Dark (Beautiful Ashes #1), page 12
Mitch addressed, “We ready to do this?”
E howled out, “Show time.”
Despite the tension in the room that was enough to earn a few chuckles. Keeley appreciated his sense of humor more in that moment than she ever did before. He was a good man with a beautiful heart. Nik was too. And as she gave a sidelong glance Tar’s direction, she acknowledged he was another one. She couldn’t believe her luck, surrounded by such wonderful men—men who would do anything and everything to keep her safe. Too bad they couldn’t save her from herself, she thought as they went back to the restricted dungeon.
Chapter Eighteen
Keeley’s heart raced, keeping a tempo like a thoroughbred in the final stretch of the Kentucky Derby. Braxton could not be the man Mitch was investigating too. And how the hell did this all work with the other secret assignment her and Leith were on? He leaned in where she was hanging from the leather cuffs and purred, “Ah, my lovely, we meet again.” He inhaled deeply at her neck sending shivers of terror ricocheting throughout her nervous system. “So your Dom is ready to give you to another?”
“Yessssss,” she hissed as he bit below her ear.
“You’re afraid of me,” he gloated. “Perfect. Though I’m sad to say, things won’t be quite as acute at this club.” He struck her with the flogger along her tender ribs.
Bastard knew she was sore after what he’d done to her at the underground. She didn’t want to fucking like it. Did not want to crave the fear he heightened, but she did. So much so that she was aroused to the point he’d notice. E’s club was different. She knew they were watching as did Braxton, but not in a full-view area. This was more private and concealed. No one watched without permission from both parties. Shame and guilt filled her that her traitorous body responded this way. Her heart screamed at her to use the safeword. With the next strike along the inside of her thigh, she implored, “Please, more.”
Braxton wanted to fuck this one. He didn’t know what it was about the girl, but he fought like hell not to take her. She would fight and that was what he wanted most. He grabbed a belt next and as he struck her sweet breasts, Braxton began to comment, “If you were all mine and we were in the privacy of my home, I’d show you just what I can do to your body. Make you come without ever touching you with my dick, my fingers, or my mouth.”
Keeley groaned. He kept talking like that, with strikes to her erogenous zones, and she would. Oh, she’d hate herself for it, but it was absolute fact. He already had her so close to orgasm. She must focus. For those girls who didn’t choose this. For Mitch, Nik, and E sitting in the other room. For Tar. “Tell me, Sir, what it’s like.”
“So sweet. I should wash that mouth out with my cum for your insolence.” His next strike was right on the cusp of brutal.
Keeley cried out, earning another just like it. Fucker was aroused each time he caused enough pain she screamed, “Sir.”
“You going to use the safeword?” He struck again, hard, right over her exposed clit. Tears blurred her vision. “I’m—”
“I need to know,” she interrupted while pleading.
Braxton pulled her head back by the hair and whispered in her ear valuable information. Not enough to charge him, but it was tangible. He broke away from her, breathing heavily. “Little girl, you will be my undoing.” Holding up a hand to give a signal, the door opened. He watched as Keeley was released from her chains and called, over his shoulder, “Be here in three days, same time.”
Keeley was leaning heavily on the other woman assisting her. “Yes, Sir.” Her eyes met his and a chill traveled her spine. This man would destroy her. She knew it, but the masochist craved what he offered. In over her head, she should confess it all to Tar. Yet she wouldn’t. She’d lie to herself that it was all for a good reason, the greater good. But it was just that—a lie.
*****
“What the fuck?” Tar roared when he saw E carrying Keeley.
Nik took a protective stance between the two men. “Easy there,” he cautioned.
Mitch walked in, closing the door behind him. He gestured for Tar to take a seat. Tar couldn’t bring himself to sit. “Give her to me,” he growled at E.
Once more, Nik got right in-between them. “Back the fuck up.”
“Nikko, he’s fine,” E assured, passing Keeley to him.
Tar took his exhausted girl and sat down heavily, caressing her back as she slumped against him. “Someone start talking,” he growled.
“Contrary to how this looks, things went very well,” E explained. “She did great and he likes her, which is all good. Means we may be closer to cracking this wide open than we realized.”
Mitch nodded. “He started opening up to her. Shows he trusts her on some level.”
“Then why the hell is she so shattered?”
“He worked her over thoroughly,” Nik expounded, earning him a nasty glare from Tar.
“Is this really necessary?” he snarled at Mitch.
“‘Fraid so, Tar. She’s our ticket in.”
“Look, Tar, he never took it too far,” E chimed in. “I get she’s bruised and sore. Try to think of it as sparring.”
Now that registered with Tar more than anything else. He’d been undercover numerous times and understood how to gain the trust of the ones being investigated. To stay as safe as possible, they had to train. Sometimes that meant using weapons on one another. And anyone who did marital arts knew you’d have some marks after a good sparring round. His heartbeat began to regulate as the SEAL in him grasped the mission systematically. Keeley would hurt, but she wasn’t in imminent danger. From what he could see, none of her bruises were serious. Plus, she didn’t have any fresh lacerations. She moaned out, “I’m fine.”
He kissed her forehead. “Let’s get you into a hot bath.”
E stood, leading the way to a cavernous bathroom. “Want me to draw the bath for you?”
“No. I’ve got it,” Tar replied.
“I’ll be upstairs when you’re done.”
“Thanks.”
Tar noticed E locked the door before closing it. Gratitude filled him for his friend who understood all too well what he was feeling right now. His only mission, at the moment, was to take care of Keeley.
Tar sat on the edge of the oversized tub with Keeley nestled against his chest. He turned on the water as he soothed her. “I’m going to help you out of this robe so I can bathe you.”
“Mm-hmmm,” she hummed out.
He lifted her into the tub and quickly shucked off his boots and clothes, sliding in behind her. She leaned back relishing the feel of skin against skin. He reached over to shut off the water before it overflowed. Grabbing a sponge, he squeezed water over her tight muscles. Tar took great care to be gentle, massaging her as he went. He poured a lavender body wash onto the sponge to cleanse her. The smell of Braxton was clinging to her and he re-lathered her to rid any trace of him. Next, he poured water over her head then shampooed. Massaging her again from head to toe, not wanting to do anything more than take care of her.
Other than a few “oh’s” and “ah’s” from Keeley, she stayed silent, enjoying Tar’s tenderness. She didn’t deserve him. Girls like her did not deserve anyone’s kindness, she thought, but couldn’t bring herself to ask him to stop. She came close to confessing everything, yet stopped herself each time the words threatened to spew. He wouldn’t understand. Add that to the fact, she actually enjoyed the fear as well as the pain Braxton provided. She could live a double life. Hell, she’d done it before. Easy peasy. He’d never be the wiser as long as she didn’t get sloppy. At least she’d learned a thing or two since she was a teenager. Keeley was a pro at covering things up, especially from those she loved. Protecting them from the blackness of her soul was necessary. That kind of darkness should never be set free, destroying all in its path. If it devastated her, fine. She was fully aware it would claim her eventually.
*****
Keeley woke up in the guestroom at Lacey and E’s place. Tar was beside her with his large hand resting on her hip. She flexed, testing her body, feeling better than she should. The man lying next to her was the reason why. His miraculous massage in the hot bath did wonders. Guilt slammed her. She ran her fingers lightly through his hair. He groaned, “Morning, Beautiful.”
Of all the pet names he had for her, that one brought tears to her eyes. It simply wasn’t true, and she fought hard not to protest. “Hi, Handsome,” she cooed before placing a light kiss on his lips.
“Mmm…you sore?”
“Not like I should be.”
“Good.” He deepened the kiss as he pushed her back to the bed, hovering over her on his elbows.
“God, yes, please,” she murmured into his mouth as he eased inside her.
They made love, slow and tender, a beautiful joining of two souls. Keeley couldn’t stop the tears as she climaxed. “You okay?” Tar inquired.
“Perfect,” she replied, realizing it was the truth. Her tears weren’t from sorrow, regret, guilt, or shame. She was crying at the perfection of the moment. One she wanted to lock away and cherish forever. Keeley didn’t have many of them, but the ones she did have…meant the world to her.
He chuckled lightly. “I’m glad they are the good kind.”
“Same here.”
Their precious moment was interrupted by a knock at the door. Lacey called from the other side, “I’m sorry. Tar, Mitch called. He needs to meet with you immediately.”
“Thanks, Lacey. Tell him I’m on my way.”
“Okie dokie.”
*****
Keeley showered before finding her sister in the living room. She leaned over and grabbed the e-reader from her hands, shocked at the words. “Oh, my God. You’re reading smuuuuuuut!”
“Is not smut,” Lacey said defensively.
“Soooo is,” she sang out, teasing.
“Give it back,” Lacey held out her hand.
“Does your husband know you’re reading this?”
“Yes,” she responded with an indignant glare. “Sometimes we read it to each other.”
“He is a kinky bastard,” she chortled.
“And all mine,” Lacey added. “Now, may I please have it back?”
Keeley shook her head as she placed it back into her sister’s hand. “I don’t get why you two need that stuff. I mean, E is a virile man with major kink.”
Lacey grinned. “He is that. But it’s fun role playing.”
“Ah, now that makes perfect sense. Maybe I should try it with Tar.” Her brows rose with naughty thoughts dancing through her mind.
Lacey snapped her fingers. “Thinking you might like it a little too much.”
Keeley snatched a throw pillow and smacked her sister in the face. “Shut the hell up.”
Both women were giggling and having a full-blown pillow fight when E entered the room. He didn’t hesitate to jump into the fray. An all-out war was ensuing. E decided he was done playing nice and began to tickle Lacey. She squealed and squirmed underneath him, wakening his cock. The naughty glint in her eyes told him it was time to move this to a more private venue. He stood, yanking her up then over his shoulder in a fireman carry. She tried to fight but he swatted her ass, stilling her struggles. He called out, “Talk to ya later, Kee,” as he walked down the hall.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she teased, hearing the bedroom door close.
Her sister’s screams of delicious pleasure told Keeley it was time to vacate for a while. She grabbed the keys, sitting on the breakfast bar, and decided a walk would do her some good.
*****
Keeley was enjoying the sunshine and sights, trying her best not to dwell on things. She crossed the street toward a little park when she noticed Ms. Jones and Leith in a tense discussion. Oh shit. She wanted nowhere near that woman. Still unable to place her, but Keeley knew something was off. “Fine. I’ll do it!” Leith roared at Ms. Jones.
She turned with a smug look on her face, catching Keeley’s gaze. What was it about those eyes? They were familiar. Keeley attempted to make small talk. “How are you, Ms. Jones?”
“Very well. Thank you.” She glanced back at Leith, “I’ll see you later,” then walked over to a car waiting for her.
After Ms. Jones was gone, Leith grabbed Keeley’s arm. “We need to talk.” He dragged her into a bar. The smell of alcohol nearly knocked her on her ass. “What’s your poison?”
Keeley licked her lips. She could swear the taste was on the tip of her tongue. Get it together. “I don’t drink,” she willed the words from her mouth.
“Then I’ll have one for you.” He carried the draft beer and shot of whiskey to the furthest table in the darkest corner.
Bad things happened when people couldn’t see you. “Can’t we sit closer to the front?”
“Hell no. I don’t want anyone overhearing us.”
“‘Kay.” She nodded, following the irritated man. Something told her she wasn’t going to like what he had to say.
He downed his boilermaker before speaking. “We have to go back.”
“What? Where?”
“Where the hell do you think, Disneyland?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, hell no!”
“Shhh, lower your voice,” he warned.
“I can’t do it. I can’t go back there.”
“Well, sweetheart, you don’t have a fucking choice.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. We are in all the damn way, and there’s no escape until my boss says so.”
“Find another girl.”
“Wish it were that simple. But you have been requested.”
“Noooooooo. I’m telling you, pull me from the secretive assignment.”
He lunged over the table, grabbing her chin and yanking her forward. “Listen up, because I’m not repeating myself. You will go back as many times as it takes. And you will follow orders. Clear.”
Keeley swallowed hard. She couldn’t blow this. Braxton was the key to it all and he wanted her. Only her. She acknowledged how dangerous that was. In E’s club she was protected, not in the underground one. She didn’t trust that Leith could keep her safe and hissed, “Let me go.”
“You like it rough. Don’t tempt me, Keeley.”
“You’re threatening me?”
“If I have to.”
“You’re a real son of a bitch, you know that?”
“Don’t you forget it either. Now stand up and play nice. We have an audience.”
Keeley let Leith lead her out of the bar, but once they were on the street, she shoved him hard. “I hate you.”
“I don’t give a fuck. I’m all you got. Unless,” he leveled a look at her, “you’d like me to tell Tarius everything that happened the other night.”
Her heart was galloping in her ears, making it almost impossible to hear anything else. “You wouldn’t.”
“Test me. I dare you,” he growled.
She spun around and marched away, flipping him off over her shoulder. Keeley was in deeper than she anticipated. She should tell Tar the whole story before it was too late. But she wouldn’t. She convinced herself on the way back to the penthouse that protecting him was best. If something happened to her, he was better off. They all were.
*****
Mitch handed Tar a double shot of Jack Daniels as they went over the details of the investigation. Braxton was a solid lead and Mitch needed Keeley in his home. “FUCK NO!” he roared.
Tar’s response was expected. “It’s where he’ll be most forthcoming. Try to look at this from our perspective.”
“Oh, I am,” he growled. “None of you give a fuck if he kills her.”
“Hey now, not true,” Mitch protested. “I happen to like Keeley.”
Tar paced the room with both hands in his hair, pulling. “There’s got to be another way.”
“Cool your heels. It’s the objective. But he has to make the offer.”
“Right. Cross that bridge when we get to it.” Tar began to calm down some. “She’s got some good information out of him.”
“Yeah, she did.” Mitch smiled. “Hopefully he’ll continue to talk in the club.”
Tar nodded, but he knew the odds were slim to none. Experience told him Mitch was accurate. The only way they were gathering the incriminating evidence necessary was to get into the fucker’s lair. Pissed him off, but he acknowledged it really was the only way. His fist went through the wall before he really thought much about what he was doing. Didn’t help in the slightest. His job was to protect the woman he loved, not feed her to wolves. This particular wolf raised the hairs on Tar’s neck every time he thought of him near Keeley. Something about the well-to-do business man screamed D-A-N-G-E-R. He wanted to ignore it. Play this off as the jealous lover. But Tar knew his gut had never been wrong before. Why would it start now?
Chapter Nineteen
Keeley was strapped down over a whipping bench in some kind of dress taken straight from medieval times. Braxton was playing out a scene and also dressed for the part. Every strike of the whip ripped through the cloth protecting her skin. She absently wondered how the hell they would cover those marks. Fate smiled down on her as he switched to a belt once he reached bare skin. Provided he never tore her flesh; she could spin a tale around the welts. He struck along her sex and Keeley could not fight how wet it made her. But no matter how hard he tried, she wouldn’t let herself orgasm. He didn’t have to tell her that was his goal. Braxton’s body gave him away. He leaned over her, speaking in her ear. “I want to rip open your skin and come all over every cut I make.” He ground into her ass with his hard cock. “While you writhe from the searing pain, I want to fuck you.”
Keeley was breathing hard. What he was saying went beyond her comfort zone. He actually terrified her. His hand went down the front of the dress, twisting her nipple until she yelped. Leith’s voice came over the intercom. “Enough.”
Braxton growled, “She didn’t use her safeword.”
