“Are you okay, little one?” Sitting in his usual chair in the corner of the room, Hark glanced up from the laptop resting on his legs. The steady almost silent clack of keys should’ve been a welcome distraction, but instead each muted ping put him further on edge.
“Not really.” Bryan slowly stood and paced over to the window. He stared out over the lake and tried to reassure himself that his relationship with Diachi wasn’t changing for the worse. But this morning, he’d heard something he’d never heard in Diachi’s voice before. Possessiveness.
“Was I too rough last night?” Hark’s hands settled over his shoulders as the man pressed his front to Bryan’s back.
He shook his head, the scent of Hark’s cologne tempting him. More than anything he wanted to turn and embrace his Sir. For the first time in a long time, he felt vulnerable and uncertain of his place in his relationship with his master.
“Then what has you in a funk this morning? You shut down on our way to work. If it’s the issue with the attack and the sabotage, we’ll have it —”
“Excuse me, Bryan?” Sharonda’s voice came from the doorway.
Bryan drew a huge sigh of relief, as Hark stepped back. “What is it, Shar?”
“You asked me to let you know when everyone arrived. Your uncle and Easton are waiting in Conference Room A. And Mr. Larson and Mr. Levough from Larson Securities have arrived along with Mr. Tierney. Marius just called to let me know they’ll be up shortly.”
“Thank you, Shar. Please let everyone know I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He forced a smile until she left. Then his smile fell. “I’ll be so glad when this is over. Perhaps I need to take some time off. Go someplace warm and sunny.” He walked back to his desk, and gathered up the file folders on it. “Shall we?”
Hark frowned. “Something’s going on with you, little one, and don’t think for a moment I won’t figure it out.”
The determination in his Sir’s voice nearly sent him into a panic. “Later. Let’s get this over with.”
Hark tipped Bryan’s face up to his. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
Then Hark pressed a kiss against his lips, effectively cutting off any protest Bryan might have had.
* * * *
“Thank you for all coming,” Bryan addressed the people at the long conference table. On his left, Corbin and Easton sat stiffly. Both looked uncomfortable. On the right, Jude and Jackson were relaxed as they pulled out several file folders from a sleek attaché case they’d brought with them. It seemed weird to see either of the men in khaki’s and polo shirts. He was used to seeing them in leather and little else. At the opposite end of the table, Hark and Marius were sitting with their heads together, while Kieffer Tierney leaned against the wall.
“Okay, you got us all here. What’s so damned important you felt the need to pull everyone into the office like kids?” Corbin drummed his fingers on the table.
“Excuse me, but didn’t you tell me the last time we discussed this, I needed to either figure out who was behind it all, or drop the Wheaton-Free line?”
His uncle harrumphed. “Well, let’s get on with it.”
“Indeed.” He nodded toward Hark. “After the attack on my assistant, I asked Hark to look into the incident. He tells me he has news to report. Mr. Akula?”
Hark nodded. “Thank you. I’ll make this brief. After the attack, I studied the security tapes of the morning we found Ms. Williams on the floor.”
Next to him, Sharonda shifted in her chair. Bryan patted her knee in an effort to comfort her.
“And?” Kieffer stirred from his position by the wall.
“And, the fact remains, unless Casper the Ghost did the attacking, Ms. Sharonda deliberately hurt herself.” Reaching into the manila folder in front of him, he tugged out several papers.
Hurt built inside of Bryan. Had his Sir lied to him? “But…you told me my uncle or Easton were the only ones spotted outside my office.”
“Indeed they were. But they never went into your office. They passed by it. Easton because he was coming down from his apartment, and Corbin…” Hark focused his attention on the older man. “Would you like to explain why you were in the hall that day?”
Corbin frowned. “Sharonda called me and told me Bryan wished to speak to me. When I got there she…” He shifted uncomfortably. “She wanted to resume our former relationship. I refused.”
Bryan removed his hand. “You didn’t mention you’d spoken with my uncle that morning. Nor did the footage record your meeting.” A sinking feeling built in the pit of his stomach.
She fidgeted. “I don’t know why it didn’t.”
“I do.” Jackson stood and tossed a folder in front of Bryan. “The recording was on a loop. It was spliced together from several previous tapes – very poorly in fact.”
Kieffer pushed away from the wall. “There’s no possible way for you tell that. The security feed is digitalized.”
Jackson arched an eye brow at him. “Of course I can. Unlike certain investigators in this room, the ink on my license is more than dry, and I’ve spent nearly fifteen years doing recon.”
Jude smiled. “In other words, he knows his shit. Things like digital markers and spoofed IP addresses. So if he says the video feed is fake, it’s fake. And since it was loaded off a proxy server owned by Tierney Investigations, then I say you have a slimy investigator who’s playing for the opposite team.”
“You can’t fucking prove it.” Kieffer glared at them. “In fact, I’m going to sue your asses.” Then he stormed out of the conference room. Marius keyed the mic on his shoulder. “Front desk? Detain Mr. Tierney for hacking our security system. Then call the police.”
There was a burst of static. “Copy that.”
Bryan squeezed his nose. “Dammit. If that wasn’t the correct feed, we have no concrete evidence on who attacked Sharonda.”
Hark sighed, his gaze cool. “Yes, we do. I have statements from Sharonda’s surgeon. They state the only way her injuries could’ve occurred is if they were self-inflicted.”
Next to him, Sharonda sputtered. “You honestly think I broke my collarbone myself, then managed to knock myself unconscious? I’m talented, but not that talented.”
“Talent has nothing to do with it.” He held up a manila folder. “In here, I have sworn testimony from the specialist you used for your operation. He states due to the angle and depth of the break, the only way it could’ve occurred was if you bent at the waist then threw yourself against something hard and about waist high.” His eyes narrowed. “Like the granite counter of Bryan’s wet bar. Earlier this morning, I dusted for fingerprints on the underside of the bar. Imagine my surprise when I found both a right and a left thumbprint belonging to you.”
Pain ripped through Bryan’s chest at the thought of his assistant’s betrayal. “Why would you deliberately hurt yourself?”
“Because she needs money and lots of it,” Jude answered for her. “I’m sorry to be the one to break to this to you, Bryan, but your sweet dear assistant is swimming in debt. Not only are her credit cards maxed out, she also likes to play the ponies. She’s lost tens of thousands at the Empress. That doesn’t include the five casinos she’s been banned from due to card counting.”
“So you faked your attack?” Bryan struggled to breathe. “What good would that do?”
A sad smile crossed Sharonda’s face. “You were talking about bringing in Larson Securities. Unlike darling Kieffer, who was all too easy to seduce, the fact is Larson Security has a sterling reputation. There was no chance I’d be able to corrupt any of their investigators.” She rolled her shoulders, and set her pen and tablet on the conference desk. “I couldn’t risk it. They would’ve found out about the payout Health Market was offering me to postpone the Wheaton-Free line. All they needed was an extra six months to get their version through testing and trials and beat Sterling Foods to market.” She sighed. “I’m sorry it had to come down to this, Bryan. You’ve always been a great friend.”
Holding onto his control was hard, but Bryan managed. “You mean sucker. You’re fired.” He stood as two uniformed officers appeared in the door. “Officers, please take Ms. Williams into custody. I wish to press charges against her. By taking a bribe, she’s not only in breach of contract, but she’s also responsible for nearly half a million dollars’ worth of damage when she shut off the research freezers.”
“Of course, Mr. Sterling. You’ll have to come down to the police station to file the charges.”
Bryan shoved his hands in his pockets. “Absolutely.”
* * * *
Hark shut the door behind him as he followed Bryan into his office. The slumped line of his little one’s shoulders had him wanting to gather his submissive close, but the ‘don’t touch me’ vibes were even stronger. He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m sorry, Bryan.”
A bittersweet laugh escaped Bryan as he stopped by his desk. “It’s not your fault I’m a lousy fucking judge of character.” He started shoving folders into his briefcase.
“I didn’t say that.” Hark watched him warily. He didn’t like this at all.
“You don’t have to.” He slammed his brief case down on the desk. “I should’ve known better than to hire her. I knew she’d been charged with embezzlement. But I thought when they were dropped, she was innocent.”
“No, it means you see the good in everyone. There’s not a damned thing wrong with that.” Hark folded his arms.
Bryan gave a half-hearted chuckle. “It means I’m a gullible fool.” He snapped the case shut. “I need to get out of here.”
Hark nodded. “Fine, let me take you home. After the day you’ve had, you shouldn’t be driving.”
Bryan shook his head. “No. I’m going to a hotel for the night. I need to decompress.”
Keeping his tone even, Hark prayed for patience. “When will you be coming home? I can understand if you need to get away with everything that’s happened today, but I think it’ll be easier if Master and I were there for you.”
Bryan shrugged. “I can’t handle ‘us’ right now. I need to decide if I want to be around you and Diachi.”
Hark froze as what Bryan was implying, sank in. Diachi, not Master. “Want to be around us?” He raked his hand through his hair. “We’re your lovers. We’re supposed to support you in times of need.”
Bryan pivoted, as he shut off his cell phone. “No, I was a buffer between you two. Now that you’ve found each other again–”
“Don’t you even go there.” Hark had had enough, and caught Bryan’s arm, swinging him around. “Diachi loves you. I care deeply about you.”
“Stop!” The sudden anger in Bryan’s tone sent relief through Hark. A fighting Bryan he could handle. “I fucking heard you this morning. You need Master. I understand that. It’s great you’ve finally let someone in. But it’s too fucking bad you couldn’t be happy with sharing him.”
A growl built in his throat. “Boy, you’re coming precariously close to being bent over my knee. I don’t know what you thought you heard, but…”
“You said you’d die without him. Not without us. Diachi considers you his because of your damned tattoo.” Bryan’s cheeks flushed. “But all I have is a measly collar.”
Instead of justifying Bryan’s accusation, he hauled the man up against him. Slamming his mouth down over Bryan’s, he claimed his sub the only way he knew how. At first, Bryan struggled against his hold, but Hark was both determined and stronger. Bryan was his. He wouldn’t let his little one run. Finally Bryan went limp in his embrace, and a low sound of anguish escaped him. Keeping their mouths sealed together as he kissed his lover within an inch of his life, Hark spun around and sank into Bryan’s chair.
When he finally lifted his head, they were both panting, his cock was hard and tears spiked Bryan’s lashes. “I’m only going to tell you this once: if you ever dare threaten to leave me again, I’ll more than tan your ass. You’re just as much a part of me as Master is. You’re his gift to me.” He threaded his hands through Bryan’s curls. “There was a reason Diachi and I didn’t make it the first time around.” He pressed their noses together. “We didn’t have you. You with your quirky sense of humor and bratty behavior. You’ve never been the buffer. You’ve been the glue holding us together.”
Hope shone in Bryan’s eyes. “I have?”
“Yes.” He rubbed their noses together. “You were the brave soul who stepped into the shadows, you were also the same guy who negotiated my stay. Hell, you even put up with my temper when I struggled with my need to submit. Then you did something I’ll never be able to thank you enough for. You sent our Master after me. You didn’t get jealous or throw a tantrum. You wanted what was best for me.” He sighed. “Now I want what’s best for you.”
“And what’s that?” A bit of the imp had returned to Bryan’s voice.
“Me. Master.” He slipped his hand down to cup Bryan’s ass, then began to knead the taut muscle. “Also a tattoo on this ass proclaiming we’re yours. You say it bothers you that you don’t have one? Then get one. Just be prepared for Master’s reaction.”
Bryan licked his lips. “You think he’ll go all ‘caveman’ on me like he did with you this morning?”
Hark nodded. “Oh, yes. He’ll consider you his, lock, stock, and barrel. So think about it hard, and if you still want it, I’ll sneak you out of the house and we’ll have it done.”
Bryan laid his head down on Hark’s chest. “God, I love you, Sir.”
Hark’s hand froze before resuming his caresses. “Thank God. Just give me time. I’ll get there.”
Bryan plucked at his shirt. “Only if you promise to paint our playroom.”
A weary chuckle escaped Hark. “Ever the negotiator.”
“You bet your ass. My heart comes with a high price.” The words were whispered against his shirt.
“One which I’ll gladly pay.” And he would, because he was fast losing his heart to the man on his lap.
Epilogue
Four Months Later – Early May
The sight of his two submissives bent over the chest in the corner of the room they shared with him was a welcome one. Diachi leaned against the wall as Bryan rooted around inside the cedar box, his well-defined ass on display in his slacks. Lord only knew what the man was after. Next to him Hark knelt, the dark lettering of his tattoo standing out against his bronzed skin. The ever- familiar braid ran down between his shoulder blades and was beyond tempting. Diachi had to remind himself they had a play date in less than an hour, and he still needed to clean up from his trip. What had he been thinking to have not only Micah, Jude, and Olivia over tonight, but Caelan and Nisey as well?
“Ah, ha! I found it. I thought I'd seen another one in here. Do you think Master will let you wear it tonight?”
Seeing the worn piece of leather that had been his companion over the years cradled in Bryan’s hand, Diachi had a flashback of how it had once looked when wrapped around Hark’s throat.
“I have no idea.” The stiffness in his stance belied Hark’s casual reply. “Diachi has never spoken of a need to see me collared.”
Had he missed something as important as Hark’s wish for a collar? That his koibito might actually want to wear something symbolizing his submission? Suddenly, he was happy he’d taken the time to stop by the Navajo Reservation during his trip to Arizona. The beautiful leather necklace with hand-tooled Warrior metalwork, tucked safely away in his overnight bag, would be the perfect item to double as an everyday collar for Hark. Diachi had even requested the oddly shaped piece of turquoise that hung from Hark’s original collar be added to it.
“Well, shit.” Bryan turned the beat up collar in his hands. “The clasp is broken and there's no tag on it, so this won't work. I wonder if Master knows how it got broken.”
Hark gave him a grim smile. “I’d imagine so. He was there when I broke it.”
Bryan had an aghast look on his face. “You broke it? You actually tore leather with you
r bare hands?”
Hark shrugged. “What can I say? I was mad at the time. It was during our last huge fight.”
“Wow. I’ve heard of subs taking collars off when they ended a relationship, but I never heard of one who physically destroyed one.” He turned the collar over in his hand. “I'm surprised Master has kept it around for that long. He usually either mends an item like this, or gets rid of it.”
Deciding he'd spent enough time observing, Diachi stepped inside the master suite. It was time to let his submissives know he was home. Two weeks had never been so long. He covered the distance between him and his men quickly. Then he crouched down between them. “I couldn't throw it away.”
“Master!” A smile lit up Bryan’s face as he twisted on his knees.
“Hello, hana. I’ve missed you.” He pressed a kiss to Bryan’s temple before taking the collar from his fingers. “This collar’s all I have left from my time in the dessert with Hark – of course, I couldn’t get rid of it. Especially after a fire destroyed everything else.” He rubbed fingers over the smooth leather, then pressed a kiss against Hark’s lips. “It was just pure luck I’d taken to carrying the collar with me.”
“You did?” The disbelief in Hark’s tone had Diachi sighing as he released him.
“Yes.” He searched Hark’s face. “Even though I choose to un-collar you, don’t think for a single moment it was easy for me. Being able to touch the leather you’d worn around your throat was like having a piece of you with me. “
Hark looked a bit sheepish. “I guess I just assumed you’d moved on with the slender blond at Remington’s.” A hint of pain filled Hark’s gaze. “I saw you with him the night before I shipped off to basic. I guess I needed to see you one last time.”
A vague memory stirred of meeting some fellow students at the western grill for a study group. They’d only gone once because of the loud music. “Remington’s? I met my American Lit. study group there. I think there may’ve been a blond in it.” Diachi shook his head. “It’s been years, so I honestly don’t remember.” He rubbed a finger over Hark’s lower lip. “But you know what I do remember?”
Healing Hark (Doms of Chicago) Page 23
