Dark Redemption

by Barron, Melinda

  He snorted and Shasta gave herself a mental pat on the back.

  “I want more money.”

  “I can get you five hundred more.” She stared at him as he shook his head.

  “I’m outta here.”

  “Please, Ruben. This is important to me. You have no idea how important.”

  He stood with his back to her for what seemed like forever. Finally, he turned back to her. “I’m only going to do this for so little money because we were friends in high school. I want that other five hundred. When can you get it to me?”

  “Early next week, after I get the information.”

  “Fine. What is it you want?”

  “The address of someone the state is hiding until the trial. His name is Joseph Black Hawk.”

  * * *

  “What size shoe do you wear?”

  Pablo’s voice came through loud and clear over the phone line, and yet Shasta still said, “What?” She was breathing heavily, having run from the front door to catch the phone before the caller hung up, hoping it was one of the sources she’d called that afternoon. When did I give him my telephone number?

  He repeated his request and she cleared her throat.

  “Nine.”

  “Width?”

  “Medium.” She cleared her throat again.

  “Shirt size? I’m thinking a one-X. Would I be right?”

  “It depends. Usually, yes. Why are you asking?”

  “Bra? Forty D?”

  “Double D,” Shasta said softly.

  “Lower body a size sixteen?”

  “Sometimes eighteen, depending on the pants.”

  “It’s not going to be pants, sweets. Don’t be late tomorrow.”

  He hung up and Shasta stared at the phone.

  “Good-bye to you, too,” she said with a sigh. She plopped down on the couch, wondering what this weekend would bring. She wanted to be bound, yes, and she wanted it to be with Pablo. But why was he asking about clothing?

  On ‘play days’, Thomas had made her stay naked. Surely, Pablo would be the same way. But his questions made her wonder. She sat up and picked up the package she’d bought that afternoon. A prepaid cell phone. She couldn’t afford a regular one, but she wanted the people she’d contacted that afternoon to have a way to reach her this weekend, in case they decided to talk.

  She would set up the phone tonight and call tomorrow morning to give out the number. It would take her just about an hour to get to Pablo’s house in Albuquerque, depending on the traffic. Best if she left around three-thirty, just to make sure she was on time. She didn’t want to add being late to her list of sins.

  For the thousandth time since Monday, she wondered what had possessed her to fasten a handcuff around Pablo’s wrist. Had she really thought that she’d find Vince and Lucia, and that they’d talk to her? She was trying to get her information the wrong way. These were law-abiding citizens who wouldn’t risk going to jail.

  Once she’d come to that realization, Shasta had decided on Plan B. Going to Ruben was risky, but hopefully it would work. Her friend had a respectable job at a computer firm and did his hacking on the side. She just hoped he was as good as she’d heard.

  Shasta had gone to the bank that morning and taken five hundred dollars from her savings account, leaving her only five hundred. She would have to take that out to give to Ruben when the job was over.

  Tracking down Joseph Black Hawk was dangerous, but since no one would talk to her, she had no choice. She knew that Joseph and his family were in hiding because Jaymes had threatened their lives. She was sure they would talk to her, and she would keep their location a secret. Like any good reporter, she was willing to go to jail before revealing a source, and that would include keeping Joseph’s location secret. Maybe, just maybe, she could get him to tell her what he knew, and that would lead to nailing Jaymes to the wall. If not, she had one other option that was more chancy, but would still get her desired results.

  She hated giving out the last of her money, and it was a long shot, really, that Ruben would be able to hack into a police computer. But if it worked, it might put her back on the path to a good story, and that would lead her back to the land of the living journalists.

  * * *

  Pablo’s house wasn’t what she expected. It was a small adobe structure, with lots of trees and a flowerbed that in warmer months would have lots of blooms. Shasta pulled into the driveway next to his truck and put her car into park.

  She was more than a little nervous about this weekend, but she had to face the consequences of her actions. She smiled to herself as she remembered the scene of Pablo chained to the wall.

  Bet that was a first. And though she might chuckle about it, she knew that he wouldn’t. If word got around Jaguars that it had happened, he’d be doubly mad, so she didn’t plan on mentioning it to anyone. She was sure that Master Chad wouldn’t, either.

  Once outside the car, she opened the back door and picked up the bag she’d packed. She wasn’t sure what she would need, but she’d brought a few changes of clothing, in case he decided to spend time in town, which was doubtful.

  She knocked on the screen door, peering inside the open door at the living room and waited.

  “Ven adentro, mi pequeño juguete.” His voice rang out and she shook her head. She stepped inside and found him sitting on the couch, clad in jeans and boots and a dark T-shirt. He looked dark and dangerously sexy.

  “Your toy?”

  “That’s right; you’re my little toy for the weekend. And I’m your Lord and Master. You will refer to me as my liege. Say it.”

  “Yes, my liege.” Her stomach turned over. It had been a long time since she’d submitted, and, despite her apprehension, she was very, very excited about the idea.

  “Very good. Now, I want you naked.”

  After setting down her case and purse, her fingers went to the buttons of her blouse. She’d worn a skirt, thinking he would like her in feminine clothing, since he’d made the comment last night about her not wearing pants. Obviously, he didn’t want to see her in anything. Unless he had clothing for her to wear, an idea that made her stomach churn more.

  “Slowly. I’m very visual. I like to watch. After you drop each piece of clothing, stop until I tell you to start again.”

  She shrugged out of the blouse and threw it toward a chair, her nerves jumping up one more notch. When he nodded his approval, she smiled.

  “Skirt next.”

  Her fingers went under the elastic waistband of the calf-length skirt, pushing it down so she could step out. She kicked off her flats and looked at him when he sighed.

  “Did I say you could take your shoes off?”

  “No, my liege.”

  “Put them back on.”

  “Yes, my liege.” She stuffed her feet back into the shoes and looked at him. He again gave her a look of approval.

  “Very nice. Now, your bra. Slowly.”

  She put her hands behind her back to grasp the clasp, pushing her breasts out further. A look of hunger appeared in his eyes, making her pussy clench and her nipples tighten further. She undid the hooks and let the garment fall. She’d never been ashamed of her body. Thomas had taught her not to be, and from the look on Pablo’s face right now, she didn’t need to be. She wanted to look down, toward his crotch to see if other parts of his body were reacting the same way, but she didn’t. She kept her gaze focused on his face.

  His gaze roamed over her breasts, as if taking in every inch of them. She stood still, enjoying his perusal. When he finally spoke again, his voice was husky with desire.

  “Now your panties.”

  She pushed them down gently, stepping out and spreading her legs slightly to give him a better view.

  “Very nice. You’re a good girl, knowing that you needed to shave last night. Or do you keep your pussy nice and bald?”

  “I keep it that way, my liege.”

  “Good.”

  He continued his perusal, his gaze
roaming over her body until Shasta began to fidget.

  “Stand still.”

  “It’s just been so long.”

  “Yes, but your time to submit is here now, so behave. Let me go over my rules with you. You belong to me this weekend and will obey me in all things. If something bothers you, you use your safe word. We’ll choose one when we get to the cabin.”

  “Yes, my liege.”

  “As I said, I’m visual, and I like to take things slowly. I expect you to stand still during that time. Plus, I like silence. It heightens the scene, arouses the senses. You will speak when you are spoken to. If you wish to ask a question, or make a comment, you will raise your hand. And you will wait to speak until I give you permission. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, my liege.”

  “Good. It’s a form of bondage, really. And I love bondage.”

  She smiled as he stood and walked into the other room. He was back seconds later, a collar stretched between his hands.

  “Kiss it.”

  She lowered her head to it and did as he told her. When she lifted her head he placed the collar around her neck and fastened it, a large D-ring in the front. He pulled a leash from his pocket and attached it to the ring.

  “You will remain silent until I say so, understand?”

  She nodded and he wrapped the leash around his fingers. She was surprised at the length of it. Most leashes she’d seen for BDSM play were shorter, to keep the sub close to their Dom/Domme.

  “You may take your shoes off now.” When she’d done so, he nodded. “Follow me.”

  He led her down the hall, stopping to open the second door on the right. Once inside her eyes widened. It was a stocked dungeon, with tables and chairs for bondage and equipment hanging from the walls. Her gaze wandered the room, trying to take it all in. Her gaze passed by, then flickered back to a table that held articles of clothing.

  Oh, crap. He does have things for me to wear.

  He led her to the table and attached her leash to a hook that was on the edge.

  “Presents,” he said softly. “Boots, a skirt, and a top. All in leather. Your outfit for the weekend, unless you’re naked for a bondage session, or if we go somewhere else. Sit on the edge of the table and put the boots on.”

  She sat down. The table was metal, and very cold against her backside. Her eyes widened when she picked up the first boot. It was long, and would probably hit her mid-thigh. The shiny leather boots laced up the sides, but had a zipper on the inside to make them easy to get into and out of. The five-inch heels made Shasta’s mind reel.

  She put her hand in the air and Pablo shook his head. “You may not speak. Put them on.”

  She unzipped it and pushed her foot into the shoe portion. It fit like a glove.

  So much for the excuse they don’t fit.

  She zipped it up, the leather cold on her legs, her leash pulling against its hook as she moved.

  When she had the second boot on, she lifted her gaze to his.

  “Very good. Stand up and let me see.”

  She wobbled on the heels and put her hands on the table to steady herself.

  His laugh was soft, and not meant to embarrass her, she could tell.

  “You’ll be used to them by Monday. You look very sexy. Now the skirt.”

  She picked it up and examined it. It was short and split up the front. She stepped into it and zipped it up, praying that she didn’t fall off the heels as she moved. The split was right over her pussy, giving him easy access if he wanted it.

  At his order, she stood again. He stepped back to look her over and she took advantage of the moment to study his crotch. She could see his cock straining against his jeans. She wanted to see it now, wanted him to take her before they left for the cabin, but she knew it wouldn’t be that easy. He wanted to excite her now and make her wait. “Now the top.”

  It was a halter top, with the neck part snapping in the back. Pablo stood back and watched her as she examined it, his perusal making her nervous.

  Finally, she wrapped it around her body, hooking the zipper in the front and pulling it up. It was tight, and it pushed her breasts together. She took a deep breath to fasten the two halves together but once it reached her breasts, it would go no further. She slipped her hands down the front to shift her breasts, giving her room to close the zipper. She lifted the two parts of the halter top behind her neck and snapped them together.

  The top gave almost no cover to her chest. Her nipples hovered at the edge of the material, which gaped in the middle. One little move and they might plop out for the entire world to see.

  “Delicioso y muy caliente. Muy, muy caliente.”

  She nodded her thanks. She hadn’t been called hot in years.

  He kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes. Who would have thought this would have happened? I’m a leather-clad bondage woman for Pablo Acosta.

  “Now, someone needs a spanking. A hard one, don’t you think?”

  She bit her lip, but nodded. He caressed her cheek, his thumb tracing her lip.

  “Say, ‘I need a spanking, my liege’.”

  “I need a spanking, my liege.” The words made her stomach roil.

  “Repeat after me. ‘Please punish me for being a bad girl, my liege’.”

  Shasta swallowed her pride. “Please punish me for being a bad girl, my liege.”

  “‘A very bad girl’.” His fingers continued to caress her face, the sensations making her tremble.

  “A very bad girl, my liege.”

  He stepped back, an evil glint in his eyes. She watched him as he walked to the wall, running his fingers over several floggers that hung from their hooks. He picked one out and flicked it through the air, the sound making her flinch.

  “Do you like this one?” He gave her an enquiring glance.

  “Um. Yes, my liege?” It looked painful and she licked her lips.

  “No. I think not.” He hung it back up and selected another one. “What about this one? It has knots on the end of the lashes. Nice and stimulating.”

  His hissing noise made her shiver and she shook her head. “No. Please, Pablo. Not that one.”

  “You’re right.” He hung it back up. “I’ve always found that, for a good old-fashioned spanking, you need a good old-fashioned tool, to remind someone that this is punishment, and not for fun.”

  He turned to her and unbuckled the belt he was wearing, and she shook her head again.

  “No. Please.” She hated the belt. Hated the sting that accompanied it. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you; you have to know that. I didn…”

  She stopped speaking when he held up a hand.

  “Did you hold up your hand? Did I give you permission to speak?” He pulled the belt from its loops and doubled it over in his hands.

  She shook her head.

  “Do you want to stop playing? Do you want to take the public spanking at Jaguars?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Turn around.” His deep, authoritative command made her shiver and she immediately obeyed him.

  “I know you’ve been spanked before. Get into the proper position.”

  Shasta tucked the back of the skirt into the waistband, baring her behind. She took several steps back, then bent slightly, putting her hands on the table for support. She spread her legs and waited.

  “Back up until the leash is tight.”

  She did as he said, her heart beating wildly. It had been so long since she’d been spanked, and the image of Pablo, the belt in his hand, made her quiver. She wasn’t sure if it was from fear, or anticipation.

  He stepped up next to her and trailed the belt over her bare bottom. She jerked, expecting her reaction to bring about a demand for stillness, but none came. When he spoke again, his voice was steely with anger, and right next to her ear. His breath was hot on her neck.

  “Don’t you ever, ever do anything to me like you did on Monday night. Do you understand me?”

  “Yes, my liege.”

&
nbsp; She swallowed a groan when he bit her earlobe, just hard enough to send a jolt of pain through her body. He licked the place he’d bitten; then he stepped back, and let the belt fly across her behind.

  This time the groan escaped, and just as the sting had started to fade, he landed another lash, right on top of where the first one had landed. A third one turned her groan into a harsh cry. She knew better than to beg him to stop, beg him to make three enough. It would just make the spanking that much harder.

  After he’d delivered two more swats, he stepped up and placed his lips against her ear again.

  “You’ll count the remaining strokes, begging to be forgiven, and asking for another. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, my liege.”

  “Let me hear it.”

  “Please forgive me for being bad. Please, my liege, may I have another?” She wanted to ask how many more times he was going to swat her ass with the leather, but she knew better. The five swats had made her burn. If she questioned him, he might increase the number and make the trip to Chama very, very uncomfortable.

  When the leather landed again, she repeated the words. She’d barely had them out before the second one came, and a third, and a fourth.

  The seventh swat made her cringe, and instead of repeating her mantra, she cried out.

  “Please, my liege. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I’m sorry I was bad.”

  The leather was smooth as he ran it over her ass.

  “That’s what I wanted to hear.” His voice was soft and almost felt like a caress. “That’s the first time you’ve said you’re sorry.”

  She shivered when he kissed her shoulder.

  “Three more.”

  “No. Please, Pablo. No. I mean, my liege. Please, it hurts.”

  “It’s supposed to hurt. It’s punishment. I was in that handcuff for five minutes. You get two swats for every minute. The first five were for a warm-up. You have three more to go.”

  He licked her shoulder up to the leather halter, then kissed her neck. “Say it again.”

  “I’m sorry, my liege. I’m so sorry.” Tiny tears snaked from her eyes.

  “Good girl. We’re almost done. After this it’s nothing but pleasure and submission, all weekend. Understand?”