The Nightingale Trilogy: An Alpha Billionaire Romantic Suspense

by Cynthia Dane

  Except she couldn’t look up. A rope was knotted tight beneath her bun, keeping her head pointed straight, chin parallel with the stage. I’m not sure what’s going on. Some of the audience stood, pointing high above her as the squeak of the pulleys recommenced.

  Her arms held out straight above her head. Nala wobbled onto her stilettos as she was forced to stand. By the time Vincent came to stand beside her, a slim look of satisfaction on his face – the same kind of look he had the other night – even Xavier Crow was standing and taking out his glasses to see better.

  “I say…” He pulled his phone out of his front pocket and held it in front of him. A flash blinded Nala. He did not just… He had. He had taken a fucking picture of her up here on this stage, tied up like an asshole.

  So had Vincent, who hopped off the stage and documented his handiwork.

  Nobody else took a picture, however. That would’ve been uncouth. Instead, they marveled, talking excitedly to one another before erupting in vigorous applause. Sebastian came up and clapped his hand on Vincent’s shoulder, welcoming him to The Aviary and asking if he was keen on doing a bondage workshop for the group – with Xavier’s blessing, of course.

  Nala was the only person who wasn’t allowed to see what had happened. Nobody was sharing a picture, nobody could find the words to describe it, and, well, she couldn’t exactly step outside of her body and have a gander for a few seconds. Besides, I’m fucking tired. Her arms were turning to jelly, her shoulders were threatening to pop out of their sockets, and her knees were wobbling as she tried to keep her balance in her shoes.

  “That is amazing, Lane,” Lucian said from his seat. “But you should probably get your birdie down from there. She’s shaking like a seizure.”

  “What a sport, though,” Xavier said, as the first rope came undone and alleviated some of the pressure on Nala’s left shoulder. I never thought such a thing could feel so relieving! “There’s nothing like a girl who can take whatever her Master is serving, sexually or otherwise.”

  Oh, vomit.

  Slowly, with the care of a man who knew what he was doing, Vincent untied Nala and helped her lower to the throne. Hey, here I am, sitting in his massive throne. She slumped over, stretching out her shoulders and arms. Giving her feet a rest was a top priority as well. Vincent fielded questions and comments about his artistic abilities, someone even going as far as to ask if he considered doing a public show. “This is Portland,” a male voice said. “They would love you two at one of the alternative galleries.”

  Vincent said he would consider it. Nala almost nodded off to sleep before Robin sideswiped her on the throne and gave her a friendly hug.

  “I’m so jealous of your Master’s abilities.” Her giggles were almost infectious. At the very least, they rejuvenated Nala until she was able to sit up straight again. “I’ve been trying to get mine to take bondage courses so we could give it a whirl. There’s something so intensely erotic about… well, I don’t have to tell you! I bet your panties are so wet right now.”

  Nala stared at her. No, girl, you’re Nightingale. She smiled. “Maybe a little.” Nightingale loved getting tied up and fucked. Okay, maybe I do a little too. Not the actual tying up part. The fucking part.

  There were other demonstrations that night, of course. Robin was spanked for what felt like hours. Quail took a crop right to the pussy and came with her legs shaking in the air. Starling demonstrated a mewling submissive who was a queen of dirty talk. Maggie and Jay also did bondage, but their piece was more about restraint than artistic expression.

  Two weeks ago, this would’ve been scandalous. Now Nala could hardly care. She was still disgusted with Xavier’s presence, but that would never go away. Not with him being in control, and all. I hope nobody else tries to sleep with me. She scooted closer to Vincent on their bench, attempting to look 100% his possession. Her hand slipped between his legs and lightly stroked his cock when Quail started screaming in ecstasy from the crop.

  She caught his glance. Why, yes, I am doing this, sir. I am the Nightingale, after all. I am here to serve your every sexual whim. Why, did Vincent not care for playtime in this situation? He was probably as grossed out being around Crow, but last week proved he didn’t mind a rough quickie as far away as possible. Neither did Nala. It might be good for someone to catch us fucking. Word will spread. We’ll be more legit.

  After the demonstrations, two couples left. Robin and Lucian departed, saying they had to leave for a trip early in the morning. Starling and Joseph thanked everyone for a wonderful evening and expressed how tired they were. After seeing them off, Xavier took the opportunity to approach Vincent and bring up the NDAs.

  As full members of The Aviary, they were expected to sign some suspiciously illegal documents that passed as NDAs. Except Nala was supposed to use her code name. Worked for her, but it only served to remind that she and Nightingale were different entities.

  “Come up to my office. I have one on the second floor upstairs.”

  They couldn’t say no even if they wanted to. One of the fishnet-clad women led the way, weaving upstairs through The Crow’s Nest, and up another set of stairs pointing out a regional office. One side of the room belonged to the on-site lounge manager, who had stepped out for this private meeting, and the other was the neat and tidy property of Xavier Crow.

  “Are you all right?” Vincent asked, as they sat in the chairs in front of Crow’s desk. “We haven’t had much time to talk tonight.”

  Nala looked around, noting a camera in the corner – and mics only God knew where. “I’m fine, sir,” she said. “Why? Are you not pleased with me?”

  Vincent sat back, frowning. “You’re more than pleasant. I’m… worried about you.”

  Nala cocked her head with a reassuring smile. “We can discuss your worries later, yes?”

  “Sure.”

  They were their usual silent until Xavier arrived ten more minutes later, swinging his jacket onto a coat rack and letting out a hearty sigh as he sat behind his desk. “Vincent. Nightingale.” His smile would’ve been friendly if they both didn’t know the truth behind it. “That was a wonderful demonstration you put on earlier. I had no idea you were so handy with a set of ropes, Lane.”

  Vincent nodded. “I’ve dabbled in it over the years. Was practically an Eagle Scout with my knowledge of knots growing up.”

  “I’m sure.” That leering smile turned to Nala, who managed to retain her poise even under this much scrutiny. I’m getting good at this. “You remained so docile during that trying experience. You two must have a lot of history to know one another so well.”

  Nala pulled her cheeks into a smile. “You could say that. My Master and I are very in tune with one another.” She turned her smile in Vincent’s direction. “Wouldn’t you say so, sir?”

  Vincent didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to.

  “At any rate, there are a few boring formalities we have to go through before you can fully enjoy the privileges of The Aviary.” Xavier opened a drawer and pulled out a single sheet of paper. Nala was too far away to see the words on it, but she knew it was the sketchy NDA. Where do I sign, fucker? Then give me the keys to your house so I can go through your shit. Finally, a real smile. Except she had to hide this one. “Vincent, I will need your statement when you can get it to me over the next week. Both of you need to sign the non-disclosure agreement saying that you will not talk about The Aviary or its members to others, especially anyone who could compromise these people’s careers. I take that very seriously.”

  Nala nearly swallowed her tongue. I bet you fucking do. That’s why Tasha was dead. That’s probably why Desirée was dead.

  Vincent picked up a pen, perused the paper before them, and signed his name at the bottom. When it was Nala’s turn, she saw the name “Nightingale” in small print beneath the solid line.

  I really am a different person now. The name rolled from her fingers without contest. The longer she stayed in the headspace of Nightingale,
the more she felt at home.

  Xavier took the paper and pen back with a happy sigh. His eyes lingered on Nala, staring uncomfortably at her face. “You know, dear Nightingale, you look strangely familiar. I can’t quite place it. Do we know each other from elsewhere?”

  Nala politely shook her head. “Until two weeks ago, sir, I had never met you before.” A new thought sparked in her mind. “I have a distant cousin who is a model. Perhaps it’s her I look like. Everyone in that part of the family looks the same.”

  “I don’t cavort much with models.”

  Nala didn’t think so, but now she had thrown a red herring at the man, and that was all she needed to keep him from thinking of Tasha, one of his top researchers he always kept a close eye on. To make sure she didn’t get too close to something that would stop his money from trickling in.

  “Thank you for this.” Xavier tucked the paper into a locked drawer. “Now, as full members, you’ll be delighted to know that we’ll be taking a sojourn to Cancun in the coming weeks. Just a weekend jaunt. I’ve rented us a scattering of cottages right on the beach. Have you ever been?”

  They both shook their heads. Shit, I need a passport. Nala tucked that into the back of her mind so she wouldn’t forget to tell Vincent. If it was in the coming weeks, she would need him to help her get an expedited one.

  “On top of such treats, I have regular parties at a ranch I own down south, toward Salem. You of course will be invited to come. Oh! And…” Xavier stood, prompting both Vincent and Nala to stand as well. “Drinks are on the house here at The Crow’s Nest. Also, you can come and go as you please from the downstairs club room.” He shook Vincent’s hand, winking at him. “Lots of fun tools of the trade down there. Have fun.”

  Vincent twisted his mouth in such a way that Nala took a step back. They look like they’re in on some joke. She reminded herself that it had everything to do with the game they played. Still…

  “We might take a jaunt down there now,” Vincent said, buttoning up his suit jacket. He gauged Xavier’s reaction, but the man barely breathed. “I know that my little bird is, ah…”

  Nala looked away before she met another disgusting leer. “Happens all the time with such women, and especially after the demonstrations earlier! I can’t blame you. You two have fun. I must be getting on home before I turn into a pumpkin.”

  His endearing grandpa shtick could stop anytime. Thankfully, Crow seemed serious about grabbing his coat, hat, and scarf and heading downstairs. Vincent and Nala followed him out, watching him lock the office before leading the way down.

  “Let my man behind the counter know when you two are done having your fun.” Xavier put his hat on his head and nodded to the customers gathering at the bar. “He’ll lock up.”

  They waited until he was out the door before heading for the stairs. He must have the same idea I do. Time to snoop.

  Granted, Nala didn’t expect to find anything substantial in the club room. No way would Crow leave incriminating evidence lying around a place a dozen people came in and out of on a weekly basis. I still have to look.

  Before she could start upturning benches and sniffing through chests of tools and toys, however, Vincent took her by the arm and drew her into his embrace. His kiss startled her.

  “Lay low,” he muttered into her ear after diverting his lips. “There are cameras all over this room. You bet your ass he’ll review them tomorrow.”

  Nala didn’t know what to do – so she encircled her arms around him, hoping it was a convincing enough pose should someone see them later. “He takes video of the club meetings?”

  “Of course he does. It’s a liability otherwise.” Vincent’s warmth enveloped Nala, but she tried to not be taken in by it. Focus. Her hands slipped to his collar and tugged on it. Her body trembled as his hot breath moved from ear to throat. “It’s no secret either. It was written on the NDA that everything that happens on ‘his’ premises is recorded for security reasons.”

  “I’m sure he likes to review his security quite often.”

  “He’s a world-class voyeur. He gets off on that harder than he gets off on those women who hang all over him.”

  “He likes the idea better than the actual thing.”

  Vincent’s hold grew tighter. “You know what we have to do, right?”

  Yes, great, thanks Vincent. Thanks for bringing me down here knowing that. “I am trying to avoid that man seeing me naked or having sex. I would rather fucking die.”

  His lips pressed softly against her throat. “I know where the cameras are.”

  “Not helping.”

  Nala tripped on her shoes when Vincent pulled away and steadied her shoulders. “Let’s look around first. Just… try not to look like you’re looking for evidence.”

  She wasn’t looking for much of anything as they took a tour around the room, poking their heads into toy chests and looking behind curtains. To anyone watching the security feed, they looked like a frisky couple getting hard and wet over the possibilities. After all, most of what they saw was in the vein of erotic art or equipment. No doubt Xavier crow encouraged his couples to have sex in here whenever they pleased – so he could watch. That man is never seeing my body, so help me God. If Vincent wanted to whip out his cock and twirl it around in front of the camera, boy howdy, he sure could do that. Nala would show herself out first.

  “We’re not going to find anything here,” she finally lamented. “We had to look, but…”

  “Don’t sound so hopeless. The real chance will come when we have access to his home. A man like that has to keep evidence around. He’s a big enough sociopath to keep some sort of recognizable trophy.”

  Nala was ready to head out, to go home and take a long shower, but Vincent put a firm hand around the back of her neck and guided her to the rear of the stage. “What the…” A thick, black curtain hung there, concealing a small space in the back where a padded pommel horse was stored – and a few other weird items that probably belonged in the realm of “too kinky for me.”

  “The cameras can’t see us back here.” Vincent tugged on the curtain, shrouding them in darkness. “He can’t see you.”

  “Vincent,” Nala said, bracing herself against the pommel horse. His hand cupped her chin, pointing her head up and making her look back into his face. “What are you doing?”

  “What the hell do you think I’m doing?” Vincent yanked down the zipper of Nala’s dress, giving him plenty of skin to caress with his soft fingertips. She really, really wished it didn’t thrill her – a little. “Taking what’s mine.”

  Chapter 17

  “Now?” Nala swatted his hand away and attempted to stand up. Yet one hand remained clutching the leather of the pommel horse, and there Vincent was, taking her other hand and kissing it as if he really were her regal lover.

  “You said so yourself the other night.” Lips pressed against the inside of her arm. “Every time I see you like this, you’re Nightingale. And Nightingale belongs to me.”

  Oh, fuck, I did say that. At the time it sounded good. Sexy, even. “You seriously want to fuck me right now?”

  “Nightingale,” he said, and a part of her missed the way he could say her real name. Yet when Vincent slowly inched his hand into the inside of her dress, touching her breast and rubbing against her hardening nipple, she had to admit there was a dark undertone that turned her on. I don’t want to be turned on right now! “You said you would submit. Did you forget that I am your Master? Then I need to teach you even more than I thought I did.”

  Trapped between two identities, Nala had to make a quick decision. She could tell Vincent to fuck off, but he was right… she had said that shit the other night. No wonder he was under the impression they could go to The Aviary and then bang afterward. Sometimes I forget that under this guise is a horny Dom. Shivers claimed Nala. Oh, yes, she did want to go another round with Mr. Rough and Ready. But here?

  “Why don’t we go back to your place?” She tried to sound sweet. Docil
e. Compliant. “We’ll have actual privacy there.” I won’t feel this veil of shame all over me. Nala may be able to slip into Nightingale’s shoes without too much effort now, but some things could not be avoided.

  “You are seriously suffering from a lack of understanding, darling.” Vincent grabbed her chest, hoisting her back up and into his embrace. She stared into the darkness behind the curtain, wanting to cry out in, what? Anticipation? Fear? Neither was happening now that Vincent had his hand on her mouth. “I said I wanted it now. Not later. Not at home. Now.”

  The longer she knew him, the more Nala came to realize that the façade he projected around him was that – a façade. Vincent wasn’t the silent, brooding type he broadcasted to keep people at bay. He was mired in grief – and desire. I’m probably the first woman he’s really gone for ever since… Vincent’s hand squeezed her breast, his knee pushing her legs open.

  “I’ve been hard for you all damn night. All week. Just one thought of you and this happens.” He snatched her hand and brought it back, letting her fingers feel the hardness bulging in his pants. Oh, dear. The worst part? If it weren’t for where they were, Nala would be totally, 100% turned on. “I’ve been looking forward to tonight because of what you said Sunday. If you’re Nightingale right now, then you’re mine. She – you – belongs to me. I can do whatever the hell I want to you.” Nala’s hem worked its way up her thighs, revealing her simple black lingerie that was embarrassingly wet. “Do I need to prove this to you?

  Nala was allowed to stand on her own, her head craning around so she could look the madman in the eye. “No, sir,” she said, conjuring the soft voice she had been using as Nightingale all night. “You should have said something earlier.”

  Vincent glared, hand plucking the tie from her bun and letting her hair cascade down her shoulders. “Will you submit to me and obey? I’m not playing around, Nightingale.” His teeth came dangerously close to her lips, forcing Nala to grab the pommel horse behind her. “I need to fuck you like I need to breathe. God knows why. I’m starting to suspect you really are a succubus. You get me hard and then suck me dry of my vitality. The only thing I have going for me…” Vincent grabbed her ass, pinching it until she began to whine from the surprising pain. “Is that I can take you however way I want. I can punish you.”