“Sam,” she began.
“Hush,” Jack interrupted. “Sam knows exactly what I was thinking. He can handle more than you, darlin’. It’s been a long time since I did anything like this. I practiced last night, and I’m confident it will be fine. If I wasn’t, both of you would be in my truck right now, whether you wanted to or not. Now I say Sam takes twenty and Abigail takes ten.”
“Why can’t I take them all?” It made sense to Sam. Abby didn’t mind a spanking, but if Jack got the whip even the slightest bit wrong, it could really hurt. He wouldn’t mind the experience, but he hated the thought of Abby being in pain. She wasn’t wired the way he was. “That way Abby stays out of it. She got spanked last night, after all.”
Abby’s pretty mouth formed a stubborn line. “I don’t think that would satisfy Julian. I can take ten. How much worse is it than a spanking?”
“Well, it’s a flipping whip,” Lucas pointed out. “I don’t think it’s supposed to feel good.”
“It can be horrible.” Jack ran his hand along Abby’s arm gently. She shivered at the sensation. “Or it can be like a whisper across your skin.”
“Screw that.” Damn, Sam wished he hadn’t said it out loud.
“I’ll be sure to note your preferences,” Jack stated with a sarcastic smile on his face. “Sam likes a pretty big bite of pain, Abby. You like a small one. If you like the whip and want to play with it at home, then we can talk about it. But I’m not putting you through that here. I’ll give you ten light ones and then move on to Sam. What I’m going to do to him should satisfy the crowd. While I handle Sam, Lucas is going to take care of you, Abby.”
Lucas sat up and leaned forward, his face serious. “I’ve been fully instructed. I’m to hold you if you cry and rub some salve into your butt so it doesn’t sting anymore. I am not to play with your boobs.”
Jack sent his brother a stern look.
“Or anything else,” Lucas concluded with a gulp. “I can pat your back and try hard not to get an erection.”
“That won’t happen.” Jack stood up and affectionately ran a hand through Sam’s hair. “She’ll be naked. Every man in the room will have an erection.”
“Sally would, too,” Sam interjected. “If she had a penis.”
“Lucas, Julian will come for them in twenty minutes. You walk down with them,” Jack instructed. “I’m trusting you with this, son.”
Lucas sat up straighter, and his voice was deeper as he answered. “Yes, sir. They’ll be there safely.”
After Jack left for the dungeon, Lucas stood and walked across the room. He stopped at the bar. When he came back, he had a beer in one hand and a small glass of pink stuff in the other. “You’re allowed two. Beer for Sam, vodka with cranberry juice for Abby.”
They could hear the table next to them discussing the day’s events, including the miraculous rainstorm of fine lingerie.
Sam laughed and downed his beer. He cuddled Abby as she bemoaned the loss of her undies. It didn’t take long before Lucas was watching for Julian’s entrance. He took Abby’s hand, threading their fingers together. A magnificent sense of anticipation threatened to overwhelm him, but he could feel her trembling.
He wrapped his arms around her. She was perfectly placed in his lap. “Baby, it’s going to be fine. Jack is great with a whip. I promise you’ll barely feel it. He’s going to go so easy on you.”
Her eyes were wide as she peered up at him. “What about you?”
“He’s going to tear me up, and I’ll love it. I like the pain. Did I ever tell you what Jack caught me doing when we were still in the foster home?” She shook her head and he told her something he’d never told another person. “He caught me cutting. I used to run a knife along my thighs and my calves.”
“You told me those were old rodeo wounds.”
“Nah, I did those myself,” he admitted. “It made me feel better. Jack caught me and made me stop. That was about the time I started getting into a whole lot of fights. It was harder back then. I’d recently lost my parents and my brother in a car wreck. I was the only one who survived. I liked the pain because it made me feel closer to them. That went away, but I still like pain, Abby.”
She pulled him close and murmured something about understanding. He sincerely doubted that she did or ever really would. The important thing was she would accept it. She would accept him and try to give him what he needed. Her love had no conditions. It made it so much easier to accept himself.
“Good evening,” Julian said as he walked up. He was dressed for the dungeon. Unlike Jack, he’d left off the shirt. Jack would eventually ditch the shirt, too. Julian’s pants were leather and rode low on his hips. Julian’s long, dark hair was down for the occasion, released from its normal sleek ponytail.
He hoped Julian wasn’t planning on derailing things between Jack and Lucas. “Did those two security guys find you?”
Julian smiled, but it was a little like the smile of a cobra right before it struck. “Yes, Mr. Dean and Mr. Miles did find me. Despite their boss’s unsavory need for sarcasm, I believe that investment is going to go quite nicely. They’re training a couple of former Navy SEALs right now to work as our in-house investigators. Their work is impeccable, but nothing for you to worry about now.”
“If this is about…” he began.
Julian put a hand up. “It’s nothing for you to worry about. Any of you.”
And that was all Sam could do unless he wanted to get into even more trouble.
“It’s good to see Jackson followed at least one of my dictates. You look lovely in your collar, dear.” He nodded to indicate the three strands of diamonds around Abby’s throat. “Normally it’s all leather and metal down in the dungeon. I believe your husband wants you to stand out.”
“Her husbands think she deserves diamonds,” Sam corrected. “She’s our jewel.”
Abby’s face softened and she kissed his cheek. He held his hand out, indicating it was time to go, and she took his hand and rose from the sofa. She wore only a silk robe and her heels. Abby nervously straightened the thin, fine fabric around her body.
“I don’t see your collar, Samuel.” Julian’s irritation was plainly written across his face. “Have you decided to forgo your punishment?”
There might not be anything he was prouder of than that damn collar. He pulled his T-shirt off. He wouldn’t need it. “If you don’t see my collar, Julian, it’s because you’re not looking close enough.”
He got rid of the bandage. He wouldn’t need that, either. Abby would redo it later.
“I wondered about that request from your Master.” Julian inspected the tattoo. “It looks good on you.”
Sam nodded and took Abby’s hand firmly in his. Up ahead, he noticed that the man from last night was in the bar. He’d taken note of the man the night before because he stood out like a sore thumb. He’d been wearing a suit and not enjoying the scene Jack and Abby had unwittingly performed. He looked like the type of man Sam usually tried to avoid.
Julian noticed him, too. He didn’t seem particularly happy to see the man, either. “Mr. Slater, I would have assumed you would be back in Washington this evening.”
The man with the bland face and graying hair crossed his arms over his chest. There was no small amount of belligerence in the gesture. “My business is not finished here, Mr. Lodge. Lucas still threatens everyone in this club and his father.”
“No, I don’t,” Lucas protested.
“You don’t have to worry about Lucas anymore.” Abby squared her shoulders and straightened her spine. She was as dignified as a totally hot woman in a short robe with pretty pink toenails could be. She frowned at the newcomer. “He’s coming home with us. He’s completely out of the blackmail business. He’s going to be a cowboy.”
“Probably not forever,” Lucas interjected. He’d noticed Lucas seemed much more confident than he had this morning. Something had given Lucas a sense of self, and he doubted it was the haircut. Lucas stood up to the m
an named Slater. “I’ll probably go back to school. Jack said he could use a lawyer. I think I could be good at that.”
Slater snorted derisively. “You never were before. Your sister is the lawyer. Don’t even try to compete with her.”
“He isn’t trying to compete with anyone.” Abby practically growled at Slater. Sam hid a smile. Abby’s mama bear was coming out. Slater should step carefully. His wife had some nasty claws when someone threatened her loved ones. “He doesn’t have to. He only has to be Lucas. You get on a plane and head back to wherever you came from. Don’t you give Lucas another thought. He’s not going to give you one.” She slipped her arm through a surprised Lucas’s. She patted his hand comfortingly. “Good-bye, Mr. Slater.”
She turned and started to lead Lucas off. She seemed to remember that she was supposed to follow someone. Her red hair shook as she impatiently waited on Julian.
“I wouldn’t mess with that one, Mr. Slater,” Julian said smoothly, taking his place at the head of the group. “She seems to have taken your charge under her wing. It’s a delicate wing, but I believe you’ll find it has claws.”
“Damn straight it does,” Abby shot back.
Julian frowned. “Language, Abigail.”
She shrugged. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re not.” Julian sighed, and his head gave a shake of despair. He looked the campaign manager over. “Are you still going to try to talk to Lucas? He doesn’t seem interested in talking to you.”
Slater followed doggedly behind. “Yes. The contract I signed gave me club access through tonight. The senator wants his son to come home.”
Sam doubted that. The senator wanted his son to shut up. Julian stopped and stared at Slater for a moment, his mouth flat and his eyes flinty. Sam knew that look. It was the one Jack always sported when he was plotting some terrible revenge. Sam wondered what the hell the older guy had done to put that expression on Julian’s face. Or what was in the report in that file folder.
Maybe it wasn’t something he needed to worry about.
“Fine, Mr. Slater,” Julian finally allowed. “I’ll honor our contract. You will honor your end. I believe the rules of the dungeon were fully outlined. Have a good evening, Mr. Slater. Abigail, Samuel, please follow me.”
Julian turned and started to walk again. Sam walked beside his wife, slipping his hand through her open arm. He smiled as Lucas leaned over.
“Abby, are you going to insist on acting all motherly toward me?” Lucas sounded disappointed.
“I can’t help it, Lucas. I am a very motherly person.”
Sam caught Lucas staring at the gap in her robe. It showed off her perfectly creamy skin and the round beginnings of the breasts Sam loved so much.
“All right, but you gotta know, I already have an Oedipus complex about you,” Lucas shot back.
Julian and Abby laughed. Sam wasn’t sure what that was, but he doubted Lucas could ever look at Abby like a real mama.
“It’s good to know his education wasn’t a complete waste,” Julian tossed over his shoulder as he led them into the playroom. “Lucas at least paid attention in English class.”
He walked into the playroom and stared at the stairs in the back that led to the dungeon. He’d been there a hundred times, but it felt like the first time.
Sam took a deep breath and strode toward his new life.
* * * *
The dungeon was awfully dungeon-like. Abby took a deep breath as Lucas helped her off the last step. Sam’s hand was on the small of her back as she took in the space. The lighting here was soft and lent the entire place a bit of a gloomy atmosphere. The walls were black and the floor a dark wood. The fixtures were all a heavy wrought iron, giving the place a medieval feel. She preferred the playroom. If she had the choice, she greatly preferred the playroom at their ranch. It was more intimate. It didn’t have the amount of toys Julian’s large playroom did, but it was theirs.
It seemed as though everyone had gotten the word. The dungeon was full. Club members milled around, quietly discussing the evening to come, and they tended to look up when they caught sight of her. The white silk robe she wore made her stand out in this crowd. Jack had orchestrated this carefully. The night before, Sam had tried to make her blend in by wearing the leather miniskirt and bustier.
Blending in wasn’t on Jack’s to-do list. The white silk she wore was different from the leather and black fetish wear everyone else had on. Her hair was soft and flowed down her back. The only makeup he’d allowed her was a bit of lip-gloss. As she walked through the severely dressed club members, she realized Jack had done it on purpose. She looked like a virginal sacrifice. Of course, the robe wouldn’t matter in a little while. Jack would take it off, and she had nothing at all on underneath. Abby’s breath caught on a scene in front of her.
“What’s that?” Abby nudged Sam.
There was a young man intricately tied up and hanging from a hook over his head. Jack liked to bind her hands together, but it was nothing like this. Rope wound around every part of the sub in an elaborate pattern. The thin rope wrapped carefully around his waist and the V of his thighs. His penis was on full display, caught in the bindings.
“It’s called Shibari,” Julian explained as he led them through the dungeon. “It’s a Japanese bondage art. Master Leo teaches a class.”
“I do, indeed.” Master Leo joined them. He appeared to be roughly thirty, though the perpetual air of authority around the Dom made him seem a bit older. He gestured to the man in the ropes. Despite the tight bindings, his eyes were closed, and he seemed peaceful. “I taught his Domme how to bind him. I believe this sub finds it soothing. I would be more than willing to show you, Mrs. Barnes.”
“You’re going to get your ass kicked if you don’t leave my brother’s wife alone,” Lucas said before Sam could.
Abby was grateful Lucas was taking charge. Sam was an acknowledged submissive. This Master Leo person didn’t like it when subs offered up a potential ass kicking. Lucas was acting as her guardian. It seemed perfectly acceptable that he make all manner of threats.
There was a slight smile on Julian’s face. Abby got the feeling Julian rarely smiled brightly. Even when he looked amused, there wasn’t a sense of joy about him. He was always in control. “I wouldn’t push Jackson tonight, Leo. It’s a special night for him. He won’t have you disrupt it with your obvious admiration for his wife.”
Master Leo inclined his head toward her. “She’s a lovely submissive. I can’t help but admire her. I think training her would be a challenge.”
“I’m as trained as I’m going to get,” she muttered under her breath.
Lucas clutched her arm and stared at the Dom. “We’re supposed to be finding my brother, not taking a tour.”
Julian held out a hand. “I believe Jackson has found a loyal friend in you, Lucas.” He turned to Leo, who was following the group now. “Did you get the report from McKay-Taggart?”
“I did indeed,” Leo replied.
“And is all in readiness for our final scene of the night?”
Leo inclined his head slightly. “Of course, Master Julian. Taggart is en route. He’s dropping off our friends as we speak. He promises we have several eager participants.”
“Participants?” Abby wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. And weren’t they supposed to be the final scene of the night? Not that she minded. She intended to go straight to their suite and play out a hot scene of her own with her men.
“Not for you, dear,” Julian assured her. “I have another matter to take care of this evening. Don’t worry about it. It no longer concerns you.”
She would have asked about when it had concerned her, but she suddenly saw Jack standing on a large raised stage. He looked dark and dangerous and entirely yummy. He held a long whip in his hand.
“You’re sure it’s not going to hurt?” Abby squeezed Sam’s hand.
She moved closer to Sam. His gaze didn’t move from the sight of Jack with that whip. H
is clear blue eyes had taken on that sleepy look she equated with desire in Sam. “It’ll hurt a little, but then it’s going to feel good.”
Julian flicked his wrist. The crowd parted quickly at his command. She wondered if everyone obeyed Julian. If everyone did his bidding, who was he friends with? Who did he argue with and discuss things with if everyone was submissive toward him? She felt a bit sorry for the Dom.
Then Jack was holding his hand out and she wasn’t thinking about Julian any more. Lucas gave her a hand up. She was enfolded in Jack’s arms.
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, my Abigail,” he whispered in her ear. “Show them.”
She took a deep breath and shrugged out of her robe. She was naked in front of a crowd of people, but there were only two who mattered. A slight shiver went through her despite the warmth of the room. Jack ran his hands down her shoulders. “Just follow my lead and Lucas will be taking care of you in no time at all, sweetheart. I love you.”
She kept silent because he hadn’t asked her a direct question. She nodded, letting her love for him shine. He put his hand out, and she sank into her submissive position. She tried not to think about the St. Andrew’s Cross that dominated the stage. It was a large wooden X, and she’d taken note of the fastenings she was sure would be used on her wrists and ankles. Once she was bound, there would be no getting out until Jack deemed it time.
Jack sounded very formal as he began. “Master Julian, this woman belongs to me. She wears my collar and my ring. She shares my name and my home. She has offended you and seeks to make reparation. Will you accept?”
“I will,” Julian replied.
Jack turned to her. She could only see the tips of his boots. “Abigail Barnes, who is your husband and Master?”
“You are, Jack.”
He used the tip of the whip’s handle to bring her chin up so she looked at him. “Do you submit to me?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation. She trusted him with her body and soul. She breathed out all of her anxiety and let Jack take control.