by Dakota Trace
* * * *
After letting Caelan know they’d be leaving as soon as Kalinda got ready, Dominic went in search of Josh. He finally found him in the playroom downstairs. He was wiping down the St. Andrews cross in rhythmic motions.
“You took off. I thought you wanted to tell Kalinda good morning.”
Josh didn’t even stop what he was doing. “She didn’t need me. She had you.”
Dominic could hear the bitterness in the other man’s voice. Son of bitch…for every step forward they took, it seemed as if they took two back. “Bullshit. She needs you as much as she needs me.”
“Yeah right.” Josh turned on him before throwing the rag across the playroom in a fit of anger. He moved to leave the playroom but Dominic grabbed his arm.
“Don’t even try this shit with me. You made some smart ass comment last night about my lack of control while watching you fuck her, but you never asked why.”
Josh sneered at him. “Because you’re a deviant fuck that gets off on watching your slave fuck another man?”
“While I’ll be the first to admit watching you fuck her was hot, what stoked my fire even higher was the look on her face before she climaxed. She was so wrapped up in the pleasure you were giving her, she didn’t have time to think about the fact she was fucking you without my permission. The acceptance of both of us was right there in her eyes for the taking but...”
“But?” Josh’s breath was raspy.
“She got scared and tried to back away from it.”
Josh gave him a smirk. “And you got off on that? Her fear?” He jerked his arm away and strode towards the stairs.
“No, you stubborn English prick!” He spun Josh around before pushing him towards the back of the playroom. Dom wasn’t done talking to him - he was going to understand come hell or high water. “Stop running from me and listen damnit! While even you will admit there is something about the look of erotic pain on a sub’s face that is addictive, that wasn’t what I saw last night. It was the expression of joy she had just before she began to fight us. She was wide open to me for the first time in our relationship. When you see that for the first time, you’ll be just as determined as I am to see it again.”
Josh stared at him for a moment before giving a rough sigh. “Do you honestly think we can get through to her?”
He clapped his hand over Josh’s shoulder. “I’m sure of it. She may be a stubborn little witch but I am even more stubborn. Not to mention, I’ve got something she doesn’t.”
Josh cocked his head. “And what’s that?”
“You. Between the two of us she doesn’t stand a chance.”
A rare smile crossed Josh’s face. “So what’s your plan?”
Dominic smiled. “We’re going to give her a few days to cool off - to let things ease into a familiar pattern. You’re going to continue to stay with us during that time. Then when I decide the time is right, the three of us are going to make a special trip down here to this very playroom. By the time we leave it everything will be settled.” Dominic turned to leave the room when Caelan yelled down the stairs about everyone else being ready to leave.
Josh grabbed Dominic by the arm. “You better be right about this.”
Dominic nodded. “I am - trust me.”
Chapter Eleven
Kalinda tried to ignore the tension radiating off the two men sitting on either side of her. Both Josh and Dominic had their arms crossed over their chests while staring straight ahead. In the front seat of the car, Caelan drove with Nisey seated beside him. Realistically Kalinda knew that she couldn’t be angry with her friend for spilling the beans about the threat the man had issued. Nisey had heard it too, however in all the excitement Kalinda had hoped that her friend had forgotten about it, but she’d hoped in vain. Her friend knew her all too well and had assumed correctly that she hadn’t told the men about it.
They’d just entered Nisey’s room when her friend had nailed her proverbial hide to the wall.
“So Dominic, did Kalinda tell you about the men’s threat?”
Dominic had stopped dead in his tracks before catching her eyes. “No she hasn’t. Is there something that you forgot to mention to me, chérie?”
“I was going to tell you today, Master…” Even as she apologized to Dominic, Josh had jerked her around, his anger quite evident.
“And what about me, slave? What is your excuse for not mentioning it to me?”
Feeling overwhelmed, Kalinda had jerked free of Josh. “Just stop please.” Tears had threatened while Nisey intervened on her behalf to tell all three bristling Doms how the leader of the attackers had given Kalinda a warning to pass onto Dominic. It seemed that the attack on the girls was possibly linked to the break-in in California…
So now instead of heading back to Caelan’s house, they were going over to Olivia’s to meet the private investigator the older Domme kept on retainer for both security and professional reasons. When the silence finally got to her, she touched Dominic’s shirt sleeve. “Dom?”
“Yeah, chérie?”
“Are you mad at me?” Even as she heard the words spill out of her mouth, she winced. She sounded whiny - and if there was anything she hated it was whining. “I should’ve told you this morning, but I was really upset and I totally forgot.”
He lifted her hand to his mouth. “No, Kalinda, I’m not mad at you. I’m disappointed you didn’t tell me when we spoke on the phone yesterday, but I’m not angry.”
Her head bowed as guilt fought with righteousness. She hated that she felt guilty about not telling him on the phone when she had the chance, but realistically there hadn’t been anything he could’ve done about it. But even if she’d try to explain her motives for keeping it from him, he probably wouldn’t understand her need to be with him - to be held in his arms - when she finally revealed what’d happened.
She needed to give him physical proof of her commitment to him - that she would allow no man or woman to drive her away. She never wanted him to doubt the strength of her commitment to him, especially after she’d heard about a previous submissive from New Orleans. His first, if the rumors were true, who’d walked away after Dominic decided to stay and try to convince his family to leave before the height of Hurricane Katrina. She couldn’t believe a woman, let alone a submissive who was supposed to be committed to her master, would leave him alone in such circumstances. She’d like to have five minutes alone with the woman who’d hurt him so badly.
“Okay, Master.” Dropping her hand from his arm, she almost wished she was anywhere else but trapped in the backseat between Dominic’s disappointment and Josh’s quiet anger. She’d royally fucked this up by keeping her own council, just because she thought it had been the best course of action.
She gave a sigh of relief when they finally pulled into the parking lot of Olivia’s. She climbed out after Dominic, only to be stopped by his hand on her arm. She glanced up at him before lowering her head when she saw the neutral guarded look in his eyes. She’d seen many different things in his eyes during their time together: desire, anger, contentment, happiness and even pure devilment, but none of them scared her as much as the contained and controlled look he currently wore. He was back behind his wall - where she couldn’t reach him.
“Put this on, Kalinda.” His voice was like his eyes, flat. She felt him press something into her hand. She stared down at the slender collar he’d just given her. It was the same collar she’d worn numerous times in the past when he’d taken her out. She slid it on without comment. At least he was still offering her his protection - perhaps she hadn’t fucked this up totally.
Walking between Dominic and Josh, she entered the cool interior of Olivia’s club. She barely gave Carlos a greeting before she was whisked into one of the private playrooms. She tried to control her tongue when Dominic assumed his Master’s role to order her to stay with Nisey, while only the men spoke with Olivia’s detective. Her anger had tears welling up in her throat when the door shut behind them. Kali
nda immediately went to the door to follow when the distinct sound of the lock being engaged filled the room.
“God damn conceited assholes!” Even as the words slipped out of her mouth, Kalinda regretted them. She had to remember that the three men were trying to protect both of them.
Nisey wrapped her arms around Kalinda. “I know, Kalinda. It’s hard standing back to let them protect us.”
Kalinda turned in her friend’s arms as tears burst free. “I royally screwed this up. I should’ve told them…”
“Shh…” Nisey continued to rock her gently while absently rubbing her back. Glancing at the door, she tried to not let her own anger at her Master cloud her judgment. She needed to be strong for Kalinda, but when they got home she and Máister were going to have a talk about this “over-protection” bit. He’d taught her how to protect herself after that fiasco with Derrick - he had another talk coming if he thought she was going to hide behind him just because some assholes had broken into their home. She might be submissive but she was far from being the helpless victim. Never again, she vowed.
* * * *
Olivia met the men in the hallway outside her office. She was dressed for a busy night of playing the ultimate Domme. Her dark red corset was snuggly tied under her petite breasts, topping a pair of skin tight leathers. Her high heeled boots gleamed even in the dim light of the hallway. Her dark hair was pulled up in the familiar tight French braid she preferred when working. With the coiled whip hanging from her hip, she was an intimidating figure when she glanced at the three men standing in front of her before looking over their shoulders for their women. Propping a hand on her hip, she stared them down before inquiring about them.
“Where are your slaves?”
The silence was tense until Josh finally shifted with a lazy smile. “I don’t have a slave, so…”
Dominic elbowed him. “Like hell you don’t!”
Josh rubbed his offended side while Caelan answered smoothly. “They are in my private room, Olivia…”
Her diminutive frame went rigid with anger. “You left them unprotected?”
Caelan held up a hand. “No, I‘d never leave my slave unprotected, Olivia, but the fewer times that they have to relive the attack the better…”
It didn’t go unnoticed by the men when her hand caressed the handle of the whip at her side. “You better explain yourselves and fast before I take a strip out of your hides. Both Kalinda and Nisey need to know what they are up against. You Neanderthals can’t protect them twenty-four seven. They need to know exactly what it going on, so they can help with their own protection.”
Josh realizing that this was spiraling out of control, he stepped up to sooth the Domme. “Relax, Olivia. Gabriel was in the Main Room - he’s offered to guard them while we were back here with you.”
Olivia’s eyes narrowed. “Fine! While I still don’t think this is the wisest course of action, I can’t tell you what to do with your slaves as long as they don’t come to harm under my roof. Let’s go take care of this before my pet decides to renege on our wager.”
Dominic exchanged a quick glance with Josh. A wager?
Josh shook his head to indicate it was best ‘left alone’ as they followed Olivia into her office. If Dominic had expected to find the good P.I. restrained or kneeling, he would’ve been in for a disappointment. A large dark man sat in one of the large chairs in front of Olivia’s desk flipping through a bondage magazine. He spoke without looking up.
“Olivia, you are out of your mind if you think that I’m going to let you do any of this to me.” The gravelly voice had Olivia smirking at the seated man.
“Nonsense, pet. Not only am I going to do what I promised - you’re going to be begging for it.”
The man’s dark complexion flushed. “Like Hell.” He moved to stand.
“Sit back down… now.” The dark command within Olivia’s voice had the man slowly lowering his body back into the chair. “That’s better, pet.” She walked around her desk. “Now before we get around to the interesting part of the night, these are Masters Josh, Dominic and Caelan. They are in need of a man of your particular talents.”
Olivia’s pet turned to face them. “Hello Gentlemen. My name is…”
“… is pet.” Olivia’s voice was smooth but the humor in it was evident. She was toying with the man and enjoying every moment of it.
The man glared at her. “Knock it off, Olivia. This doesn’t have anything to do with our wager. You brought these men here for my professional capabilities - not to amuse them with your antics.”
“But it’s so much fun. But I’ll desist since I need to sign off on the liquor delivery which just arrived. I’ll leave you four to it.” She stood up to leave but stopped next to the man. Bending over him, she ran her tongue over his ear. “But this doesn’t let you off the hook, pet. Your outburst just cost you another five strokes.”
The man caught his breath. “Like hell - that wasn’t our agreement!”
Olivia straightened. “The agreement was that you would allow me to warm your ass any way I saw fit if you couldn’t convince your date to enter my club. If my memory serves me correctly, you couldn’t even get her to show up for your supposed date - so that means I win, pet.” She squeezed his ass when he surged out of the chair. “And this ass is mine to do as I see fit for the next hour - which includes punishing it.”
The man gritted his teeth. “I’m not submissive!”
Olivia smirked at him. “We’ll see.” She ran her long fingernails over his inner thigh to his groin. “I’m betting this will arise to the occasion once I have you bent over my spanking bench.” She stroked him once more before stepping away. “He’s all yours, boys. Make it snappy though - my promised time is ticking away and I’m horny.” She tossed over her shoulder before striding out the door.
Dominic watched as the man took a few moments to compose himself. He wasn’t sure who the man was trying to fool: Olivia or himself, but the look in the P.I.’s eyes as the Domme toyed with him told it all. The man wanted to submit to her - badly, even if he was scared of his response to the idea. It was going to be interesting to watch Olivia bring the man to heel.
After taking a few calming breaths, Olivia’s soon-to-be sub raked his hand through his hair before introducing himself.
“That woman is going to drive me crazy.” His low mutter had the other men chuckling.
He just glared at them. “Jude Larson - Private Investigator and owner of Larson Securities. Now exactly what can I help you with?”
* * * *
Dominic glared at Jude. “I don’t like it. I refuse to use Kalinda as bait.”
“I completely understand your feelings on the matter, but it is the best way to draw out the men who attacked her and the other woman.” Jude laid a hand on Dominic’s shoulder. “From what you’ve told me about the security of Caelan’s house, these men came prepared to make their point. If they had no qualms about breaking in during broad daylight in such an affluent, well-patrolled neighborhood it’s not a matter of if they will attack again - but when. It would be in your best interests to end this quickly. Leaving Kalinda in a ready accessible position will end this quicker than if you lock her away. Plus with this plan we can almost guarantee her safety.”
“You’re not talking about just any woman, Jude. Not only is she my slave, she’s the woman I love. I’m not comfortable with risking her safety in a hare-brained scheme that may or may not work.” Dominic began pacing the suddenly tight confines of Olivia’s office.
“I’m not anymore comfortable with this either, Dom, but it is food for thought. How quickly do we want to end this?” Josh questioned Jude as well as Dominic and Caelan.
Josh’s agreement with Jude had Dominic’s anger flaring. He took a threatening step towards Josh. How could the other man be willing to risk their sub like this? “Excuse me? I can’t believe I heard you just say that you would willingly endanger our sub…”
Caelan stepped between the two men
. “That’s enough! Fighting is not going to solve this.”
“But it’s not your sub that we’re endangering. How would you feel if it were Nisey we were using for bait?” Dominic’s snarl was lethal and Caelan stiffened.
A low rumble escaped Caelan. “I’d probably feel the same way but it’s not Nisey. I understand your…”
“If you understand, then how the fuck can you claim that it’s a good idea to use your sister?” Dominic was now in Caelan’s face.
“I love my sister and she’s been trained to take care of herself…”
“That’s not the point, damnit! It’s Dom’s and my job to protect her…she’s ours now.” Josh’s interruption had Caelan rolling his eyes.
As the argument escalated between the three men, Jude waded in. “Enough! Why don’t we ask Kalinda’s opinion on it, since she’s the one who’ll be taking the risk?”
All three men turned to stare at him.
“Like Hell!” The response was in stereo as all three men answered at the same time.
The room became louder as Jude tried to reason with the men.
“Gentleman! That is enough!” Olivia’s voice echoed through the room. Evidently she’d rejoined them sometime during their very loud “discussion”. “This is ridiculous. This is what is going to happen since you boys can’t decide.” She focused on Josh and Dominic. “You are going to go get Kalinda, and let her decide if she’s willing to take the risk.” When the men sputtered in protest, she pointed one hand at the door. “Now!”
She rounded on Caelan when he glared at her. “As for you, Mr. Doherty, you need to contact a reputable company to install security cameras at your home and possibly upgrade your alarm system. Pet’s company can do it for you, I’m sure, or at least recommend someone if they can’t handle it quickly enough.”