Dominate Me: A Devoured Club Novel

by Paige Matthews

  He was leaning forward, his elbows on his thighs, his head in his hands. I took a deep breath and sat back on the couch. “Knowing you, I’m pretty sure you’ve already touched base with contacts and such?”

  Devlin nodded.

  “Then you know briefly about what Ashworth’s been involved in?”

  Another nod.

  “It goes much deeper than that.”

  “I’m waiting, and very impatiently at that. You know I don’t like to wait.” He glared in my direction, his eyes that dark black that I remembered so well. He was right. Devlin was not a man to wait - -when he wanted something he got it.

  “When you left, I applied for a job working security at one of his nightclubs. I knew I should have gone to Kelsey or her father for a job, but with your abrupt departure…well, you know. Anyway, I was content working the door and occasionally the bar for the first couple of years. I was making ends meet, and keeping off the radar.” I paused and shifted my position on the couch.

  “When did you get in deeper?” He was now sitting back in the chair, his eyes trained directly at me.

  I glanced from him to his partner and back. “Really…last year. Ashworth’s right-hand man, as it were, came to my apartment one afternoon, requesting that I show up for a meeting with Ashworth. He offered me an exclusive opportunity to bartend for one of his events. I said yes, needing the extra cash. That was the beginning.”

  “The beginning of what, Aiden?” Devlin’s voice was stern again, that Dom voice I knew so well.

  “Everything. The fear, the running, the corruption. I tried to quit once, and they threatened my sister. So I stayed on.”

  “What did you do to have half of his organization gunning for your head?”

  “I didn’t deliver a package.”

  Devlin moved in his chair, coming closer to the edge, and to me. “What type of package?”

  “It started out moving the drugs to buyers. Here and there - not frequently. He had his regulars for that. But then came the auctions.”

  “So I’ve heard… briefly, that is.”

  I nodded and continued. “Ashworth throws big events for special clientele. The super rich of the English, and world societies.”

  “Keep going. I haven’t decided what I’m doing with you.”

  “Okay. Just think his girls at the strip club started doing private parties and the events were big fuckfests. The women were brutalized, tied up, and raped over and over again.” I stopped and looked at the floor. The memories were awful, and I still hated myself for allowing those things to happen.

  “How so, Aiden?”

  “Listen, I’m all for bondage and submission - we know that. But these women were not there under free will. Ashworth operates with fear. Everyone knows that, and everyone has something to protect.”

  Devlin nodded again, and I looked over at Kieran, who was typing something on his iPad.

  “Well, recently, Ashworth dived into the sex slave business. He has been holding auctions for really big clients - fulfilling orders with the girls from the club. Until about six months ago.”

  “What happened six months ago?”

  “Ashworth’s men started picking up females from the streets; runaways, druggies, you name it. These girls were drugged beyond consciousness, and sold to the highest bidder. Clients could put in special requests.” I stopped again this time to gauge his interest and understanding. I’d been doing most of the talking…

  “Don’t stop now, Aiden. I want the whole fucking story.”

  “Well, let me give you a little more background. These girls - the ones being sold, were also being found dead, thrown around the streets of London like rag dolls. Some of them I recognized from when I was bartending at a few of the events.”

  “And how did you get wrapped up in this shit now?”

  “After an auction, I was supposed to deliver the goods, so to say. Well, when the young girl was placed in the car - I realized that it was one of the missing girls that had been on the telly.”

  “You didn’t realize this beforehand?” Devlin asked, looking at Kieran.

  “No. The last few auctions, I was the driver. I delivered with another person. I don’t know what went wrong this time that they let me go off on my own, but it worked. Anyway, the girl was fifteen. Fifteen years old! A virgin, and sold to a fucking dirt bag, a fat fuck that wanted to fuck her over and over and over again. She was crying in the back of the car. I couldn’t let her go there.”

  “Jesus Christ, Aiden!” Devlin stood abruptly, his hand running through his hair. “What did you do with the girl?” He began to pace back and forth in front of the vacated chair.

  “I hid her. Currently she's staying with a friend of mine that I knew from secondary school.”

  “Now not only did you put her life in danger, your own life in danger - you put your friend in harm’s way as well.” Devlin turned to Kieran and then back to me. “What the fuck were you thinking?”

  “I know, but I couldn’t let her go to that man. Come on, Devlin, she’s fifteen,for Christ’s sake.”

  “And what happens when Ashworth finds her? Finds your friend?

  “He won’t.”

  “How can you be so sure?” Devlin stopped walking.

  “She’s in a different country. I was able to get her over to Belfast without any problems.”

  “What about her parents? Her family that still thinks she's missing? Did you ever think about the consequences? I’m sure Ashworth has the entire family under watch. What the hell?”

  I stood up and walked up to Devlin. “Don’t give me shit. I’d rather die than watch the innocence of a fifteen year old girl get ruined, her life taken from her so that a fat arsehole can have his fantasies fulfilled. So, yes, I risked my own life to save an innocent one. If you are not going to help me, then fuck off. I rather die than have you belittle my decisions.”

  We stood there face to face for a few moments. Without moving, Devlin snapped his fingers. “Kieran, out. The key card should get you into room 1207, one floor up. I’ll meet you there.” I watched out the corner of my eye as Kieran gathered his iPad and bag, and made his way to the door.

  Once he was gone, Devlin’s hand grasped around the back of my head and pulled me close to him, his lips crushing against mine. His tongue opened my mouth to his as he mapped every inch of mine. The familiar smell of his skin, the feeling of his calloused fingers on the back of my neck, had me pushing against his bulge. He broke the kiss and stood back, shaking his head. “God, it’s been awhile.”

  I sunk to my knees into position. There was no doubt in my mind what I wanted, what I’d missed for the last five years. I needed him like I needed air. No matter what happened between us, no matter the reasons he was still here - and aroused as hell. The bulge in his pants was apparent when I gazed up.

  “Get off your knees, Aiden.”

  “No, sir. I need this. You need this.”

  “Don’t fucking tell me what I need. That part of me is gone-left when I did. Now get your ass off your knees.” He began to walk around the living, toward the windows that over looked the city - even though the drapes were drawn shut, I knew that image.

  “Devon, Devlin - whatever you go by now. I need to know why you left. Please?” I walked up behind him and placed my hand on his shoulder blade, rubbing it gently over his shoulder. I felt his immediate tensing, but continued to move my hands over the muscles of his back, etching them into my mind again. He used to enjoy this; Caroline on her knees sucking him off, me behind him rubbing my hands over his body, until we switched positions and I took him into my mouth. The thought caused my dick to stir.

  “I’m not discussing that right now. What we need to do, what I need to do, is figure out a way to get you safe, that poor girl safe, and to watch Ashworth burn in hell for his sins.” He stayed rigid, but didn’t move. I ran my hands around his body until they were rubbing his chest and abdomen, tracing every defined line on his torso. My body was up against his
back, my cock against his ass. There was no way he could mistake my arousal.

  “Don’t start something that can’t be finished,” he said as he finally stepped out of my reach.

  “You started it with that kiss.”

  “I lost my judgment for a moment. It will not happen again.”

  “We have a history, Devon.”

  “Devlin. It’s Devlin now. Devon is long gone.”

  “Where’d he go? You still look like the same person to me.”

  “But I’m not. Now get some rest. Kieran and I will be down in the morning.” He took another look at me, and then headed towardsthe door, pausing as he opened it, but not saying another word, slipping out again with the same look in his eyes as he’d had four years earlier.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  The next morning, I awoke to a pounding on the door, or maybe my head, after the bottle of vodka I’d downed after Devlin left. I’d drank my sorrows until I’d passed out.

  “Jesus, hold the fuck on.” I stammered out of bed to the sitting area and the door. Opening it, Devlin and Kieran were there - bags in hand.

  “Let’s go. Get dressed and grab your shit. We are on the next flight out of here.” Devlin walked in putting his bag down by the door.

  I took a step back, almost losing the balance that I barely had. “Wait, so soon? Where the fuck are we going?”

  “Boston. At least until I can figure out what the fuck we are going to do about your situation.” He grabbed a glass from the counter and moved toward me, a clear liquid filled it. “Drink this and let’s go. Time is ticking.”

  I chugged the glass, coughing as the liquid burned my throat. Vodka! What was that saying — the best cure for a hangover was a shot of what got you drunk in the first place? Yeah, something like that. “Fuck you. I’m not leaving. I can’t leave.”

  Devlin slammed his fist on the counter that he had walked back over to. “Then why the fuck did I risk what I risked for you? Why did I leave my life, unsure of what would happen if I was to be seen, to come and save yours? Get your fucking ass showered, dressed and packed. You have fifteen minutes.” The look in his eyes was deadly. He was losing his patience, and the stare was focused in on me. “Do I need to make that an order, sub?”

  My head snapped up at the word. Sub. He still knew how to play me. Resentfully, I placed the glass on the counter and looked at him, “No.” I turned and made my way to the shower.

  Within the fifteen minutes, I was showered, dressed, and had my bag by the door. I didn’t know what the plan was, and I was pretty sure that I wasn’t going to find out anytime soon - at least, not from Devlin.

  “Kieran, can I ask a question?” I mumbled under my breath once we were in the car.

  “Sure.”

  “What is going on? Why are we leaving? My passport…my stuff?” I waited for his response, but heard Devlin’s baritone voice instead.

  “I need time to figure out how to keep you safe, keep that girl safe, and take down Ashworth. I don’t have that luxury over here. I need to get back to Boston. We will come up with a plan from there.” His eyes were fixated on the highway in front of him. I sat back against the seat of the car and watched the sights of London pass by me. It was difficult to think that Ashworth, with his connections, wouldn’t be able to track either Devlin or myself down. Hell, I wasn’t the expert, Devlin was, and I needed to trust him and what he had in mind.

  A short time later, we arrived at Gatwick, and a smaller jet. Obviously we weren’t traveling commercial. “Nice ride,” I said sarcastically as we boarded.

  “Helps to know people in high places. Mr. Thornton was very willing to lend me the jet. Now sit down and shut up.”

  I did as I was instructed, still nursing the morning’s hangover. Devlin and Kieran placed their shit on a table behind me, and started pulling out iPads and laptops, and dived into whatever it was they were doing. I sat back in the chair and closed my eyes maybe a five hour nap would be good - except for the fact that we’d be replaying half the morning when we landed in Boston.

  “How are you hanging in?” Emma asked as she slid a cup of coffee across the breakfast bar at me. She had come over to check on me. Two weeks had passed, and I still hadn’t heard from Devlin. I knew part of it was my own fault, but I didn’t know if he was back or still over there.

  “I don’t know, Em. Part of me misses him so much it hurts, but the other part of me is still so mad about the secrets, the lies, just not opening up to me.” I looked into the mug, running my finger around the rim.

  “It’s not easy, Ally. Hell, a relationship takes a lot of work, but the ones we have take so much more. They take trust, faith, and complete honesty. D/s relationships are so much more intense.” A smiled formed across her lips as she ran her fingers over the necklace Marcus had given her for Valentine’s Day.

  “That’s just it though, Em. I laid everything, well, almost everything, on the line with him. He knows me. I know nothing deep about him. I mean, I know his name, where he lives, his job, favorite color, food - all trivial things.” I paused and looked up at my sister again. “It’s the things he locks up inside of him that I can’t touch. I can’t break through.”

  Emma walked around the breakfast bar and put her arms around me, pulling into her embrace. She had taken over the mother role as well as the big sister role when our parents passed. She was the only family I had.

  Pulling back, her hands still on my shoulders, Emma spoke. “Nothing is easy. We should know that. Look at what we’ve all been through in the last year.”

  I nodded my head and took a sip of my coffee.

  “Are you going to go to the club tonight? Marcus is doing a rope demo.” Emma resumed her seat across from me.

  “I don’t know, Em. My heart just isn’t there at the moment. Plus, I have my thesis to work on, and dickhead sent me home with a shit load of files to review.” The dickhead was the asshole overseeing my internship at the police department. I was finishing my master’s in forensic psychology and couldn’t wait until the semester was over, and the damn internship as well. The last week had really stressed me out, not knowing if Devlin was safe - no word from him, or if anyone they’d seen him or not.

  “You should come out, Ally. Give yourself a break. I’ll be at the club around seven. Chloe will be there as well.”

  “I don’t know, Em. I’ll see how I feel later. It’s just that…” I looked into the cold coffee again.

  “I know. I do. It’s okay if you don’t want to go. I understand.” She rubbed my back before giving me a quick hug.

  “Thanks.”

  Emma nodded her head and grabbed her stuff. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Bye.” I watched as she walked out the front door. I picked up my phone, willing it to ring with a call from him, or even just a text. Something. Anything. Who was I kidding? I had told him a week ago I didn’t want the relationship anymore. Yet, there was a part of me that yearned for him, a piece of me that felt lost and missing.

  I walked into the living room and sat on the couch with the pile of paperwork and my laptop. I tried to read the files, analyze the information, or write my thesis. But nothing was producing. I couldn’t keep my concentration on any task at hand. I needed to talk to him, speak with him. I picked up my phone and brought up the message app and started to type.

  Me: I miss you. I need to talk to you. Hope you are…

  I stopped. What if he didn’t want me anymore? I mean, what if something really bad had happened to him. What if he wasn’t...I couldn’t think about that. Instead, I deleted the “Hope you are”, and hit send; a moment of weakness, maybe, but I didn’t care. I placed the phone next to me, and forced myself to focus on my thesis. I only had a few more pages to write and edit. Within the week, I should have the damn thing done.

  I must have fallen asleep at some point during the afternoon, because I was awoken by a banging on the front door. Who the heck could that be?

  I opened the door, and s
aw Nikki standing on the other side. “I thought you still had a key?” I asked, moving out of her way.

  “I don’t know where the fuck I put that shit. So, what are your plans for the night?” Odd, even for Nikki.

  “Emma put you up to this?” Nikki was Emma’s best friend, but over the years we were known to hang out every once and a while.

  “Nope. She’s at the club with Marcus.” Nikki rolled her eyes. She had tried to explain to us on more than one occasion that she just didn’t understand the reasons we enjoyed the club. She didn’t judge us at all, accepted it as if it was breakfast in the morning - something routine and normal.

  “Why the eyes roll?” I asked, shoving papers into notebooks and shutting down the laptop.

  “No reason. So why are you sulking alone on a Saturday night?” She sat next to me, placing her feet on the coffee table.

  “Nowhere else to go. Oh, have you heard from Kieran at all?” Maybe if she had heard from him, she would know something.

  “A day or so ago. They are still out of the country.”

  “And you’re not worried? Concerned? Interested in what they are doing?” I asked, shifting my position to face her.

  “Of course I’m worried, concerned, and fuck, yeah, I am interested, but it isn’t my business.”

  “Since when does Nikki not get involved in everyone else’s business?” I replied, earning myself a slap upside the head. “Okay, okay. Point made.”

  “Go get dressed. We are going to out. Go to one of the bars the guys own - at least we know we’ll be safe, and get the VIP.”

  “We know the VIP is all you are concerned with.” I shoved her lightly.

  “Hell, yeah! Get dressed.”

  I got up and walked upstairs to my room, throwing on a black skirt and a lower cut red, drape necked shirt. I threw up my hair in a messy bun, and applied a little make up.

  “How do I look?” I twirled around in a circle.