Freedom in Chains

by Ann Raina

  "You learned a lot."

  "Yes, I did. It's never bad to know more than the scum you meet on the street."

  "And you couldn't have told me?"

  "You were convinced that I was some bad guy's bodyguard. I didn't want to fuel that idea."

  "You got a point."

  "Thanks. Put up your feet."

  "Pardon?"

  "I can at least massage your feet, right? Or is that off limits, too?"

  She eyed him. He was handsome, yes, and he could look so damn harmless it was amazing. But she knew she had an experienced fighter at her home. If he was out for mischief, she would not be able to do shit about it.

  CHAPTER 15

  In the last week of November, weather turned ugly with heavy rain falls, gusty winds and high water along the coastline. Snow mixed in and the streets were jammed with cars without proper winter equipment. But the news about a new storm approaching were interrupted by the breaking news of a new assassination attempt. Kyra turned up the volume and stood at the center counter when the reporter came into view. He took position in front of a large, closed gate. Lights of police cars and fire brigade were in the back illuminating the surroundings and the uniforms marching through. "Fifteen minutes ago Commissioner Marvin Hammer became target of yet another assassination attempt. While he left his car an unknown hitman opened fire. Hammer's bodyguard got shot and died on the scene. The commissioner was taken inside his house immediately. An ambulance left five minutes ago, but we were not informed if the commissioner was in it or if he was harmed at all. His wife denied any interviews, but we will keep you informed as soon as the information reaches us. Squad teams swarm the area in search of the hitman and are optimistic to catch him tonight. Unmarked squad cars are close by and have closed all streets in a two miles range. Not even a mouse could slip through this net, we hope.

  It was the third attempt to kill Commissioner Hammer since he took office. The first was committed two years ago by an auto bomb. The second left two cops dead and Hammer wounded. Now another hitman attempted murder. Police and FBI are still searching for clues, using all technical equipment available. It is correct to assume that the local mafia, who controls weapons and drug smuggling on the East Coast, wants to get rid of a man who cannot be bribed. Unlike Commissioner Reeman before him, Commissioner Hammer has stuck to his policy of open accounts. He has forced all of his personnel to be checked for bribery every three months. His efforts to keep the mafia out of blackmailing his officers have been praised by police forces and politicians as high ranking as the senator. It is our hope that Commissioner Hammer continues his way regardless of the incident today."

  Kyra took a deep breath. "Oh my God, I hope he wasn't severely wounded," she muttered, shaken by the thought that the commissioner might die. He always appeared to be carefree and easygoing. Was it all a big lie and he had feared for his life? She dialed her father's number. "Did you watch the news?"

  "Yes," Milton said with a deep sigh. "But he's okay, Kyra. The show is just for the press."

  "Really? I mean, they didn't say shit, so how can you be sure?"

  "Let's say his crew got the information faster than the TV stations. They want to have some time to hunt the killer. If he thinks he's got him wounded, but not killed he might try again at the hospital."

  "Oh, good thinking."

  "Yes, and then we'll nail his ass on the wall."

  "I always liked your imagination."

  Milton laughed and hung up, and when Kyra turned Julian could read her relief. "He's all right? Unharmed?"

  "Not dead yet." She was able to smile and it was a good smile. The commissioner was someone who had given the city confidence and trust. Reeman had been crooked enough to deal with the mafia for so long the outcome had been awful and indescribable. Court TV had had the highest shares for the time of the hearing. Forty police officers and court personnel had been fired in the wake of the cleaning up at the police department. With Hammer, peace and confidence had returned. It would be devastating to lose him. There was no one who could replace him and claim the same righteousness Hammer breathed with every sentence.

  "I'm glad no one else tried to shoot you," Julian said softly, turning off the TV set. "I could not stand to see you shot."

  "So far the tight security around my house and firm seems to deflect him." She tried for a light voice, but it was hard. For two weeks she had followed her father's order to keep a low profile and change her daily life. Some days they drove to work very early, even before sunrise, some days they lined up in the traffic jam. Squad cars accompanied them and two cops patrolled her shop the whole day. Wherever she drove or jogged, at least two cops were trailing behind. "It's high time to go back to a normal life, don't you think?" She smiled sweetly and innocently, forcing her dark thoughts aside.

  Julian understood and, putting a hand on his heart, exhaled as if a weight had been taken off his chest. "I already feared you had lost the key."

  "Did you?"

  "Yeah." He pulled the shirt out of the pants. "Would my…mistress like me to undress?"

  "Would my patient sub like to play a new game?"

  He stopped in mid-motion, frowning. Kyra's smile deepened. "You mean…another game than we played so far?"

  "Yep."

  "An idea by Mr. Oliver Your Dom from Next Door?"

  "Yep."

  "Oh, I don't think that I want to know what he suggested."

  "What would scare you, Julian? Better be honest," she warned when he was about to shake his head.

  "Okay, honestly." He inhaled deeply and let the air out slowly. "I don't want anything up my ass. Really. Positively. Nothing. Not for…stimulation or whatever."

  "I imagined that and I'm not planning to go that way."

  "Good." He took off the shirt. "Aside that…" He shrugged. "No, I can't think of anything."

  "That's good to know."

  "Again that doesn't sound as if I'm going to like it."

  "Trust is everything, Julian. Go on, take off your clothes." She heard him breathe while she went to fetch handcuffs and the hood, which she then hid in the small of her back, tucked in the jeans. "Hands front." She closed the handcuffs around his wrists. "On your knees." He hesitated.

  "You promise?"

  She caressed his cheek, close enough to kiss, but she did not. "I accept your limits, Julian. If fun ends torment begins." He knelt and she pulled out the hood. His eyes widened. "You can still shout stop. It's your decision."

  "I've never seen something like that."

  "It's a deprivation hood. You won't see or hear and with the gag closed…"

  "I get the picture." He took another deep breath, smiled and nodded. "Okay, why not?"

  Kyra was surprised. She pulled the hood over his head, carefully closed the zipper, closed the blindfold and the strap holding the gag. His breathing seemed loud and unreal through the small holes at the nose. She took off the chastity device then used his elbow to make him get up. She led him upstairs. Even without sight or sound she knew he was surprised. All the better. Bad thoughts in a chest, lid closed. There were better things than worrying about a hitman.

  Her bed was opened with one sweep. The cover slipped down. "On your belly, hands up to the headboard." She had a rope ready to bind the handcuffs around the artfully designed ironwork. Kyra remembered that Chris had chosen the bed and it was a sweet irony that she had thought about playing games with him the first night. But Chris had ripped open his eyes at that outrageous idea and they had never talked about it again. Julian just placed his arms and head comfortably and opened his legs for her to reach for his private parts if she wanted to.

  Kyra stood beside the bed and whatever had bothered her during the day vanished in the haze of her own longing. She could not help it--she took off the jeans. Her skin craved to touch skin, to feel Julian's warmth. Outside heavy rains hammered against the window pane, but she felt safe and suddenly relaxed. Her right hand traveled from his ankle to his buttocks, a slow, sti
mulating touch, a prospect of lust. The room was warm. She took off her pullover and ran both hands down his spine. Julian rolled his shoulders and moved his hips on the soft sheets, an obvious sign of delight, like a lion stretching. Kyra smiled. He could say much without words, but so could she.

  From the nightstand she poured some oil in her hands and gently covered his back. Julian made a sound deep in his throat, anticipating the massage. He spread his legs further. Kyra knelt on the bed and then, after a second of hesitation, straddled his butt. Julian made a sound of pure pleasure, lifted his midsection a moment and was rewarded with giggling he could not hear. Kyra placed her hands on his shoulders. He was broad enough for her to lie down and not roll off. A funny thought. She kneaded his back, relishing the firmness of muscle and skin. With her eyes closed she felt her way up and down and along his arms. When his skin glistened with oil she slid down to the side and worked on his legs, drawing more moans and sounds of satisfaction. But she was not done yet, and it would be against her own rules to just caress him like that. Oliver had given her a Wartenberg Wheel, which looked like a spur with a handle. Now that Julian's skin was sensitive she rolled the wheel slowly from his ankle up to his buttocks.

  He jerked his head, blowing out air as the only possible sign of astonishment. The wheel rolled up the curve of his ass and over his back. Slowly. She let him know where the little torment would go and he reacted with sounds she had not heard before. Kyra could not place them between pain and pleasure, but he clenched his fists when the wheel moved down again over his shoulder blade, ribs and his right leg. She gave him half a minute to think for the torment to be over and started again.

  Julian tensed and stiffened--he tried to pull his hands closer and get away from the wheel that marched up his leg like wasps, stinging while they moved forward. He inched forward until the hood touched the headboard. His breathing was loud now, and he clung to the ironwork as if trying to pull himself through the wall. The wheel reached his neck, causing a visible shudder then followed his spine down to the cleft. Julian pulled at the rope--he wanted this over and Kyra gave in.

  Kneeling between his spread legs, she directed him to lift himself on his knees. It was a nice position to work on him from behind, but he stiffened when she had her thumbs near his anus. Kyra eased away and worked her hands on his testes. His brow rested on the sheet, his elbows held his upper body and he started rocking when her hand closed around his base. She grabbed around his left leg, stopping the motion. She returned to kneading his buttocks, making him wait to come back. He shook his head, slightly, just a notion of impatience, but she let him wait a little longer. Her calves touched his and, when she rose from the crouch, her thighs were warm and soft against his. The stimulation was getting to him. He got erect without her hand touching, but he wanted more. He clenched his fists and tested the rope by trying to pull his hands. Kyra covered his hands with a pillow so he could not reach for the mask. She did not wish her game shattered by his impatience. He made a sound deep in his throat then, suddenly, he shook his head madly. His body tensed and she realized there was no pleasure, but panic underneath. She hurried to open the gag.

  He gulped in air as if saved from drowning. "I can't breathe…God, I can't breathe in this thing!" He coughed and hung his head, trying to calm down. With one hand on his shoulder she waited if he would ask her to stop the game, but he just breathed and wet his lips.

  Kyra opened the second button on the mask and dropped the gag to return to her pleasurable position between his legs. Slowly, waiting for his reaction, she returned to caressing him. He let out a shuddering breath when she gripped him tight to stroke up and down. He rested his brow on his hands and gave himself completely to her hands.

  The mere thought about going further almost knocked out her mind. Her restraints seemed to be thinner every time she had him at her will. He was so cooperative and she refused herself the reward. She could have him. She could lie down under his body and get more out of this hour than just massaging him. She could let him inside her and make him wait until she came. Down low her body made the decision. She felt swollen all over and wet. To give so much pleasure and get so little would not be enough for long. Doing it to herself afterwards was nice, but not the full treat.

  "Kyra." He whispered her name again and again, urging her, begging her, and she was tempted to give in.

  "No." She said it aloud though he could not hear her. It just helped to stay behind him. She pushed his legs further apart, shifting him into an uncomfortable position, but he did not protest. He thrust into her hand, used what she offered and came, suppressing a scream. She had wanted him to be silent and he wanted to please her.

  "Take it off," he said, his voice breathy. He still shook with the aftermath. "Please, take it off. It's tight."

  "Not yet." She untied the rope and led Julian downstairs and into the bathroom before she took off the hood. Julian collapsed on the thick towel in front of the tub, rolling into a fetal position. She knelt before him. "Are you all right?"

  He squinted into the dim light and shook his head, groping for words. She brought him a cup of water and helped him drink. "Thank you." He licked his lips, panting as if he had run. "Don't look scared. It was me with that hood. My, it's…frightening, really. Not again, okay?" He looked up into her eyes. "I thought it'd be great, but…no sight is fine, but not to hear and…" He swallowed and she caressed his sweaty brow. "I thought I was gonna suffocate. The holes…they're just too small. I couldn't get enough air."

  She kissed him on the head. "Sorry. This should be fun." He reached out to her with his still shackled hands. His fingertips brushed her knees and this time she did not jerk away. She kept stroking the back of his head when he lay down close to her. He closed his eyes and she heard him breathe slowly. A smile broke surface. She was so content. That single moment she felt as if everything had fallen into the right places. Julian was beside her, almost cuddled with her, and the thought of being with him, living with him returned with feverish intensity. When his time would be over he could come back if he wanted. Her smile deepened. What would it be like to come home and share the house with him? It was a wonderful daydream, something that filled and encouraged her. She bent to place a kiss on his ear while her hands rested on his chin and hair.

  "I like that," he whispered. "I could stay here for the night if you stayed with me."

  "Yes. I think we could."

  * * * *

  "Did your mother tell you much about your father?" Kyra asked when they sat down at the breakfast table. Rain had turned to snow and sleet, but they had jogged nevertheless.

  "No, not much. How could she?" He sipped the hot tea. "He had taken her, misused her then, when she was pregnant, dropped her. Tells you a lot about a man."

  "You said he was in a, say, higher position?" He nodded. "He could still be an important person in the city. Or even in the state."

  "Kyra, I…"

  "No, I don't like that you don't even know your father's name. Maybe it's all too late and you can call me a daydreamer, but look, your father might be out there and regret what he did."

  "He could have searched for me if he wanted."

  "Maybe. Maybe not. There could be a reason why he disappeared."

  "Yes," Julian replied belligerently, "he had learned that my mom was pregnant. So he dumped her."

  "Did your mother have anything from him? A ring, a photograph, something?"

  Julian took a deep breath. "Well…yes."

  "Would you show it to me?" Julian stood and brought his slim billfold. He took a faded picture and handed it to her. "It's from a newspaper. Are you sure she kept it because there's your father on it?"

  "She gave it to me and said he's someone to look up to, but when I grew up I knew she just wanted to make it easier on me."

  Kyra studied the young face and tried to figure out why the cleanly shaven man on that old clipping spoke to her. She thought she knew him, but that was ridiculous. Was it? The image seemed va
guely familiar. Someone she had seen once, but not at that age. The man on the picture was thirty-ish, tall, well kept, with a business suit and fitting tie. He smiled and it was a winning smile. There was no text to the picture so Kyra was left wondering about the reason the picture was taken and made it into the press. She handed it back to Julian. "Maybe that man was already married."

  "Yeah, and he didn't want to ruin his career for the sake of a bastard child." He put away his billfold. "Better leave it alone, Kyra. I don't know if I want to know anything about him. Not anymore."

  "I would be interested."

  Julian smiled from the corner of his mouth. "Once a cop, always a cop?"

  "Bad habits don't die."

  Julian played with his mug. "Your offer's kind, but I don't want to know him, no matter who he is or if he could help me. I think he didn't want to learn of his son back then so he wouldn't want me now."

  "I understand."

  His smile bore a sadness she found unbearable. "You got lucky, Kyra, your parents wanted you and love you. They might be somewhat…" He searched for a fitting word, but only came up with, "strange, but they still love you with all their heart. Do you have siblings?"

  "Yes, a brother. But he lives in Baltimore and doesn't come to visit."

  "No?"

  "Father scolded him for not becoming a cop." She smiled thinly. "He's grumpy with me the same way. He couldn't understand that I wanted Uncle William's business more than a career in uniform."

  "You're very successful. How can he be angry with you?"

  She took a deep breath. "Maybe not anymore. But you heard him. He doesn't want to know about my workday, the products, the sales. Mom asks, but he just sits there and waits until the subject's done."