Dark Layers (Volume 3), page 15
There is a huge black wardrobe to my left in the centre of the wall which sparks my curiosity. I bet it cost a fortune back in its hay day. It looks expensive and has small 3D carvings of flowers in every corner. I pull it open by the old brass handle and it creaks under its own weight. It reveals tons of sex dvd's and a few strange looking toys. Why the dvd's? There isn't a television in here.
I firstly look at the long white tags that are attached to the objects before I even grab them; I need to know exactly what they are for. The first thing I see is a strange looking steel tube with a handcuff at the bottom that looks as though it cuffs around the balls - it's called a Houdini Locking Steele Chastity; I shiver at the thought! There is an anal spectrum; it's shiny and silver and long. It looks like something your doctor would have! I cannot really move past it - fuck that looks painful!
I close the door. This is just too much. I stand still while rubbing my head - this was a mistake. I have absolutely no idea where to start! I need more lessons! You reckon? Honestly, sometimes I worry about you!
"Where is she?" I hear someone shout.
I hear things being thrown all over the place and instantly go into panic mode - that doesn't sound good! I quickly run and stand behind the door; something is going down I know it. My door flies open and I start to tremble - who the fuck is that? I cannot actually see anyone because the door is blocking my view.
"Anile?" I hear Elijah call out and I instantly deflate.
"It's you!" I pant. "What's with all the shouting?"
I push the door closed and slowly walk towards him. I stare into his face hoping he will smile but he doesn't, he shockingly looks mad, really, really mad. He's gritting his teeth; he has one hand in his blue trouser pocket, his other is cupping his chin. He's eying the room and he looks totally pissed.
"What the fuck were you thinking, Anile?" He snaps.
I frown - crap, did I make a wrong move?
"I wanted to, try... no, I wanted to have some more fun." I look up at him in confusion. "I thought you would have liked this." I wave my hand around the room.
He laughs sarcastically. "You thought I would have liked this? Anile, are you fucking stupid? These places are dangerous - and illegal. Anything could have happened to you." He snaps.
He reaches out to me and takes a hold of one of my arms. He scans my entire body.
"I have to say, I am speechless." I snap. "You took me to that bloody house of hell and you think this place in the middle of London is unsafe?"
"That house is partly mine - and you were with me! You are always safe when you are with me." He snaps. He releases my arm. "Anile, I know you are a smart observing woman, did you not see the room downstairs called, snuff?" He says serious.
"Yeah, but I don't know what it means." I shrug my shoulders.
He shakes his head. "Anile, snuff means to perform sexual acts and then kill the sub."
I gasp. "Are you shitting me?" I'm shocked.
"No, I am not, Anile." He sighs long and steely. "Well, at least you are okay."
"Of course I am okay. Elijah, why are you making a big deal of this?"
"Anile, you are my Princess, I don't mind having fun with you in a safe environment - but I do not ever want you venturing out on your own into places like this. What made you come here? I thought you were double checking the brakes on your car?"
"I didn't plan this. I dropped the car off to the garage and then saw this place. I was curious, so I popped in. I was going to buy you a -" I'm too embarrassed to even say the word.
Elijah comes up close to me; he places his hand on my cheek and slides it down towards my chin. His touch fleeces me of breath and forces a heat wave to attack my nerve system.
"You were going to buy what? Don't be shy with me Anile, we have to be open with one another."
I laugh while lowering my head. "I was going to buy you a leash - as a joke."
He smiles tenderly; his lips don't rise fully but I know he feels bad for me.
"I can get you a leash - anything you want, just tell me. Please don't come to places like this again, Princess."
"Okay." I say angelic - I'm hoping my sweet appearance will save me from his bad mood.
He sighs long and hard. "How much did you pay the... woman?" He looks utterly disgusted when he says, 'woman'.
"Five-hundred." I whisper.
"You what? Five-hundred?" He gasps. "Fuck me! You really are curious. That's a lot of money for something like this, Anile. Jesus if this keeps up I'll have to invest in a special room for you at home!"
I cannot help but laugh. "Don't make out I am some crazy curious sex moron."
"Curious Minx, not moron." He smiles.
He leans towards me and places a gentle kiss on my cheek; I immediately flush, down there! His kiss is igniting; I have no choice but to tense my tummy muscles.
"Right, lets-"
Elijah is cut off. The bedroom door smashes open.
"Is this the bloke?" Some guy who looks like a body building bouncer asks the woman with spiky hair.
Holy fuck, are we in trouble? I quickly remember hearing things being thrown about when Elijah was making his way in.
"Yeah, that's him." The woman says steely.
Elijah quickly holds up one hand to silence them both. The guy sneers at him - oh God, he looks angry and he's huge! I'm starting to worry about Elijah because I know he will not back down!
"Refund Anile the five-hundred pounds and we will leave without any trouble." Elijah tells the woman.
Without any trouble? Are you crazy? We are the ones who are in trouble stupid!
"Eh, no." She says sarcastically.
Elijah stands in front of me; he pushes me behind him fully with one hand.
"I was not asking." Elijah snaps.
The big guy moves forward; he's edging his way towards Elijah. Holy fuck, I'm crapping myself - what an idiot move I have made!
"Elijah, forget the money - let's just go." I beg from behind him.
"Anile, be quiet." Elijah tells me.
"You should listen to your, girl." The big guy says firm.
"This is your only warning - and I am only offering you this because my girlfriend will not like seeing me smash your face in. Back off." Elijah orders.
My face is of shock; my mouth is agape. Is he fucking stupid? That guy looks like he will take Elijah out in one swipe! He's at least six foot six and built like a bull! His bald head would probably do more damage than Elijah's punch!
The big guy ignores Elijah; he edges closer with a dirty smile plastered on his face. Elijah turns to the side. He parts his legs as though he's ready to balance himself - he actually looks like he has got this. The big guy reaches Elijah but before he even has the chance to fully throw the first punch, Elijah quickly throws up one hand that's curled into a fist - he's only an inch away from the guys face. Without warning, Elijah thrusts his fist into the guy's throat and knocks him spark out. The guy falls hard and fast onto the floor - I'm surprised he hasn't fallen through it! He's fucking huge!
Elijah turns back to face me but I say nothing. My eyes are wide and my mouth is set in a firm o.
"Are you okay, Princess?" He says sweetly.
"What the fuck are you? A reincarnation of Bruce fucking Lee?" I am shocked, utterly shocked.
He smiles sweetly at me and he looks proud. "No one threatens me, or you!" He says firm.
"As I can see!" I gasp.
"Now, about that refund." He turns back to the woman.
She looks as though she might pass out any minute and I suddenly start to worry for her.
"I'll get right on it." She says in a weak voice.
She quickly scurries off out of the room and back down the hall. We follow after her. Elijah takes my hand and entwines our fingers together. I have to admit, I always felt safe with Elijah but not to this extent - now I think I'll call him before my father if I am ever in need of protection!
We reach the red room with the black crossroad doors. Thankfully we don't have to wait around.
"It's been refunded. It will take anything from two to five days to show up in your bank account."
"That's okay, I'll take your word for it. If it doesn't show up, I'll be back." Elijah says firm.
Yeah, and he will probably kick your arse too! I giggle.
"What's so funny?" Elijah asks while peering down at me.
"Nothing, honestly you wouldn't find it funny." I shrug my shoulders.
He shakes his head and moves me in front of him with his huge hands firmly on my shoulders. He guides me down the tiny hall. We reach the small dvd room and just as Elijah reaches out to open the front door, two work men come bursting through. They almost knock me out with the bloody door - any closer and I would be a gonner!
"Watch it." Elijah snaps.
"Sorry mate, excitement and all that." One of the guys joke.
He looks nervous; he's tugging on the hem of his lime green work jacket. I try to suppress my laugh but it's no use, I start to giggle further.
"Come on Elijah, they didn't mean it."
I grab his hand and pull him out of the door with me before he ends up in yet, another fight.
"Someone has gone into alpha overdrive." I joke.
"You have no fucking idea!" He gasps.
We walk beside one another back down the cobbled street. The garage is only one minute away.
"Have you paid for your car to be fixed?"
"No, why?"
"I'll pay for it. I then want you to go home where you can be free from trouble. Tonight, once I have finished work, I will come over and spend the night."
"Free from trouble? You make me sound like some kind of rebel." I joke.
"Well, you are turning into a sex rebel."
We both peer over our shoulders and laugh.
"You are so silly." I giggle.
Chapter Nine
ELIJAH CANNOT MAKE IT tonight, he said I have taken to many hours out of his day and he needs to work. I pouted viciously to try and get my own way but he was not budging, so Sophie and I have decided to hit the town in full force - her joke is to celebrate me being unemployed, I don't find it so damn funny. Elijah insisted I stay at home tonight, he was too forceful and ordering, so I haven't told him where I am or what I am doing. It's naughty I know, but him knowing is worth more than my backside!
We are at Punch and Judy's in Covent Garden, Central London - we have been here for hours. The city is buzzing and so are we. We are sat outside on the high balcony drinking sweet cocktails and gossiping the night away. I gaze down onto the pathway beneath us every so often and watch everyone partying away - it's inspiring. It's really dark - it's late - but the low lights flicker on the balcony and throughout the city for as far as my eyes can see. It looks magical.
"What club shall we hit after here?" Sophie asks all too excited. She ruffles her thick red hair and flutters her big green eyes at me.
"Oh no! I am not going clubbing." I say firm.
She screws her porcelain face up at me. "You are such a prune sometimes. Why don't you want to go clubbing?"
"Because, I'm happy here and I don't want a raging hangover tomorrow - sorry." I shrug my shoulders apologetically.
"Fine." She snaps.
She lowers her gaze and starts fondling her cocktail olive. My God, sometimes she really can be so childish.
"Anile?" She gasps wide-eyed and shocked - her mouth is agape.
"What?"
"Don't look now but Roman is here."
I don't believe this! I narrow my eyes at her. "Did you invite him as some kind of fucking joke?"
This is not funny in the slightest. I cannot help but shake my head at her - the more I stare into her ardent eyes, the more chafe I become.
"No, no, I didn't. I swear." She forces with defending hands held out.
"Yeah, right." I scoff.
Our momentary lumbering silence is quickly broken.
"Sophie, I want to talk to you." Roman sneaks between us and strangely doesn't even acknowledge me. I frown, I'm flabbergasted!
He looks good, dressed in a sharp grey pinstripe suit with a light blue tie. His golden hair is all sleek and tidy - he actually looks like a Lawyer. This prompts me to think, where the hell has he been? I haven't seen him at Darks Lawyers, not once.
"What's wrong?" Sophie asks.
"In private!" He snaps. He looks perplexed. He tugs on her arm and forces her to stand.
"Are you two okay?" I ask. What on earth is going on?
"We are fine." Sophie says in a pout.
Roman still says nothing, he just pulls her a few feet away from me. What could they possibly be talking about? And why the secrecy?
Roman continues to hold Sophie's arm in a tight grip, and if I'm not mistaken, they look like they are arguing. He's all narrowing eyes and gritted teeth. Sophie is trying to act unaffected but she looks uncomfortable without even realizing.
"If you go through with this, I will expose you!" Roman shouts. His face is passive, he's practically growling at her with all his teeth on show.
Sophie smiles viciously at him and points a firm finger in his face. I cannot hear what she's saying, all I can see is her not so welcoming body language. She snatches her arm free from his grip and walks back to me with ease. She casts her slender hands over her silk plum dress to smooth it out. Roman follows after her with long stomping strides - he's mad.
Sophie seats herself back at our table but doesn't force eye contact with me.
"What was that all about?" I ask Sophie.
She rolls her eyes at me.
"Anile, are you okay?" Roman asks from behind me.
I turn to face him, still seated on my stool.
"Yes, I'm fine. Are you okay? What was that all about?"
I lean my entire body in his direction; I'm trying to exude intimacy so I can find out what's going on.
"It's nothing. Where are you going after here?" He asks serious.
I raise my eyebrows at him. "I am going home - alone."
He shakes his head at me. "I didn't mean it like that, I just want to make sure you are okay, and I want to make sure you can get home safely." He smiles tenderly at me and sort of looks worried.
"Roman, what's wrong?" I ask. I reach out to hold his arm but he backs away. "Roman, answer me." I urge.
"Nothing. Nothing." He repeats.
"Roman, you're scaring me." I whisper.
"Anile, everything is okay." Sophie buts her nose in.
I turn to face her. She looks serious and prompting. I turn my attention back to Roman, he still looks shifty.
"Roman, where have you been? I haven't seen you at Darks Lawyers."
He sighs heavily, he looks really, really upset and it's starting to make me feel uneasy.
"Elijah opened a new branch in Kent. I'm running it with a guy called Amin."
"Oh, that's news to me."
I know Elijah did that so Roman's not around me. I'm sort of grateful, I can just about handle Elijah's dramas - let alone mine! And knowing Roman is working with Amin makes me happy, Amin sounds like such a nice guy.
"It's great. It meant I didn't have to move to London."
"I'm really happy for you, Roman." I say sweetly.
"Anile, I have to go. Make sure you get home safely, okay?" He says quickly and serious and this worries me.
"I will. Are you sure you're okay?" I ask once more.
"I'm fine. See you around." He says deadpan. He turns on his heel and disappears into the bar.
"That was weird, what's going on with you two? And don't say 'nothing'." I urge.
She sighs. "I slept with him and he wants me to tell you." She says as if it's okay to have my cast-offs.
"Sophie!" I squeak, my mouth in a wide o.
"Anile, I'm sorry. It was a mistake, on both our behalf's. He just wanted you to know."
"When?"
I have no idea why I care, but I do. I cared about Roman once, I was with him for a few years, he was my first boyfriend.
"It was a while back, but it's over now."
I frown while staring right at her face, my tummy doubling over.
"Forget about that, Anile. It's old news. Where is Elijah?" She changes direction.
"Why? So you can bed him too?" I snap.
"Anile, please don't do this. It was a mistake and I'm sorry. I didn't think it would bother you, but I'm concerned that it does."
"Don't make this about me and my feelings!"
I am so damn angry with her, what a bitch!
She doesn't answer me, she just stares her all too sorry eyes at me.
"Elijah had to work." I say through gritted teeth.
I lower my gaze and try to evaluate the situation. I really don't want to fall out with my best friend over my ex - I just cannot believe she actually did that! Who needs enemies when you have friends like this?
"Why wouldn't he come? He owns that place, surely he can find cover?" She continues to moan about Elijah.
"He has to work, like we all do."
"Yeah, right. He's filthy rich and he knows it - he doesn't need to work. He's up to something."
"No he isn't. He's working." I force.
"If he wanted to spend the evening with you, he could, no problem. You know that, Anile, come on." She arches a perfect red eyebrow at me; she's trying to force my mind.
"Sophie, stop this!" I snap.
She is carefully putting doubts into my mind. Is he lying? Is he actually up to something? NO! Have your forgotten your little chat about honesty and trust earlier? Jeez, you have got a brain like a fish!
"Well, just because Elijah refuses to have fun, doesn't mean we have to. I took the liberty of inviting some of my friends."
"Why?" I ask curious. I didn't know she knew anyone in London.
"Hey, over here." She ignores my question and starts waving like a mad woman and calling someone from behind us.
I turn and peer around the balcony. I see three guys dressed in black trousers and crisp white shirts moving towards us. They are eyeing me suspiciously. Oh dear God, I do hope she isn't trying to set me up or something!
I quickly turn back and grab Sophie's arm. "Please do not tell me you are trying to set me up! You know I'm with Elijah!"
