Savage Chains: Scarred (#2) Read online

  As Angelica disengaged the process, the vision faded slowly, then disappeared.

  Reyes stroked her arm. “Are you all right? You’re trembling.”

  Angelica closed the laptop. “I’m fine.”

  “You’re frowning. What did you see?”

  She met his gaze. “So much that I hardly know where to start.” But she decided that the beginning was the best place and related the conversation point by point.

  Reyes listened with hard blue eyes, then huffed a sigh. “My God. I had no idea. So, Sweet Dove is entrenched in Starlin and has some kind of partnership with Scorpion. But she also appears to rule Engles.”

  “Yes, it looks as though the student now schools the master. More importantly, everything they’ve done has been to bring you under Sweet Dove’s control once more. Although it was clear to me that she fully believes you’re a slaver now. At least that part of the equation is intact. Reyes, you’ve got to be careful.”

  He pulled Angelica tight against him and she leaned her head against his shoulder. “I never thought for a second that going after Starlin would lead me back to Sweet Dove.”

  “Maybe this is a good thing, because it seems likely to me that when you take Starlin down to rubble there’s a strong chance you’ll be able to bury her for good at the same time. And right now I want nothing more than to see that job done.”

  She felt absurdly safe held in his massive arms.

  Reyes sighed heavily. “So Sweet Dove’s plans are in play to bring me back under her control and she’ll happily offer you up as Engles’s reward. Sounds like the woman I knew.”

  Angelica frowned. “There’s just one thing I don’t understand. Engles said he still hadn’t met Scorpion, so how will he be present at our performance without Engles ever meeting him?”

  “He’ll probably use a disguising shield. Some of the Ancestrals can create layered disguises that most vampires can’t pierce. If after all this time Engles hasn’t met him, that has probably been the process.”

  Angelica shook her head. Disguising shields, revisiting visions, and sadistic perverts. How had this become her life?

  But she knew how and he had his arms wrapped around her.

  ###

  With Angelica pressed against him, Reyes processed the revisiting vision. When she had first mentioned Sweet Dove torturing Angelica early in her captivity, he’d thought that his former owner might have had a distant relationship with the Starlin Group, like the rights to look over newly acquired slaves or something.

  Yet at each turn, and especially thanks to the ability that Angelica possessed of experiencing revisiting visions, it was becoming clear that Sweet Dove was a significant player in Starlin.

  His heart sank like a stone.

  For a long time, he’d wanted to face his captor, to confront her head-on, even to choke the life out of her. But he wasn’t alone anymore. He had Angelica to think of. He also had tens of thousands of slaves, present and future, whom he held as the beacon in his mind, the one idea that kept him on a steady course.

  Now Sweet Dove appeared to be at Starlin’s center.

  His only consolation was that neither Engles nor Sweet Dove suspected his subversion. Engles had spoken only of Reyes as an ambitious man, as wanting a seat on the board, with a powerful desire to rise within the organization. He could breathe easy because it was clear his cover held.

  As for Sweet Dove, he thought he understood her, that the last thing she’d ever believe was that he’d want her destruction. She truly believed he was a slaver and that she’d had a hand in helping him along that path because she’d been his torturer. How wrong she was.

  His sole relief in the current situation was in knowing that Sweet Dove wouldn’t be at the sex performance. He didn’t think he could hold his rage back if he knew his former captor was watching and enjoying herself at his expense.

  Her presence would have been a deal breaker.

  Angelica grew very quiet and he remained holding her in his arms for a long time. No doubt she was processing all that she’d witnessed, both in the woman’s death and in the subsequent vision.

  Eventually, his thoughts turned to the difficult dilemma of managing the upcoming sex performance. He didn’t lack for experience. But technique and even theatrical quality was one thing. Making love to someone he cared about for the perverse pleasure of others was an entirely different hole to dig.

  He’d already been told that Angelica would have to be tied down. Though he refused to consider using chains or ropes, he thought he could handle silk scarves. The truth was, if Engles insisted on anything else Reyes would refuse. He wouldn’t subject Angelica to the rigors of steel or iron bondage.

  His phone dinged indicating a new text message, but his phone wasn’t handy. As though reading his mind, Angelica slipped off his lap. He rose and headed into the bedroom, where he’d left his phone on his nightstand on the far side of the bed.

  Because Angelica hadn’t followed him, however, he didn’t get far when the blood-chain gave its tug. As he glanced back at her she seemed to awaken from her own lost-in-thought reverie, nodded, and moved with him. More and more they worked in tandem.

  Once he retrieved his phone he read the text, then glanced at Angelica. “From Engles. I’m to wear dominance gear.”

  She touched the chain at her neck. “You’re upset and you’re scowling. Why? Isn’t this what you expected?”

  “It’s all leather and shit, no shirt, usually a flogger. It’s the idea of it I can’t stand.”

  She shrugged. “It’s fine with me, Reyes. Because it’s you, I can handle it.”

  “I’ve already decided that there are lines here I won’t cross with you. One of them is that though I’ll be tying you down, I won’t use chains or ropes, nothing like that.”

  “But you’re okay with silk scarves, like we originally discussed?”

  “Yes.”

  She drew close and slid her arms around his waist. “Scarves actually sound kind of nice.”

  His lips curved. “You’re trying to put a positive spin on something hideous.”

  “Maybe. But I’ve been thinking. What if we practiced a little, set up some kind of overall rhythm to the event, something planned, more theater than actual lovemaking?”

  He met and held her gaze; then he kissed her. “I think that’s a brilliant idea.”

  The rest of the night was spent talking through what kind of order of sexual effort would most likely please a pair of sadists best. Which led, not surprisingly, to taking Angelica to bed for one last round, with gentle overtones and a series of climaxes that made him wonder how the hell he could ever let her go.

  ###

  The next night Angelica flew with Reyes, her heart beating so hard she felt sure she couldn’t take much more. She wore only a thin lavender negligee and Reyes’s chest was completely bare, his tattoos on display. She thought maybe that during the upcoming ordeal she might be able to save her sanity by focusing on the collection of symbols and vines that curled around his shoulder and arm. Besides, she actually liked his snug black leather pants.

  They’d talked for a long time about how to get through the experience, which moves he’d make and why, and especially what would be acceptable to each of them. Reyes, for one thing, would call a halt if Scorpion or Engles demanded anything extreme, like binding her with chains or inflicting any kind of torture.

  The real problem was that neither she nor Reyes had any way of knowing how much Scorpion would be dictating what was about to happen. But Reyes assured her repeatedly that the moment any of their agreed-upon lines were crossed he’d shift to altered flight and get her the hell out of there.

  When he touched down outside Engles’s mansion, where the after-auction party had been held, Angelica once more looked around in awe. Engles might be a bastard, but he had an artistic eye. He’d created great beauty in the external landscape of his property with the lake and waterfall, the stonework and the palm trees all lit up, a terrible
dichotomy.

  Ready for this? Reyes’s words ramped up her heart rate yet again.

  She had only one response. Hell, no.

  You say the word, and we’re outta here, no questions asked, no recriminations.

  I know. I think it’s the only reason I can put one foot in front of the other right now. She wouldn’t turn back, though, not with a seat on the Board of Governors at stake.

  Engles met them in the foyer. He wore tailored slacks and a red silk shirt open at the collar. He held a familiar tumbler in his hand. His gaze skated over Angelica and the sheer negligee she wore. His eyes fell to half-mast and the bastard didn’t try to hide his arousal.

  She kept her eyes lowered.

  “Looks like we’re going to have some fun.”

  Reyes didn’t say anything, but the chain at her neck vibrated heavily. He despised Engles anyway, but the man always seemed to be able to say the exact thing that would fill Reyes with rage.

  Engles gestured for them to enter and Angelica almost took a step, but Reyes got in Engles’s face so fast that she gasped. “You don’t touch her. Have you got that, Engles? And I don’t give a fuck who you are in this organization. She’s mine to do with as I please. I’ll only share my slave when I’m good and ready and not a second earlier. Understood?”

  Engles smiled, sipping his drink as he returned Reyes’s glare. “Of course. That’s the Starlin way. But as you know, sharing is encouraged. You’re an ambitious man, Reyes, so I hope you take the hint.” Angelica heard the latent challenge in Engles’s voice as their host pivoted, waving them forward. “And now, if you’ll follow me.”

  Reyes addressed her mind-to-mind. Stay behind me. I plan to keep a lot of space between the two of you.

  Good idea. I might knee him in the balls, if he’s not careful.

  Reyes laughed quietly and some of the tension left the moment.

  As always, it wasn’t a quick march to move in stilettos.

  Engles guided them down the stairs where the main party had gathered last time, then through a bank of glass doors that led to a small garden and a shallow but very long rectangular pool that appeared to be about eight inches deep.

  Some sort of table, draped with dark-green silk, rested on a platform in the middle of the pool. Four wood posts, intricately carved and dangling with strips of multicolored silk, rose from each corner of the table.

  We’re going to do it there? Angelica shuddered.

  Actually, this is more than I could have hoped for.

  Why do you say that? It looks so exposed.

  Reyes glanced at her, holding her gaze briefly. Because the pool surrounds the table. It’s clear to me that this will just be a performance, that engagement won’t be expected.

  Angelica wanted to take his hand. Is that what you’ve been so worried about?

  Of course.

  Engles stood on the pathway to the right of the pool and opposite the platform. He extended his hand in the direction of the table. “Scorpion has already arrived, but will remain hidden behind a layer of disguise. He may call out commands, in a voice that will be modified to sustain his hidden identity. You are expected to obey whatever he asks. I will be required to do the same, and Reyes, you would be wise to obey us both.”

  Without giving Reyes a chance to respond to this speech Engles turned and snapped his fingers. The lighting within the pool shifted from a soft white glow to a sensual red. At the same time, music floated through the air, a soft jazz with a blues undertone, very sexy.

  Nervous, Angelica said, I take it Engles is setting the mood for us.

  Always a thoughtful host. Reyes glanced around.

  At least there’s no spotlight. Somehow I expected there to be lights blazing over us.

  Reyes turned toward her and made a pretense of gathering up the slack in the leash as he met her gaze. You’re doing fine. My problem is that if Engles doesn’t stop smirking I’m going to break his face into about a thousand pieces.

  I’d buy a ticket for that show.

  Reyes cleared his throat. You’re going to make me laugh again.

  Sorry.

  And keep your head down.

  Angelica obeyed. The part of her that was all nerves wanted to crack jokes, but Reyes was right. Laughter would not serve. I’ll be good now and I’ll do my absolute best.

  I know you will. Now step up on my foot. I’m going to fly us to the platform. Wouldn’t want your shoes to get wet.

  Angelica bit her lip. Hey, it’s not fair if you try to make me laugh. They were both nervous.

  ###

  Reyes held out his arm to Angelica, and just for a moment, as she slid her arm around his neck and he drew her against him, he pretended he wasn’t about to put her through hell again.

  Slowly, he took her into the air, landing on the platform just to the side of the table.

  Engles disappeared into the shadows, probably behind his own Ancestral layer of disguise.

  Reyes could no longer see him at all.

  He tried to warm up his vision, to see what was there beneath a tall shelf of rock, but more than one layer of disguise prevented him.

  “Thank you for obliging me, Reyes.” The voice that spoke sounded several pitches deeper than normal, with a metallic overlay.

  Scorpion.

  “As you are a new member, I’m sure my invitation for a private sex performance shocked you, but I confess I’ve been watching your career with interest, especially over the past year. You’ve provided me with ample entertainment as you used a variety of slaves in a number of our clubs.”

  So this was Starlin’s founder and primary owner, the one who called the shots.

  Reyes drew his shoulders back, refusing to be intimidated. “You’ve spied on me, then.”

  “Of course. Were you expecting anything less?”

  “I suppose not. I knew you had your men watching me, but I didn’t know you took such a personal interest in your members.”

  “Always, since I can’t take the chance of letting anyone in who might not fully appreciate all that we do. And now, you may begin by telling your slave to undress.”

  He turned to Angelica. Removing the collar and leash, he tossed them on the wood floor that supported the platform.

  “You’ve heard the command, slave.”

  Mind-to-mind, he gave her more specific instructions. Strip slowly, moving the negligee up from the bottom, and just as you said, this is more theater than anything else. I’m going to touch you at the same time. Stay focused on me.

  I understand. The music helps.

  She lifted from the hem.

  Using the flogger, he tapped her hips. “Dance for me, slave. Make me want you.”

  She began to grind slowly to the music, and for a moment he stalled out. The sight of her landing strip coming into view as her pelvis rocked and her hips swayed did him in. She was a beautiful woman with soft, voluptuous curves.

  She began to turn to the music, moving in a slow circle, so that after a few beats her hips and buttocks were on display and swaying.

  He cupped her bottom and squeezed. Just keep lifting the negligee.

  Reyes, what you’re doing feels so good. She gyrated with her hips, swirling, then tilting her pelvis, rocking several times.

  Angelica, my God, you can move.

  Thank you. I’m thinking about you, Reyes. About what you did to me last night.

  For a brief moment he forgot the performance. All he saw was Angelica’s sensuality. Images of making love to her several times the night before rolled through his mind.

  He stepped away from her and savored the way she finally lost the negligee, letting it drop near the leash and collar.

  The metallic voice filled the air. “Bend over the table face-first, slave, and spread your legs.”

  Reyes froze. You okay with this?

  Angelica didn’t respond. Instead, she moved with a sexy sway of her hips toward the table. She lowered herself slowly, stretching out until her hips connected w
ith the side of the platform. In slow, measured sidesteps, again in time with the bluesy music, she parted as she’d been commanded. Still thinking about you and what you did to me the last time I was in this position. Remember?

  Hell, yeah.

  Reyes knew not to remain static but drew closer to her. He used the flogger to play over her butt cheeks and down the insides of her legs. He spanked her gently.

  Can Scorpion even see this?

  Reyes glanced around. I’m sure he can, but you should also know that there are at least a dozen video cameras, all at a variety of levels, aimed at the table.

  So, every expression of mine is being recorded.

  Yes. Reyes had to give her an out. Want to stop?

  No. I keep thinking about “her.” I’m doing this for her.

  Reyes knew exactly what Angelica meant, that she referred to the Russian slave. Me, too.

  Angelica ground her hips repeatedly against the side of the table, still keeping time with the music.

  Though Reyes hated that other men were looking at what was very private, he stayed off to the side to allow the view he knew the men would want.

  “Beautiful!” the metallic voice called out. “And your slave is performing well. She’s pleasing me with her efforts. I congratulate you on your dominance of her. You may bind her now. ”

  “You heard Scorpion, slave. Climb up on the table.”

  Angelica moved slowly, one knee at a time, stretching out a leg, arching her back, making it all work. Eventually she was spread-eagled on her back, and Reyes took his time lashing her wrists with the silk scarves loosely to the posts. He then bound her ankles.

  “Take pleasure in her breasts,” came the next command.

  Still in his dominance leathers, he moved to the opposite side of the table, facing his well-disguised audience.

  Glancing down at Angelica, he asked, How are you doing?

  Still focused on you, Reyes. Every move I make is for you and I can’t wait for you to fondle and suckle my breasts.

  You’re making this easy for me. He set his flogger aside.