by Tl Reeve
What the fuck had he been thinking?
He smirked as he drew a shallow breath, the cool water of his shower raining down on him. The answer was simple. He had to survive this, so he could reunite with his princess and her Daddy. Even though it was a selfish thought. Even though he knew he should walk away and give AJ the freedom to find herself.
A large blob appeared in front of him and seconds later the cold water shut off. He glanced up and a black spot appeared in front of him. His glasses. Scotty put them on and blinked. Oscar stood before him, concern etching his features. He crossed his arms over his chest. “What happened, homie?”
Scotty shook his head.
“Don’t give me that.” Oscar crouched down in front of him. “You were jerking off.” He made the motion and grinned. “Little perv.”
Scotty frowned and signed, No.
“Pfft. Liar.” Oscar stood and held out his hand. “Come on, let’s get you off the floor.”
“Not, keen,” Scotty said.
Oscar winced. “Inside voice.” He flipped the shower back on and turned it to hot. “Go on. Make it quick.” He pointed over his shoulder. “This time, I’m staying.”
Scotty nodded and mouthed, thank you.
“Not a problem.” He held out his hand. “Glasses.”
Scotty took them off once more then stepped under the spray. As soon as he could, he was out of there. Come hell or high water, he would get the others, too. He had to lay low, though. His ribs were still busted up pretty good, so he’d never get far and, as much as he liked Oscar, he didn’t trust him as far as he could throw him. Soon though, he’d make his move.
Chapter 6
Why did it always have to come back to Bex?
AJ asked herself that question several times as she got ready to leave for the club and while Jaqueline helped her with her hair. It’d been strange allowing another woman to touch her. No one had since her mother, and even then, it’d been years before she’d entered foster care. Those people never assisted her with anything, and AJ was already self-reliant. Yet, Jaqueline insisted and, maybe it’d been due to feeling vulnerable or tired or both, she’d agreed. When the woman was done, AJ didn’t even recognize herself.
When Thomas spotted her as she exited Murray and Jaqueline’s room, the hungry gaze in his eyes twisted her stomach in a pleasant way. Her skin heated and her heart thrummed an excited beat. It gave her a moment’s respite from having to think about the case.
Unfortunately, it didn’t last long.
Because they were going to this club, Absolution, it put the mission back in the forefront of her mind. Listening to Luca talk about the FLDS and the notion there were two options for Bex on the table at the moment, filled AJ with dread. One, Raul would sell Bex at the Emporium to keep his secrets and to keep her out of the cartels’ hands. Or two, Los Trios or Pueblo would kidnap her and send her to the FLDS plantation in Mexico, to take down the Nieto Cartel, killing Raul in the process. Neither prospect was better than the other, AJ knew it. Either one would use Bex. Ravage her mind. Rape her and, worse, one might keep her pregnant as well, breaking the girl’s spirit to retrieve all the information she’d stored there, not realizing it.
As it stood, not informing Noah or Asher about the new intel made her skin crawl. Mateo was with Bex every day, if something happened to her—or worse Mateo—Noah’s wrath would rain down on all of them. Including Thomas. His relationship with Noah and Asher had been a tenuous one at best. Duncan Frazier had only deepened the rift with his shitty comments and jealousy. AJ had seen it the minute Asher kicked Frazier out of the conference room, so he could tell Thomas and them about the mission. At some point, they’d have to relay the information back home. She only hoped they wouldn’t be too late.
The limo came to a stop and she glanced out the window. They were there. The stonework mansion encompassed at least five acres of land if not more. The plush landscaping gave way to golden-hued lights that changed the structure from imposing to inviting. There were at least three stories to the place with extra housing around the main manor. It wasn’t anything of what she’d been expecting. She thought they’d end up in an industrial park near the border. This, on the other hand, she could get used to.
Thomas gripped her hand tighter, giving her a bit of his silent strength. As they had dressed for the night, she’d wanted to tell him how she felt about the mission and the intel concerning Bex, instead she kept it inside. They were supposed to be connecting. AJ couldn’t allow any distractions to pull her attention from the present operation. Later, though, they’d have a conversation about what Luca presented them with and what her thoughts were about the situation. Anything involving Bex needed to be squashed before it got out of control.
When the door to the vehicle opened, she waited for Luca, Murray, and Jaqueline to step out first then she followed while Thomas brought up the rear. AJ had never done anything like this before. Going to a club had been on the list of things Thomas promised to do with Scotty and AJ when they were finished in Mexico.
The corner of her eyes burned with unshed tears at the thought of Scotty. She missed him so much. Shame ate at her. Here they were, out for the night while Scotty had been stuck doing God only knew what. Thomas wrapped his arm around AJ and tucked her into his side. His warmth chased away the chill and guilt, allowing her a modicum of control. AJ sighed, forcing herself to focus. She wouldn’t let her fears or thoughts get the better of her. Thomas pulled a chain from his jacket pocket and held it up, so she could see it. The light glinted off of the metal as it hung in front of her. He didn’t have to say a word, they’d practiced this, too, as he clipped it to the ring adorning the strap of leather around her neck.
“You can do this,” Thomas murmured. “We’ll do it together.”
She didn’t say anything.
AJ allowed him to believe her trepidation was due to the club and not the fact Scotty had been taken and wasn’t there. As they stepped inside the foyer of the club it seemed a bit empty, almost as if it were the only space in the mansion not renovated. If the rest of the club looks like this... AJ frowned as she gazed around.
“Mr. Trapani,” a man said rushing forward. “So good to see you tonight.”
“Good to see you, too, Vicente,” Luca answered as the man bowed low. “I brought some friends to explore the club a little.”
“Perfecto, Primo.” Vicente went back to the small attendant’s desk and returned with several clip boards. “This is the NDA form and a list of the club rules. When you have read through them, please sign and initial where it says to. If you wish to join our exclusive organización, then I have another form for you to fill out.” He glanced down at AJ’s and Jaqueline’s feet then motioned to the map on the wall and a door to their right. “Submissives may leave their belongings, including their shoes, in the locker room down this hallway.”
“Is he talking to me?” AJ mumbled as she glanced up at Thomas.
Thomas nodded then smirked. “Yes, baby girl, he means you.” He directed his attention back to Vicente. “You’ll have to excuse my girl. She’s new and a bit trepidatious.”
“No problem, Sir,” Vicente said. “When you’ve signed on the line, I can escort your submissives to their locker room before showing them to the main floor.”
“Thank you,” Thomas replied as he signed and initialed the form. “I’d appreciate it.”
AJ stared at the form. It reminded her of the contract Thomas made her and Scotty fill out before he’d even agreed to work with them. Most of the rules were familiar, some she didn’t even want to question. As she initialed where the space indicated, she wondered who the clientele was for the place. They had to be some kind of freaks if the owners worried about people being killed on the premises, not to mention the issue of hitmen and ‘hit,’ contracts. She signed the dotted line then handed the paperwork back to the man who’d waited patiently for them. When everyone had signed and returned the clip boards, Vicente held his arm out to AJ and Jaq
ueline.
Murray tapped Jaqueline on the shoulder then stepped between them. He winked at AJ before taking the man’s other elbow. AJ stifled a giggle. She didn’t have any reason to find humor in their situation, nonetheless she did. Thomas unhooked the chain from her collar and winked at her. She didn’t understand why having the chain there made her feel protected. Confident and at ease. The minute it came off, she was exposed and vulnerable all over again. She wondered if Thomas understood her internal struggle and if it was why he used the chain. Or, maybe she was reading too much into it.
Probably reading too much into it.
“Excusa,” Vicente said, with a little bow to Jaqueline. “I did not realize.”
“Not a problem,” Jaqueline said, squaring her shoulders.
“While they’re getting situated,” Luca said, “let me show you around.”
Had AJ not had Murray with her, she most likely wouldn’t have been able to leave Thomas’ side. He exuded so much power and superiority, yet with her, he comforted her, sheltered her, and gave her strength when she needed it. She didn’t deserve him as a friend or a lover. She most definitely, after the mess she made between Thomas and Scotty, didn’t deserve Scotty, either.
Vicente led them to the locker rooms then paused. “There are outfits you may wear if you prefer in the changing rooms. Or, you can stay in your clothes. Whichever brings you comfort. We also have a nudity positive code here as well. If you wish to go sans clothing, you don’t have to worry about being judged or touched inappropriately.” He gave AJ a small smile. “The lockers for your belongings. The outfits are also in those lockers. After you’ve secured your belongings, bring me the key, and I’ll keep it safe. When you’re ready to leave, I will give you the key back, so you may retrieve your items.”
“Thank you,” AJ said before pushing the door to her locker room open. “See you in a minute.”
Murray nodded. “See you in a second, squirt.”
As she stepped inside, the scent of lavender and honey enveloped her. She inhaled deeply and let out a sigh. She could stay in there all night. For it being a locker room, the area was spacious. There was a sign for showers to her right along with couches and benches. Soft music played, soothing her tattered nerves. She sat down on one of the benches in front of an open locker and pulled off her shoes. Her toes ached, so did her arch and heel. She hated heels and would have been more comfortable in her Chuck’s, but they were on a mission, after all, and she had to play the part. She glanced in the bin where she’d put her shoes and found a pair of leather booty shorts and a black bikini top. Nope. Not going to do it. She stood then and walked back to the door. The longer she took, the longer they’d be at the club.
AJ caught her reflection in the full-length mirror. Her eyes were a little too wide and her skin a little too pale. She could see the sadness there, etched into her features. The purple smudges under her eyes from lack of sleep since the moment Scotty disappeared. She’d also lost weight. The dress hung from her frame—not in an appealing way, either. And, even though Jaqueline helped her with her hair, it wasn’t healthy looking at all. God, is this how people see me right now? No wonder why everyone was treating her with kid gloves.
She let out a breath and sat back down. The funk she’d been in was self-induced, her therapist would say as much. She’d remind AJ that everyone made their own decisions. In their situation, no one could force another to do anything they didn’t want to. Scotty walking out of the room without her or Thomas, was his decision. What happened next wasn’t her fault or Thomas’ or Scotty’s. Sometimes, shit things happen to good people. It didn’t mean she couldn’t worry about Scotty. She’d always worry about him, but the guilt eating her alive was all self-imposed.
So, how did she fix it? Could she fix it? The only way she knew how to deal with her broken heart and broken self was to find Scotty and free him. Yet, they were still days away from infiltrating the club. What did she do in the interim? AJ stared at her reflection once more. She’d seen that scared, lost face before. It’d been the day she was rescued from Travises foster home. For as strong as she’d been, she was also weak. She’d broken down the minute the SWAT officer picked her up and carried her out of the house.
This time, there wasn’t anyone to pick her up. She had to do it herself.
As she pulled open the door, Murray exited from his locker room as well. His hair was wet and slicked back. He wore a pair of low-slung leather pants with a laced-up front to them. Heat filled her cheeks. He really did have a superhero body. He was all muscle from his chest to his tapered waist and abs. She covered her eyes and turned away as she noticed the sizable bulge at his crotch. “Oh, my God! Put it all away.”
Murray chuckled. “You know you like it.” He took her hand and ran it down his chest, teasing her.
AJ squealed. “Stop it.”
He laughed harder. “Better get used to it. This is what clubs are like—scantily clad men and women running around, getting spanked and fucked.”
“Language.” She peered up at him and some of the fears swamping her slinked back into the darkness, allowing her to just be. “I always thought you were the wholesome one of the bunch. Now you’ve tainted me.”
Murray wrapped his arm around her shoulders and guided her back to where Vicente waited for them. “You must have me confused with Franks.”
She rolled her eyes and pasted on a smile as Vicente joined them. “Excellent choices.” He motioned to the door Thomas, Jaqueline, and Luca had gone through only minutes before. “Your Masters are this way. If you cannot find them, do not hesitate to come back to me. I will help you.”
“Thank you,” AJ whispered.
“Appreciate it,” Murray said. “Come on, squirt, let’s go find our Masters.”
She giggled again as Murray pushed through the doors. AJ came to a stop as she peered out over the area. It was like a high-class lobby for some swank hotel. There was a bar with a sitting area. Across from them was a bunch of equipment Thomas had told her about, but she’d never seen it in person before. When she glanced up, she noticed the second-floor walkway, allowing guests a bird’s-eye view of the first floor. There were also rooms there, too. Everything surrounding them had a rich decadence to it, which again, went against everything she’d read in the NDA she signed.
“Well, what do you think?” Murray murmured.
“It’s not what I was expecting,” she answered. “I thought it would be more biker bar meeting Addams Family than this.”
Murray’s bark of laughter caught the attention of several people around them. “There are clubs like that. Few and far between, though. Most are inviting. Not as opulent as this mind you, but close.”
“It’s nice.” She took a deep breath and started for the steps. When she glanced up, she caught a glimpse of Thomas sitting at the bar with Luca and Jaqueline. He appeared relaxed and in his element. Several scantily clad women passed by them, yet Thomas never paid them any mind, and if one did decide Thomas was the one, he dismissed her with a flick of his wrist. “Different.”
“It is.” Murray squeezed her shoulder. “Think of this as a training mission, and it’ll go easier for you.”
She snorted. “Easy for you to say. You look as if you’re in your element.”
Murray shrugged. “Maybe I am.” He winked as he started down the stairs.
“Of course.” She shook her head, following him. As they passed a group of members, the soft murmurs of their conversation drifted toward AJ and she froze.
Murray halted and gave her a curious glance. “What’s wrong?”
“They’re talking about me—er us.” She cut her gaze in the direction of the group. “Now what?”
“Thomas will come get you. Do you remember your protocol?” Murray scanned the area.
“Yeah, Thomas likes for me to kneel for him when I first see him, before we’d begin,” she answered, trying to remember her training.
“Good. When Thomas approaches, go to your knees
and I will, too,” Murray murmured as the first man approached them.
“Are you looking to scene with someone, bella?” The man rubbed his chin with the tip of his fingers. She knew those tattoos covering his hand and arm. She’d seen them in wanted photos when she’d been a low-level lacky.
“Uh—I, um?” She swung her gaze to Murray for help.
“Don’t look at him, bella,” the man said. “He’s a sub and can’t help you make this decision.”
Thomas cleared his throat and the man glanced up. Relief flooded AJ. She instantly went to her knees. True to Murray’s words, Thomas was there, protecting her, making sure she wouldn’t get hurt. The cinched knot in her stomach loosened, and she felt as though she could finally breathe. However, the murderous intent on Thomas’ face, when she glanced up at him through her lashes had a whole other emotion coursing through her veins, causing her clit to throb and her nipples to ache. She never knew seeing this fiercely protective man standing over her, would turn her on like it did. It should have scared the shit out of her.
“Primo Luca, we can explain,” the man with the tattoos said, taking a step back. “I didn’t realize.”
“No, you didn’t,” Luca snapped. “The girl is collared.”
“Baby girl.” Thomas held his hand out to AJ. She took it readily, coming to her feet.
When she stepped to Thomas, he fisted his hand in her hair and tugged back. A combination of pain and pleasure spread across her scalp. She whimpered seconds before Thomas’ mouth crushed hers. He devoured her in a searing kiss. It was carnal and consuming. He nipped at her bottom lip before soothing the ache away with his tongue and deepened the kiss once more. AJ’s head spun. Her body shook. She’d been so afraid she’d piss someone off by declining, she’d made herself an anxious mess, but now she was drowning in adrenaline and arousal. Thomas pulled her body to his, wrapping a possessive arm around her. When he grabbed her ass, AJ’s eyes flashed open and a soft mewl fell from her lips.
