Kane is only half listening as he removes my t-shirt. My words are stuck again as I close my eyes and lean my head against his shoulder to enjoy his teasing pinches on my nipples.
His hands sweep down to my shorts. They fall away along with the panties. Before I drift into the mindless erotic haze he is so good at drawing out, I ask him again. "What did you mean when you said I started something I needed to see through to the end?"
The question makes him tense behind me. There's no answer. He takes hold of my wrists. "Where are the cuffs?" he asks angrily. My question upset him.
"I'm tired of them. I hate them," I snap back.
"Fine." He pulls his shirt off, popping all the buttons with one sharp tug. He ties both my wrists together with one sleeve. My feet slap the ground as he leads me brusquely to the bed. The white shirt is tossed over the canopy frame and tied in a loop. I'm bound again, even without the leather cuffs.
He pushes his pants off and presses his hard naked body up behind me. His cock pokes teasingly at my ass as his hands slide down between my legs. He kisses my shoulder and then his teeth nibble my neck.
The earlier question floats away as my head fills only with thoughts of him fucking me.
His fingers massage and impale my pussy drawing out the creamy liquid pooling there. He draws some out and uses it to lube my ass. "I need to hear it from your lips, or I will leave you hanging here waiting for a fucking orgasm for the entire day." His cruel words should anger me. Instead, they only make me want him more.
"Please, Please, Kane, you know what I want. Please." It's not my voice anymore. It's that woman who can't get enough of Kane Freestone.
His hands drop and he steps away.
"No!" I plead. "What do you want me to say? I'll say anything."
Silently, he walks to the dresser and pulls out one of the many vibrators. He lubes it up. The buzzing sound sends shockwaves through my pussy. A long, appreciative moan rolls up from my chest.
Kane yanks my hair back and kisses my ear as he pushes the vibrator in, bringing on an instant orgasm. As my body succumbs to the waves of pleasure, he shoves his cock into my ass. I cry out in ecstasy as I'm invaded from every angle.
He pumps into me from behind while keeping my pussy convulsing around the vibrator. The canopy frame of the bed creaks. I'm sure it will break in half. He moves faster and drops the vibrator to wraps his arms around me. I melt against him absorbing the impact of his thrusts. His strong arms tighten around me, nearly crushing me as he comes.
We stand in the hot steamy air evaporating from our bodies as our breathing slows. He reaches up and unties my hands. I rub the life back into them as I turn to be wrapped in his arms. It's the closure I always crave. Instead, he pulls his shirt on and hardly looks me in the eye.
"Stress relieved?" I ask lightly.
"If only it were that easy." He pulls on his pants. I pick up my clothes, deciding there's a sudden chill in the air. Only it has nothing to do with ambient temperature.
"Kane?" I ask tentatively.
He finally lifts his face to mine. His blue eyes are unreadable. He steps toward me and takes my face between his hands for one last kiss before he marches out the door.
32
Maddox
My two friends are back. They retie my hands in front of me and lead me again, one on each arm, out the door. I don't bother to ask where they're taking me because they aren't big on answering. I take note of the various cameras and turns, the corridors, the maze of halls. Every door has a keypad and a number, reminding me of a very industrial looking hotel. The only clue that we are underground is the lack of windows.
We take a quick turn down another dark corridor. The guard knocks on a door. A voice follows to come in. I recognize it instantly. My entire body tightens at the sound of it. The guard opens the door, and they escort me roughly inside. It's a plain, stark office. Freestone is sitting in the center of it, watching something on his computer. He doesn't acknowledge our presence at first.
He motions us forward with a wave of his hand without pulling his gaze from the monitor.
"Decide what the hell you're going to do with me already," I say. "I'm getting bored sitting in that storage room."
"I decided what the hell to do with you yesterday. I'm just drawing this out to get a confession out of you." He sits back in his chair and looks up at me. "And I like to draw out the punishment a little." He looks at my hands tied in front of me and looks up at his guard.
"I think we should probably move his hands to the back. He might not like what comes next."
"Fuck," I mutter. "Why bother having her fix up my face if you're just going to pummel me again?"
"Nope. We're done with the pummeling. It occurred to me after these two got done with you yesterday that I was going about this the wrong way. It is obvious that you don't mind getting the shit beaten out of you."
I snort derisively. "You call that getting the shit beaten out of me? Guess you spend too much time in those fancy business clothes hiding down here in your bat cave to know the real world."
He shrugs lightly. "I prefer the bat cave to the real world. I've got plenty to keep me busy down here."
My arms are secured behind my back. Not that I could do much in a place like this. It's not like I could find the exit if I did manage to fight off the two bodyguards. Freestone doesn't look like an easy pushover either. It seems he's found the secret to living the good life in cement burrows.
I glance at his two guards and then turn back to him. "Now what? Don't keep me in suspense. Let's get on with this new way, as you said. You already know I'm a cop, so there's not much more you can squeeze out of me."
"Are you sure? See, I walked out of here last night convinced there was some connection between you and my special friend. You could almost see arcs of electricity shooting between you two the second we entered the room. And frankly, I've been extremely intimate with her for several months, and I've never seen her cry like that." He's goading me and it's working. My fists are solid as rocks.
I stare at him. "Don't know what you want me to say. I don't know her but I sure as hell can pretend like I do if it means I'm out of this place."
"Nope. I prefer the truth." He motions for his guards to step back. They quickly obey and move back away from the desk. Freestone reaches for his computer mouse. Light sounds are coming from the speakers. It doesn't take long to recognize they are a woman's erotic moans of pleasure.
Freestone watches my face with laser eyes as he swivels the computer monitor my direction.
"Please, Kane," the woman pleads. Even though I've never had Ten naked in my arms, I know the sound of her voice.
My teeth grind together so hard it sends a shooting pain through my already sore jaw. My fists are so tight, I can no longer feel my fingers. I stare unblinking at the monitor. Freestone blocks her from the camera until he peers up at the spying lens and moves aside. He is gripping her hair. Her face is turned up. Her eyes are closed as Freestone pumps into her.
I pull my gaze away. My leg shoots out before I can even plan the kick. My foot jams so hard against the desk, the monitor wobbles and the heavy desk scoots toward Freestone. The two guards jump into protective mode. They grab my arms and hold me down hard to keep me from kicking anything else.
Freestone has turned the monitor but the sound is still on. "Turn it off," I say through a tight jaw. "Turn it fucking off."
Freestone reaches for the mouse to mute it.
He sits back in his chair. "Quite a reaction. Most men would rather enjoy watching that. Unless of course the woman tied to the bed, enjoying herself beyond measure is a woman they love."
I shake my head, hoping to cool the fire in my mind. The rage, the sickness deep in my gut steals my response. All I want to do is climb over the fucking desk and pound him until his mad genius brains ooze out his ears.
Freestone taps the mouse to shut off the video. "It makes me horny to watch it. She is something. Never had anyone like he
r. Guess I can't blame you for risking your life getting in here. Kind of makes me almost feel bad for you. She's not one of those women you can lose and then get easily on with your life."
"Yeah? Is that why you're keeping her high on drugs and trapped in this hole? Because you can't go on without her?"
"She never tells me to leave her room."
A dry, angry laugh shoots from my mouth. "Because you've drugged her so much she can't make a rational decision. She's looks like hell. Don't you fucking feed her or is that part of your scheme to keep her under your control?" I can see the smallest movement in his cheek. I'm getting to him. It won't help the situation, but at least I got in one good lick, even if it is with my words and not my hands. "If you already knew so much about me, then you knew I was connected to her. Why the fuck did you just put me through that? Or is that just because you are a sick motherfucker who needs to be taken out for good?"
"Just wanted confirmation and to wipe that cocky smirk off your face. And I sure as hell did that. Oh and I'm a sick motherfucker as well." He waves his hand. "Take him. I'm done."
I move to avoid their grasp, which earns me an elbow in my gut. I bend over. "Fuuuck. Only an asshole would hit a man with his hands tied behind his back." He lifts his fist to silence me. I brace for the pain.
"No," Freestone snaps. "Leave him. I don't want blood in my office. Get him out of here."
"What are you going to do now?" I ask before they can pull me out of the room. "Send her back home. She needs medical attention, food. She needs to be out of your clutches for good. We can't trace back to this underground prison anyhow. Have these goons drive her back to the city or take her to a bus stop. Just let her go."
"And you?" he asks. "What am I supposed to do with you?"
"I don't know. Do whatever the hell you want just get Ten out of here."
A grin curls his lip. "Ten? Interesting nickname." He shakes his head once. "To think of all those times I was watching that tattoo of the number ten on her perfect ass as I fucked her from behind. And it was there because of you. Sweet. Gives the tattoo a whole new meaning, especially when I spank her."
I stare long and hard at him as his guards move in on me. "In the end, I think it'll be you and me. Then I'll be wiping the cocky smirk off your face and handing it back to you through your ass just before I slam shut the cell door."
My two new buddies yank me off my feet and drag me out of the office.
33
Angie
Three days of almost regular meals and I'm feeling human. The nectar doesn't leave me nearly as lightheaded and out of it. Even though my libido is still out of control, I can think straighter.
I sit on the bed and pick up one of the magazines that came with my food. Without Blake, I'm cut off from the activities in the rest of the complex. After complaining about attending the club party, I'm afraid to ask Kane about the schedule. The last thing I want to do is spark any suspicions about the new club member. At the same time, I'm going crazy wondering if Maddox will return soon to Lace Underground. Or did he already gather enough information and possibly even the location to start the process of shutting Kane down?
The door opens and Kane walks in. "Get packed. We're going on a short trip."
"Oh," I say in surprise, "I thought we could talk. There's something I wanted to ask you."
He seems to be in a hurry but takes the time to sit on the edge of the bed. "You need your injection." He remembers as he sees my red arm.
"No, I don't," I say too loudly. "I want to skip the midday dose. Just one a day. I'm feeling better and eating."
"Glad to see that but I think you'll reverse all that by skipping a dose."
I take hold of his hand. "Kane, I want to go home." With the amount of courage it took me to say it, I'm amazed and relieved at how easily he seems to take it.
"I thought you had no home?"
"Yes, well I have friends on the outside that I miss. I can't sit in this room forever. You've said it yourself. I'm your poison." I add a smile hoping to lighten the mood. "Time to suck it and spit it out." As I speak his face flattens. There is no visible emotion. Surprisingly, I'm somewhat hurt by his lack of reaction. I'd convinced myself that he couldn't live without me, and for a time, in between moments of clarity, I convinced myself I couldn't live without him. "You knew this was coming, didn't you?"
He stands from the bed and doesn't answer. It's his most frustrating habit.
"I need to go back to the Caribbean and finish my business. One last trip together. Then we'll talk. Be ready in an hour. I've got a special surprise waiting for you."
The door shuts. I'm alone in the room again, cut off from the world.
34
Angie
Kane leads me up the steps to his private plane. The blindfold makes the climb slightly terrifying, especially with gusts of wind battering us and the roar of plane engines thundering in the distance. I grip him as if my life depends on it, which, in this case, is pretty much true. I'm more than ready to leave him to go back to my life, but I still find myself feeling safe and secure with him. I feel important, relevant. More so than I have during most of my life. Even with his many mood shifts, Kane's support and attention has been unwavering. Even thin and hollow eyed and pale, he still looks at me in that way that every woman wants to be looked at—a look that makes it seem he can look past all my imperfections and see the person he admires.
I feel the burst of air that lets us know we are inside the plane. He lifts away the blindfold once we are in the cabin. It's dark outside and a rowdy thunderstorm is playing its song in the distance. I find my seat on the small leather couch on one side of the plane while Kane goes to the cockpit to talk to the crew. He was especially quiet and hands off in the limo. It seemed he was focused on the business ahead.
Jason and Oscar are nowhere in sight but I have no doubt that they'll be traveling with us. On the last trip Blake told me that no one enters or leaves Lace Underground when Mr. Freestone is traveling. It's why he doesn't ever stay away long. I hope that's the case again. It means there won't be any member parties while we are out on the boat. I'd hate to think Maddox was in the complex, possibly looking for me, while I was thousands of miles away.
Several days on the yacht will give me a chance to regain even more strength. Then I'll have the courage to talk to Kane about leaving him for good.
I pull the sweater I'm wearing closer around me to block out the chilly night air drifting in through the open plane door. It seems we are still waiting for passengers. Oscar and Jason, no doubt.
Kane returns and hands me a drink. "Vodka on the rocks," he says.
I shake my head. "No, thank you. I'm still buzzing from the late morning injection."
He holds it in front of me. "Take it just in case."
I take it and raise the glass in a silent toast. "Does that mean we're in for a wild, turbulent ride? That thunderstorm in the distance sounds menacing."
He chugs back his own drink. "Yeah, we're due for some turbulence this flight." He walks over to the wet bar and refills his glass.
I put the glass in the holder and cross my arms to shield myself from the brisk air. "Are they closing the door soon? It's cold outside."
"Just waiting on a few more people." He walks to the door and looks out. For the first time I notice that his jaw is tight and rigid. He grips the glass hard enough to turn his fingertips white.
"Club members?" I ask.
He turns back and looks at me. "Something like that."
I sigh audibly. "Do you realize you are the most vague person in the world? Why must every answer be a puzzle shrouded in mystery?"
He flicks his brows up and down. "Makes me more interesting, don't you think?"
"More irritating, yes. More frustrating, yes. But not more interesting."
"Too bad. I pride myself on being interesting." Kane finishes his second drink. It surprises me considering I rarely see him finish even one. He pours himself a third drink and sits in
his chair to finish it. His posture is always perfect but tonight it seems particularly rigid.
Multiple sets of loud, clumsy footsteps pound the metal stairs leading up to the plane. "It seems Oscar and Jason have been hitting the vodka on the rocks tonight too," I say lightly, hoping to get a hint of a grin. No luck.
Oscar steps into the plane first but turns back as if he's dragging something behind him. He struggles and cusses for a second. I scoot instinctively back thinking he's fighting off an attacker.
"You stupid fucker." Oscar's face is red as he yanks hard on the arm I now see him gripping. One good pull and Oscar stumbles backward bringing the person with him.
Green eyes land instantly on my face. I jump to my feet with a gasp.
Jason steps in holding Maddox's other arm. His hands are cuffed in front of him. Cuts and bruises mar his face. I can't hear the engine of the plane over the pounding of my pulse.
Jason and Oscar drag Maddox farther into the plane. It seems as if time has slowed to a crawl as Maddox's throat moves with a deep swallow. The twisted look of hurt and regret and apology in his face pushes tears into my eyes. But they don't fall. Not this time. I will not crumple into a weak, whimpering butterfly this time. And this time, I don't give a fuck about Kane or his bodyguards or anyone.
I close the space between us in four quick steps. The silent partner communication still works. He knows exactly what I want. Maddox lifts his cuffed hands. I duck under them and land hard enough against him to send him temporarily off balance.
"Let him go." I hear Kane's deep voice behind us. It's strained and tight and different.
Oscar and Jason release their hold on Maddox. He drops his arms around me, holding me against him. I lift my hand to touch his shirt, his throat, his forearm. "It's really you."
"In the flesh. And you've got some explaining to do, Tennyson," he says low enough for just me to hear.