Subordination: Chronicles of a Domme

by Katie Ashley

  “And what are those consequences?” William inquired.

  “As of this moment, you both are on paid leave. Once this meeting has ended, you will need to leave the building immediately, and do not come back on school grounds until you receive authorization. I have called an emergency school board meeting to discuss what is to happen to you both. Although it is not necessary for the hearing, I would suggest you both obtain legal counsel.”

  I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. I didn’t even want to begin to imagine how I was going to afford a lawyer. As if he could sense my thoughts, Dr. Levinson said, “I’m sure you’re a member of either PAGE or GAE. They can provide services for you.”

  During our education classes, we’d had it drilled into our heads to join one of the professional educator groups: Georgia Association of Educators or Professional Association of Georgia Educators. Stepping one foot in the classroom without belonging to one of these groups was the equivalent of professional suicide. You always wanted to be covered in case you were brought up on ethics charges with testing or students. They really never tried to sell you on it with the example of having your past as a dominatrix exposed while simultaneously revealing you were involved in a sexual relationship with your boss.

  “I would also suggest that the two of you not be seen together until after the school board meeting.” He glanced between William and me. “Any questions?”

  Although my mind whirled with questions, I couldn’t bring myself to voice any of them. I guess it was because I didn’t feel Dr. Levinson could answer them, or if he did, I wouldn’t like what he had to say. Finally, I shook my head.

  “None for you at the moment,” William replied.

  Dr. Levinson nodded. “I’ll see you both at the meeting tomorrow night.”

  William and I rose out of our chairs. When we got to the office door, we were to go our separate ways. I just wasn’t sure for how long. Instead of opening the door, William hesitated. As he turned to me, he looked like he was struggling with wanting to say something. After giving him a sad smile, I headed out the door alone.

  I once again kept my gaze averted as I left the main office. I went out the front entrance, rather than walking back down the hallway and risking seeing anyone else. When I got to my car, I found that my purse and messenger bag were sitting in the front seat. Either Jane or Mrs. Cleary must’ve brought it out for me.

  Just as I was about to slide into the seat and crank the car, I heard, “Ms. Jameson, do you have a statement regarding the charges against you?”

  In horror, I looked up to see several news reporters and cameramen making their way over to my car. I hurriedly cranked up and squealed out of the parking lot. As I drove along, I tapped my thumbs on the steering wheel, debating my options. There was no way in hell I could go home right now. The thought of facing Daddy and telling him about what had happened caused my stomach to churn so violently I gagged.

  And then I had the answer.

  After I dug my cell phone out of my purse, there was only one person I could think of to call. “Hey cuz, it’s Sophie. You think you and some of your buddies could do me a favor?”

  Wind rippled through my hair and clothing as I tore down I-75 on the back of my cousin, Everett’s, motorcycle. Everett’s dad and my mom were brother and sister. I didn’t see a lot of him, except at the holidays. He’d grown up in the rodeo circuit, following in his dad and my footsteps of barrel racing. But when he turned eighteen, he traded a horse for a hog. He showed up that Thanksgiving wearing a leather cut, signifying he’d joined a MC club. Although he had a road name of “Rodeo”, none of us in the family called him that.

  I’d met up with Everett and two his buddies at their club roadhouse. After eyeing the two hulking guys, I swallowed hard. “Easy, cuz. They’re on our side, remember?”

  “I know.” I pulled on Everett’s sleeve. “If you guys help me out, does it that mean I’m going to owe the club a favor?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Like a sexual favor?”

  Everett laughed. “Do you think I’d let those two goons lay one finger on you, least of all fuck you?”

  “I hope not.”

  “Don’t worry your pretty little head about favors. While they’re happy to do it for free, you could sweeten the pot by throwing a case of beer their way.”

  Relief flowed through me. “That’s it?”

  “Yup. That’s it.”

  “I can totally do that. Two cases in fact. You know, one a piece.”

  With a grin, Everett said, “Sounds good to me.”

  “Then let’s go.”

  When I started to throw my leg over the back of his bike, Everett stopped me. “Before we do this, I just gotta ask if you’re sure about this.”

  “One hundred and ten percent.” At his continued look of skepticism, I sighed. “I can’t just bend over and take this up the ass without a fight.”

  Everett shook his head at my choice of language. “I just want you to make sure you realize the shit that could get thrown back on you.”

  “I’m well aware of that.”

  He held up his hands. “As long as you’re sure, I’m more than happy to help you.”

  “Good. Now let’s do this.”

  Everett dropped his cigarette to the ground and stubbed out the embers. “It’s on.”

  Now that we were a block away from Club 1740, my once firm resolve started wavering. My stomach felt as tight as some of the rope I used to knot. I began to worry that my harebrained idea had come from me cracking under the pressure of the looming school board meeting.

  But then I thought about what had already been taken from me and all I could lose. That’s when courage once again pumped through my veins, and I was ready to take on my adversary.

  When we pulled up at 1740, I shouted to Everett over the roar of the pipes, “Go around to the back of the building. That’s where the staff entrance is.”

  He nodded in response. After pulling around the building, he eased the bike into a parking space. His two goon friends parked beside us. I hadn’t asked for their names. I figured the less information about them the better, and I just decided to refer to them as “the goons.” I reached into my purse and pulled out my ID card. After swiping it through the reader, the green light lit up, and the lock turned. I opened the door and ushered Everett and the goons inside.

  “Membership here must cost a shitload,” Everett mused as we started down the hall.

  “It’s not cheap.”

  When we got to the elevator, the four of us squeezed inside. Closing my eyes, I counted to ten as I regulated my breathing. As I focused on my rage, my fists clenched at my sides.

  My eyes snapped opened when one of the goon’s remarked, “Baby Girl’s getting ready to kick some ass.”

  “Damn straight,” I muttered as the elevator doors opened.

  Since it was a Thursday night, the club wasn’t packed to capacity. I maneuvered my way through the crowd with Everett and the goons behind me. There was one person I was looking for. The one person who had both a motive and access to the surveillance room.

  Calla.

  The instant Lyle spotted me from his place at the bar his eyes widened. Although I couldn’t hear him over the ear splintering bass pumping out of the speakers, I read his lips as he mouthed, “Oh fuck.” When his gaze snapped from mine and went to the person perched on a stool at the end of the bar, my fists once again clenched at my side.

  She never knew what was coming for her.

  When I reached Calla’s stool, my hand snatched a fist-full of her hair. With all the strength I had, I jerked her off her perch by the hair. A screech of pain coupled with shock came from Calla. “What the hell are you doing, you bitch!” she shrieked.

  Drawing my arm back, I punched her in the nose. “That’s for me.” Then I delivered a right hook to her chin, knocking her to the ground. Standing over her, I said, “And that’s for William.”

  The music abruptly shut off while
voices began to shout around me. The next thing I knew Everett was pulling me away from Calla. When one of the bouncers tried to take me from him, one of the goons stepped in and shoved him aside. Another bouncer helped Calla up.

  I noticed a crowd had encircled us. You could have heard a pin drop the silence was so deafening. “Are you fucking happy now, you conniving little cunt?”

  “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

  I shook my head furiously. “Just because you couldn’t have him, you decided to ruin him. And because you thought I took him from you, you ruined me, too.”

  “You’re a crazy bitch.”

  Glancing around the crowd, I said, “This piece of shit standing before you sabotaged a man’s career today. She’s trying to play dumb, but it doesn’t take a fucking rocket scientist to know that it was her who plastered my school with pictures from the club.”

  Gasps rang out in the club while a low buzz of whispering began. “Club 1740 has strict membership and security. Your average Joe could never waltz in here and steal video footage. It had to be a member or employee that did it. It takes a lot of time and effort to take stills from video clips and make them into pictures. That’s some serious dedication on someone’s part. I would imagine that someone would have to have a fucking good reason to want to do that.”

  As I turned around in a circle, I eyed the people standing around. “I can’t imagine anyone else here but Calla who would have a personal vendetta against William and myself. You can’t just say me because there were pictures of both of us.”

  Calla’s defiance had begun to fade. She cowered back against the bouncer who had helped her up. “Tell me exactly how did you get them? I’m pretty sure you couldn’t have snuck into the security room, so you must’ve worked out a deal with one of the security guards.” I cocked my head at her. “What did you offer him? Sex or money? Hmm, maybe both?”

  “You’re full of shit. All I did here last night was party and play with a few clients.”

  “I’m not sure how much partying you did after you saw William and me. You were livid at the sight of us together. The fact that I jokingly said he was wearing a collar—my collar—totally set you off. When he told you that he hadn’t wanted to be collared by you, your broken pride had to make him pay.”

  “You’re delusional,” she countered meekly.

  “No. You’re fucking delusional. But what you didn’t think about is when you were betraying William and me, you were betraying every single person here at 1740. There are only so many BDSM clubs in this area. How long do you think it’s going to take the media to sniff out that the club in question at the heart of the Milton High sex scandal is 1740?”

  Once again, gasps rang out. From people’s expressions, I could tell they were feeling just as vulnerable as I had earlier in the day. For the vast majority of members, their lives could be ruined if their secret got out.

  The crowd parted as Robert, the club’s owner, walked through. When he got to us, I braced myself for anything from him taking my staff card to having me arrested. After giving me a fleeting look, he turned his attention to Calla. “Gianni, I want Mistress Calla removed from the premise immediately. Escort her to her locker and make sure she takes all her personal possessions because she will not ever be setting foot back in this club again.”

  Calla’s face paled as her lip that I had busted trembled. “Robert, surely you don’t mean that.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “But we’ve been friends for years. You can’t possibly turn your back on me after everything we have been through.”

  He gave a contemptuous laugh. “You silly cunt. I wouldn’t care if you were my own blood. You fucked over my club, so you’re dead to me.”

  Calla’s eyes widened in horror as she shook her head back in forth. “Robert, please.”

  He gave her one final look of disgust. “Get her the fuck out of here.”

  Before Gianni could drag Calla away, Everett stepped forward. He pointed a finger at the patch on his leather cut. “You see this?”

  “Y-yes,” she whimpered.

  “You remember what this cut looks like and what I look like. If you even think about squealing to the cops or you do anything else to my cousin or her boyfriend, I will hunt you down. And what my cousin just did will be nothing compared to what I’ll do to you. Do you understand me?”

  She squeaked a yes before Gianni dragged her away. Once she was gone, Robert turned his attention to the crowd. “Okay, folks, show’s over. Go back to partying. If you haven’t already had your allotted drink, it’s on the house. If you have had one, have another. I’m sure after what just went on we all could use one or two.” After motioning to the DJ, the music cranked back up.

  Robert then turned his attention to me. “I should have you arrested for disorderly conduct and fucking with the vibe.”

  “I’m not sure what section of the law “vibe fucking” falls under,” I countered.

  The corners of Robert’s lips fluttered before he smiled. “I always did like that smart-ass mouth of yours.”

  “I’m sorry I caused such a scene, but I had to confront her.”

  “I suppose having her called into my office was a completely ridiculous idea.”

  “You should know me well enough by now to know that I was never going to be able to be within three feet of her without bloodshed.”

  “Considering what she did and the repercussions, I can’t say I blame you.”

  “I’m glad you see it my way.”

  “For what it’s worth, you’re always welcome here, and you always have a job here. If I can do anything else to help you and William, just let me know.”

  “Thanks, Robert. I appreciate that.”

  “You’re welcome.” With a wink, he added, “Now get the fuck out of here. Until you’re gone, no one is going to unwind and have some fun.”

  “No problem.” Jerking my chin at the elevators, I said, “Come on, guys, let’s go.”

  Everett extended his hand to Robert. “Nice meeting you.”

  “Same to you. If you boys should ever want to come and play, I’d be happy to give you a few guest passes.”

  Everett snorted. “That’s nice of you to offer, but I like to beat the shit out of people on my own time and turf.”

  After eyeing Everett’s cut, Robert nodded. “Have a good evening then.”

  “You too.”

  I could feel the heated stares on me as we made our way to the elevator. Once we got inside, Everett let out a low whistle. “What?” I questioned.

  “Remind me never to get on your bad side.’

  “Oh please,” I replied.

  Everett shook his head. “You’re one hell of a fighter. You might could take me.”

  “You can’t be serious?”

  He winked. “Well, maybe if I was drunk.”

  As I turned down the long drive to home, my stomach lurched and rolled. The last time I had been this afraid to face my father was when I was seventeen. That was the night I’d lost my virginity in a hayloft on my boyfriend’s farm. We’d fallen asleep, and our wake-up call came in the form of an old rooster.

  After throwing on my clothes, I had dared to look at my cell phone. The sheer number of calls from my father sent dread pulsing through me. I don’t think the drive home had ever felt so long. After turning on the gravel road, the sight of the house in the distance had caused me to fling open the door and throw up. Once I recovered, I didn’t get far before I saw my father’s figure in the distance. He stood ramrod straight at the top of the porch steps. I couldn’t help wondering if he had stood there all night waiting for me to get in. I didn’t have to tell him what I had done—he knew by taking one look at me. While I wanted him to tear into me with yelling, he merely shook his head. His disappointment cut me to the core far more than any of his anger ever could have. And that is what I feared the most this time.

  Nearing the house, I did a double take at the sight of what appeared to
be my father once again standing on the porch. I would have given anything in the world for that to be true. But instead, Ansel stood where my dad once did, looking like his mini-me. With his arms crossed over his broad chest, he wore the same furious expression my dad had all those years ago.

  Before I could take the key out of the ignition, Ansel had pounded down the porch stairs. He was on me the moment I stepped out of the car. With his face only inches from mine, he demanded, “Where the fuck have you been?”

  “Look, I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t come home.”

  “Yeah, well, a phone call might’ve been nice. When you didn’t show up for dinner, Dad freaked out. He had me go into town to look for you.”

  I threw up my hands. “Once again, I’m sorry. There were reporters waiting for me outside the school. The last thing I wanted was for them to follow me home. As for calling, I just didn’t know what to say.”

  “Where did you go?”

  “I went to see Everett.” Thinking of my escapade in Atlanta brought a faint smile to my lips. “He let me crash at his MC’s clubhouse for the night.”

  Ansel narrowed his eyes at me. “Were you with him?”

  He said the word “him” like it was a swarm of locust. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no I wasn’t.”

  “Good. I’m glad to hear it. I mean, it’s bad enough you’re screwing your boss like a cheap whore, but on top of everything, he’s a fucking pervert!”

  His words momentarily cut me to the core. But even though I was wounded deeply, anger seethed within me. “How dare you talk to me like that?”

  Shaking his head, he replied, “You make me sick.” He then stormed past me and started for the barn.

  “Don’t walk away from me!”

  “Fuck off.”

  “Would you at least let me explain,” I called after him.

  “Save it, and go talk to dad.”

  I jogged after him. “Last time I checked, I was your older sister, and the one who told you what to do.”