Julian walked in like he owned the place, which he did. Sam shut the door behind him. There was no way out of this interview of Julian’s. He’d hoped to avoid Julian altogether. The small hotel portion of The Club was for longtime members to use. Julian might be the host, but he usually respected his clients’ privacy. He should have known Julian wouldn’t view him as a client. Julian had only given him a membership because Jack insisted on it. He had to hope Julian hadn’t come up to kick them out.
“Is everything to your liking, Samuel?”
Sam stared for a moment at the club owner, arms crossed stubbornly over his chest. Julian Lodge was roughly six foot two. He was taller than Sam. He was as tall as Jack, but he was lean where Jack was broad. His dark brown hair was barely starting to gray at the temples. He was about to turn thirty-nine, but there was a worldliness and wisdom about him that went far beyond years. Julian had an aristocratic face that looked like he could have been in the ads of Abby’s magazines. He was polished and smooth in his designer suit. Everything about him screamed money and power, though in a tasteful fashion. Julian always had the best of everything. Julian was everything Sam knew he, himself, was not.
“It’s fine,” Sam replied shortly. He hated how being in the same room with Julian Lodge always made him feel like he was back tending bar, like he was on the bottom rung of the ladder. Then, of course, Sam couldn’t forget the lecture he’d received on the day he and Jack had left. Or the offer Julian had made. “Is there a problem with the bill or something? I can get cash if you prefer.”
Julian cocked his head and studied Sam for a moment. “Why so defensive, Samuel? I merely came up to say hello. It’s been a while since you came here. I almost thought you wouldn’t return.”
Sam felt the weight of his perusal. He remembered working for the man. The other employees almost had him believing that Julian could read minds. Sam kept silent, trying to give nothing away, though he felt the heavy weight of Julian’s disapproval.
“All right,” Julian continued. “How about I ask you a question? I’ve been wondering why Jackson is here without you and his new bride?”
“I’ve been wondering why Jackson’s here at all,” he replied sharply. “You want to explain the situation to me?”
Julian’s brow climbed up his forehead. It took everything Sam had to bite back an apology. “I don’t like your tone. I’ve done nothing but show concern for an old friend. As you are not my sub, I’ll forego punishment. That’s for your Master.”
“I don’t have a Master.” There was no doubting the bitterness in his tone.
“My, Jackson has dug himself a deep hole, has he not?”
Abby chose that moment to enter. She was soft and sexy in her fluffy robe, her hair mussed from hours of lovemaking. “I think I have my appetite back. Oh, you’re not room service. I’m so sorry. I’ll go get dressed.”
She held the corners of her robe together.
Julian smiled slowly as his silvery eyes slid over Abby. Sam wished she’d stayed in the bedroom. Why had he thought this was a good idea?
Julian was every inch the gracious host. He gallantly took Abby’s hand in both of his. It was a Dom trick. He’d seen Jack do the same. Hell, Jack used that trick on Abby when they’d first met. It made the sub feel surrounded and safe. “Mrs. Barnes, please don’t put yourself out on my account. It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you. Felicitations on your marriage to two such wonderful men, my dear. I’m Julian Lodge.”
She nodded, and Sam felt a curl of jealousy in his gut as she sounded a bit breathless. He should have been prepared. Women flocked to Julian. “Hello, Mr. Lodge.”
Julian let go of her hand, taking a step back.
“Knees, Abigail.” There it was. There was that voice that brooked no disobedience.
Abby gracefully fell to her knees, palms open on her thighs. She looked up at Sam. Her hazel eyes registered no small amount of shock.
Anger flashed through Sam’s system. “Have club rules changed? I assure you she has a Dom. He would take issue with what you just did. I take issue with it. She’s mine. She’s not going to kneel for you.”
Julian glanced between them. “It was merely a little test.”
“Why did I do that?” Abby frowned and looked between the two of them as though trying to figure out what had gone wrong.
He walked over and held out his hand with a sigh. He couldn’t blame her. Jack had trained her, and he’d helped. Her hand found his and he pulled her up, his arm curling possessively around her waist. They’d trained her and then given her zero real-world experience.
“You did that because you’re a properly trained submissive. At least in this, you are. As for the rest, we’ll have to see.” Julian sank into one of the upholstered chairs that dotted the living area of the suite, an air of satisfaction surrounding him. “Samuel is not. Oh, he’s submissive, but he is not trained, and that is a problem.”
“It ain’t your problem.” He hated the flush that went through his system, the embarrassment that statement brought. Always submissive. Never trained. Never taken care of. Never given all he needed.
“Oh, but it is my problem.” Julian’s gray eyes were perceptive as he studied the two of them. “Do you or do you not intend to walk into my dungeon this evening without your Dom?”
“I do.” Sam heard the will in his own voice. He had as much right to be here as anyone. He’d paid for his membership.
Julian shook his head and sighed. “Can’t you see what a bad idea that is? Look at her. For that matter, look in a mirror, Samuel. You’ll start a riot. Every Dom and Domme in the building will vie for the lovely, soft new subs. Even I’ll admit that most of the submissives who populate my club have a certain used quality to them. It’s very rare to find one of your loveliness, much less two.”
“We’re not trying to cause trouble. I only got introduced to the lifestyle a few months ago. I’ve never been in a place like this. I only want to see what it’s like.” Abby slipped her hand into his, and Sam felt her squeeze. “If it’s that much trouble, we’ll leave. I’m sure there are other places that will be willing to accommodate us.”
“And that thought terrifies me even more,” Julian said with an elegant shudder. “No, Mrs. Barnes, please feel free to explore. I wanted to warn you that your husband is here. I only mention it because I believe Samuel already knows. As for the two of you being here, I haven’t notified Jackson. You’re my guests and entitled to privacy. That said, you can’t keep your presence here a secret. I doubt you intend to. Jackson will find out, and I don’t think he will be pleased when he discovers what the two of you are up to. Are you willing to accept his punishment? I worry it could be severe.”
Abby shook her head. “I think you’ll find Jack isn’t so interested in punishment anymore. If you’re worried about a scene, don’t be. I think Jack is discovering the whole marriage thing isn’t for him. I doubt he even knows we’re not at home.”
Julian stood and straightened his suit. The creases fell away immediately, and he resumed his masculine perfection. “All right, then. I thought that might be the case.” He stopped. “I wasn’t referring to Jack being unhappy with either of you, Mrs. Barnes. I was referring to the outrageous scene the two of you are performing. It’s guaranteed to make Jackson’s blood pressure go straight through the roof and force him to confront whatever has him acting out of sorts. I shouldn’t approve. I should go and tell him everything I know. Yet, I find I want to see how this plays out. There’s something wrong with Jackson. I don’t like it. He seems restless.”
There was a short knock on the door. Julian opened it. The young man who pushed in the elegant cart seemed surprised to see his boss.
“Mr. Lodge,” the young man said. Sam noted how he deferentially avoided the older man’s eyes. Sam thought that if he hadn’t been working, the young man would have immediately taken the same position Abigail had mere moments before, on his knees, palms up. He was a sub, no doubt about it. However,
the submissive young man did look at Sam and Abby. Sam could see him making some wrong assumptions.
“They are merely my friends, Jeremy,” Julian stated firmly. “Don’t think I don’t know how the gossip mill works. I won’t have you causing trouble by telling the staff I have a couple stashed in the Platinum Suite. And don’t attempt any of your petty revenges on them. You’re almost on your third strike.”
The slender young man lowered his head, but Sam noticed how his lips had thinned in anger. “Of course, Sir.”
Julian walked over to the waiter. Sam could clearly see the tension. “Eyes up, Jeremy.”
Jeremy brought his eyes up quickly. “Yes, Sir?”
Julian smiled slightly, and his hand moved over the sub’s chin. Jeremy practically vibrated from his Master’s caress. “They really are just friends, pet. Don’t get yourself kicked out of your home because you are needlessly jealous. I don’t like jealousy. I find it distasteful. And I don’t want you upsetting Sally, either. She’s been turned down once today.”
Jeremy’s eyes went wide as though he couldn’t quite believe it.
“Yes,” Julian acknowledged. “Mr. Barnes was not pleased with Sally’s offer of comfort. He rather forcefully turned her down.”
“And he lives to see another day,” Abby said fiercely.
Sam suppressed a grin. Her face was flushed. He could have warned her that Jack would be offered a whole lot of sex the minute he entered The Club. He’d chosen not to for two reasons. The first was that he didn’t want to upset her. The second was his unwavering belief that they could offer all day long, but Jack would keep turning it down.
“You’re quite the spitfire, aren’t you?” Julian glanced her way, his eyes lit with amusement.
“Continue offering my husband cheap sex and you’ll find out, Mr. Lodge,” Abby said quietly.
Julian turned a serious face toward her. “Again, not my sub to discipline, but I would expect a firm response from your husband.”
“I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”
“As for you,” Julian turned back to the man Sam was almost certain was his male sub, “remember what I said, pet. If you pull some of the stunts you have in the past, the outcome might be different. Samuel isn’t known for turning the other cheek. He won’t give you any warning, either. Cross Samuel and his revenge might be painful.”
Sam smiled. “He’s referring to the fact that I like to jump people who piss me off. I tend to do it in dark alleys. See, Jack would do a whole bunch of stuff to ruin you financially and make your life a living hell. Me? I’ll just beat the shit out of you.”
“Sam!” Abby sounded slightly shocked. Her voice got low. “The owner of Delbert’s got sent to the hospital a couple of months ago. They said he got mugged. Was that you?”
The owner of Delbert’s was an asshole who had treated Abby very poorly. He’d humiliated her in front of half the town. Jack was making sure he went out of business. Sam wasn’t satisfied unless there was some severe physical pain involved. He shrugged at his wife. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, darlin’. The police cleared me on that. I was drinking at The Barn that night, all night long.”
Her eyes narrowed, and he was pretty sure they weren’t through, but Julian was laughing.
“You see, Jeremy, you should sheathe your claws around that one.” Julian turned his attention to the plates covered with shiny domes. He elegantly uncovered the first. “Ah, yes, our chef is excellent with steaks. The mashed potatoes have a lovely truffle oil in them. The beef is Barnes-Fleetwood, of course.”
“Then I know it’s good.” He felt more confident than he had all night. He wasn’t a bartender anymore. He was a rancher, and he believed in his product.
Julian uncovered the second meal, frowning at the sight. “Are you a vegetarian, Mrs. Barnes? I can have the chef come up with something more interesting than a salad.”
“It’s fine.” Abby sounded more than a little defensive. “It’s exactly what I ordered.”
Julian considered her and, for a moment, looked like he would argue further. He sighed and turned his attention to Sam. “If it gets worse, I’m here to help you. I know I was Jackson’s mentor, but I was always fond of you. If you and Mrs. Barnes need anything, please let me know. And Samuel, if Jackson calls for public punishment, I will be forced to allow it.”
“Then I’ll take it,” he said firmly.
“Yes, I believe you would.” Julian walked out. He snapped his fingers lightly and Jeremy followed. Sam didn’t miss the sub’s glance back at him. Despite Julian’s warning, he was going to keep an eye on that one. He might be trouble.
“I don’t know if I like that man.” Abby watched the door and then took her seat.
“You might not like him, baby, but he means what he says.” Sam sat down across from her. He dug into his perfectly cooked steak. The Club would be open soon. He would need his strength.
* * * *
He waited until it rang three times, then Matthew Slater pressed the receive call button on his phone. Slater glanced around his suite before he answered. He would never refuse the senator’s call, but it looked good to make him wait a few minutes. He needed to come off as a very busy person. He had found that being too available led to getting more and more work sent his way.
“Yes, Senator?”
“Matthew, have you seen my son yet?” The senator’s voice was deep and calm. He rarely yelled and almost never cursed. He would consider it beneath him. Allen Cameron had been raised in a wealthy family, and such language was too common. Still, he knew how to put a hint of malice in almost everything that came out of his mouth.
“No, sir, his flight should be landing soon.” He didn’t mention that Julian would be sending someone to the airport for him.
“I wasn’t talking about Lucas.”
Slater attempted to hide his shock. He kept his voice perfectly smooth. “If you’re speaking of Jack Barnes, then yes. I had a meeting with him in Lodge’s office a couple of hours ago. He seemed concerned with the situation.”
Now Slater was concerned, as well. He had thought the senator’s threat to expose his prior affair was just that, a toothless threat to force Lucas to back down. He couldn’t seriously be considering claiming the rancher as his son. He had enough trouble with Lucas and his headline-making scandals. The last thing the campaign needed was a long-lost love child emerging, no matter how rich and powerful said love child had become.
“Has Jack agreed to meet with Lucas?”
It was time to point out a few truths about his oldest son. Perhaps the senator had blinders on when it came to Jack Barnes. He would try to open his boss’s eyes a bit, but with well-trained subtlety. Arguing with Cameron was a bad idea. “He was reluctant. I think if he thought he could get away with it, he would simply beat Lucas into submission.”
The man was a Neanderthal and, if the rumors were true, something of a pervert. Slater had seen the report from the very exclusive, very private detective the senator had hired to keep track of his oldest offspring. Jackson Barnes had married roughly six months before, but it was an open secret in the town they lived in that he “shared” his wife with his business partner. Slater shuddered to think about that tidbit hitting the papers. Perhaps the rancher had more in common with his youngest brother than he would like to admit.
There was a chuckle on the Washington end of the line. “I actually envy you, Matthew. There is a large part of me that wishes I could see this first meeting between brothers. I actually think meeting Jack could be good for Lucas. If Jack wants to beat Lucas into submission, well, give it a shot. Rehab certainly hasn’t worked. I’m fed up with Lucas’s childish demands. He’s had everything handed to him, and it’s made him a brat.”
“Sir, I think I should tell you that I don’t believe Lodge or Barnes will give in to this little blackmail scheme of Lucas’s.” The senator was going to have to start taking this problem seriously. This was no longer a family matter. This h
ad long-ranging consequences.
It had become apparent to him during his meeting with the club owner and the rancher that neither man was the type to pay up and hope that was the end of it. It wouldn’t be, of course. There was no end to a good blackmail scheme. Slater would know. He’d run several in his time as a Washington insider. The key was to know your victim. He would never have selected Barnes and Lodge.
“Then maybe it’s time we came clean.” The senator didn’t sound entirely decisive. “I spoke to my wife last night. She’s upset, but she knows it could be worse. This Barnes fellow is incredibly successful. Considering the way sports stars and actors have been behaving lately, I’m practically a saint. It was only the one affair, and the boy is perfectly fine.”
After years and years of abuse in foster care. Jack Barnes might be “fine” now, but he didn’t think those years in foster care would look good in the press. Cameron had abandoned his firstborn son.
“Perhaps we could even spin the story to look like a father-son reunion. They don’t need to know anything else,” Allen Cameron mused. “I’ve been doing poorly with the middle class in the polls. Jack is a rancher. He’s a man of the people. We could view that five million I gave him as a loan that I chose not to call in. He’s my son. I owed it to him, and look what he did with it. That cattle ranch of his, it’s organic, right?”
“Yes, I believe it is. It’s organic and free-range.”
“That will go over so well with the Greenies,” the senator said with a chortle. “This could be a huge positive for us. It would be a perfect counterpoint to all the bad publicity Lucas brings in.”
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