“Er, not much,” she admitted. “Just that once I knew about you all, I’d have to be willing to stay.”
She swallowed as the sentence ended, as though her brain had just caught up with the meaning of those words. “I hope I’ll be a good addition,” she added plaintively. “I don’t know much about this way of life.”
Saul laughed gently at her response, his gaze meeting Connor’s for just a moment. “You’re right,” Saul told him directly. “She is adorable.”
“I know,” purred Connor, reaching to take Molly’s right hand which was currently trapped underneath her body. “She’s adorable, and she’s mine.”
Morrison held his hands up in surrender. “Okay, Reilly, I get it! She’s yours, no problem. You know I’m not the kind of man who takes another’s woman, anyway.”
Connor nodded, his gaze shifting from Saul and back to the flaming face of his kitten. He hadn’t seen her this embarrassed for a long time, and the look of her hot, flushed face stirred his cock again.
“You have nothing to worry about, Molly,” continued Saul from across the desk.
“Believe me, Connor would not have been invited to bring you here had your background checks not come back okay.”
That made Molly balk, her eyes flying to Connor, despite her face’s rather attractive shade of scarlet. “B…background checks?” she repeated, alternating her inquiry between the two men. “What background checks?”
“It’s nothing to worry about, kitten,” Connor reassured her. “They’re just standard searches run on anyone deemed to be either a potential addition, or threat, to The Syndicate. It was painless. You didn’t even know.”
“Oh,” she replied, but her expression remained stunned.
Poor little kitten, Connor mused inwardly. If you find that perturbing, you are in for a culture shock.
“He’s right,” Morrison told her. “It’s nothing to concern yourself over. Just a few simple security checks on you and your immediate family. And you passed, Molly, with flying colors, and as you’re here, I assume that means you’ve accepted Connor’s invitation to join us?”
Molly nodded. “Yes,” she whispered in response. “Although right now, I still don’t really know what that means.”
Saul shifted his weight, propping his elbow on his desk and resting his chin in his palm. “That’s okay for now,” he replied. “What matters most is that you understand the concept. The Syndicate exists to protect and preserve itself. That means we put ourselves out to help one of our own when they’re in trouble, and we expect all our members to do the same.”
“Like when Connor was in custody?” she asked quietly.
“Exactly,” Saul told her. “When he was in trouble, we used our members to help him get out. We had men in the prison service, in the legal services, and ultimately, we used others to break him from the prison van.”
She inhaled, those large blue eyes traveling from Saul back to Connor. “And does that mean that I’d have to do those sort of dangerous things for the other people here?”
“Absolutely not,” cut in Connor from her side. “You’re not putting yourself in danger at all.”
Morrison laughed again. “Not like that, no,” he assured her. “The Syndicate would only ask you to draw upon whatever skillsets you already have, and use them for our interests, that’s all.”
“But, I only write?” she continued. Molly seemed even more restless now, her body apparently unable to sit still. “I’m not good at anything else.”
Connor squeezed her hand gently, his gaze willing her to settle when she finally met his eye.
“So write for us,” declared Saul after a moment. “I’ve not read your work, but based on what Connor has told me, you’re excellent. I’m sure we can find a way to utilize your talents, Molly.”
“She’s writing for me first,” Connor told him. “We still have a story to finish.”
Connor arched his brow at Molly as he concluded, and watched gleefully as she writhed under the weight of his gaze.
“Fair enough,” replied Saul. “When she’s finished then?”
Connor nodded. “She’ll be excellent.”
“And in return, we will look after you, Molly,” Saul went on. “We’ll accommodate you, feed you, and entertain you, and of course, if the time ever comes, we will protect you.”
Molly’s eyes widened as the resonance of his words were absorbed. “And my family?” she asked tentatively. “Can I ever see them again?”
Morrison’s gaze shot to Connor. “Not usually,” he told her. “I’m sure you understand our organization exists only because of the veil of secrecy it maintains.”
Molly’s gaze widened further, as though she was struggling to comprehend the news. “I know this building doesn’t seem very subtle,” Connor told her softly, “but we use this place for our many trading accounts, too. To everyone else this is a corporate building, not the headquarters of an international, covert group.”
“But, Connor said I can speak to them, at least?” she gasped, turning from Saul to look at him directly with terrified eyes.
“You can,” Connor assured her. “We can provide a secure line for that, but it’s a one-off, kitten. You can’t touch base every month or send Christmas cards. To stay here you have to accept that life is over.”
Molly drew her lower lip between her teeth. By the look of her, she was fighting the urge to cry in front of Morrison, and her vulnerability made him want to sweep her up into his arms and hold her until the pain passed, but of course, Connor knew that was impossible. There was no pill to ease the pain of what he was asking from her now. Molly would have to give up everything she’d ever known for him, and she’d have to do it willingly.
“We’ll provide that line,” confirmed Saul in a much gentler tone. “At least you’ll be able to say goodbye, and let them know you’re safe.”
Connor’s gaze darted to him, conveying his gratitude for Morrison’s consideration. “Is that all for now, Saul?” he asked, all too conscious that his kitten was right on the verge of emotional collapse.
Morrison nodded. “Sure,” he replied, rising from his desk. “Let’s meet again when you’re rested, and Molly has had more time to come to terms with what this means.”
Connor squeezed her hand, pulling his kitten to her feet. “Thank you,” he told the older man as he rounded the desk and patted Connor on the back in an almost paternal way. “We appreciate it.”
“Yes, thanks,” whispered Molly, her voice hoarse as she lifted her chin to meet Saul’s eyes. “I’m sorry I’m in such a state.”
“Don’t be,” Morrison told her calmly. “This is a massive change, and membership here is a big adjustment for anyone. Take some time, rest and let Connor spoil you. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Spoil her, thought Connor sardonically, as he led Molly from the large office. He was certainly going to be paying his kitten a lot of attention for the rest of the day, but he’d never thought about it that way before.
Chapter Thirty-Three
They were back in the elevator and down to Connor’s floor before Molly knew it. She’d been on the verge of losing it in Saul Morrison’s office, but it seemed the two men had saved her, and now Connor was ushering her back to the sanctuary of his room.
“I’m sorry, Master,” she told him with a sigh as they neared the entrance. “I know you’d inferred I’d have no contact with my family, but somehow, hearing it out loud up there. It was”—she hesitated, the emotion threatening to catch in her throat again—“too much.”
Connor’s large palm which was already encasing her own, squeezed lightly in response. “Saul was right,” he replied. “You have nothing to be sorry for, kitten. I just wanted to get you out of there, and get you back to us.”
She swallowed, lifting her chin to look into his face as they moved down the corridor. Something about his description just then had caught her attention more than usual, because it was so damn true. When it was just the two of them, ev
erything seemed easier—and harder—but life was ordered and had focus. Whatever he put her through, there was only that one thing to concentrate on. There had rarely been any outside interference at the house, and though Molly hadn’t appreciated it at the time, now she could see the value of Connor’s mastery. Connor’s intensity freed her mind, making it a quiet place where she could think only of him, and feel only for him. Nothing else mattered in those moments. Not her home, nor her family. Not even her writing.
The connection between them was the one certainty they both had now, and however crazy it might seem to everyone else, Molly was willing to risk it all for that feeling; that relentless, visceral energy.
“I want that, too,” she murmured as they reached his door. “I’m going crazy thinking about it. I just want it all to stop.”
Connor stilled, the key to his door still inserted in the lock. “I’ll make it stop, kitten,” he promised her. “I can make it all go away. At least for a few hours.”
He opened his arms out to Molly, and she went to him gladly, relishing the hard warmth of his body and that unbelievably sexy scent of Connor as it washed over her.
“Yes, please, Master,” she whispered, pulling in a shaky breath. “I’ll talk about it later, but I just can’t now.”
Connor was nodding as he turned his attention back to the waiting key, and pushed the door back to reveal the space she now called home. “Come on then,” he soothed, guiding her past his body. “Let’s do our thing, pet.”
Molly gasped at his words, her body reacting to them almost instinctively as she wandered into the room. It was downright scary, standing on the edge of all of this. The Syndicate sounded like an ominous organization at best, and yet they were to become her new friends and family, and even now, with Connor, she knew they were back on the brink. Not at the brink of destruction like before, but still, Molly swore she could sense the precipice. When they’d been here earlier on, he had threatened to punish her when they returned, and even though the low thrum in her body told her that was what she wanted, Molly was incredibly anxious as she stood on the edge of that promise. It had been nearly a year since he’d last laid a hand on her in that way, and while Molly had dreamed about his sadism for nearly every night since, stepping back into the wolf’s lair was no less a daunting prospect.
The sound of the key turning in the lock behind Molly, drew her focus back to Connor. She turned, meeting his eye as he tucked the key inside his hip pocket.
“Do you still need that spanking?” he asked in a low tone.
Molly gulped at the look of him. All of sudden, he seemed predatory again, his gaze dark and hungry as he approached. Yet, for all that, he had just asked her if she needed the pain, and that was a first. While he’d always looked for consent before sex, Connor had never wanted it before he’d delivered punishment.
“Yes, Master,” she answered in her own breathy tone. “But I’m a little scared.”
He took a step forward, closing the remaining distance between them. “Good,” he told her calmly. “We both know fear has the desired effect on you, don’t we, kitten?”
Connor reached out his hand, and brushed his digits lightly over her right cheek. Rather than flinch, Molly leaned into the contact, reveling in it, and wanting more. Much more.
“Yes, Master,” she admitted, conscious of her nipples beading under her clothes.
And they did know. Whenever Molly was afraid, she became more compliant and exponentially more aroused. It had infuriated her for many years, but her desire had also been her ally, making at least some of her treatment at Connor’s hands bearable in those early days.
“Good girl,” Connor soothed, his voice seemingly intentionally soft, yet somehow, the resonance still spoke directly to her clitoris.
He shifted, turning to the small table near the entrance where he’d left her collar. Retrieving the soft leather, he flexed the two ends between his hands as he returned.
“Ready?” he asked again.
One word. One final get-out if she wanted it.
Molly drew in a deep breath, but her feet were already moving in his direction. “Yes, Master,” she told him boldly, meeting his gaze as she twisted the length of her dark hair into her fist and gave him the space he needed to wrap the collar back around her neck. Connor smiled as he did so, his touch gentle as he re-secured the leather in place.
“Strip for me,” he commanded in a low, husky tone. “Then down on the floor by the couch. I don’t have all your things here yet, but for now, we can improvise.”
She watched as he stalked away into the kitchen area, leaving her alone in the entrance. Molly’s heart was thundering by now, the realization of everything she had agreed to, landing on her like an explosion. She’d consented to this. She wanted it. She’d offered him her neck, for fuck sake, and now it was time to put her money where her mouth was.
“Kitten.” Connor’s voice startled her from her self-imposed trance, and she spun to follow the sound. “Did you not understand my orders?”
He sounded unimpressed, but calm, yet it was enough to get the adrenaline pumping around her body, and her limbs moving.
“Yes, Master,” she gasped, already working on the belt at her waist again. “I’m sorry.”
Connor leant on his elbows against the small, marbled counter watching her with a sardonic smile. Good, she thought as she whipped the sweater over her head again. He’s not really pissed at me.
“Hmmm,” he replied with just a hint of sarcasm in his tone. “I know it’s been a while, but you’re not helping yourself if you’re making me wait, kitten.”
Molly nodded, flinging the final fragments of her clothing into the small pile of garments, before she skipped across the luxurious carpet to the place Connor had indicated. When she reached the couch, she fell to her hands and knees, but not before her eyes had once more taken in the breathtaking view from the tinted window.
“Better,” he called from behind her. “But remember your posture. How did I teach you to wait for me?”
She responded wordlessly, shifting her body into his desired position without further prompting. Splaying her knees, she lowered her head into the deep fibers of the carpet, and arched her back. Molly knew what the view would be like from Connor’s perspective, and she hoped to God that after all this time, he liked it.
“Fuck, kitten,” he purred from the kitchenette. “I’d forgotten just how incredible you are.”
Molly inhaled at the compliment, allowing her eyes to fall shut as she waited. That was all she needed to do now. Just submit and wait. Obey and receive. Stop thinking and feel, and she could hardly wait. The sound of crockery behind her made her lids open again, but Molly didn’t move. She half wondered what he was doing, but only half. She wanted this sensation far more than she needed that knowledge.
“Good pet,” he cooed, and this time his voice was much closer. “I figure it’s been some time since we both ate, so I’ve ordered us some food. I hope Chinese is alright. I should probably have checked first, but this whole consensual thing is going to take a bit of getting used to.”
She sniggered into the carpet at that, and almost on command, her stomach began to growl. It had been hours since she’d eaten. The guy was freaking psychic. “I love Chinese food, Master,” she replied without raising her head. “Thank you.”
“Good,” he answered, and this time he was right on top of her. The deep pile of the carpet had meant Molly hadn’t heard his approach at all.
“It will take a few moments to arrive, and then we can eat. So, you, little kitten, can stay just as you are until it does, okay?”
Molly’s mind raced at the sound of his words. He’d ordered the food already? But how? He hadn’t left her side all day. “Yes, Master,” she responded breathlessly.
Whatever the answer was, she didn’t dare to query the fact. Given her current predicament, that would be really rather stupid, and anyway, as it turned out, she was hungry, and the prospect of eating at his
feet again was making her feel heady.
“And since you’re wondering, I’ll tell you.”
Molly moved her head in the direction of his voice, to find him now seated on the couch.
“We have a centralized kitchen in this building with some pretty amazing chefs,” he went on from beside her. “Food can be ordered from touch-screen controls in our rooms, and the meals will be delivered as soon as they’re ready.”
Wow, she mused, her mind struggling to keep up with the idea of live-in professional chefs. To a crap cook like Molly, the concept was heaven. She didn’t even query the fact that once again, Connor had been able to read her mind on the subject. It was just becoming normal now.
“Any other questions?” he asked, although of course, Molly hadn’t actually vocalized the first one.
“No, Master,” she conceded from her place on the floor. “Thank you.”
“Good,” he enthused. “You’re doing so well. Now, turn around for me, and let me see that gorgeous pussy and arse again.”
She blinked up at him as the words resounded around her, but from the floor, all she could really make out were his shoes and shins. Rising to her palms again, Molly met his eye with a small smile, before she complied, turning one hundred and eighty degrees to face toward the kitchen counter. Once she was in place, Molly fell back to the submissive stance they both relished so much.
“Fabulous,” Connor drawled from behind her. “Is that making you as wet as I am hard, pet?”
Molly bit her lip at his question. She knew without having to check just how right he was. Her pussy was already flooded with her arousal. “Yes, Master,” she admitted.
Entwined: (A Dark Romance Kidnap Thriller) (The Dark Necessities Trilogy Book 3) Page 16
