“Morning, Karina,” he said as she approached.
She stopped and eyed him suspiciously. Karina. Yeah, she wasn’t going to like this at all if he was using her full name instead of Kay. “What do you need, Brayden, and how much trouble is it going to get me into?”
Brayden’s lips twitched slightly, but the mischief he usually approached her with didn’t shine in his eyes. Instead they were full of concern and sympathy. Karina immediately tensed.
“What’s going on, Brayden?” she asked as she took the coffee he handed her.
“The director wants to see us in his office, but I need to talk to you first while he’s on a call.”
“What about?” she asked.
Brayden let out a slow breath before replying, “Shandra.”
Karina swallowed and then shook her head. Fear for her friend gripped her heart in a vise so tight she could hardly breathe. “What about Shandra?”
He moved in and took her elbow in his large, warm hand. Pulling her close, he said softly in her ear, “Not here, Kay. Trust me. Whatever you do, don’t look upset or pissed. Not now. Just nod and follow me.”
Sighing, she gave a curt nod and followed him to a small conference room at the far side. She set the coffee on the conference table and turned to stare at him. “What?”
Brayden walked over and put his hands on her upper arms. He gave them a soft squeeze, then began to rub her arms slowly. Karina stiffened, both at the feel of his hands on her and the tension that now gripped her gut.
“There’s no easy way to do this, Kay, so I’m just gonna say it. Shandra was murdered.”
Karina gasped and would’ve doubled over if Brayden didn’t have such a strong hold on her arms. “When,” she panted. “Who did it?”
“We don’t know. Her body was discovered Sunday afternoon. The FBI contacted the director when it was discovered she was Navy.”
Karina’s hands began to shake as questions raced through her mind. She wanted to drop to her knees and sob. Shandra was so sweet. Who would’ve done this?
She drew in a ragged breath and tried to pull away from Brayden. He didn’t loosen his grip.
“Kay,” he said, softly. “Look at me, baby.”
Baby. She wanted to crawl onto his lap, let his strong arms hold her while she cried out her sadness. Shandra was her closest friend. Without her, who would she go shopping with? Go to movies with? Who would she talk to about the nightmares that sometimes still plagued her?
Brayden cupped her face and tried to force her to look at him, but Karina jerked away and took a few steps back. Taking a deep breath, she looked over at him and asked, “Why like this? Why are you telling me like this?”
“I was here when the director got the news. It appears Shandra is the latest victim of a serial killer who’s been plaguing Atlanta and the surrounding area for several months.”
“A what?” Karina snapped.
“They want you and me to go undercover at Club Fetish, because of our experience in the lifestyle. It’s the last place she was seen alive. I wanted to make sure you knew about Shandra before talking with the director because if he finds out just how close the two of you were, he won’t let you do this, no matter how badly they need you.”
Karina nodded and sniffed back her tears. “Thank you.”
She wiped at her eyes, hoping to remove all the evidence of her tears.
“Here,” Brayden said as he walked over and wiped under her eyes with the tissue. “Some of your mascara has run a little.”
She froze at the feel of his soft hands on her skin and his face so close to hers. God, he was handsome, but they were both dominant and that just didn’t work.
His eyes held hers for a brief few seconds before he stepped back, removing his body heat and leaving her feeling alone and cold. She crossed her arms over her chest and tried to hide the shiver that skimmed under her flesh.
“You’re going to have to hold it together, Kay. The pictures are not…well, let’s just say even I was a little green after viewing them.”
Karina swallowed. “You’re going to have to tell me, so I know what to expect.”
“They think he’s a Dom and a sadist. The room where they found the body was set up like a BDSM scene, which was the same as all the others as well. Toys, floggers, zip ties, chains. He’d used a single tail studded with razors on her. There was almost no flesh left on her back, hips, or the back of her legs. A few of her teeth had been pulled, her nipples were sliced off, and the inside of her vagina burned with some sort of a hot rod.”
Karina began to shake. Brayden walked forward as though to engulf her in his arms, but Karina took a step back. She wanted him to, desperately, but she knew if he did, she would break down, and then everyone would take one look at her and know. She had to pull it together. She wanted in on this case. She wanted to be the one to find the asshole who did this to her friend.
“If you touch me, I’ll fall apart,” she whispered.
Brayden nodded in understanding.
“Do they know anything at all?” she asked.
He shook his head sadly, and Karina’s heart dropped. “The scene had been wiped completely clean. There was nothing.”
“What about screams?” Karina asked. “Didn’t anyone hear the screams, or did he have her gagged?”
“No gag,” he said. “The area was pretty much deserted, so probably no danger of anyone hearing her.”
Karina got a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach. “There’s more, isn’t there?” she murmured.
Brayden looked at the floor and nodded. “He cut her tongue out.”
“Oh God.”
Nausea rolled through her stomach, and she struggled to keep it down. Memories of her own attack ran through her mind. Although it had been nothing like what her friend must have gone through, Karina could still imagine the fear Shandra must’ve felt.
“Did he rape her too?” she whispered.
“Yes. She had several anal tears, but no DNA evidence was found.”
Karina drew in a shaky breath. “Where was the… Where was her body found?”
“A warehouse close to downtown, but isolated enough that he wouldn’t have to worry about interruptions. The shift manager found the body when he went into his office for a package he’d left there Friday afternoon. The killer uses a different location every time but always does it where the body will be found quickly. He apparently doesn’t like for his work to go unnoticed too long. There is one ray of hope, although it’s not much. He marks his victims.”
Karina frowned. “Marks them how?”
“A bite mark on the side of their hip.”
Karina’s blood ran cold. She had a bite mark on her hip. Her attacker had bitten her so hard, he’d drawn blood. She could still remember her shock as he sucked at it, moaning at the taste of it in his mouth. Was it the same man? She schooled her features, not wanting Brayden to know. If he did, it was doubtful he would let her go, despite how badly they needed her to. If it was the same man, she could be a potential target.
Unfortunately, even if she did speak up, she had nothing she could tell them. His face had been covered by a leather mask and hood, and on his hands had been latex gloves. He’d even gone so far as to wipe her bite mark down with hydrogen peroxide, then alcohol, making sure to clean away any trace of DNA evidence. She could still feel the burn as the alcohol seeped into her wound. The Dom covered his tracks well.
Dear God, was the man who’d attacked her still out there doing this?
“Was there DNA evidence?” she asked. “Surely the bite mark—”
Brayden shook his head. “He cleaned it. There’s nothing. About all we can do is match the bite mark to any possible suspect.”
Karina swallowed and felt her knees go weak. She grasped the back of the chair to hold herself up right.
“Karina,” Brayden said, as he studied her.
“We should probably get back out there,” she said, not wanting him to watch her too c
losely.
He knew something was up other than her sorrow. He was that good.
She started for the door, but Brayden grabbed her arm and stopped her. “I promise, Kay. We’ll find who did this.”
Karina swallowed, but couldn’t bring herself to look at him. If she did, she would fall into his arms and cry like a baby. Hardening her resolve, she glanced over at him. “I’m okay, but the second that plane takes off for Atlanta…”
“My lap and shoulder are yours,” he murmured.
Karina gave a nod, and with her head held high, she left the office.
Chapter Three
Brayden stood in the Director’s office where he could watch Karina without appearing too obvious. Her stance was rigid, her face pinched in pain and sadness, all of which could be considered a natural reaction to an acquaintance being murdered. According to NCIS, it was okay to investigate an acquaintance; a friend as close as Shandra, absolutely not.
They would see her as compromised and unable to think clearly. Brayden knew Karina worked best under stress. If anyone could do this, she could.
“So the two of you will join Club Fetish. One will get to know the Doms, one the submissives,” the director said as he rifled through the paperwork on his desk as though looking for something.
Karina’s head came up. “Excuse me?”
The director looked up, the wrinkles around his green eyes deepening. Today, even the gray in his hair seemed thicker—like a man dealing with way too much on his aging shoulders. “Brayden will go in as a Dom. You a submissive.”
Karina shook her head firmly. “Absolutely not.”
“We need both, Karina. He can’t go in as submissive,” the director said as he pointed to Brayden.
Brayden winced.
“Who says?” she demanded.
The director stood and laid his hands flat on the desk. Staring straight at Karina, he gave her a look that said he dared her to argue this point. Brayden, however, knew she would. And who could blame her?
“Agent Jeffries. What exactly is your problem?” the director growled.
“My problem is I’m a Domme,” she snapped. “You obviously know absolutely nothing about BDSM if you think I can just flip at the drop of a hat.”
“Granted, I’ll admit I don’t know much, but the two of you are all we have. I can send someone else in, but Brayden has already shot that idea down, saying a novice sub would be spotted right away. You, however, are aware of the various protocols and whatever else is necessary to—”
“It’s not that simple,” Karina yelled.
“Karina,” Brayden interrupted.
“Shut up!” she snapped.
Brayden’s eyes narrowed angrily. He understood she was upset, but he’d be damned if he’d let her fly off the handle and get herself thrown off this case. He walked over and stood between her and the director. With his back to their boss, he glared at her.
“I can help with this, Karina. You know how this works. You go in as my sub. Only I can touch you. No one else has to. All you have to do is play the part and talk to the other subs.”
He gave her a pointed look he hoped she caught and heeded—that if she didn’t stop screaming about this, she’d be off the case.
“Fine,” she snarled, anger blazing in her blue-green eyes. He already found her attractive. Damned if now he didn’t think she was stunning. “But if you come at me with a ball gag, I’m going to castrate you in your sleep.”
Brayden’s lips twitched. “Deal.”
“Do I even want to know what a ball gag is?” the director asked drily.
“No,” he and Karina replied in unison.
“That’s fine. I probably didn’t want to know, anyway.” The director eyed both of them firmly. “Are we good?”
Brayden turned to look at Karina. She gave a disgusted nod, her lips set in a firm line of aggravation. It would’ve been cute if not for the whole sad situation.
“You’ll work closely with the FBI on this one. Based on what Brayden suggested, you’re an engaged couple exploring your sexual side.” He handed them each a file. “The address where you will be staying is in the file, as well as all the new necessary credentials and credit cards. Make sure GPS tracking is enabled on your phones, just in case. Other than that, you both know the drill. Now get out of here, the plane’s waiting for you.”
Karina climbed aboard the Lear jet and dropped into the white leather seat. She felt bone tired and emotionally drained. She’d spent the last two hours holding back her tears, and she couldn’t do it anymore.
Putting her elbows on her knees, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed at the loss of her friend. What a terrible way for anyone to die, especially Shandra. She was always so sweet—always had a smile on her face. She didn’t deserve what that monster had done to her.
No woman did.
And was this man the same one who’d attacked her?
That was ten years ago. When did he go from torturing women to killing them?
“Kay.”
Brayden said her name so softly, she wasn’t sure she’d even heard him. She glanced up and stared through tear-filled eyes as he took the leather seat across from her.
“My lap is still yours if you need it,” he whispered.
What Dom wanted to be cuddled? She did. Karina sobbed and without a second thought moved to his lap. She gripped his light blue shirt and buried her face in his warm neck. Sobs shook her whole body as she cried.
Brayden wrapped his arms around her and held her tight against him. The feel of his embrace made her feel safe. God, when was the last time she’d really felt safe?
She’d learned so long ago to take care of herself. Her parents were no help. She was nothing but a disappointment to them. Even now, her relationship with them was strained, at best. Men were things she’d learned to control, not rely on. She never wanted to be in that vulnerable position again…ever.
But right now, with Brayden, it felt different. It felt good. Confusion tightened her chest and made her cry harder.
“I’m so sorry, baby,” Brayden whispered.
That was twice now he’d called her baby, and the sound of that endearment on his lips made her stomach flutter. Subs didn’t call her baby. They called her Mistress. They never touched her unless she allowed it. And not once had they made her stomach flip. Not like Brayden did.
“Sir,” the flight attendant said. “We’re ready. She needs to be in her seat now.”
Karina tried to pull away, but Brayden kept his arms around her. “Be still,” he commanded.
Typical Dom. He didn’t believe she was ready to pull away, therefore kept her there, and in truth, she wasn’t. She liked it here…more than she expected.
“Give us five minutes,” Brayden said.
The flight attendant nodded and walked back to the galley.
“For once, Kay, let someone take care of you for a minute.”
Karina sighed, but snuggled closer to him anyway. It felt too good not to. This wasn’t about being dominated, right? This was about comfort, which she sorely needed right now. She wasn’t giving away any control, sharing any secrets, she was just letting him comfort her…hold her.
She closed her eyes, savoring the feel of his arms, inhaling his soft, musky, woodsy scent. Ever since meeting Brayden, anytime she was out in the woods, she thought of him, imagined his smile and teasing, his laughing eyes. She tightened her lips into a firm line. What was she doing? She had no business fantasizing about the Dom. Any Dom.
She sniffed and raised her hand to wipe the tears from her face. “I must look a mess.”
Brayden allowed her to sit up, but still kept her on his lap. “You look just as gorgeous as you always do, kitten.”
Karina snorted. “Kitten? I’m not one of your subs, Brayden.”
“More’s the pity,” he drawled.
She grinned and slapped hard at his shoulder, just a little grateful for his teasing tone. “We are still on the job, and there is
this thing called sexual harassment.”
Brayden chuckled. “I haven’t even begun to sexually harass you yet. Besides, considering where we’re going to be spending a lot of our undercover assignment, I’m not sure that applies.”
“Oh, man,” she breathed and covered her face with her hands. “I can’t believe I have to play a submissive.”
“It won’t be so bad.”
She lowered her hands from her face and frowned. “It’s not you that’s having to do it, now is it?”
“Granted, I’ve never been tied up, but you know me. You know how I am. I’m not going to hurt you, Kay.”
“I know,” she murmured.
That was truly the only good thing about this. She did know Brayden, probably too well. She’d seen him with other subs. She knew he was great at what he did. She knew he could make her feel incredibly good, but the whole bondage thing had her stomach tied in knots. She would have to tell him. She wouldn’t have any other choice.
Brayden pulled something out of his pocket. “Here. It’s not something the agency thought of, so…” He shrugged as he handed her a ring. “We are supposed to be engaged, after all.”
Karina took the engagement ring in stunned silence. She admired the oval cut diamond in a white gold setting with two smaller round diamonds flanking it on either side. It was actually very beautiful. “Oh, Brayden.” She put her hand against her chest and sighed in an overdramatic gesture that had amusement flickering in his blue eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”
Brayden’s lips twitched. “Smartass.”
She smiled slightly, then frowned. “This isn’t like some other girl’s ring, is it?”
He frowned. “Seriously?”
She giggled softly as he took the ring and slid it on the third finger of her left hand. It felt odd, and for a second, Karina held her breath as the strangest sensation worked its way through her chest.
“For your information, it was my mother’s.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
He nodded and smiled slightly. “Yeah. I think she’d be okay with this, though. It’s for a good cause.”
Topping the Domme (Crime and Punishment) Page 2
