Flawed Justice

by Tibby Armstrong

  Was he paying the price to Curtis now? Lawson forced himself to continue walking at his usual pace, observe every scene with the attention needed, but he found his gaze drawn back to the one at the end more often than he would’ve liked.

  Stripped bare, Matt’s shoulders shifted and his back tensed, then relaxed as Curtis brushed a hand down his side. Facing the cross, his wrists were restrained in leather cuffs at the top of the padded, X-shaped, dark wood, his ankles at the bottom, leaving him completely at Curtis’s mercy. Breathing hard, head bowed between his spread arms, Matt nodded as Curtis spoke quietly to him.

  If this scene was like every other Lawson had seen Curtis play out with a sub, the negotiations had passed, but he would keep the dialogue open to assure himself and his partner that both their needs were met.

  Detaching himself enough to see Matt as simply another sub made Lawson observing the exchange from a distance a bit easier. One word and it would end. And if it didn’t…

  One word. All Matt had to do was say one word.

  Lawson’s brow furrowed as Curtis unclipped a flogger from his belt. One of his favorite tools, but he tended to save it for more experienced subs who enjoyed rough play. Not to the sadistic level Doc did with his partners—Lawson wouldn’t have to remind him the scene ended the moment he drew blood—but still more than Matt would be able to handle his first time.

  That aside, Lawson stilled at the strange sense of relief that filled him on seeing the flogger. He’d expected a bottle of lube. With someone as new as Matt, restraint, foreplay, and sex would be the standard introduction. None of the men came in here for BDSM 101. They were either established in the lifestyle or simply wanted a kinky fuck.

  As Lawson approached, Curtis stroked his hand from the nape of Matt’s neck to the curve of his ass. He made a soft hushing sound as Matt trembled.

  “I won’t hurt you.” Curtis pressed his lips to Matt’s shoulder. “Unclench your fists and relax.”

  Matt shook his head. “I can’t.”

  That was Lawson’s cue. If Curtis was doing some kind of dub-con roleplay, he would have alerted the Dungeon Monitor—Lawson—before the scene had begun. And he wouldn’t even consider a scene like that with a new sub. Whatever reason he’d had to bring Matt here, Matt needed to be reminded he had an out.

  It rankled to wait for Curtis’s acknowledgement and go-ahead before he could address Matt, but he wouldn’t disrespect the man in his role as Matt’s Dom.

  Temporary as it might be.

  Stepping to the right of the cross, into Matt’s line of sight, Law waited for Matt to meet his eyes before he spoke. “Remind me of your safeword, boy.”

  Lips parting, Matt sucked in a shaky breath. “Granite.”

  “Very good.” Lawson had to fight not to brush Matt’s hair back. Not to soothe him as Curtis had been doing. He had no right. “Do you need to use it now?”

  “I…” Matt pressed his eyes shut. “I don’t know.”

  “No. Look at me.” This time, Lawson didn’t hesitate. He framed Matt’s jaw in his hand, his knuckles snicking hard against the edge of the wood, but he hardly noticed. He tightened his grip when Matt tried to turn his head. “I gave you an order, sub.”

  That got Matt’s attention. His eyes shot open and he stared at Lawson, panting in air.

  “Much better. You do not come into this space without understanding two basic concepts. You answer only to two people. Your Dom. And the Dungeon Monitor. Tonight, that is me.” He waited to be sure Matt understood. Lightened his hold on his jaw. “And a scene ends, at any point, on your say.”

  Licking his lips, Matt nodded. “My safeword.”

  “Say it.”

  He hadn’t intended to issue the command. His job was to make sure every member was here of their own free will and that the risks were minimal. If Matt wanted to be with Curtis, he wouldn’t come between them, but part of him wanted to hear this was a mistake. That Matt had been angry, or hurt. That he wanted Lawson to give him an excuse to come out of those restraints and walk out that door.

  Instead, Matt chewed on his bottom lip, casting a desperate look toward Curtis, who was angled in a way to block them both from curious eyes.

  Lawson couldn’t see Curtis’s response, but he was grateful for his shielding because he couldn’t hide the frustration when Matt shook his head. “Why the hell not?”

  “Keep it down.” Curtis moved behind him, speaking in his ear. “We can’t have people thinking he’s an issue between us.”

  The very same thing he’d discussed with Dallas. Which meant Curtis had overheard the rumblings as well. They had to present a united front to keep the faith of the members. Ezran and Garet’s disappearance, Ram’s disrespect—and to some extent, Matt’s—combined with The Ravagers’ vandalism all indicated Lawson was losing his grip on control of The Asylum.

  Support turning to Curtis would be an acceptable outcome, but the members would be more confident in their joint leadership. Which they wouldn’t believe in if the two of them were constantly fighting over Matt like junkyard dogs over a big, juicy steak.

  Tipping his head back, Lawson laced his fingers behind his neck. “This could have been avoided if you’d kept him…”

  Curtis gave him a level look. “What? In my bed?”

  “Yes.”

  “How close are you to wanting to snap my neck at the thought?” Curtis tugged Lawson’s hands apart and lowered them to his sides. He was closer than Lawson had allowed him to be out of the ring in a long time. His fingertips brushed over one of the bruises he’d left on Lawson’s side and he chuckled at Lawson’s hissed in breath. “You want him. Admit it.”

  “Is that what this is, Curtis? Your way of making me say what I’ve made obvious?”

  “That’s how it began. You’re right, Lawson. I do know you. I know you’ll shut him and everyone else out if we let you. He was waiting for you to take control and you were waiting for him to hand it to you.” He rested his chin on Lawson’s shoulder. “I’ve made it easier.”

  Fuck, he hated how right Curtis was. He wouldn’t have taken Matt in here like this, not without easing him into this side of his world, but maybe that was the problem. How many times had he backed off the second Matt seemed the least bit uncertain? Left him questioning every single touch, every kiss? How could Matt believe anything other than the entire thing was an act and the price he had to pay for his place in The Asylum?

  Lawson could prove that to him, but not with words. Not with hesitation and demands. He’d show him by standing by his side once he took what he wanted from him. Once he gave him more than he’d ever had from anyone.

  “I should kick your ass for manipulating me. Again.” Lawson gave Curtis a hard look over his shoulder, then turned his focus to Matt, reaching out to brush his thumb over his bottom lip. “But we have far more…pressing matters to attend.”

  Flexing his hands above his restraints, Matt blinked at him. “I don’t understand.”

  “You will.” Lawson stepped closer to Matt, speaking to Curtis without glancing back. “Tell Doc to take over my DM duties. I’m assuming you arranged that as well?”

  “Didn’t take much convincing.” Curtis chuckled, hooking his finger to the loop on Lawson’s belt. “You’re fun to toy with.”

  “It will be the last time you ever do it, Curtis.” Probably not, but that’s a problem for another day. His lips twitched when he realized Matt was wearing the collar Noah had given him, but he refused to give Curtis the satisfaction of a reaction. “Enjoy.”

  Sliding his hands up the back of Matt’s arms, Lawson checked his restraints, smiling at the way Matt tugged at them when he pressed against him. He was panting again, hips jerking as he tried to relieve the pressure on his dick, which was pinned to the center of the cross. His movements had his ass grinding over Lawson’s groin and he released a soft groan as Lawson let him feel how hard he was.

  “Don’t stop.” Matt slumped in his restraints as Lawson shifted away from h
im. “Please, I can’t take it if you—”

  “I won’t, Matt. But listen to me.” He slid two fingers into Matt’s mouth, blood pulsing low as Matt wrapped his lips around them. “This is not my scene.”

  Matt’s brow furrowed, but he couldn’t speak around Lawson’s fingers, which he pressed in deeper.

  “You came here with Curtis. He probably intended for me to step in sooner, but I didn’t. To all observing, you were perfectly willing to let him do whatever he wanted to you.” He slid his fingers out, then back in, distracting Matt when it looked like he’d shake his head. “You were nervous, but still turned on. You were hard before I got here.”

  Cheeks reddening, Matt closed his eyes.

  “No, keep them open. Don’t be ashamed of being aroused by him. He’s very good at what he does.” Lawson’s lips slanted at Matt’s questioning gaze. “I should know.”

  When he removed his fingers from Matt’s mouth, Matt let out a soft curse. “Fuck. I don’t think I can—”

  “That’s the point. You don’t have to think.” Lawson traced his wet fingers over Matt’s bottom lip, making it glisten. “I’ll ask you again: Do you need to use your safeword?”

  A brief hesitation. Then Matt shook his head.

  Lawson rewarded him with a warm smile. “Good boy.” Matt’s pupils dilated and Lawson leaned in to claim his lips, speaking against them. “So desperate for approval. Do you know how fucking hot you look right now?”

  Matt’s throat worked as he swallowed. “I should be weirded out being naked in front of so many people.”

  “But you’re not because Curtis kept your focus on him. And now it’s on me.” He couldn’t keep Matt completely in the dark about what would come next, so he took the opportunity to tell him. “Soon it will be on us both.”

  “Both?”

  “Mhmm. I don’t usually enjoy sharing, but this once?” Lawson kissed Matt again, sucking on his bottom lip. “He did half the work. It would be selfish of me not to.”

  Licking his lips, Matt held his gaze. “And then tomorrow you’ll leave me with him?”

  “No. After tonight you’re mine. I don’t know what that will mean next week, or next month, but I can tell you where you will wake up in the morning. Where you’ll stay so long as you want to be here.” He hoped he wasn’t pushing too far, but from the way Matt’s expression relaxed, he didn’t think so. “Not because you have to earn my protection, but because unless you tell me you’re done with me, I’m not anywhere near done with you.”

  “That’s…that’s all I needed to know.” Matt tugged on his bottom lip with his teeth. “I don’t want to cut things short, but my mouth is so fucking dry and my head’s all…”

  “Fuzzy?” Lawson’s lips quirked. He glanced over at the sound of footsteps behind him. “Did you bring water?”

  Curtis nodded and went over to the small leather bag he’d dropped on the floor near the wall. He pulled out a bottle of water, uncapped it, and came over to tip Matt’s chin up with two fingers as he brought the bottle to his lips.

  He passed the bottle to Lawson, using his thumb to wipe away a droplet of water that trailed down Matt’s chin. “You good? Give me a number.”

  Unlike Lawson, Curtis preferred using a number system with his subs, which he’d have discussed with Matt before bringing him past the threshold. Anything under five was in the comfort zone. Over meant either something had to be adjusted or slowed down, or the scene had to be ended altogether.

  Wrinkling his nose, Matt took his time answering. “Four?”

  “You were at five and a half when I got you naked.” Curtis stroked Matt’s cheek. “You’re doing good. I’m impressed.”

  “Thank you, but I don’t think I’ll get under a four. This is…different.” Matt tugged at his wrists. “Like my worst nightmare, but…kinda good?”

  Curtis let out a soft laugh and brushed a kiss over Matt’s lips. “That’s one way to put it. Let’s see how you feel once I’m done beating on you.”

  Lawson frowned when Matt stiffened and ducked his head. “He’s not ready for that.”

  “Trust me, Lawson?” Curtis held Lawson’s gaze, unblinking, until he nodded. He retrieved his flogger from his belt. “Good. Help yourself to my toys while I work him over. We don’t want him to come too soon.”

  “I—wait—” For some reason, that seemed to make Matt more nervous than the flogger. “How the hell are you going to manage that with you both torturing me?”

  This time, Curtis’s laugh was wicked. “He’s fucking adorable. Torture? You’ve got a lot to learn, boy. You’re lucky Lawson would never let Doc play with you. I like sending my subs to him when they say things like that.”

  Matt’s eyes went wide. “Six.”

  “Enough.” Lawson gave Curtis a warning look. He didn’t mind adding an edge of fear to his play, but Matt was nervous enough. He didn’t need more. Grabbing what he needed from Curtis’s bag, he remained on the other side of the cross so Matt could face him without turning his head. “Nothing we do will hurt you, Matt. Use the numbers, or the safeword I gave you, at any time. Are we clear?”

  Cheeks flushed, Matt nodded.

  “Good boy.” Lawson gave Matt a long, slow kiss, feeling him jump as the falls of the flogger lightly caressed his flesh. The gentleness of them would surprise him at first, but as Curtis gradually increased the pressure, he’d begin to feel the sting. The deep pulse as his nerves became more sensitive to each touch. A bite of pain that would shift to pleasure and take him completely out of his head.

  Tasting Matt’s lips, his tongue with his own, Lawson lowered his hand, brushing his fingers along the base of Matt’s stomach, down to his inner thigh, then up, avoiding his dick until Matt was whimpering and tugging at his restraints. Tuned in to the sound of the flogger, Lawson wrapped his hand around the base of Matt’s cock as the falls began to hit his flesh a little faster, the brushing snap of them a little louder.

  “Oh fuck.” Matt tipped his head back. “Fuck, I’m going to—”

  He let out a soft cry as Lawson tightened his grip, cutting off his release.

  “Not. Yet.” Lawson smiled at Matt’s frustrated groan. “Oh you will be fun to toy with. Patience. It’ll be worth it.”

  With that, Lawson knelt and wrapped the thick leather cock ring around the base of Matt’s dick, under his balls. The pressure would get intense and the man would be begging before long. One of Lawson’s favorite sounds.

  Precum glistened on the tip of Matt’s dick, which had already turned dark red. The man had a nice length, slightly curved with a broad head which was feverishly hot as Lawson licked over it before taking him into his mouth in a smooth motion. The sound of the flogger halted and he tipped up his eyes to see Curtis pressed against Matt, fingers in Matt’s mouth as he watched Lawson. His expression darkened with need and Lawson took his time coming up, letting both men see Matt’s glistening cock before he slid his lips over it once again.

  “Jesus, I love watching you do that.” Curtis kept his fingers going in and out of Matt’s mouth in time with Lawson’s motions. “Get my fingers nice and wet, boy. I’m going to get you ready for him.”

  A desperate, pleading sound escaped Matt as he sucked on Curtis’s fingers. Seconds after Curtis pulled them away, Matt threw his head back, his pulse quickening against Lawson’s tongue, his body shaking.

  “Ohgodohgodohgod.” The words came out in a mumbled rush as Matt gasped in air. “Five…six.”

  Lawson let Matt slip from his lips and went around the cross to where Curtis had only managed to slide the tip of his finger in to the first knuckle. Matt was too tense for saliva alone to be enough. Lawson opened the lube he’d taken from Curtis’s bag and drizzled it over Curtis’s finger as he withdrew, then gradually penetrated with slick ease.

  “Fuck!”

  “Shh.” Lawson rose and cupped Matt’s cheek. “Look at me. I want you to press back against him. Let him in. Give him a small taste of what he’ll never have.”
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  “He won’t?” Matt rubbed his cheek against Lawson’s hand, his eyes a little dazed. “It’s okay if you want him to. You decide.”

  There we go. Matt was in a nice, submissive zone, floating on endorphins and likely ready to agree to pretty much anything. “I have decided. But you’ll give him something. A gift.”

  “Mmm, that sounds nice.” Matt bit into his bottom lip. “Oh fuck, that’s…” He groaned and tipped his head back. “That feels fucking good.”

  Glancing down, Lawson watched Curtis work two fingers deep into Matt, curving them to stroke his prostate, his other hand on Matt’s ass cheek, holding him open so he could to expose the erotic sight. He added a third finger, leaning forward to bite Matt’s ass hard when Matt shoved back, demanding more in his lust-fueled haze.

  “Ah!” Matt yelped, then groaned again. “Fucker…bit me.”

  “He does that.” Lawson arched a brow at Curtis as the man shot him an unapologetic grin. “Help me fold the cross. He doesn’t need more marks on him.”

  Curtis gently pulled his fingers from Matt and took a step back. “But he will have them.”

  Lawson’s lips curved. He wouldn’t lie, he’d loved seeing his teeth marks on Matt’s neck. They’d already faded, but something primal in him wanted to make sure the next ones lasted. The night wouldn’t end when he and Matt left the club and went back home.

  Their home. Who knew for how long, but he needed Matt there. He’d been a fool to send him to Curtis. This wasn’t Matt’s payment for Curtis’s help. In a way, it was Lawson’s.

  His co-owner was fond enough of Matt that he could have seduced him. He’d have been good to him, made sure Matt was happy. All of that without setting foot in the club. He could have kept Matt and forced Lawson to face the mistake he’d made, every fucking day.

  Instead, he’d brought him to Lawson. Given him one last chance to make things right.

  Together, he and Curtis unlocked the folding mechanism on the Saint Andrew’s Cross, carefully lowering the top part until it was horizontal with the floor. Then a bit more. Locking it into position, Lawson went behind Matt, smoothing his hands up the length of his thighs and over his back. He looked to where Curtis stood near Matt’s head, caressing his cheek and bending down to kiss him one last time before he undid his belt.