“We feel it is the safest way to proceed.” Marcus was curt and taught. Not yielding to a fight.
“I’m not happy about this at all. You just told us to go on as if nothing has happened.” I wasn’t backing down if I could help it.
Devlin looked up from an iPad. “I’ve wired all the cameras to run off of this iPad. You can keep it in the back so you can monitor the feeds. I am able to monitor from my iPad, as are Marcus and Lucas from the office. If anything seems out of the ordinary, or you receive anything suspicious, you need to text me, Marcus or Mac. All the phone numbers are in your phone now.” He was talking to me, but also to the girls. “Now, I’ll leave you girls to your day.” I watched as Ally watched him gather his stuff up and head out the back door. She looked back at me, her cheeks as red as the shirt she was wearing. I smiled back at her. Yeah, he’s hot. I know.
I turned my attention to Marcus. “We need to get ready for the day. Please excuse us.” I stood and headed into the kitchen to start pulling out the pastries from the walk-in and to turn on the oven for the baked goods that I needed to make.
“Emma…” He was standing in the door way again, as he had last night. “This is for your safety. Know this. Please.”
I slammed my hands on the counter that was in front of me. “Damn it, Marcus. You could have discussed this with me before dropping the bomb in front of Nikki and Ally.”
“Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I am just looking out for your safety.” He had come up to the side of me, encircling his arms around me.
I looked up at him. “I’m still not happy about it.” I pushed out of his arms. “Please, just go. I need some space right now.” I could see the pain and hurt in his eyes, but I was hurt as well. I knew he was trying to keep me safe, but I would have appreciated him to at least ask me.
“Emma, please don’t push me away.”
“I’m not pushing you away. I have a business to run, orders to fill. I just need some space right now. Please go.” I turned my attention back to the tasks at hand, and heard him leave through the back door. Tears started to flow from my eyes. How the hell had it come to this?
The girls left me alone for most of the day, and I was thankful for that. After what had happened this morning with Marcus and Devlin, I needed the space. I worked on various projects that needed to be completed for the weekend. It was about 4:00 p.m. when my cell rang. I didn't recognize the number, but it was the Boston area code, so I figured it would be safe to answer.
“Hello?"
"Emma. Hi, it's Chloe.” I let out the breath I didn't realize I'd been holding in anticipation. How am I doing? I'm a fucking basket case with the issues going on.
"Hey. How are you?”
"I'm good. How about yourself?
"I'm here. Devlin installed the cameras today. I had to tell the two people closest to me about a stalker and my kinky side, but, besides that, I'm peachy." The sarcasm ran through my tone. I still was trying to process all of what was happening.
Chloe took a breath. "Let me guess, the boys ordered security and are being extremely protective?"
I squinted my eyes. How the hell did she know? "Yeah, how'd you know?"
"I was in a similar situation a few months ago. Just go with it. It's their way of trying to protect us, and, trust me...don't go anywhere without the guy they assign to you. I'm sure you might have heard about what happened to me?" Her voice dipped in intensity, now barely a whisper.
"I heard briefly. I'm sorry for your loss." What the hell do you say to that? I'm sorry your dick of an ex beat you in a parking garage and caused a miscarriage.
I heard her take a deep breath. "Thank you. Please just listen to them until this blows over."
I nodded my head as if she could see me. "Okay. Oh, do you want to head out with my friends and me on Friday? I'm in desperate need of a girl's night."
"Hell, yeah! Oh, you do realize we will have a security detail, if not the boys themselves, right?"
"Yeah, I figured. Hopefully it’s detail and not them." I chuckled, trying to figure out how we could be left alone without them.
"Should be detail. The club is busy on Friday nights; the boys will definitely be there,” Chloe said, laughing as well. "I'll make sure we get Mac and Kieran. They are quiet fun."
“Great. Sounds like a plan. Now to just tell Marcus," I sighed.
"Don't worry about him. I'll handle him. Okay, I have to run- I have to teach in ten minutes."
"Have a good day. See you Friday. I'll text you later with plans." I hung up my cell, turned around and looked up to see Nikki and Ally standing in front of me.
"Who was that?" Nikki asked, furrowing her eyebrows at me.
"Her name is Chloe. I know her from the club, and she's coming out with us Friday night," I said. "You guys know we will have security with us right? There's no way he will let me out without it." I waited for their reply.
"Of course," Ally said, looking at Nikki. "We’re actually thinking about taking up the offer of security ourselves."
I dropped the wooden spoon in my hand. "What?"
Ally looked at me. "Well, if the stalker won't be able to get to you, he might try and get to us in order to get to you. Does that make sense?"
I walked around the counter to hug my baby sister. "Yeah, it does, and I wish that you guys weren't in danger because some psycho asshole wants something with me."
Nikki placed her hand on my back and rubbed small circles on it as I pulled away from Ally. "Fuck, let's catch this asshole," she proclaimed as she pulled me into a hug.
"I love you girls," I said, tears gliding down my face. "Fuck it. Let's close early and go eat. I'll text Marcus to let him know."
Ally smiled. "I'll text Devlin."
I stopped mid motion. "Why would you text Devlin? You just met him today?"
Ally began to take some deep breaths. "Well, I guess I have a confession to make as well. You're not the only one who likes kink. I've been seeing Devlin for a few months. I'm sorry I didn't tell you." She gazed up from the floor with eyes that resembled those of a puppy who had just done something very naughty.
"I'm just in shock. I've never seen you at Devoured. I thought you would have told me." I looked at her, waiting. "But then again, who am I to judge? I haven't been that forth coming." I pulled her close to me again. "I'm happy for you."
"Wow, the O'Conner girls are kinky! Awesome!" Nikki's voice interrupted the very weird confessional moment. We all just looked at each other and started to laugh! God, I'd missed this.
Chapter 21-Marcus
I threw down my phone on my desk. I'd been going through video footage from the bakery for a day now, and nothing seemed to stand out. The idea of a stalker being so close to Emma, and the fact I couldn’t figure it out, was driving me insane, and she was closed early yesterday! What the fuck? How am I supposed to catch the guy if he isn't given the chance to come into the store? The whole situation had been frustrating, to say the least.
At least she agreed to take Mac and Kieran with them to eat. I had a meeting with Devlin about the security at Emma's brownstone, and the plan to catch the fucker. According to Emma, there hadn't been any other photos, calls or weird happenings since we’d left the bakery yesterday morning. I was afraid of what had happened that morning; afraid my need to be in control and keep her safe would cause a rift between us, and it looked like it had. I rubbed my hands over my face and let out a long breath.
"Hey, you okay?" Devlin asked as he strolled into the office. We were at Devoured, as I had some paperwork that needed to be done, inventory to check, equipment to order.
“Yeah, just stressing a bit. You?"
Sitting down in his chair, he flipped on his computer. "I'm good." He paused for a few seconds and looked at me. "You know, you're not the only one that has someone to protect in this situation? I want to find the asshole as much as you do."
I looked at him with a confused expression in my face. "Who are you trying to protect?"
"
Her sister, Ally." The response was short and to the point.
"I didn't know that you knew her, let alone well enough that you’d feel protective." I searched his face for an answer, not expecting to get one unless he wanted to tell me. As long as I’d known Devlin, he has always been a secretive person. I assumed it went back to his past in London. Devlin was as loyal and caring a person as could be, but he also was very protective of himself and his past. Lucas and I knew a bit of it, but not the whole story.
"I do. Now let's get down to business." He typed a few keys on the keyboard before looking up at me, as I was still staring at him. "What?"
"Nothing. I just figured that...never mind. Let's discuss what we know so far, which isn't much." I moved to face him at his desk, hoping that he had something that could be useful.
“I’ve been running the loop of security feeds from the club, the bakery and her brownstone against each other, using face recognition software to see if we could find any connections.”
I sat up and leaned closer to the laptop that he had opened. “And?”
“Nothing yet. However, the program can also run recognition within the feed as well, and I’ve been able to exclude out people that seem to be regular customers that frequent the shop. Obviously, my team has put parameters in the software to, you know, filter out the elderly and children.” He cracked a smile on his face.
“Well, obviously. Anyway, anything else catch your eye?”
“A few people, but, again, only having really a full day’s worth of footage isn’t helping that much. The girls are going out tomorrow night, correct?” He looked at me, awaiting the answer.
“Yeah, Mac and Kieran are accompanying them, as we have to be here. Chloe is joining them as well.” I watched him nod in acknowledgment.
“That will allow the boys to watch for anyone suspicious. What club are they going to?” Devlin asked, and I knew he was hoping it was one of the clubs that he did the security systems for.
“I believe they are going to Rumor.”
“That works. I will be able to tap into the security feed there as well. Okay, well, I’ve got to run. I have a few appointments this morning, and then I am taking Ally out to dinner.”
I shook my head. “Nice. Are you going to be the next one of us to ‘settle down’?” I used air quotes around ‘settle down’, busting his ass.
“I never said I was a confirmed bachelor, Marc. That was you, and now look at that.” He closed his laptop, stood up from his chair, and headed to the door.
“Yeah, you’re right about that. See you later man.”
“Later.”
I waited for him to leave before I picked up my phone to text Emma. Still mad at me?
The phone pinged back quickly. No. I know you are trying to keep me safe.
I chuckled. Of course I am. What are you doing tonight?
The phone pinged again. That depends on you.
I texted back. I’ll pick you up at 6. I have a few ideas.
Oh? I’m intrigued sir. My dick twitched in my pants at the sight of the word. She’s playful.
Well, if you’re a good girl, I might show you. See you later. Paperwork to finish. I set my phone down on the desk. A few minutes passed before she responded.
Look forward to it. All I could do was smile like a love sick fool. She was in for a big surprise tonight. I thought it was about time we upped the stakes.
*****
I arrived at the bakery a little before six, and watched from the back door as she finished working. Emma had her hair up in a ponytail, and was dressed in jeans and a blue t-shirt, which was now covered in flour. I watched as she fumbled with the decorations she was working on. They looked similar to the fondant flower things I’d almost ruined the other night we were here. My dick stirred in my pants at the thought of taking her on the counter again. The last time I took her on the counter, I had gone a little too vanilla for my liking, no pun intended. Hell, I could barely keep my calm as long as I had, at the thought of finally sliding my cock into her tight pussy.
She gazed up, and her eyes fell upon me. I could see the sudden change in her posture as she shifted on the spot where she was standing.
“Hi.” The greeting was simple, yet filled with need.
“Hi back at you,” I responded as I began walking to her, intent on claiming her lips with mine in a possessive manner that I hadn’t shown her yet. I realized I had been a little soft with her since we’d had sex the other night, and I was about to change that.
I made it to her in a few strides, and wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her flush to my body. My cock lay heavily between us, and there was no denying that I was turned on, and so was she. Emma brushed against me, signaling her awareness of my need. I looked down at her lips, as she slid her teeth over her bottom lip, wetting it with her tongue first.
Man, I wanted to feel that tongue on my dick. Those lips wrapped around my cock, massaging its length. I moved in and crushed my lips to hers, while grabbing the back of her head, urging her to me. Prying open her mouth, I explored it with my tongue, savoring the taste of her.
Reluctantly breaking away, I pulled back and looked at her. “Ready to go?”
Still flustered, Emma nodded. “Yeah. Give me a minute.”
“You have three minutes. If you’re not ready in that time, I will spank you.” I saw the change in her breathing immediately. That turned her on.
“Three minutes. Got it.” She began moving around the kitchen at a fast pace, placing the decorations into the walk in refrigerator, and putting tops on tubs of frostings, quickly organizing the work space.
“Emma. You forgot something.” I watched her stop and look around, inventorying the tasks she’d completed.
“I don’t understand.” She looked at me.
“Three minutes, what?” I stood in place, crossed my arms and waited for her to realize what it was that she had forgotten.
“Three minutes, Marcus?” She shifted on her feet.
“Try again, pet.” Maybe the nickname would jar her memory.
“Sir. Three minutes, sir.” Her eyes immediately fell to the ground in front of her.
“Very good. Now hurry; by my count, you now have less than a minute before I follow through with your punishment.” I watched her hurry to grab her purse and head to the back door.
“Sir?” she questioned, as she waited for me to give her next command.
“My car, pet.” I strolled up behind her and brushed my fingers down her neck and over her shoulders. Placing my lips to her ears, I whispered, “You’re still getting punished, but you’re going to enjoy it. You will enjoy your spanking, and you will be begging for your release by the end of the night.” I could feel the heat as her skin flushed, and heard her breathing quicken. She was definitely turned on, and I knew it would be a good night.
“Let’s go,” I said, as I placed my hand in the small of her back and led her to the car.
*****
We grabbed takeout on the way to my apartment, and sat in the living room, eating.
“Anything eventful happen at the store today?” I asked, as I popped a helping of fried rice into my mouth.
“Not that I am aware of. No mystery gifts, no horrible pictures.” She ate some of her Tso’s chicken. “Have you guys noticed anything yet?”
“Not yet. Devlin’s working on the camera feeds, running them against each other in a recognition program, and Mac is watching the area outside of the shop for anything suspicious.”
She nodded, and took another mouthful of her dinner, before placing it on the table. “Okay. I guess that’s good.” She pushed the food away from her and looked across the table at me. “I just want to catch the asshole, Marcus.”
“That’s what we are trying to do.” I came around the table and sat next to her, turning her body so that I could pull her close to me. “We’ll get him, Emma. You can count on that. And when we do find him, God help his soul.” I could feel her shiver at the thought, and th
ought it would be best to distract her with some fun. “I want you to go to the second door on the right in the hallway, strip naked and kneel in the middle of the room. Understand?”
She turned her head and looked at me. “Yes, sir.”
“Good girl. Now go.” Emma rose from the floor and headed toward the room that I had indicated. I’d unlocked the door earlier in the day, allowing full access to my playroom. I cleaned up the boxes and dishes from dinner, giving her time to undress, and for the anticipation to build. She was tense tonight, and I needed her to relax, enjoy her submission. Tonight, I was going to push her. Hell, I was going to push me.
I opened the door to the room and saw her kneeling as I had requested. I turned a light on, one that cast a lower glow around the room. The walls were a crimson color that accented the black leather of the equipment and the blackness of the king size bed. The bed was on the wall to my right, and opposite the leather clad St. Andrew’s cross that graced the left wall. On the far back wall was the armoire that held the collection of toys I had at the apartment, similar to the one in my dungeon at the club. The sound system dock was also on the far wall, and I had already preplanned the play list for the night. On either side of the door, I had various canes, whips, floggers and rope. Besides the bed and cross, I had a saw horse and spanking bench in two of the corners of the room. I enjoyed rope bondage, and had a Shibari ring installed into the ceiling, directly above the spot Emma was currently kneeling in.
I walked in to the room, shutting the door behind me. I made my way to the armoire first, removing a blindfold, a plug and a bullet. Making my way back to Emma, I grazed my fingers over her nipples, which were already hard with need. I grabbed her breast in my hand, massaging it while rubbing my thumb over the erect flesh. “You are so beautiful.”
“Thank you, sir.” Her voice was sweet and low.
Consume Me (Devoured Club Series) Page 14