by Linzi Basset
“Oh my.” Alexa blinked in awe as she stared at the bright red leather harness corset and hoop skirt.
“Master Fox has a very seductive mind when it comes to kink clothes. I daresay, the items he described he wants for you, fit you perfectly.” She gestured up and down her frame. “Your body, curves, and coloring … you’re going to stand out, that’s for sure.”
“Hopefully, there’s more to that outfit than those few strips of leather.”
Mira laughed. “Oh, there are, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up too much if I were you.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“Is there a reason we’re meeting in private and not at BSE?” Kane asked the moment Shane joined him and Zeke at the Hogfish Bar and Grill, an open-air seafood eatery with a relaxed atmosphere on Stock Island, Key West.
“I went with Danton yesterday to have the tests done.”
“From your expression, I assume it’s not good news,” Zeke said dully. Danton had been part of his life as far back as he could remember. He had been a second father to him over the years. Danton had been the one who had saved Zeke from making the biggest mistake of his life at the tender age of eighteen. He had spent his entire life paying him back for that. Along with Ace, they had refused to believe that Danton had died in that explosion.
“It’s good and bad. At least we know what’s wrong.” Shane briefly explained the specialist’s findings and the way forward.
“So, if he doesn’t do the operation, he could die and if he does, there’s also a chance he could die?” Zeke was visibly struggling with the news.
“He has a seventy percent chance of success, little brother. That’s what I prefer to concentrate on. I refuse to think negatively. We need to support Danton in any way we can.”
“You don’t need to tell us that, Shane. We all love him and would do everything we can to be there for him. I hope he knows that,” Kane said urgently.
“He does.” Shane sipped on his drink as he stared out to sea. “You know, among all this, his biggest concern is President Grayson. It took a lot of convincing to make him realize he’s not alone and that we would protect him just as well.”
“In other words, he has to have the operation urgently?”
“Yes, Zeke. The danger if he doesn’t could be fatal or lead to permanent brain damage.” Shane stretched out his legs. “Grayson is at a pineapple plantation he owns on Rum Cay Island.”
“Rum Cay? Why the hell don’t I know about that?” Kane straightened.
“No one does. Not even Ace. It’s always been his private sanctuary and because no one knows, it was the safest place he could hide the president.” Shane looked at them. “Danton is a very private man; we all know that. It took a lot out of him to tell me about it. So, it’s up to us to keep Grayson safe. It was on his request that we don’t tell everyone. I suppose in some way, he’d like to keep his true home secret from the world out there.”
“We’re his family, for fuck’s sake,” Zeke burst out.
“Which is why it’s only the three of us and Ace that’ll know. Danton is telling him today. The drainage operation is scheduled for next week. If it doesn’t offer the required results, they will immediately perform the surgery. We need to set up a protection schedule between the four of us on Rum Cay Island.
“What do we tell Stone and the rest?” Kane shifted in his chair. “I can understand his need for secrecy but we’ve learned over the years we’re strongest as a team, Shane.”
“Stone never questioned where Danton hid Grayson. He respected his need to keep it a secret. He’ll extend the same courtesy to us.” He finished his drink. “Don’t worry, he’s not planning on keeping the surgery a secret or that we’ll be taking over the president’s care.”
“On the one hand, it’s a good strategy. At least that way we stand a better chance to keep Grayson alive,” Zeke said. “So, is there anything I need to do from a cyber perspective?”
The next thirty minutes were spent discussing strategy and setting up a rotating timetable.
“What is the timeframe on the sting we planned at Rebecca Lomas’ property on Block Island?” Kane gestured another round of drinks at the server.
“We were waiting on confirmation whether Grayson remembered seeing her on the boat. Now that we have it, Stone is setting everything in play for Thursday. It’ll give us time to have another go at David Yale.” Shane’s voice was coated with frustration. “I’m interested to see his expression when we tell him we’re on our way there. I’m hoping you and Parker will have found intel on his kids by that time as well.”
“Working on it, big brother, but one thing I have to give SPEONUS, they have the best IT specialists working for them. They have definitely tightened up their systems. We’re struggling to crack their new firewall.”
“Keep at it.” Shane’s phone buzzed as he bit into a juicy chicken wing that the server had just placed on the table.
“Better get that, old timer. Whoever it is, seems mighty insistent to talk with you,” Zeke said as his cell started ringing again.
Shane mumbled irritably as he dug it out of his pocket. “Yes,” he snapped once he’d activated the call.
“Not a very engaging way to answer a call, darling.”
Shane froze. He stared at the phone but didn’t recognize the number. The voice on the other hand brought a vile taste to his mouth.
“What do you want?”
“Oh come on, Shane! It’s been over twenty years. Surely you can’t still harbor anger towards me?”
“I’m sure you didn’t call me to chit-chat, Rita. What do you want?”
“I was hoping we could meet. I have … there’s something I need to ask you.”
“My time is precious and I don’t have any to spare for the likes of you. Spit it out or not. I don’t particularly care either way.”
Shane had long ago forgiven Rita for disgracing their marriage with her actions. It had taken him longer to rid himself of the guilt for the part he’d played in their failed marriage, especially once he’d learned that she had been seeing the bastard she’d betrayed him with for months before he’d found out. That he was a sadist without a conscience was the final clincher in him realizing he had nothing to feel guilty about. Rita had clearly been playing him the whole time. Used him because of his money while she’d indulged in scenes Shane himself would never have expected from her … since she’d played him like a fiddle, pretending to be scared of his sadistic side.
“I’m in a bind, darling, and you’re … I know you’ll help me.”
“Then you’re even more delusional than I had believed all those years ago. I don’t owe you anything, Rita. Not anymore … I haven’t since the day I walked away from you.”
“I’m broke, Shane! Please, you have to help me or I’ll end up on the streets.”
Shane burst out laughing. “I can’t say I’m surprised. I’m actually amazed that it took you this long to burn through the thirty million dollars I gave you.”
“Thirty million to the billions you had, yes! I was your wife! I should’ve gotten half of everything,” she shrieked.
“Your memory seems to be fading, my dear ex-wife. We had a prenup, which you insisted on. I didn’t have to pay you a penny and yet I made sure you had enough money to last you a lifetime, even if you lived extravagantly. Ah, let me guess. It was your lover that sponged off you. Is he also the one listening in on the conversation, spurring you on to try and get under my skin?” Shane’s voice turned grating. “You made one mistake, Rita. I’m not the man I used to be. Your plight means shit to me. If you end up on the street it’s your own doing. Take responsibility for your own shortcomings. Don’t play the damsel in distress with the hope of sparking sympathy or empathy from me. You don’t deserve either. I’m not giving you another dollar.”
“I’m begging you! You have to—”
“I don't have to do anything. You’ve got my answer. Don’t contact me again.”
He abruptly ended the call. “Fucking bitch,” he grumbled as he slipped his cell phone into his pocket.
“I’m glad to see you’re not harboring guilt about her anymore,” Kane said.
“I realized long ago I have nothing to feel guilty about. She used me and I was too wracked by self-reproach for not telling her I was a sadist and had certain expectations from her to realize it. The only thing that kept me from pursuing another permanent relationship since Rita was fear of making the same mistake again. Of being cuckolded again. The next time I became serious about a woman, I wanted to be one hundred percent certain she was the right one for me … in all aspects of her life.”
“Ah, so that’s why you took so long with Alexa,” Zeke said. “I often wondered about it, since everyone can see you two are perfect for each other.” He laughed. “For one thing, she’s not scared of you. In fact, I think she’s probably the only woman on The Seven Keys Island that doesn’t feel a fizzle of fear spike through her when you walk into the dungeon.”
“Not that I understand why,” Shane said with a frown. “It’s not as though I’ve shown my true sadistic self to any of them.”
“Exactly, brother dear. It’s that hint which shined through that scared the living shit out of them. You forget, the subs of Castle Sin are all well-trained and they’re experienced enough to know there’s a wild beast lurking behind that evil sparkle in your eyes. Besides, they’ve seen and been subjected to you during punishments. That alone is enough even for the masochists among them to walk wide circles around you.”
“Hmm,” he mumbled. “It still remains to be seen if Alexa will survive our first real scene in the dungeon.”
“I can’t wait to watch. Especially if you intend to use some sort of impact tool,” Kane interjected.
“Oh, I have a couple in mind, of that you can rest assured.”
If Alexa had seen the demon grin on his lips at the vision forming in his mind, she would’ve turned tail and ran.
As far from Castle Sin as she could.
Chapter Thirteen
“Bastard!” Rita slammed the cell phone on the table. “He fucking hung up on me.”
She glanced fearfully at Drake but relaxed when he ignored her to dial a number on his cell. “And?” he barked as soon as the call was answered. A smile split open his face. “Are you sure?”
Rita jumped in fright as his fist cracked on the table followed by a gruff shout of excitement. “Good work, my friend. Now that we know where he is, find out everything about him. Where he lives, who he hangs out with. I want it all.”
“What was that all about?” she asked petulantly as he ended the call and kicked back the Lazy Boy recliner. A self-satisfied smirk turned him into a sinister devil.
“Don’t pout, little darling. You did well. You kept him on the phone long enough for my gambling buddy at the FBI to trace the call. Your beloved ex-husband is in Key West—the playpen of the rich and famous.”
“So what? He’s made it abundantly clear that he owes me nothing. He’s not going to fall for any story we spin, Drake.”
“If I wasn’t in such a good mood, your disrespect would’ve been corrected accordingly. Just leave it to me. I know what I’m doing. All you need to do is play along like the good little slut you are and do what I tell you.” He pointed at the laptop on the counter. “Now, be productive and book plane tickets for us to Key West. I want to be there tomorrow at the latest.”
“Drake, this is a mistake. Shane …” Her hands fluttered in the air. “He’s a different man than the one I knew. Just listening to his voice … he scares me.”
“Then you wonder why I still keep you around.” His lips pursed in disgust as he looked her up and down. “What happened to that cruel, demanding bitch who dished out pain as much as she demanded it for herself. You’ve become a shell of the woman I used to admire. The one who fed my desires and excitement with your ability to break the strongest masochist. That was the only thing that attracted me to you … and without it … you’ve become a weakling that disgusts me.” He leaned forward. “Get your shit together and show me that spunk again, bitch … or …”
The threat hung heavy in the atmosphere but said it all. Drake wouldn’t hesitate to kick her to the curb. It was the one thing that scared the hell out of her. She hadn’t been alone, not ever, in her life. The prospect of being out in the cold with no one to care for her and feed the masochistic needs in her to reach fulfillment within herself through pain, left her going weak and struggling to breathe.
“You know why I don’t … why I can’t ... “
“Spare me the theatrics. Those whores deserved what they got. You, my darling, were magnificent then … If you’re not careful, I’ll have to start searching for a replacement for you, but I’m willing to give you one last chance. Prove to me that the sadist inside you is still there and willing to feed the hunger in mine.” His eyes glimmered. “Just like you did with our little sub that night ten years ago … hahaha … you played right into my hands, Rita. Actually, you exceeded my expectations. I knew you were going to give it to her hard but almost killing her … now that came as a surprise.”
“Drake, please. I don’t want to be reminded—”
“That’s what I want from you, what I always wanted. That and nothing else. If you fail … let’s just say you, my darling whore, will be the one your replacement will use as practice to prove his or her worth to me.” His face turned grim. “Now book those fucking tickets and then make me something to eat. I’m fucking starving.”
Sunset Key Cottages, Key West …
“We can’t afford this place, Drake,” Rita bleated as she walked around the luxurious seaside cottage. It seemed she was always the one counting dollars everywhere they went while he continued to splurge the little that was left.
“We’re exactly where we need to be. It seems Shane owns one of these cottages, as does his cousin Stone.” He cracked a laugh. “Imagine the surprise if we run into him in a day or two?”
“By that time we won’t have two pennies left to rub together!”
“Stop your whining. Why come to Key West if you can’t have some fun and live a good life?” He pinched her chin in a tight grip. “Besides, you’re gonna make sure your ex is going to make our money problems disappear, right?”
“I told you before we left that it's not going to happen. Why don’t you listen to me? Don’t you get it, Drake? Shane didn’t have to give me a penny and yet he did. He doesn't owe me shit and after the humiliation he suffered at that club, he’s not going to have any sympathy for me being destitute all these years later.” She stepped out of his grasp. “I already tried, he said no. Being here isn’t going to change that.”
“I disagree. He married you and he loved you once. He might have said no over the phone, but believe me, coming face to face with you is gonna be a completely different pound of fish.” He smirked as he opened a bottle of beer and swallowed it down. “Oh yeah, baby. He’s gonna pay, even if it’s only to get you the hell out of his hair.” He gestured toward the room. “Make yourself useful and unpack our bags. You know I hate clutter.”
Rita dragged their luggage to the main bedroom. She was wasting her breath trying to make him see reason. In retrospect, she should never have caved in and given him access to her bank accounts. At the time, she’d been completely under his spell, basking in the power his dependence on her sadomasochism gave her. It had taken her many years to realize it had only been a ploy to get access to her money and proceed to tap her dry.
It was too late now to cry over spilled milk. What was done was done.
“Is it too late, Rita? Really too late? You still have time to make amends for all the bad things you did in life.” She listened to the raw suffering in her voice. Her hands were trembling as she covered her face. “But you’ll never be able to do that with Drake Lambert at your side.”
It wasn’t the first time she’d considered walking away, but she’d never been brave enough. He’d b
een treating her like dirt for years … ever since the submissive he’d molded to his desires had managed to escape. It was as though he was blaming her … no matter that he had been the one who had orchestrated the entire scene.
“He might have been the maestro, Rita, but you were the one who …” She clenched her hands and rocked back and forth. Since she wasn’t a natural sadist, she’d never learned to control the beast inside her. Bloodlust was the cruelest taskmaster ever. Once ignited, nothing and no one could stop it. Drake knew that and he used hers against her to feed his own deviant need for pleasure at the hand of another’s pain and degradation. He found more pleasure in watching it being dished out than doing it himself. He was the puppet master … pulling the strings and directing every act, every debauchery, and cruel move with precision … and one aim. To give the most pain. Always to the edge of … of killing.
She had lost count of how many times she'd been shocked out of the trance she was in during those scenes to realize she’d almost killed the sub. The path behind her was littered with women who had never recovered from the cruelty. Many had committed suicide in the wake of the scars she’d left them with. Others ended in psychiatric wards, unable to move past the experience. Very few had managed to turn their lives around and live normally again.
“That’s why he hates me. He resents me that she had the opportunity to escape him while at the hospital.” She was the one that got away before he reached the kind of pleasure he thrived on … watching a submissive gasp for breath as the life force slowly started to drizzle from her body. It’s a wonder they all survived. They had always gone too far. “And now he demands it again.” She heaved in a deep breath. “God! Not again. I can’t allow myself to sink that low ever again.”
“Get your ass out here, Rita. We’ve got a guest.”
