by Shae Black
Yes, he knew what he was doing when he covered me with ink, no one will see one inch of me. Even the parts that could naturally or accidentally be exposed will be kept under wraps by myself, smart man.
Chapter 25
Inside I’m equally overwhelmed by the beauty of the restaurant. It’s similarly set up in floor plan to the one in Seattle but completely different in style and interior decoration. Seattle Dominus is modern, sleek, and contemporary where Milan Dominus is old world style Victorian. Beautiful detailed molding, huge windows with heavy drapery line one wall. The colors used here are royal inspiring, gold, purple and creams. The tables have long double white clothes and a small pastel pink and cream flower arrangement on each one.
The tables that are set for two have the chairs right next to each other and the flower arrangement on the far curve of the round table. Green plants are tucked strategically in places that are pleasing to the eye and there are several busts on pillars that surround the room. The details are overwhelming. I imagine this is how it feels to be in Queen Elizabeth’s castle, everything screams royal, class and expensive.
There is one thing I can see that has been replicated from the Seattle location, the chandelier there is very similar to the one here. I thought I had seen the most beautiful array of crystals in my life, but I stand corrected, these are more dazzling. The ceiling is dripping with pieces of glass, all intricately cut and hanging at different heights and intervals from each other, casting a heavenly glow across the room.
A woman greets us at the door doing a double take at Marcus, did he not call ahead and let them know he was coming? You know…probably not. I’ll bet he never gave any sort of heads up so that he could make sure things were running smoothly in his absence. She’s on it now though recovering quickly she smooths her blush colored skirt and steps to greet us right inside the door. “Mr. Castillo! What a pleasant surprise! I’m so glad to see you are doing so well and...You’re here…” This woman is scrambling now at the sight of me, mentally trying to understand what’s happening and what to do next.
Marcus slides his arm around my furry waist, she eyes the gesture with obvious surprise and rings her hands nervously glancing from me to him. He informs the beautiful Italian women that we need a table for two with another nearby for four. He’s pleasant but formal and why the table for four? “Yes sir, right away, sir.” The hot hostess teeters on her painful looking black heels to a large table where she whispers into another employee’s ear and he takes off like he has a firecracker in his pants. “I should have introduced you, her face is familiar but I can’t place her name. The table for four is for Mr. Black and Elijah , they have dates so they don’t look so out of place.”
It’s obvious he is frustrated by his lack of memory. “Won’t dates distract them?” “Not these dates, they have been hired to help. So tonight we have four guards instead of two.” Well isn’t that just great? Eight eyes instead of four watching every move I make, every time I go to the ladies room, every drink I order.
I don’t complain though I know he feels bad about the constant intrusion and I know it’s necessary to keep me safe and protected from him, or us from someone else. Firecracker pants returns in mere seconds to whisper in hot hostess’s ear, she approaches again, this time collected and confident. “This way please, we have your private table ready Mr. Castillo and one for four directly across.” He nods and moves his arm from my waist to lace his fingers with mine. Leading the way I realize the guys are being seated too, they must have been right behind us the whole time.
They are accompanied by two elegant looking women both age appropriate for the two men and gorgeous. A little pang of protectiveness comes over me when I see Elijah with another women, not jealous but possessive. He’s become important to me and I feel a connection with him that stems from our relationships with Marcus. I know it’s all a set up and the women are just there for show, and muscle apparently, but it makes me uneasy just the same.
Marcus pulls out my chair and scoots me to the table before he sits next to me. “I’ve never eaten someplace this fancy.” I whisper leaning toward him. He chuckles and turns his sharp green eyes on me. “Criminal is what that is, you should be spoiled constantly. This is all yours now you know. Everything that I’ve built and worked for my entire life belongs to you.” I scan the room taking in every beautiful crevice and look back at him confused. “I’m not sure what you mean by that, but I don’t need any of this, I just need you.” His hand slides under the table onto my thigh and easily between my legs at the slit of my dress.
He turns until he is facing me in his chair. “What I mean by that.” He pauses to run his fingers along the edge of my garter. “Is.” he moves further until his fingers are skimming my now damp panties and I’m gripping the edge of my seat trying very hard not to fidget. “That you have every entitlement that marriage brings to a relationship.” With that he shifts my panties to the side and slides one and then two fingers inside of me, dragging them out and circling my clit causing me to inhale sharply and dig my nails into the cushion of the chair.
Shock infiltrates my body and the information he’s delivered about this financial decision simultaneously with a very public physical invasion has me confused about which to react to first, nothing’s registering. More, that’s the singular thought I am thinking while he continues to torture me by slipping his fingers inside my sex and dragging them slowly back out. Some sort of sense returns and I grab his wrist to stop him. “Don’t.” he commands low and stern.
“No, you don’t. I can’t sit here in front of all these people and lose control.” I hiss and grip his wrist tighter. “You can, I could make you.” I clench my jaw so tight my teeth ache. “Not one for publicly displaying affection my Imani?” He allows me to move his hand from under my dress. The guests here would have never known what was really going on, it would look to them like Marcus had turned his full attention to me and was leaning in to hear me better but I don’t trust myself.
One of the many things I’ve learned making love with Marcus Castillo is that I’m not quiet when I climax and that I have no control when it comes to him. It has to stop now or it just won’t. “I...I just. Wait...what did you say about marriage?” I snap back to the here and now.
He purposely and slyly distracted me from his words of finances with a physical assault, such a clever manipulative man. I should not be surprised but I am. “I simply said you are the sole beneficiary of everything I control financially. The marriage part was to help you understand the magnitude of the arrangement, and this…” he slowly slides the two fingers he just had inside of me into his mouth. “Was to soften the shock.”
Fucking hell this man is impossible, my blood is pumping so hard through my veins I’m sure to have an aneurism if there is any weakened area in my brain! Eighty percent of me is on fire for him and wants to drag him to the coat closet we passed on our way in and the other twenty wants to scream at him for manipulating me into accepting this news about his fortune being half mine! “You can’t do that, I have to sign something or have a lawyer or…or…! You can’t just do that!”
I’m getting loud and a little hysterical, drawing the attention of the people sitting closest to us but I can’t help it. “You need to lower your voice Imani.” Really? He’s worried about drawing attention! He nearly made me come as soon as we sat down and dropped that bomb on me and now he’s thinking about me causing a scene! “Stop.” he commands. “I did it because I adore you. I’m devoted to you. I love you. There has never been anyone in my life that I loved more, not even my Aunt Angelica. You’re my world and I want you to have anything you want, anything you need. If I die I need to know you’re taken care of.”
Stunned into silence our eyes lock, my chocolate brown to his sharp green and I see all the pain of his life there. Abandonment, abuse, neglect, fear, confusion, it’s all swimming there in those hypnotizing eyes and my anger dissipates, calm acceptance flows from me and I take his hand and say
a little prayer he can feel it transferring from me to him. I tear my eyes from his beautiful face and focus on our hands between us trying to make sense of his announcement. “Imani?” His softer tone draws me from my thoughts. “Ok. I think I understand…well I’m not entirely sure I understand but I want to…and I’ll try.”
He shakes his head briefly closing his eyes while the tension visibly evaporates. “Thank you.” “You are not going to die, stop saying things like that, I mean it. I’m not accepting a dime from you because you’re not going anywhere.” A waiter approaches the table oblivious of the serious conversation he’s interrupting but the murderous look Marcus spears him with is all the poor guy needs to abruptly about face and retreat. “That wasn’t nice.” “I’m not nice.” I roll my eyes. “I didn’t leave you my fortune in a will Imani, well I did but that’s not the point. You are right about signing things, you will need to. But when you do, and I know you will, we will be equal partners now, not just if I die. I wish you would accept that there is a possibility that I may not make it through surgery, or that it can even be attempted.”
I open my mouth to protest and bitch because he’s not fighting hard enough for his life but he places a finger over my lips to quiet me. “I’m not giving up baby. I’ll try whatever you want me to but only if you accept my demands.” I sigh deeply and realize this is another battle I’m not winning, not even a little bit. I nod in agreement. He leans in to kiss me with abandon. No shame or concern for the dozens of people with one eye on the owner of this restaurant, curious about the new stranger they try to be subtle but I feel their eyes on us. “Marcus…Marcus, I think we have an audience.” I murmur into his mouth as he continues to kiss me. “Let them watch.”
Chapter 26
Dinner was absurdly extravagant and the service was actually a little embarrassingly perfect. Marcus coached me through proper flatware usage and the different ingredients of the dishes we were served. He has an obvious passion for cooking and food. We were never allowed to finish a course before it was swept away and the next placed in front of us. I’m feeling guilty about all the waste, a small country could probably be fed with the food we couldn’t finish.
“Do you give to any charities that are involved in feeding the hungry?” He sets his knife along the edge of his plate very deliberately turning his total attention to me. “I knew you were thinking about waste. Imani, I didn’t become this successful by being irresponsible with money. I was poor once too remember?” “Yes, I do remember, that’s why I ask.” “Well, the answer is yes, many organizations in fact. You will be informed of all of them when we see my lawyer tomorrow.” “Tomorrow? I was really hoping Dr. Carlson would be here by then.”
I can’t help but to frown a little and he reaches up to smooth the line between my eyebrows. “We can do both, when is he due to arrive?” “I’m not sure actually, I’ll have to check in with him.” He stills and pauses then returns to eating slightly. “How do you contact him?” He’s jealous and trying to hide it but to me it’s obvious. “I’ll call his office.” “Good.” “Or text him.” I can’t resist, I should but I can’t. I peek at him out of the corner of my eye, his jaw is ticking and his knife is gripped tight. I bust out laughing covering my mouth to prevent more attention being brought our way.
“Something funny, Ms. Jefferson?” Through fits of giggles I answer, “Yes Mr. Castillo.” and attempt to collect myself. With raised and expectant eyebrows he regards me waiting for an explanation. “I’m sorry…really. I don’t have his personal phone number Marcus, and even if I did it wouldn’t mean anything.” “And that’s funny why?” Smiling lovingly I reach and touch his thigh I’m surprised to find his muscle there rock hard with his strength but also tension. “You’re jealous, unnecessarily of course, but it struck me as very funny I apologize.”
He covers my hand with his on his leg. “I don’t remember things clearly from before the accident Imani but I do know I was a dangerous man and being jealous concerning you is dangerous.” He is deadly serious and my face falls flat not finding this funny anymore. I try to slide my hand out from under his but he grips it hard, too hard. “You’re hurting me.” My hand is released completely and he pushes his own through his thick dark brown waves in frustration and then suddenly all expressions are gone… “More wine?” He’s trying to reign in his anger and now I realize I’ve pushed a button that’s not to be pushed again. “Yes, please. I’m sorry.” I try again to apologize as he pours a second glass of wine for me.
“I love to hear you laugh, but you are mine and the thought of you with another man just made something in me crack. This may be a hard limit for me.” “Hard limit?” I repeat the unfamiliar term and he appears surprised at his use of the words as well. “Something I cannot tolerate. I can’t guarantee what would happen if I saw or knew you were with another man Imani.” His tone is frigid and extremely convincing. I will not be messing around with this subject anytime soon, no make that ever. “Let’s finish up and head to the club, the show starts soon.”
I look over to check up on my body guards at the table across from us. The four of them couldn’t be more uptight, each taking a turn scanning the room and checking on us, not a single movement in this room unnoticed and no affection or friendliness exchanged. I’d laugh if that hadn’t gone so wrong just moments ago. “Ok, what kind of show?” “You’ll see.” “Strippers?” I ask innocently, the Seattle club looked like a place strippers would perform. “No, not exactly. Just trust me, I think you will like it.” I take a drink of wine and consider chugging it all, I feel like I may need a little buzz before the show. “You’ll enjoy it, don’t look so apprehensive.” His soft tone has returned, thankfully, and I decide the glass of wine can come with me to the club.
This version of the Dominus night club is very different from the one in Seattle. The decor has been carried through to the elegant vast room that is spread out before us. Passing through large double doors the ambiance changes, the lighting is completely different. An unearthly red glow rises from the floor around the edge of the club and tiny undulating twinkle lights above cover the low ceiling, moving with a life of their own.
A subdued excitement hangs in the air as members mingle and begin to find their seats in the semi-circle tables that surround a large platform stage in the center of the room. Cheerful dinner chatter is over and those who have found their spots are leaning close speaking in each other’s ears, touching one another as if they weren’t in public, the music is sensual and slowly rhythmic, intoxicating. “Did you pump something into the air in here?” I ask plastering myself as close to Marcuss side as possible, this place is beautiful but just creepy enough that I’m on edge. He chuckles and gives me no answer, just squeezes my small hand that’s been swallowed up by his large one since we left the dinner table. “Over here, we can sit with the others, the lights will be going out and I’d like them nearby.” “What do you think’s going to happen?”
He stops his stroll to the front of the stage suddenly and I jerk to a halt as well due to our linked hands. “What?” “Anything can happen, you haven’t accepted that yet have you?” He’s right, I do tend to forget or block out the possibility of anything out of the ordinary happening when things go well for a few days or even hours. I think it’s my natural way of protecting my mind from unpleasantness and also a very dangerous way to avoid dealing with the problems at hand. “You’re right, sorry, I just…” “You just don’t want to believe that. I know it’s your way of coping, but it’s a dangerous habit. You need to always be on guard with me Imani, expect the unexpected all the time. Protecting yourself from me and the evils that follow me. I don’t want to scare you, that’s why I avoid talking of it, the last time you thought you were in danger you left me. But we must be realistic and address the fact that I am trouble for you in more than one way, and the man I used to be attracted trouble like a magnet.”
His eyes search mine, darting from one to the other in anticipation of my reaction to his w
arning. When I give him none, a minuscule trace of panic flashes in his sharp green’s, the sparkling lights overhead reflect there and he dips his head coaxing a response from me. “I know, I do ignore it purposely, it’s foolish.” “I’m doing everything I know how to do to keep you safe Imani, please know that if nothing else.” “I do Marcus, don’t worry anymore I’d learn to tolerate 100 bodyguards if they were necessary.”
Closing his eyes briefly he sighs and then returns to leading me to our table where Elijah , Mr. Black and the two women are already seated. After brief introductions I learn the women’s names are Lizbeth and Carmen, they are both curt and professional and brief. Well this should be fun. We slide into the comfortable booth positioning Elijah and Saint on the outside openings Marcus and I flanked by shadows number three and four. I cross my legs to avoid a repeat of the dinner table heavy petting that occurred earlier and Marcus rolls his eyes knowingly but still lays his hand across my thigh.
We settle in and have boring chit chat with the others for nearly fifteen minutes before all the lights go out in the room, every single one and we are plunged into blackness. The music changes and I recognize the slow churn of Massive Attacks Dissolved Girl as a spotlight is turned onto a women near the ceiling wrapped in black silk. She begins a sultry routine of twisting and rolling up and down the long material with the music.
None of this would be out of the ordinary and actually very much like Circque de Soleil but for the fact that the performer was naked, making the routine erotic and raw. Half way through the long performance I sit wide eyed in awe of the strength and muscle tone of the women moving so fluidly until I jump in my seat when she does a drop, the material unrolling her nearly to the floor but catching her with mere inches to spare. I feel Marcuss warm breath on my neck and an electrical zing shoots up my spine at the combination of his closeness and the performers daring stunt. “You like?” he whispers. “I love.” I reply.
