by Becca Van
Tank had helped her to shower and then to dress, and now she wondered if Jack and Gary had been talking about her when she walked into the kitchen, because they had gone quiet when she entered.
Tank guided her to the table and then got her a mug of coffee. Jack and Gary finished up cooking breakfast and then served the food. Emma didn’t feel very hungry when she looked down at the scrambled eggs and toast, but when she caught Gary staring at her, she knew he would kick up a fuss if she didn’t eat at least some of the food. So she picked up her fork and began to eat. She was only able to eat half the food since it had been piled high. When she was done she pushed her plate away and wrapped her hands around her mug of coffee.
“Sweetie, there’s been a bit of a problem in regards to Andrew Mitchell.” Jack placed his hand on her thigh and gently massaged the muscle, which had tensed up.
“What did he do?”
“He got into the club and assaulted Aurora.” Gary scooted his chair back from the table and pulled her from her seat and into his lap when she gasped.
“Oh my God. That fucking asshole. Is she okay?”
“Two Doms from the club are taking care of her.”
“Aurora thinks Mitchell knows where you are,” Gary said.
No. I’ll have to leave. The thought so filled Emma with panic that she couldn’t speak. Gary continued soothingly, “He won’t get to you here. He can’t get past our security.”
She remembered something she’d almost forgotten. “Yesterday I think I saw him. Well, I didn’t see him.” She shivered, recalling the sensation of being watched by eyes beyond the fence. “But I think he was there.”
“You’re safe, sweetie,” Jack said.
“But Aurora wasn’t!” Emma sat up straight. “What happens if Andrew tries to hurt someone else at the club?”
The men exchanged a glance.
“Baby, we think we may have a way to capture this asshole and put him behind bars.” Gary tilted her head back so he could see her eyes.
“What do you want me to do?”
Gary inhaled deeply and wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her tight. “If you are too scared, we’ll understand.”
“What Gary is trying to say is, will you let us use you as bait?”
Emma opened her mouth to begin asking questions, but Gary interrupted her. “I want you to hear us out and know everything before you answer, baby. What we want to do is make it seem like we’ve left you alone. Of course we would never do that, but we want Mitchell to think you are vulnerable. There will be officers hiding nearby, and we will be, too.”
“Where do you want to do this?” Emma questioned.
“We may have to make it look like you’re alone a couple of times.” Tank sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “We were talking last night and this morning. We have every reason to believe he’s watching the house, so if he sees you leave the house alone he’ll follow your car.
“One of us will hide in the backseat of your car. We’ve all been in the military, we’re Marines, so we know how to protect you, darlin’.”
“At the club, we’ll need you to stand in the parking lot for a few minutes. We’ll make it look like the area is clear, but there will be officers in unmarked cars all around you. If he sees you standing alone and vulnerable in the parking lot, the bait will be irresistible.”
“Why not wait until I’m in the club?” Emma asked.
“After what he did to Aurora, I doubt the coward will be brave enough to come back,” Tank said with a growl.
“Even so,” Gary said, “Masters Barry and Turner will make sure that someone is watching the security cameras at the club at all times, and those men will have our cell phone numbers set on speed dial so they can call us if we’re not with you.”
“What if he doesn’t take the bait?” Emma asked. “What will happen then?”
“Then we will spend a pleasurable night showing you the world of Dominants and submissives. Do you trust us to take care of you, sweetie?” Jack reached over and clasped her hand in his.
“Yes. I trust you three more than I have ever trusted anyone in my life.”
“Thank you, baby. You have no idea how much that means to us. Let us explain about the club.”
“There are rules to adhere to, and you will have to sign a contract just like every Dom and sub who enters the doors to the Club of Dominance. But the most important thing you need to know is that the motto of the club is always safe, sane, and consensual.” Tank paused to take a sip of coffee.
“There are monitors throughout the club who keep an eye on the scenes being played out. If at any time you want to halt proceedings, then all you have to do is use your safe word. Whenever a new sub enters the club, the monitors are informed of that sub’s safe word before play begins.”
“I don’t want to be whipped,” Emma blurted out. “I don’t want to feel that sort of pain again. Plus I’m scared that if Mitchell gets hold of me he won’t stop until he’s killed me.”
“Oh, baby, we would never do that to you. We already know you aren’t into pain. The most we would do to you would be taking a flogger to you or our hands.” Gary tugged her other hand and pulled her into his lap. “And there is no way we will let Mitchell anywhere near you.”
Emma felt comforted and safe when she was in the arms of one of her men, and she sighed with relief at his answer.
“Wait. What’s a flogger?”
Gary rubbed her back in soothing circles. “A flogger has tendrils of soft leather or suede. The only thing you would feel would be light stinging.”
Emma tensed.
“Don’t be scared, sweetie.” Jack ran his hand over her hair. “We think you would enjoy that slight pain, but if you’re not sure, all you have to do is use the word ‘yellow,’ and we’ll stop and talk to you. If you don’t like it, then just use your safe word and everything stops.”
Emma nodded at Tank and then looked into Gary’s eyes as he began to speak again. “Do you know what subspace is, Emma?”
“Subspace?”
“Subspace is when the sub is so full of endorphins they go into a sort of a trance, like they’re floating on a cloud. They are only aware of their own bodies and Doms and nothing else. A good Dom will feel a rush of desire and heightened awareness as he tops his sub while sending him or her into subspace. It’s a rush for all concerned.”
After all their talk Emma was horny and wanted to go back upstairs with her men for the rest of the day, but she had to know everything that was going to happen so she would be safe in case Mitchell showed up.
“I think you like that idea, don’t you, Emma?” Gary’s deep voice drew her attention.
Since she knew she couldn’t hide her body’s reaction from these three men because they watched her avidly most of the time, she didn’t bother to hide her arousal.
“Yeah, I do.”
“Such a good little sub,” Jack praised.
“How do you feel about being naked in front of other people?” Tank asked.
Emma shuddered again and closed her eyes as heat permeated her cheeks. The thought of being exposed to others filled her with trepidation as well as desire.
“The thought excites you and makes you nervous,” Gary said. “Just remember we would never leave you alone inside the club, and no one but us will ever touch you. We will push your boundaries, Emma, but we won’t do anything that is a hard limit for you. We’ve already ascertained you aren’t into sadomasochism or hard pain, and neither are we for that matter.”
Emma shivered but this time with revulsion. No, she wasn’t into pain and she was glad her men weren’t either. The thought of going through what Andrew Mitchell had dealt out to her again made her feel sick to the stomach.
Gary cupped her chin and looked into her eyes. “Don’t worry so much, baby. We would never inflict pain on you.”
“I know,” Emma sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I trust you all to know what I need.”
�
�We can’t ask for anything more than that, sweetie. We promise to take good care of you.” Jack stroked a finger down her arm.
“I want you to rest today, darlin’. I need to contact Masters Turner and Barry and make sure all the monitors know your safe word and are aware you are to be protected the whole time we are at the club. After dinner tonight, we will go to the club.” Tank rose to his feet and began to gather the dishes.
When Emma stood to help, Gary snagged her around the waist and pulled her back onto his lap. “Since Jack is shorter than Gary and I, he will hide in the back of your car. I’ll give you the GPS from my truck and I’ll program it to show you the route I want you to take. There will be an unmarked police car trailing you and a few others on the side of the road at strategic places. You will be safe, baby. We aren’t about to take any chances with your life.”
Emma shifted on Gary’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you. I just hope that Mitchell takes the bait. I hate the thought of having to look over my shoulder constantly. The sooner he gets caught the better.” As tired as she was of living in hiding, she felt a pang of doubt. None of them had mentioned the order to have her furniture sent here. They seemed to have forgotten about her moving in with them. What if Mitchell was caught and they expected her to just go back home? Emma stood up, too anxious about everything to stay still a moment longer. “I’m going to help Tank clean up the kitchen.”
She gave Gary a kiss and then headed over to help Tank.
“I have to go into the precinct for a while to make sure everything is ready for tonight but I’ll be home for dinner.” Gary gave Emma a smile and then left.
“I have to make a couple of calls.” Jack walked over and hugged Emma from behind. “After you’ve finished here why don’t you go and watch a movie or read for a while? Do you remember how to work the entertainment system?”
“Yes.”
He kissed her on the temple and left the kitchen.
As Emma and Tank worked, they talked.
“I know you are all retired Marines,” Emma said. “But how did you all meet?”
“We were in the Middle East for nearly a year.” Tank handed her the rinsed plate so she could put it in the dishwasher. “Gary and I were in the same team so we were already friends. We were caught by a band of insurgents and were under heavy fire for nearly three days. We were lucky that we weren’t killed.”
He was staring out the kitchen window but Emma knew he wasn’t seeing the backyard. He was lost in his memories.
“A couple of our men were wounded, and by the time backup arrived, our commanding officer, Keith, had also been shot. We managed to get out and get our wounded help. Jack was the medic who treated our comrades and CO. If it hadn’t been for Jack our commander would have died. We visited Keith every day and got to know Jack real well. We just sort of clicked and became great friends. We haven’t looked back since.”
“Did all your friends survive?” Emma asked and rubbed a hand on Tank’s back.
“Yeah, darlin’, they did. We were lucky.”
“I’m glad.”
“Me, too, darlin’. Me, too.” He kissed her lightly on the lips.
They finished cleaning up in companionable silence. Once done they headed for the living room. Emma had decided a movie would be better for now because she didn’t think she would be able to concentrate on reading. Her mind was in turmoil over what was to come tonight, and not just the part about luring Andrew Mitchell to make a move.
She was excited about going to the club and having her three men play with her. Emma had no idea how she was going to get through the day. She only hoped that she would get to play out a scene with her three Doms. The thought of being totally exposed for anyone to see turned her on, and she craved to have her men touching her, torturing her with pleasure until she begged them to make her come.
It had been such a surprise to learn that she was submissive. After spending years being independent and looking after herself, Emma would never have dreamed that giving up control in the bedroom or anywhere else in regards to sex would be so rewarding and freeing.
She’d only had one session of play with Gary, Tank, and Jack, but she craved so much more. Even though she was excited to find out more about herself and her Doms, she was also apprehensive.
What if something went wrong and Andrew Mitchell managed to get hold of her? Would she ever get the chance to experience the world of true submissiveness with her guys? What if they weren’t happy with her level of submission? Would they still want to be with her?
Emma still had so many unanswered questions, and she just hoped she would be enough for them. She pushed that thought aside, because she trusted them to never really hurt her. After all, they had been so angry at what Mitchell had done to her and had taken good care of her as she healed.
Emma got comfortable and tried to concentrate on the movie as it began to play, and she prayed that nothing would go wrong tonight. What if Andrew hurt her men in trying to get to her? She couldn’t stand the thought of them getting hurt because of her. But the most frightening thought of all was what would happen if he succeeded in getting hold of her.
Will he kill me this time?
Chapter Twelve
Her hand shook as she brushed her hair and looked in the mirror. Her face was so pale she looked ill. She nearly dropped the brush when she placed it on the counter. Leaning over she braced herself and tried to stay composed. Emma was so nervous her stomach was churning. In a short time she would be driving toward the Club of Dominance. Her legs felt like soggy noodles and she wondered if her shakiness was visible. She took a few deep breaths trying to calm her anxiety and then opened the bathroom door and entered her bedroom. Gary was sitting on the bed waiting for her.
“Hey, baby, are you all right?”
“Yeah, just a bit nervous.”
“You have nothing to be scared of, Emma. We’ll make sure you’re safe.” Gary rose to his feet and pulled her into an embrace. She felt so secure and warm in his arms that she never wanted to leave.
“I have an outfit I want you to wear tonight.”
“What?” Emma asked with a frown.
“There’s a dress code at the club. All subs have to wear corsets, bustiers, or nothing at all. I don’t think you’re ready for the latter.”
“No, me neither.” Emma stepped out of Gary’s arms and eyed the outfit on the bed. It consisted of a deep purple leather miniskirt and a black corset. There was also a pair of fuck me shoes on the floor. She eyed the heel and wondered how the hell she was going to wear those all night long. Emma wasn’t used to such high shoes and hoped she didn’t twist her ankle as she walked in them.
“You don’t have to wear those shoes for long, baby. It’s up to the sub and her Dom, or in your case Doms, but most of the time subs go barefoot inside the club.
“I have already set up the GPS in your car and set the route. Why don’t you get dressed and be down in the garage in ten minutes? Tank and I are leaving now. We will meet you at the club. Jack is already downstairs, hiding in the backseat. No one will know he’s there. Just try to relax and act as if nothing is wrong, baby. If you look too nervous and that asshole is watching, he may suspect something. Don’t worry about watching your rearview mirror. I have a couple of police officers who will take turns tailing you to the club.
“When you arrive at the club, I want you to pull up out front and wait there for a few minutes. We’ll already have officers in unmarked cars in the parking lot. If Mitchell shows himself, they’ll move in.”
“If not?” she asked hopefully.
“Then head inside. Master Mike is on valet duty. He’ll take your car around back so Jack can get out without being seen. If Mitchell follows but doesn’t reveal himself, there’s no point showing him that it was a trap he didn’t fall for. Jack will come in the back way. Do you have any questions, Emma?”
“No.”
“All right, I’d better move. I’ll see you there, ba
by.” Gary gave her a last hug and then kissed her before he released her and headed out.
Emma watched Gary’s ass flex behind his black denim jeans until he was out of sight. She loved that her men didn’t dress up in leather but were comfortable enough with their dominant masculinity to wear their jeans and tight T-shirts. It seemed to her that they were each comfortable with their dominance and had no need to put it on display. They were masculinity personified and, thank you, God, they were all hers.
Emma dressed, brushed her hair once more, and then put on light makeup. Anxiety had made her pale, but a light sweep of blush to her cheeks added a little color. With one last look in the mirror, she turned away and stepped into the shoes and headed downstairs.
Masters Tank and Gary had already left. Emma got into her car, inhaled deeply, and turned on the ignition. She pressed the button to open the automatic garage door and backed out. She was so nervous that when she changed gears, she put the stick in third instead of second and nearly stalled her car. When a warm hand brushed against her hip, she jumped.
“Everything is going to be fine, sweetie. Don’t talk to me in case that asshole is watching. Try and relax, Emma. We will do everything we can to keep you safe.”
Some of the tension left Emma. Knowing Jack was with her every step of the way was reassuring.
The twenty-minute drive seemed to take forever, but she finally pulled her car to a stop near the front steps to the club. The front of the building was deserted. Emma got out of the car slowly, bracing herself for another vehicle to pull in behind her and Andrew to jump out. She reminded herself that Jack was in the backseat and there were officers in the lot. She scanned the parked cars, wondering where they were, before remembering that she should try to act as if nothing was out of the ordinary. For want of anything better to do, she tinkered with the straps of her high heels.
