large home. There were hidden rooms behind hidden rooms, and though they were awed by the luxurious master suite and the many features of the stunning property, it was the playroom that captured their imagination. Surrounded by floggers and fur-lined shackles, suspension cables and padded benches, when Marco pulled her into his arms and clutched her hair, Kat was already feeling the warm flood between her legs.
“You know what I’m thinking?” he whispered.
“Many things,” she mumbled as she melted.
“Yeah, you’d be right about that, but there’s one thing in particular,” he breathed, lowering his lips to kiss her neck. “My house has plenty of space. We could have a playroom of our very own.”
“I can’t think when you kiss my neck like that.”
“Would a playroom of our own be something you’d like?” he asked, lifting his head and locking her eyes.
“No, that would be something I’d love, and now we need to leave. My toes are curling.”
“Back to your room at the safe house?”
“For sure. I know I’ve only been there a short time, but I’m going to miss it.”
“You should talk to Johnny. Maybe he’d let you hang out there when you want.”
“I doubt it, but please take me back there? I need to be naked with you.”
They moved back through the house and out to the motor court, and were about climb on the motorcycle when Steve jogged called out and jogged up to them.
“Kat, you were right! That sonofabitch has plastic palm trees. They look so much like the real thing it’s hard to tell them apart.”
“The money is in plastic palm trees?”
“They’re hollow!”
“Damn, he’s clever, but how does he think he can get to it from behind bars?” Marco asked.
“Who knows. Don’t forget, he can afford the best legal counsel in the world. Maybe he was going to ask that the plants to go a charity someplace.”
“Or he’ll have someone sneak back here in the middle of the night and grab it,” Kat suggested.
“And that’s why I’m going to leave it right where it is for awhile, with trackers inside the bags.”
“Of course you are,” Marco chuckled, “and I’ll bet Kat’s right.”
“Before you take off, there’s something Johnny and I want to discuss with you both. How about meeting us for dinner tonight. We never did celebrate.”
“Fine with me,” Marco said. “What about you, Kat?”
“Sure. Sounds good. Where?”
“Mario’s? Around seven o’clock?”
“Great,” Kat smiled. “We’ll see you there.”
A short time later they were approaching the front door of the romantic old house, but as Kat placed the key in the lock, Marco placed his hand over hers.
“Wait…I have a surprise for you.”
“What sort of surprise?”
“If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise. I’ll be right back.”
Turning on his heel he hurried away, but he was gone only a minute, and when he returned he was carrying a pink box with a red bow.
“What’s this?”
“Something special for my special girl,” he said, handing it to her. “I was going to give it to you later, but now is better. Leave your place unlocked. I’ll wait downstairs for five minutes then come up.”
“I’m excited,” she beamed, as they walked inside. “Thank you.”
He watched her trot up the stairs, then wandered into the living room, and gazing up at the old-world crystal chandelier he felt a pang. It was a wonderful old house and deserved to be restored to its former glory. Continuing to meander as the minutes ticked by, then hurried up the stairs. The door was unlocked, and entering her bedroom he found her lying on the bed in the gift he’d bought her; a pink silk nightie.
“You look gorgeous,” he murmured, taking off his jacket as he ambled towards her.
“I absolutely love it,” she said softly. “It’s almost identical to my other one. Thank you. I would have enjoyed seeing the look on the sales clerk’s face when you asked if she had any pink silk nighties.”
“She was very helpful,” Marco grinned, sitting on the edge of the bed and moving his palm over her breasts through the slinky fabric.
“I’ll just bet she was. Let me guess. She offered to model it for you.”
“How did you know? She didn’t do it justice though,” he said with a wry grin. “It look
s much better on you.”
“Beast!” she giggled, punching his arm.
“That would be me,” he laughed, “and you’re my beauty.”
“I think I just hurt my hand, and I’ll bet you didn’t even feel that.”
“Feel what?” he asked, rising to his feet and slowly removing his clothes.
“Very funny.”
“Have I spanked you since you got over your cold?”
“What sort of a question is that?”
“One that requires a yes or no answer.”
He was staring down at her with a single raised eyebrow, and feeling her butterflies spring to life, she shook her head.
“No, you haven’t, Sir.”
“Then I must, and I like the idea of being at Mario’s knowing you’re sitting on a very warm backside.”
She remained silent as he finished undressing, and as he stretched out next to her, rolling her on to her side against him, she let out a happy sigh.
“I love being with you like this.”
He moved his hand across her bottom, siding the flimsy fabric against her skin, then landed a hot slap.
“OUCH.”
“Do you still love it?”
“Dare I say, even more?”
“Good answer. I’m going to shift on to my back and I want you to rest on top of me.”
As he laid flat she moved with him, and dropped her head to rest on a pillow next to his.
“Good, now stretch your arms out, and spread your legs.”
“It feels so strange,” she mumbled. “I feel off balance.”
“Keep them there. No matter what I do, keep them there. This is a lesson in obedience.”
“Obedience?”
“Yep. It’s about time. You can consider today the first day of your training.”
“Training?”
“Are you going to repeat everything I say?”
“No, you just took me by surprise.”
Pulling the nightie up to her waist, exposing her bottom, he moved his fingers into her sex, and she squirmed against his touch. She could feel his stiff cock, her breasts were pressed against his chest, and as his finger began to tease between her pussy lips, she let out a long low moan.
“You love this,” he crooned, then unexpectedly landed a second hot swat in the center of her backside.
Motorcycle Master Page 21