by TL Reeve
“My brother is here, then?”
He nodded. “I have a plan for tonight, but it won’t be easy. It’ll be awkward and hard, and it might leave you feeling—”
“It’s nothing new for this place,” she quipped. “Will you be with me?”
“Always, butterfly. It’s been my honor to help you and to be your Master for the last six months.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “Will... Will I ever see you again after tonight?”
If everything went according to plan, no. She’d never see him again. He didn’t believe she should ever have to be reminded of a time when she had no say so in her life. Good guy or not, he had to make a clean break so she could heal and move on. Santiago shook his head. “No, butterfly. It’s time for you to go home and me to go back to my life too.”
Her brows furrowed. “You’re married then?”
He laughed. “Not even close. I have a lot of shit I still have to sort through before I can ever be free. Until then, the Bureau owns me.”
“We’re both caged then,” she muttered. “So, what’s this plan of yours?”
He pulled up to the curb near one of the dress shops in Juarez and put the vehicle in park. "You have to promise me, tonight, you won't hide from me. We have to make this look real."
“You mean have sex with you, in a scene,” Hannah said. “Who are we doing it in front of?”
“That, I am not at liberty to tell you. But, we’ll do the majority of it before they arrive. I don’t want this drawn out too long. If you’re going to be rescued, you have to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
“You’ll protect me?” She gazed up at him between her lashes and his heart gave a heavy thump.
“Always. You are my priority.” He didn’t know why he bent his head and pressed his lips to her forehead, but as he pulled back, a sense of calm washed over him. “I’ll be good to you, Hannah. I promise. I’ll drown out all those bad memories.”
According to Luca, there were no changing rooms in Emporio de Monstruo, which meant no new suit for Murray. It also meant he had to drive to the club in a pair of leather pants too lewd for public. Yes, he’d worn them with Jaqueline at Absolution, but he’d been offered a selection of what to wear. Taking away his choice, only solidified how much he hated Raul and how much he wanted to kill the bastard before all of this was over.
Jaqueline stepped through the checkpoint first, Murray a half-step behind her and continued to the final metal detector. When Luca handed Jaqueline a set of knives in the library of his mansion, Murray worried it would set off the alarms. However, the CIA Covert Cutters made out of GV3H materials passed through without worry. Knowing the knives were pressed to her thighs under Jaqueline’s leather V-bust dress clinging to all of her curves, on the other hand, turned him on.
I need my head examined.
As they passed through the final checkpoint, a man by the entrance of the club, eyed Murray and stepped forward with a small portable metal detector in his hand. The man motioned for Murray to lift his arms while the guard's gaze ate up his body. A sick sense of dread slid down Murray's spine. He swore if the bastard licked his lips while standing in front of him, Murray would deck him. The smell of cheap cologne and sweat burned Murray's nose while the man ran the wand across his chest then lower. Murray fought to keep his face placid as he waited to be given the all-clear. Finally, the man stepped back and motioned them to enter.
Jaqueline pinned the asshole with a glare as she strutted past him. Her lip curled as she snapped her fingers and Murray took up his position behind her. He didn’t catch what the guy said, and he supposed it was for the best. Nothing said breaking cover like beating the shit out of cartel underling.
Murray settled himself and continued into the main area of the first floor of the club with Jaqueline. It wasn't like anything he imagined it would be. The lounge area had several couches and chairs to make the area more of a gathering place than a fetish club. Farther back, a small area had been partitioned off for those who wanted to play in public or moreover, those who'd wanted to try out the subs up for auction. To the left and the right were tunnels leading to the rooms he'd only seen on the blueprints.
Murray glanced to his left and found Thomas and AJ sitting on two of the stools at the bar. Miguel, like they’d been told, manned the bar and was currently talking to Thomas. Since they’d been held up by the bastard with the wand, he didn’t see Luca, but it didn’t mean the man wasn’t there. The comm in his ear remained quiet for the time being. There was no sense in accidentally announcing their presence if they didn’t have to. He also didn’t worry about his six. Noah was out there in his nest somewhere watching over them and Duncan was directly across the street at the festivities.
“Esclavo,” Jaqueline said, drawing his attention. “Pay attention.”
Murray frowned. “Sorry, Madame Jacqueline.”
“You will be.” She hooked her finger into the belt loop on his pants and jerked him forward. “Let’s explore. See if we can get into something.”
He nodded. “Yes, Madame.”
Jaqueline made a circuit around the main area. The cries of submissives made his stomach clench in revulsion. None of the subs, male or female had a say in their participation. It was forced on them. If they did happen to say no, it meant a slow brutal death for them. Bile bit at the back of his throat. He had to push away his emotions. However, saying it and doing it were two different things. His sister was in there and had to deal with men pawing all over her and worse...
Murray closed his eyes. Stop torturing yourself. It won’t do anything to help Hannah. Again, telling himself to do something and being able to accomplish it were two different things. He let out a shuddered breath and tried to steady himself. Later, he’d allow the rage to flow. At the moment, he had to focus on saving Hannah and Christian.
“I’m looking for something specific,” Jaqueline said, drawing Murray out of his thoughts.
“Oh? What are you interested in?” the man asked.
Murray peered up at the guy. He was bald, had a goatee and wore an expensive suit. The man exuded confidence and power. It was then Murray noticed they were in the VIP section. The area was away from the main floor and the roped off play space. Men and women congregated together. There were subs and Doms along with servers. The setting was intimate, the complete opposite of the main floor.
“We’re looking for a woman with a rare affliction. We were told Mr. Iniguez had a special case he’s been training for years,” Jaqueline said. “Do you have such a woman?”
The man scrubbed his chin, showing off a reaper tattoo on the back of his hand. “I believe I do.” He motioned for Jaqueline and Murray to join him. “There is something special about her. You’ll enjoy her, but as part of the conditions of allowing her to be bid on, she is not allowed to be touched by anyone.”
Murray blinked, confused by what the man said. What is going on here?
“Please explain,” Jaqueline said. “I thought all were available to inspect.”
The man nodded. “She is the exception to the rule. I will be with her the whole time.”
Murray didn’t like it. The whole situation stank of deceit. However, if he said anything, it could blow their cover. Again, he had to bite the hell out of his tongue to keep from saying something.
“You’re her trainer,” Jaqueline murmured.
“I am.” The man glanced at Murray then. “I’d do anything to protect her. Anything." He opened the door to the room. "These rooms are only available for an hour. There are cameras to make sure the merchandise isn't abused. When your time is up the light will come on over the door and you will be escorted out. You also have the ability to offer payment for this specific sub before the auction begins. If Mr. Iniguez is inclined to accept it, you may leave this room with your purchase."
It was also so sanitary and formal. They treated people like products not like humans. Murray entered the room with Jaqueline and found it empty. He titled his
head, confused for a moment before he spotted the golden curtain across the room from them. Jaqueline ran her fingernails across his stomach, and he bit back a groan. She wasn't Jaqueline anymore. She'd flipped the switch. Had he been so deep in his thoughts, he hadn't seen the transformation from his sweet submissive to the hard-ass bitch, Madam Jacqueline? She pointed to the pillow positioned next to the chaise lounge and Murray went to his knees.
She sat beside him then leaned forward. “Easy...” Her warm breath brushed across his jaw and neck. “I can feel the malice coming off of you.”
“Sorry,” he muttered. “This is harder than I expected.”
“For me too.” She sighed. “This place is—”
"Like a carnival made specifically for freaks," Murray grunted. "And, not one meant to show off their talents. But we're not having fun because we see it for the depraved, vile place it is."
“Worse, I think,” she replied. “I hope we have the right room.”
“Me too,” Murray agreed. “I don’t think I can do this again.”
“Me either.”
The curtain came up and the tan skin of a woman appeared inch by inch until her whole body was revealed to them. He didn't know if it was his sister or not. Hannah was sixteen when she was kidnapped, this person was an adult. The expanse of her back had been tattooed with a beautiful multi-colored butterfly. Her brown hair had been pulled back in a set of Dutch braids. The woman's arms were raised above her head and her legs were spread apart by a spreader bar. Murray narrowed his eyes. There on the back of her neck was a small red mark. The V-mark worked upward into her hairline. He gripped Jaqueline's calf. He knew that mark. He'd memorized it while his mother rocked Hannah to sleep like a baby.
Hannah.
One hour ago...
Santiago showed Hannah the room they'd be in together. He promised her it would only be his hands touching her. His body pressed to hers. The idea of anyone other than him touching her sent a bolt of rage coursing through his body. He'd chop off the man's hand and shove it up their ass before killing him. A rash decision for sure, especially with the auction and it being in Raul's club, but it didn't matter. No matter what Raul believed, Hannah belonged to him.
“This glass window will be where they watch us.” Santiago knocked on it. “It’s a two-way mirror, they can see in we can’t see out.”
Hannah swallowed hard and ran her hand down her arm. “I’m not sure if I can relax enough to put on a show.”
Santiago had a plan for that. “We’re going to do something a little different.”
“Oh?” She perked up slightly. “What?”
"Well, we've used a blindfold and we've tried the noise-canceling headphones with music. Each time, it allowed you to enjoy the experience and," a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, "your sweet little pussy creamed for me."
Her cheeks pinkened. “Oscar!”
He laughed. “It’s true, butterfly. No need in being embarrassed.”
She wheeled herself closer to him and he knelt beside her. “Did you... Do this outside of the club. You know, before?”
Truth be told, he’d never had the inclination to even attempt anything like it—BDSM. However, working for Raul, he didn’t have a choice. He jumped feet first into the deep end and hoped like fuck he did the right thing, especially where Hannah was concerned. “No. You’re my first.”
She nodded, staring down at her folded hands. “Me either. Raul never allowed the other men to touch me. He treated me as a treasure.”
“I noticed it right off when I came here.” Hannah was a doll. She’d been the face of the submissives. She did all the introductions for the new people who’d been brought there. Whether she knew it or not, she also had power. She could go anywhere. Do just about anything. Yet, she’d been content to stay in her room when Raul didn’t need her. She’d been almost too accepting of Santiago’s hand when he told her she’d be with him from now on.
“Some don’t like me,” she whispered. “I see it on their faces.”
“I have too.” Santiago took her hand in his. “They’re jealous. There isn’t a damn thing wrong with you. You got the shit end of the stick when it came to your legs. The others here, they’re not so lucky and it shows every day when they’re tortured and abused.”
Her breath hitched. “I hate it. If only I was stronger.” She leaned into him more. Their lips were only inches apart. “If I was stronger, I’d kill him myself.”
Santiago pressed his lips to hers. Fuck, hearing her say what he’d wanted to do, turned him on and scared the shit out of him. There was no way he’d allow her to be the one to pull the trigger. He’d be doing it. No one else. Well, that wasn’t true. Murray would be the only other person allowed to kill Raul. He tilted her head a bit to deepen the kiss and moaned. He could never get enough of them. He was a selfish bastard, and, in the end, he’d have to let her go no matter what.
"Tonight, as I said, I'll be using both the blindfolds and the headphones, and I'll have you in place before we begin. You won't be able to see anything. I will be using the cane, as I've found you like. Nothing hard. Nothing to make it hurt. But I want you to play it up, okay?"
“Okay.” She stared up at him with the clearest blue eyes he’d ever seen.
“We’ll also be having sex.” Santiago ran his thumb down her cheek.
“We will?” Again, she swallowed hard and this time her bottom lip trembled.
“You’re in control. We’re doing this together. No matter what.”
She blew out a breath. “No matter what.”
“That’s my girl.” Santiago pressed his lips to her forehead.
Now, standing outside the room, he took a deep breath. Fate was either smiling down on him or was being a fickle bitch. Of all the people he could be performing in front of, it had to be Murray, Hannah’s brother. Although, he supposed it was for the best. At least he could hand Hannah to her brother and walk away. It would make it easier in the long run and one less distraction for him. He removed his shirt and ribbed tank before stepping into the space, the less time they took, the quicker he could be ready to take the place down.
The sight of Hannah trussed up, her naked body on display turned him on. He remembered the day she asked for the butterfly tattoo. They were laying together in his bed. His tattooed arm trapped over her tanned flesh. She always whispered her wishes to him in his room, along with her dreams and her secrets. She showed him the drawing she made of the multicolored monarch butterfly. She'd been so sure of herself, he didn't even attempt to talk her out of it, instead, he set her up an appointment with the same person who'd been doing his since he arrived. He held her hand through every session until it was complete. Even helped her keep it clean.
Santiago stepped to Hannah and traced the outline of her tattoo; her skin damp from the warmth of the room, glistened under the light of the room. The minute he saw Murray and Jaqueline, he'd been tempted to tell Hannah her brother was near, but he feared it would cause her to clam up and, for them to get out of there alive, she'd have to put on the performance of her life. They couldn't hold back.
He kissed her shoulder before stepping around her. A small smile tugged at her lips and he smirked. His butterfly was in a playful mood and he’d use it to their benefit. He pinched her nipple, tugging the point until she cried out. The small vibration in the chains above her head matched the tremble in her hands. He let go of her nipple then circled over to her right shoulder where he pressed a kiss to her tan flesh. He missed it with the left, but she tasted of her favorite peach lotion. Santiago groaned as he came back to stand in front of her. He stood in front of her, amused by the play of emotions of her face before settling in. She was so expressive. Lovely, really for a submissive. When he tugged on her right nipple she yelped in surprise and arched to him. Already he could see her juices glistening on her sex while the pulse point at her neck beat out a wild pace.
Glancing over her shoulder, he peeked at the glass, knowing Murray and Jaquel
ine were sitting there watching them. He couldn’t imagine what Murray felt or if he watched. He didn’t think he could if it was his sister. He’d probably be tearing down the door and beating the shit out of the guy who put his hands on his sister. Santiago ran his tongue over his bottom lip. He pushed the thought aside. He couldn’t think about any of them. He had to protect Hannah until Murray could take over for him.
He walked away from Hannah and went to the cabinet across from where he’d been standing. Inside, he grabbed his favorite cane. He’d used it before on Hannah. Watching her get off on the pain, sent a shiver of excitement down his spine. He’d never hurt her more than she’d want him to. Yet, he found himself nervous standing there with her. Performance anxiety. Get over it. You have shit to take care of. Santiago rolled his shoulders and stepped behind Hannah. He gave her a few warmup swats of the cane, leaving light pink lines across her ass and thighs. He remembered the places to stay away from on her back, going even easier there. But, his butterfly played it up, crying out and moaning each time the cane came down on her skin.
Santiago ran the back of his hand across his forehead, the perspiration rolled down his temple and beaded on his bald head. Shit, things were getting intense rather quickly. Hannah’s breath came in soft pants. Each time she inhaled, it pushed her breasts higher, almost as if she were begging him to take those tight peaks into his mouth and suck on them until she climaxed in his arms. He crossed to her and wrapped his arm around her, remembering to press on one of the redder marks he’d left then latched onto her nipple. She pressed her body to his, her soft mewling became desperate little whines until he let go and began again, this time peppering her thighs, stomach, and breasts with the cane.
When he finally dropped the cane, he was panting hard and so fucking aroused he couldn't stand it. He'd also lost track of time. He glanced at the clock and cursed. They only had twenty minutes left. He circled her once more then came up behind Hannah. They'd talked about this. Sex... Last night, they'd finally fucked—no that wasn't right. He made love to her, something his punk ass shouldn't have been able to do. What surprised him though, was the fact he also took her virginity. In the ten years Hannah had been with Raul, he'd never touched her, nor had any of his men.
