SCARRED
SavageChains:Part2
CarisRoane
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TableofContents
SavageChains:Surrendertoyourdarkestdesires
ChapterOne
Stay,Angelica.Pleasestay…
TheexpressioninReyes’sclearblueeyespiercedAngelica’sheart.Hewaspleadingforhertoremain
withhim,tohelphimbringdowntheStarlinGroup,theorganizationthatabductedtensofthousandsof
humanseveryyearandsoldthemintoslavery.
She’dbeenwithhimlongenoughtounderstandthathewalkedthispathaloneandthatheneverasked
anyoneforhelp.
Buthewasaskinghernow.
He still wore his expensive Brioni tux from the after-auction party, and it didn’t help that his broad
shoulderstaperedtoanarrowwaistorthathewassoeasyontheeyes.Hehadastrikingappearancewith
thickblackbrows,straightnose,andsoft,sensuallips.Hehadasexyscruff,andhischeekbonesangled
sharply,addingtohisdon’t-mess-with-melook.
Shetriedtobesensible.Shehadanobligationtoherinfirmmotherthatcouldn’tbeignored,alifeto
returnto,averyhumanlife.EventhoughAngelicaknewsheneededtomakechanges,togetoutoftherut
ofheraccountingjob,oftoomuchovertimeandnotenoughsociallife.Butshewasstillyoungandshe
couldfixwhateverneededtobefixed.
ButifshestayedwithReyesshecoulddie.
Thetrulysensiblethingwouldbetorun.Yetshehesitated.
He’daskedhertostaywithhimduringtheupcomingStarlinFestival,tocontinueplayingherroleas
hisslaveforafewmoredaysorpossiblyafewmoreweeks.Ifsheleftnowhewouldhaveahardtime
sustaininghiscover,butifshestayedshe’dhavetoformablood-chainbondwithhim.Thebondwould
helpkeephersafefromotherslaversintentonmanhandlingher,wouldincreaseherabilitytosiphonhis
power,andwouldhelphertoknowwhathewasfeelingfromonemomenttothenext.Inthesameway,
he’dhaveaclearerviewofeverythingsheexperienced.
Herownreasonsforwantingtostaywerefarmorecomplex.Shehadlittletogainpersonally,except
theknowledgethatinplayingherroleandsupportingReyesshecouldpossiblysavethousandsoflives.
Theominousrisktoherlife,however,keptherlockedinaterribleplaceofindecision.
He stood close to her, the red leather box in his hand, the one that displayed the bonding chains. He
wantedherwithhimbadly.
Buthowcouldshepossiblystay?
She glanced at the blood-chains one more time. Once bonded, the chains would create a proximity
issue. From what he’d said, she’d have to remain at all times not more than ten feet away from him.
Somethingaboutthebonddidn’tpermiteitherpersonstrayingbeyondthatdistance.
Soclose.
Somethingshehadtoadmit:shewanted,tobethatclosetoReyes.Andtherewouldbenoreasonfor
not engaging sexually with him anymore, no holding back. Sudden desire, always a breath away, sent a
shiverthroughher.She’dwantedhimbadlyfromthefirst,andshehadnodoubtthattheblood-chainbond
wouldtakethemthedistance.
Extending her hand, she touched the chain on the left and immediately felt a strong drift of power, a
vibrationagainstthetipofherfinger,likeelectricity.EverythingaboutReyes’sworldwassostrange,the
hiddencavernsinwhichanentirevampirecivilizationlived,thewaytheycouldtravelwithalteredflight
andpasseasilythroughstoneasthoughitwereairandnotsolidmatter,andnowthechainsinfusedwith
hisblood.
Butcouldshedothis?
Stilltouchingthechain,sheliftedhergazetoReyes.Hislipswerepartedandshecouldsensewhathe
wasfeeling,thathedesiredherandsomethingmore,thathecalledtoherfromsodeepinhissoulthather
heartseized.
Hisvoicemovedsoftlythroughhermind:stay.
Iwantto,Reyes,butI’mscared.
Iknow.
Thensuddenly,asshecontinuedtotouchthechain,asthebondingsensationflowedthroughherfinger,
shefeltdrawnintothepast.Hispast.Shecouldn’texplainexactlywhathappened,butshesawReyesas
he’dbeenwelloveracenturyago,whenhewasateenager,astheyoungmanabductedbyslaversand
soldatauctiontothesadisticwomanknownasSweetDove.
TheimagesharpenedinAngelica’smind,andsheknewithadtobesomekindofvision.
Her breathing grew short as she stayed in the past, seeing him as an innocent youth, full of fire and
drive, stacks of books all around his cavern bedroom, as well as a bench, a rack, and barbells for
workingout.Helookedsoserious,evenbackthen,sodriven.
Shedidn’tknowhowshewasabletoseeintohispast,butshekeptlookingandwatching.Hewaslean
andlookedtobeaboutfifteen.Hebarelyhadabeard,comparedtohiscurrentscruff,buthewasclearly
proudofwhatwasthere,atypicalboyinhisteens.
She scanned the space and saw that many of the titles dealt with justice and the law. Even then, his
purposehadbeenfixed.
She released the chain, and the image disappeared. She wasn’t sure what had just happened, but she
neededtoknowifwhatshe’dseenwasreal.“Whenyouwereyoung,beforeyouwereabducted,didyou
liveinacavewithrough,jaggedwalls,anarcheddoorway,andbooksstackedhigh,allscatteredaround
thespace?”
Hiseyeswidened.“Areyoutellingmewhenyoutouchedthechainthat’swhatyousaw?”
Shenoddedslowly.“Youhadworkoutequipmentinthereaswell,abench,barbells.Manyofthebooks
hadtodowithgovernmentandthelaw.”
Hestaredather.“Yousawallthesedetails?”
Shenodded.
“You’vejustdescribedmybedroom,theoneIhadgrowingup.Andyousaythishappenedwhenyou
touchedthechain?”
“Yes.Ifeltasortofelectricalcharge;thentheimagejustcametome,ofyouwhenyouwereyoung.”
Heseemedmoredistressedthaneverasheclampedthelidshutonthechains,thenshiftedtositonthe
endofthebed.Hescrubbedahandthroughhisshorthair.
Shepivotedtolookathim.“So,Ididn’timaginewhatIjustsaw?”
He lifted his gaze to her. “I was fourteen when I started collecting books from the European and
American libraries. I wanted to know about government and about how various societies dealt with
criminals,withtherightsoftheindividual.Allwehaveisacorruptcourtsysteminourworld.”
“Thenyou’dalreadymadetheseekingofjusticeyourmissionevenbeforeyouwereabducted?”
Heleanedforward,plantinghiselbowsonhisthighs.Heclaspedhishandstightlytogether,flexinghis
jawseveraltimes.“Ayearprior,myfather,averypowerfulAncestral,triedtotakeastandagainstthe
injustices in our world, in particular the increasing sex-slave traffic. Shortly after he’d made his tenth
speech to what had become larger and larger audiences, he disappeared. My mother and I never knew
what happened to him, but we suspected he’d been assassinated, then dropped into the middle of the
oceansomewheretoremovealltracesofhisexistence.Butwehadnorecourse,noonetoturntoforhelp
infindingoutwhathadbeendonetohim,nevermindholdinganyoneliableforthecrime.”
Angelica hardly knew what to do with this new piece of information. Just before Reyes had been
abductedhe’dalreadyhadtoendurehisfather’sapparentmurder.“Andyou’dplannedthatoneday,you
wouldtakehisplace?”
Helookedupather,hisblueeyesglittering.“Ihad.Iwasplanningonstudyinginthehumanworld,at
oneofthemajorEuropeanuniversities,whenIwasdruggedandabducted.”
Shethoughtaboutthisforamoment,aboutmotherandsonsurvivingthedisappearanceandprobable
deathofaworthyhusbandandfather.“Yourmothermusthavebeendevastatedwhenyoudisappeared.”
“If you’re asking what happened to her, she didn’t survive. I think you might even say she died of a
brokenheart.SweetDovekeptmeinformed,though,thegentlesoulthatmycaptorwas,tellingmehow
she’dstoppedmeetingherblood-needs,fellintomadness,thenperished.”
Angelica,standingclosetohim,shadedherfacewithherhand.Shesawallthathewasinthismoment,
fromtheorphanedyouthtothetorturedslaveunderSweetDove’scrueltyandtothecurrentwarrioronthe
brinkofrectifyingaterribleinjusticeinhisworld.
AndallhehadaskedwasthatAngelicastaywithhimforthedurationofStarlin’sfestival,attendafew
functions,shareachain-bondandquitepossiblyhisbed.Herlifesuddenlyseemedsosmallbecausehere
wasamanstandingaloneagainstanorganizationthatearnedbillionseachyearfromitscrimes.
“WhywasIabletoseeintoyourpastlikethat?WhatwasitIsaw?Idon’tunderstand.”
“It’scalledarevisitingvision.SomehumanshavemarkersincommonwithbasicvampireDNA.”
“Andthesehumanscanseeintothepast?”
“It’sveryrare,butapparentlyyouhaveexactlythatkindofcapacity,whichcouldbeuseful.”
“Andthat’swhythiswholethingbothersyouevenmore.”
“Yes,becauseyou’rewhoyouare.You’reanamazingwoman,andtotopitoffapparentlyyouhavethis
uniqueabilityinmyworld.”
Sheglancedattheleatherboxnexttohim.“Sojustbytouchingthechains,Icouldseethepast.WouldI
seeevenmoreifIworethechains?IfIwasboundtoyou?”
“Idon’treallyknow.Thisisnewterritoryevenforme.”
“Soyou’veneverboundanyonebefore.”
Heshookhishead.“Neverwantedto.NeverthoughtIwouldjustonprinciple.”Heroseupandfaced
her once more. “All these questions, Angelica. Does this mean you’re considering saying yes to my
proposition?”
Shenodded,butherthroatgrewtight.“There’sjustonething.Ifanythinghappenedtome,Iwouldneed
toknowthatmymotherwascaredfor.”
“Ofcourse,”hestated,takingAngelica’sarmsgentlyinhishands.
“Nottoputadamperonthings,butwhatifyoudiedaswell?Ireallydon’twanttoleaveanythingto
chancehere.”
“I’llhavepapersdrawnupimmediately,sothatshe’llneverlackforanythingaslongasshelives.”
Angelicawassostunnedthathermouthfellagape.“Youwoulddothat,withoutquestion?”
“It’stheleastIcoulddogiventhesituation,givenwhatI’maskingofyou.”
“AttheOceanClub,youaccusedmeofbeingagolddigger.”
Heshookhishead,asadsmileonhislips.“Iknewyouwerenosuchthing.Iwasjusttryingtowarn
youaway.”
“AndifonlyI’dgotteninmycarandleft.”Butshefeltherlipscurve;thentearsstartedsuddenlytoher
eyesandshebegantoweep,thoughshedidn’treallyknowwhy.Thewholesituationoverwhelmedher,
includingReyesandallthathe’dbeenthrough.Thatalone,whathe’dsufferedevenbeforehisabduction,
madeherwanttohelphim.
Reyessurprisedheryetagainasheroseup,drewhergentlyintohisarms,andjustheldher.Herubbed
herback,lettingherfeelwhateveritwassheneededtofeel.
“You’reexhausted,”hesaidagainsthercheek.“Whydon’tyougetsomesleepandwe’lltalkaboutthis
again when you wake up? If you still think you want to stay with me through the Starlin events we can
work out all the details, including an arrangement that will protect your mother’s future. You can ask
anythingyouwantabouttheblood-chainsand,perhapsmoreimportantly,whatwillbeexpectedofyouin
thecomingdaysandnights.Fornow,bedtime.”
Atthemerementionofsleepfatiguesettledintoherbonesasmuchfromthementalstressasanything
else.“You’reright.”
AftergettingreadyforbedAngelicacrawledbeneaththecomforter.Reyesgavehersomemuch-needed
space,leavingtheroomtotakecareofotherbusiness.
As she fell asleep what slipped through her mind didn’t have anything to do with concerns for her
motherorevenwhatshemighthavetodoifshestayedinReyes’sworldbut,rather,herownheart.She
alreadyfeltaconnectiontotheman,sowhatwouldhappenifshejoinedhiminablood-chainbond?Most
certainly he would become her lover, but what if she grew even more attached to him than she already
was?Whatifshefellinlovewithhim?Howwouldsheeverbeabletoleavethisworldafterthat?
###
Later,longafterAngelicahadfallenasleep,Reyeslayontopofthecomforternexttoher.Forhersake,
thoughheusuallywentcommando,henowworepajamasandarobe.Hedidn’twanthertoassumefora
moment that he had any expectations, and he was pretty sure the last thing she needed to confront right
nowwashisnakedmalebody.
With one arm slung over the top of his head, he thought back to the cave she’d described, to the
bedroomfromhisyouththatreflectedhisplanstotakeuphisfather’scause.
Despitethefactthathisfatherhadbeenkilledbyhisenemies,Reyeshadembracedhiscallingtobring
downthevileelementsinhisworld.HowironicthatReyeshadthenbeenenslavedbyasadisticfemale
ownerforoveracentury.
NowAngelicawashereandshewasconsideringremainingwithhim.
Withhis mind reelingat this unexpectedturn of events, thatAngelica would havean added power if
theyforgedthechain-bond,hefinallyleftthebedandpacedquietlyintheoppositesittingroom.
He poured himself another Bowmore and drank deeply, his gaze shifting to the bed. Angelica had
thrownthecomforterbackandlayonherstomach.Sheworeashortdark-bluesilknightgownthatrode
up,exposingmuchofherwhitecreamyskinandthecurveofherbuttocks.
His constant need for her flooded him in a sudden wash of desire. For just a moment he imagined
kissing that curve and running his tongue in the erotic crease where her buttocks met the backs of her
thighs.
Heshiftedawayfromherandsippedhisscotchagain.Heneededtogetholdofhimself,tostoplusting
afterthewoman.Ifshechosetoremain,morethananythinghewouldwanthertofeelrespected.
###
WhenAngelicawokeupshelayonherbackstaringupatacarvedceiling.Reyes’sworldmadeuseof
stone in ways she’d never seen before, sometimes a reflection of the actual makeup of the cavern,
sometimes added. In this case, she wasn’t sure. An angled flow of black granite, speckled with silver,
stretchedacrosstheentirecavernspace.Partsoftheroomappearedtobesquaredupwithdrywall,but
otherpartshadbeencarvedoutofrock.
Reyeswasnowheretobeseen,buthisbedroomsuitewaslargerthanherentireapartment,sohecould
be anywhere right now. She listened hard, wondering if perhaps he was in the workout room or the
bathroom,butnothingreturnedtoher.
She drew up her knees and crossed her ankles, resting her hands in her lap. The comforter was a
beautifulburgundysilkandfeltexpensive.ButthenReyeshadmoney.He’dpaid$5millionforher.
Shepressedherhandstohercheeksassheoncemoreprocessedallthathadhappenedtoheroverthe
spaceofaweek.She’dhadherlifeturnedupsidedownandwasevennowconsideringdonningablood-
chainandbindingherselftoavampire.
Herbrainstillhadtroublemakingsenseofthewordvampire,despitethefactthatReyeshadalready
sunkhisfangsandtakenhisfill.Ifsheboundherselftohimhe’dbedoingmoreofthat,whichofcourse
sentashiverdownherneck,anddesirebloomedyetagain.
WhatwoulditbeliketoreallybewithReyes?Tosharehisbed,hisbody,allthathewas?
Sheslippedfrombedandmovedtothebookshelfopposite.Reyeshadlefttheboxinplainview,and
shewantedtolookatthechainsoncemore.
Assheflippedthelidtheretheywere,twosimpledarkmetalchains,eachwithloopsaboutahalfinch
long.Sherecalledtherevisitingvisionandwonderedifshewouldexperiencesomethingsimilaragain.
Shetouchedthelinks,butnothinghappened,perhapsbecauseReyeswasn’tnearby;shedidn’tknow.
Sheclosedthelid,returningtothebedthistimetositdownontheedge,hergazefixedtothebox,to
thechains,tothetoughdecisionshehadtomake.She’dhopedthatwhensheawakenedshe’dknowwhich
way to fall, whether backward to her life as a human with a job that bored her and to the care of her
motherorforwardintothedarkunknown,intowhatlookedlikeaworldthathadenougheviltofillupa
universe.
Instead,Angelicawasasmuchonthefenceasshehadbeenthenightbefore.
Her instincts told her that if she bound herself to Reyes what happened between them afterward
wouldn’t be simple. Her attraction to him hadn’t dimmed in the least, despite the horrible nature of the
eventsthathadoccurredaftertheRubyTheaterPlayershadputontheirlittleproduction.
Her cheeks grew hot all over again as she recalled going down on Reyes in front of a bunch of
strangers. She would be foolish, however, to fail to consider that something similar or perhaps even
worsemighthappenifsheagreedtostay.
As thoughts of Reyes came to mind, even going back as far as kissing him at the Ocean Club, she
realized that what bothered her the most was her vulnerability to him. Her heart already leaned in his
directionandhadtiltedevenfurtherwhenshe’dlearnedthatinsteadofbeingaslaver,hewasintenton
bringingdownthispartofhisworld.
Forthatreason,shecouldn’thaveadmiredhimmore.
ButshealsoknewthatsheandReyeslivedonoppositesidesofadeepgorge,withaveryflimsyrope
bridgebetween.Thehumanandvampireworldsdidn’tmix.
Shesimplydidn’tknowhowtomakethisdecision.
###
Reyessatinhisoffice,athislargeburl-wooddesk,goingthroughpageafterpageontheStarlinGroup
privateWebsite.Nowthathewasofficiallyamember,he’dbeengivenaccess.
So far his cruise through the site had essentially confirmed what he’d learned about Starlin over the
decades, that Engles was Scorpion’s link to the rest of the group and that Scorpion remained the most
powerful force behind the organization. But the Web site had at least given Reyes the names of all the
Starlinboardmembers.
HisnextstephadtobegettingontheBoardofGovernors,aprocessthatwouldnodoubttakealong
timetoachieve.Andasmuchashe’dliketogetthiswholethingsettledasfastaspossible,he’dalready
accepted that his mission might require years, if not decades, of patient effort. But being on the board
wouldgivehimaccesstotheinformationheneededtobringtheentireorganizationdown.
Whenhe’dopeneduptheWebsitethefirstthinghe’dcheckedwasaslavemortalitycounterfromthe
recentauction.Thecounterwasstillsetto“zero,”whichmeantthatnoneoftheslaveshaddiedyet.That
numberwouldchange,butthefactthatitsatontheWebsite,withaflashinggraphicaroundit,wasone
moreindicatoroftheperversenatureofthisgroup.
Alinknexttothemortalitycounterledtoasecondarysiteforplacingbetsonwhichslaveswerelikely
todienextandwhen,downtotheminute.He’dclickedonittofamiliarizehimselfwitheveryaspectof
Starlin’s operation, but what he found there only deepened his disgust, something he hadn’t thought
possible. The site had pictures posted of every slave and her stats as well as information on the slave
owners,includingtheirknownlevelsofabusetowardthehumansthey’downedpreviously.Bothheand
Angelicawerelistedthere,whichmeantthathiscoverheld.He’dfabricatedareputationofhavingkept
andkilledoverthirty-eightslavesoverthepasttwodecades,preferringslow-killstoshort,brutalones.
Oddschangedconstantly,anindicationthatseriousbettingwasgoingonevennow.
AshescrolledbacktothehomepagehisthoughtsturnedtowardAngelicaandhissensestoldhimshe
was awake. He almost shifted to altered flight and hurried to his bedroom in order to find out what
decisionshe’dmadeaboutstayinginhisworld.Buthedecidedagainstit.He’dknowsoonenough,and
thewomanmightwanttohaveashowerfirstbeforeconfrontinghervampirehost.
Heturned his attention,therefore, to theStarlin Festival and tothe string ofsocial events that would
giveeachwinningbiddermorechancestodisplaytheirnewlyacquiredslaves.
HeclickedontheFestivaltabatthetopoftheStarlinWebsiteandfoundaratherlengthylistofparties
thathecouldattendwithAngelica,thatis,ifjustthisoncethewinddecidedtoblowinhisdirection.
###
Angelicastilldidn’tknowwhattodo.She’dneverbeensotornaboutadecisioninherentirelife.
Shewantedtostayaspassionatelyasshewantedtogetthehelloutofthisinsaneworld.
Oncemore,sheroseupfromthebedandcrossedtotheleatherbox.
Thistime,shetookitbackwithher,satdownagain,andbalancedtheboxonherlap.Openingthelid,
shedecidedtoholdoneofthechainsthistime.Maybetheblood-infusedlinkswouldspeaktoherina
waythatwouldhelphermakeuphermind.
Several very small metal latches kept the chain in place, and once she removed them she drew the
chainfromthebox.Shesettheredleathercontaineraside.
She slid the blood-chain over her wrist and found that it had a nice weight. Only this time, perhaps
because it rested against her skin, she experienced a faint vibration that felt like Reyes. She couldn’t
expressitanyotherway.Thechainsreflectedthewayshethoughtofhim,verypowerful,intense,witha
layeringofdeterminationthatexpressedhiscurrentgoals.
Sheclosedhereyesandforcedhermindtorelax.Sheposedthequestionsilently:WhyshouldIstay
herewithReyes?WhyshouldIchoosesuchanimpossiblepath?Why?
Asingleimageroseswiftlywithinthecenterofherbrain,oftheRussianfemaleslavefromlastnight,
the one who bore bruises all over her naked body. Angelica saw her clearly outside Engles’s mansion,
whenherslaveownerhadattackedherthroatanddrunkfromherneck.
Angelicaopenedhereyes.Shecouldstillhearthewoman’swhimpers.
From that memory Angelica’s decision roared toward her with hurricane-force winds. Though she’d
wanted to escape back to her ordinary life, she was needed here, maybe even for as long as it took to
makesurethatStarlindidn’tabductevenonemorevulnerablehuman.
Sheslidthechainoffherwrist,holdingitinbothhands.
Withherdecisionmade,shesimplyslidtheblood-chainoverherheadandletitfallaroundherneck.
Shepulledherhairfrombeneathuntileachlinkconnectedwithherskin.
ShedrewinadeepbreathasthechainbegantovibratesoftlyandasenseofReyescameintofocus.
She could even tell where he was in relation to the upstairs bedroom, as though some kind of vampire
locatorprocesshadjustclickedintoplace.Rightnowhesatinhisofficeonthebottomfloor.
Shetookanotherbreath,andthroughthechainshebegantosiphonhispower,lettingitflowintoher.
Shefeltstrengthenedandrenewed,somethingshehadn’texpected.
###
Reyeshadbeensointentonreviewingallthepartiestowhichhe’dbeeninvitedthatatfirsthedidn’t
noticethathispowerwasleavinghiminasteadystream.
Whenherealizedwhatithadtobehestoodupabruptlyandstruggledtotakeacoupleofbreaths.
Angelicahadputononeoftheblood-chains.
Thoughhe’dneverbeenchainedbefore,heknewinstinctivelythatthiswasexactlywhathadhappened.
HecouldsenseitinthesamewayhefeltthelevelofAngelica’sdetermination.
She’dmadeherdecision.
Shewasstaying.
Awaveofreliefpouredthroughhim,aswellasathrillthathe’dhavethewomanwithhimforatleast
thenextfewdays.
But he had to calm down. His adrenals had released a huge amount of hormones, which had in turn
ramped up his ever-present desire for the human. Glancing down at his jeans, he saw he had an
uncomfortable bulge and adjusted himself because what shouldn’t have been the least bit swollen was
nowrocksolid.
He hadn’t expected such a sudden, profound reaction. Maybe he’d wanted the bond and wanted her
withhim,buthe’dsetasidejusthowdeeplyattractedtoherhewas.Now,however,allthatlongingcame
intosharpfocus.
Butthelastthingsheneededwashimcomingatherinanarousedstate.
Closinghiseyes,hefocusednotonAngelica,butonhismission.That,atleast,wouldhelpcalmthings
down.HecouldfinalizehisitinerarynowandchoosewhichoftheFestivalpartiestoattend.There’dbea
boatparadefirstinanextensiveundergroundcavernthathadoverfiftymansionsbuiltoneithersideofa
wideandverydeepundergroundriver.Engleshadaplacethere,sohispartywoulddefinitelybeoneof
thestops.
Reyeswasstilltheacknowledgedguestofhonor,andavarietyofinvitationshadlithisin-boxwithin
thefirsthourfollowinghiswinningbidattheauction.
NowAngelicawouldbewithhim.Buthowwashesupposedtocontrolhisdrivetowardher?
At last calm, he shifted to altered flight and made his way slowly toward his bedroom, though he
thoughtitonlyfairtogiveherawarning.I’mcomingtoyou.
###
I’mhere.Angelicastillsatonthebed,theredleatherboxbesideher.
She was suddenly very nervous. The chains would change everything. She’d known it instinctively,
whichwaswhythedecisionhadbeensodamnhard.
But even as these thoughts rippled through her mind she could also sense Reyes’s feelings and
reactions.Shesmiled.Hisinitialresponsehadbeenfullofsex,somuchlikeaman.
She’dgottenthat.
His desire for her had been like a warm wave easing down her body and making her feel things she
shouldn’tbefeeling.Butshe’dknownthiswouldbeaproblemforherandforhimaswell.Thechains
merelyaccentuatedwhatwasalreadythere,whathadbeensimmeringbetweenthemfromthatfirstkissin
thefoyeroftheOceanClub.
When he arrived she watched him move through the solid wall and cabinet in the sitting room,
appearing almost opaque at first, then solid, as he shifted from altered flight to mere levitation. He
toucheddownnearoneofthebrownleatherclubchairsbutstayedput.
She rose to her feet to face him, suddenly aware that she should have at least gotten dressed. She’d
beensocaughtupwithherneedtomakeadecisionthatshe’dforgotten,untilhisgazedriftedupanddown
herbody,thatsheworeonlyashortbluesilknegligee.
“I’msorry,”shesaid.
“Forwhat?”Buthisvoicesoundedhoarse.
“Ishouldhaveputsomethingon.”
Henodded.“It’sokay.I’mjustso…grateful.”Hisgazefelltothechainaroundherneck.“Angelica,
whatyou’vedoneisenormous.”
Hemovedtowardherslowly,whichaffectedhersensesalloveragain.Hewalkedlikethepowerful
athletehewas,theoutlinesofhismuscularshouldersandchestvisiblebeneathathindark-blueV-neck
sweater.Heworesnugjeansandshecouldn’tdecidewhethershepreferredthislook,ortheleatherjacket
he’dwornattheOceanClub,orhistux.Themanlookedgreatinanything.
Shetouchedtheblood-chain,whichvibratedmoreandmoreheavilythecloserhegot.
Whenhestoodinfrontofhershecaughtawhiffoftheocean,likehe’dbeenrunningalongaseashore.
Thescentwasverymaleandweakenedherknees.Hiseyesweresoblue,andoncemorethescruffover
hisjawandchinmadehertonguetingle.
“Angelica,Idon’tknowwhattosay.”
“You’vealreadysaidit.”Shereacheddownandpickeduptheleatherbox,openingitoncemoresothat
itfacedhim.
Hereleasedthesmallclaspsthatheldthesecondchaininplace,thenlifteditcarefullywithbothhands.
“Thevibrationisalreadysostrong.”
“Andyou’veneverdonethisbefore?”
Heshookhishead.
“Havingreservations?”
He met her gaze. “I promised myself that I’d never be bound in chains again, of any kind, yet here I
am.”
She felt his distress, which caused her to reach out and settle her hand on his shoulder. “It’ll be all
right.It’sjustme.”
Atthathesmiledruefully.“You’reright,butnowIfeelbad.”
“Why?”
“BecauseIshouldbetheonecomfortingyou.”
Herturntosmile.“Astothat,Ihaveafeelingyou’llbedoingalotofthatbeforewe’rethrough.”
Heheldhergaze.“AnditwillbetheleastIcando.”
Sheglancedatthechainheheldinhishands.“So,whatdoyousay?NowthatI’vemadethedecision,
I’mdyingtofindoutwhatit’sreallylike.”
Henoddedand,usingbothhands,slidthechainoverhishead.Itlookedgoodonhim,especiallythe
darkmetalagainsthisbluesweater.Sherealizedthenthathervisionhadsharpened.
“Icanseebetter.”
“Thatwouldfollow,butIcanalsosenseyourfear.Icanalmostfeelyourheartracing.”
Shenodded.“Allthat’strue.I’mfrightenedhalfoutofmymindrightnow.”
“Byme?”
“Oh,God,no,Reyes,notevenalittle.Itrustyouimplicitly;otherwiseIcouldneverhavedonethis.I
fearwhat’slikelytohappenaswemoveforwardwithyourmission.IftheFestivaleventsareanything
liketheafter-auctionparty…”Shelettherestofthethoughthang.
Atthathedrewherintohisarms,holdinghertight,exactlywhatsheneeded.Sheslidherarmsaround
hisback,thesweatersoftbeneathherfingers.“See,you’recomfortingmealready.”
Heheldherlikethatforafewminutes,maybewaitingforherhearttosettledown.Hecouldn’thave
knownhowmuchhisbigbodyandthelatentstrengthofhisarmseasedher.
Finally,hedrewback.“Iwanttotesttheproximitylimitation.Ithinkit’llbeabitofachallengetoget
usedto.”
“Goodidea.”
Hestartedbackingawayfromher,onestepatatime,andwhenhe’dreachedtheten-footmarkshefelt
thepullonherchain,averystrongwarningtug.
“Doyoufeelthat?”
He nodded but continued to inch backward. With each movement the tension increased. It was the
strangestsensation,asthoughitwouldpullherforwardsoonandshe’dfallflatonherface.
Instead of letting that happen, he took a couple of steps in her direction. “What did that feel like for
you?”
“Asthoughwehadatautropebetweenusandyouweretugging.Hard.”
“Samehere.”
Whatshedidn’tsaywasjusthowmuchofhimshecouldfeel,asthoughwhateverthoughtshehador
reactions he experienced automatically communicated themselves through the chains. It was both
unsettlingyetinawaythrilling.Shefeltstrangelyclosetohimrightnow.“So,what’sontheagenda?”
Atthathesmiledashereturnedtostandclosetoheroncemore.“Thefirstpartshouldn’tbetoobad.
It’saboatparade.”
Shelaughed.“Awhat?”
Heexplainedabouttheundergroundrivercommunitywheremanyofthewealthiermembershadhomes
andwhichwashiddenbehindaheavy,layereddisguise.
“Sothesecreepscankeepdoingtheirthingwithoutthreatofjailtime.”
“Exactly.Althoughinourcourtsthereisn’tmuchriskofmeaningfulprosecution.Mostofthejudgesare
corrupt.Ofcourse,iftheentirevampirepopulationknewwhatwasgoingontherewouldbeanuprising.”
Sheconsideredallthathe’dsaid.“Nowonderyouhadtodevelopacoveroveraperiodofyears.With
somuchsecurityinplace,youcouldn’thavegottenthisfarotherwise.Sotellmemoreaboutthefestival.”
“The parade lasts for several hours, with the boats coming and going and parties held at riverside.
Mostofthesehomeshavelandscapedfrontyards,patios,barbecues,andviewingdecks.”
“IfIwasn’tsohorrifiedbywhatthesepeopledid,I’dbeexcitedaboutseeingthisplace.”Sheshook
offtheuneasyfeelingaboutwhatwouldbeaheadofher.“Soyou’llshowmeoff,likeyoudidattheafter-
auctionparty,whichdoesn’tsoundtoobad.”Shefeltthechainatherneckvibrate.“Butyou’reworried.”
“The situation won’t be much different; that’s true. The new slaves will be on display, forced to
performcertainacts.”
“Andyou’reworriedthatwe’llendupinasimilarsituationtothetheater.”
“I’lldomyabsolutebesttoavoidit;justbeprepared.”
“Iunderstand.”
Hetookherarminhishandandsqueezedgently.“I’lltrytogetusthroughwithoutincident.Themain
thingistomakeashowofbeingthere.Allwe’llreallyneedtodoisappearatanumberoftheparties,
talktoafewoftheStarlinboardmembers,thenwecanleave.”
“Idon’tsupposewecouldavoidEngles.”Angelicacouldonlyhope.
“He’llhavetoseeyouatleastonce,butwe’llmakeitquick;thenI’llbringyoubackhere.”
“So,howmuchtimedoIhave?”
“Wecangowheneveryouwant.Theparadehasalreadystartedbutlastsforhours,asdoalltheparties.
Laterisalwaysbetter;thatwaywecanmakeanentrance.”
“I’mthrilled.Okay,I’llshowernow.”Whensheturnedtogohemovedwithher,whichbroughtherup
short.“IthinkIcandothisalone.”
Atthathesmiled,butshedidn’tunderstandwhy.“Ofcourse.”Hestayedput.
Shemovedonaquicktread,andthenextmomenttheblood-chainbondnotonlygaveastrongtugon
herneckbutalsojerkedherbackwardsothatshefellonhertush.
Stillsittingonthefloor,shelookedbackathimandscowled.“Youdidthatonpurpose.”
Hechuckled.“I’msorry.IfIthoughtitwouldhavedonethattoyou,Iwouldhavesaidsomething.ButI
also thought that it wouldn’t be a bad thing for either of us to experience the proximity problem of the
bond.”Heslidahandbeneathherarm,liftinghertoherfeet.
Shewavedhimforward.“Fine.Lookslikeyou’llhavetobeinthebathroomwithme.”
“Holdon.Letmegrabmylaptop.”
Withoutthinkinghemovedswiftlyinthedirectionofthesittingroom,andthenextthingAngelicaknew
thistimehewasflyingbackward.Shelaughedasherosetohisfeet,butshehurriedpasthim,pickedup
hislaptop,andhandedtohim.“It’sreallynotthatfunny,isit?”
Henarrowedhisgazeather,buthislipscurved.“Let’sgo.IhavewhatIneed.”
ChapterTwo
OnceinsidethebathroomReyeshadtokeepmovinghimselfandhislaptop,trackingwithAngelica,in
ordertosustaintheirdistancerestrictionandavoidanothertugathisneck.Atleastthetoilethaditsown
smallroomforprivacy,sothatwouldn’tbeanissue.
Hedecided,however,thatthereweretoomanymirrorsintheroom.Thoughhecouldavoidwatching
heractuallystripoutofhershortnightgownorhopintheshower,acoupleofstrayglanceshadallowed
himtoomanyglimpsesofhernakedbody.
Fortunately, the shower was a walk-in separated by block glass tiles and he really couldn’t see
anything.Hecouldimagineit,though.
Hetookadeepbreathandopenedhislaptop,lettingitsitonthesideofthelongmarblecounter.He
returnedtotheStarlinWebsiteandoncemoreperusedthevariouspartieshecouldattend.
Nowthatheknewwhotheboardmemberswere,hesetupaseparatedocumentandlistedthetenmost
influential.Hethenremovedfivewhosehumanslavesrarelymadeitpastthefirstweek.Hewasn’tabout
to expose Angelica to the worst of the slavers if he could help it. That left him with five less-criminal
partyhosts,includingEngles.
Hefoundtheirhomesandplottedacoursealongtheriverwalk.
WhenAngelicafinishedhershoweranddonnedarobetherealdifficultyarosewhenshehadtochoose
fromthefantasywearthattheStarlinGrouphadprovidedforher.Shesighedheavilyovereachofthemas
shepushedonehangerasideafteranother.
Sheglancedathim,wrinklinghernose.“DoIhaveto?”
It was such a normal response that he chuckled. “They’re all horrible. Why not close your eyes and
pickone?EitherthatorIwill.”
“I’lldoit.”Butsheactuallydidashesuggested.Hewatchedhergatherallthehangersandcostumes
intoonetightgroup,thenclosehereyes.Wavingherhandbackandforthafewtimes,shereachedoutand
grabbedone.
Shegroanedatthesightofthecostume,butshedidn’tputitback.She’drandomlyselectedaverysmall
outfitmadeupofathongandabustierofleopardprintinblackandturquoise.Apairofblackthigh-high
stockings,trimmedinmatchingleopard-printfabric,completedthebarelythereoutfit.
Glancing down at the row of shoes below, she picked out a turquoise pair of what appeared to be a
ratherpain-inducingplatformsetwithsix-inchstilettos.
Shescowledassheshowedthemtohim.“Youmayhavetocarrymehalfthetime.”
“Withpleasure.”
Hergazecaughtandheld.“Youknow,you’reexactlyhowIthoughtyouwouldbe.You’reverykind,
Reyes.”
“YouthoughtIwaskind?”Hewasstunned.
“Mayberespectfulisthebetterword.EvenMarcussaidthataboutyou.”
“Marcus?”
Shenodded.“AtBriggs’s.He’soneofthebartenders.”
“Marcus,ofcourse.AndhethoughtIwasrespectful.”
“Towardwomen.”
Reyesnoddedslowly.“That’saninterestingview,thoughI’mnotcertainwherehegotthatidea.”
“Wait,whatareyouthinkingaboutrightnow?BecauseIswearyoufeelreallybadlyaboutsomething,
butIcan’timaginewhatthatmightbe.”
He held her gaze. He needed to remind himself that whatever he experienced, the chains would
communicate his reactions. “I’ve used the slaves badly in this part of the world to build my cover,
demanding sex from them, treating them no better than most of the other Starlin men who attend the sex
clubs.I’vewatchedwomenbeinghurtinsexshowsandhaven’tliftedafingertohelp.Sosomehowthe
complimentfallsshortofreality.”
Shegrewverysolemn,holdingthefaux-leopardcostumeagainstherstomach.“Didyoueverhurtanyof
thesewomenyourself?”
“Doyouthinkit’snecessarytocausepaininordertoviolateaslave?Everycommandisaviolation.”
Shedrewclose,caressinghisshoulder.“Iunderstand.”
“Howcanyou?You’veneverbeenaslave.”
Sheglancedatthecostumeinherhand,thenletitdroptothefloor.Meetinghisgazeoncemore,she
said,“YouseemtoforgetthatIwasacaptiveforaweek,eventhroughthetimethatyouseducedmewhile
Ihunginchains.Maybeitwasn’ttheleveloftortureyou’vegonethrough,butIexperiencedthesamekind
ofoverwhelmingimpotenceandfear.Ithinkit’soneofthereasonsIchosetostayhere,tohelpyouwith
yourmission.Itwassuchaterriblefeeling…”Shegotnofurther,astearsfilledhereyes.“Iwanttohelp.
Ireallydo.”
Hedrewherintohisarmsoncemore.Heremainedsilentforalongmoment,thensaidquietly,“Iwas
thinkingaboutthisAsianwomanIusedrecently.Shebeggedmetobuyher,totakeheroutofthatclub,
andIcouldn’t.”
Angelicadrewoutofhisarmsandswipedhercheeks.“Whynot?”
“Atthetime,IwasstillperformingforacoupleofStarlinspies.Ihadn’tbeengrantedmymembership
yet.Icouldn’ttakethechance.”
“Butyou’vebeenacceptedsincethen.Isanythingpreventingyoufrombuyinghernow?Imean,would
thatgoagainsttherules?”
Hefeltlight-headedsuddenly.Hehadn’tquiteadjustedtohisnewreality,thathewasaStarlinmember,
a participant. He’d been vetted and approved. “You’re right. I have a new set of options I didn’t have
before.” When she reached down to pick up the costume and started to take it off the hanger he said,
“Leavethat.Iwanttodothisnow.Iwanttobuyherbeforesomethingterriblehappenstoher,ifithasn’t
already.”
AfterAngelicaputtheleopardoutfitbackontherodhetookherbythearmandguidedherbackoutto
thesittingarea.Hefoundhisphoneandcalledtheclub,askingfortheowner.
ThemangushedatReyes’scall.Ofcoursehedid,especiallywhenReyesofferedahundredthousand
fortheAsianslave.“She’sstillavailable,butworking,MasterReyes.”
ButReyesgrewveryquietandwithhissilencelettheclubownerfeelhisdispleasure.
“Ofcourse,Icanhavehersentoverimmediately.”
“Thatwouldbewise.”
“Yes,master.Ofcourse,master.”
“I’llhavethemoneywiredwithinthenextfewminutes.”
Whenhehunguphealertedhissecuritystaffofthewoman’simpendingarrival.Closinghislaptop,he
made a second phone call to his bank, talked with the manager to exchange codes, and got the sum
transferred.
A few minutes later, with Angelica by his side, he descended the stairs and opened the door to the
womanwhohadservicedhimsorecently.Hereyeswerewidewithfearuntilshesawhim;thenshefell
athisfeet,sobbing.Astreamofgratitudepouredfromhermouth.
Mathilde, his housekeeper, arrived with a robe in her hand and draped it over the woman. She had
severalbruisesonherback.Someofthecustomerslikedtogetroughwiththewomen.
A profound euphoria curled through Reyes that he’d finally been free enough to do what he’d felt an
impulsetodoathousandtimesduringthepastseveraldecades.Fromthemomenthe’denteredthesex-
slaveclubshe’dwantedtoliberateeveryslavehe’dencountered.
In some ways it felt insignificant, this sole woman when hundreds of thousands had died. Yet at the
sametimenothingwasmoreimportantthantheindividual.
“What’syourname?Yourrealname?”
Sheliftedherface,wipingitontherobe.“FeiYen.”
“Welcome,FeiYen,tomyhome.Thisismyhousekeeper,Mathilde,andshewilltakecareofyou.For
thepresent,youwillservehere.”
SheglancedatAngelica,sawthechainaroundherneck,thenloweredhereyes.“Iunderstand.”
Reyes figured out her mistake immediately, that she believed she would be expected to service them
bothfromnowon.Herememberedfeelingthatwayforalongtimeafterhe’descapedfromSweetDove,
thateverylook,request,gesturebyanormalpersonheinterpretedthroughhissex-slaveexperience.
He understood, so he took Fei Yen’s chin in his hand and lifted her gaze to meet his. “The only
obligationyouwillhaveinmyhouseholdfromthistimeforthistorecoverfromyourwoundsandtodo
anysmallchoresthatmyhousekeeperwillaskofyou.AndtheonlyreasonIhavetoinsistonthelatteris
tomakesurethatIsustainmyappearanceinthisworld.Doyouunderstand?”
“Yes.”Buttearsoncemorefilledhereyes.“No.”
Hecouldseeshewasinastateofshockandprobablywouldn’tbelievetherealityofhersituationfora
longtime.HenoddedforMathildetoleadheraway.
HeledAngelicaslowlybackupthestairs,knowingthathehadjustchangedthewoman’slifeforever.
Angelicatookhisarmandsqueezedhard.Thankyouforthis.
Heglancedatherandsawthatherdark-browneyesglistenedwithunshedtears.Thechainathisneck
vibratedsoftly,apurereflectionofherappreciation.
Buthefeltthesameway,almostovercome.“Idon’tthinkitwouldhaveoccurredtome,sothankyou.I
knowthesensationwon’tlast,butIswearmyheartfeelsasthoughaterribleweighthasbeenlifted.”
“Youdidgood.”
“Youdon’tknowhowmanytimesI’vewantedtodoexactlythat.”
“Whatwillhappentoher?”
“Ihaveaconnectionwhohelpsrehabilitatesexslavesandreturnthemtotheirformerlives.Whenthe
timeisright,I’llsendhertohim.”
Oncebackinhissittingroom,hescrubbedahandthroughhishair.“Iguesswe’dbettergetgoing.”
Angelicasettledahandonhisshoulder.“Notyet.Takeamoment.”
Heheldhergaze,thatsameshininglightstillinhereyes.“Whatareyouthinking?”
“Thatyou’reanamazingman.”Then,justasshehaddoneattheOceanClub,sheleanedupandkissed
him.
Heclosedhiseyes,savoringthesensation,awarethatwhattranslatedthroughthechainshadtodowith
her admiration for him, the respect she’d talked about earlier. He hadn’t bought the slave to gain
Angelica’sapproval,nothinglikethat.Yethedrankinherapprobationlikeacooldrinkonahotsummer
day.
Hisdesireforherrose,atremendouswaveofneedthatthreatenedtoswamphim.Butforjustamoment
heletitflow,lettingherfeeljusthowmuchhewantedher.
He surrounded her with his arms and drew her tight against his chest. She moaned softly, so that he
deepenedthekiss,slidinghistongueintohermouth.
Sheresponded,movinghertongueagainsthis,strokinginasensualwaythatmadehimthinksomany
thingsatoncethathehadtodrawback.
Allhe’ddonewaskissherandhewashardasarockyetagain.
Heleanedhisforeheadagainsthers.
“Reyes,”shemurmured.
Helovedthesoundofhervoice.Hecouldn’trecallthelasttimehe’deverallowedhimselftostoplong
enoughtohavethatthought,thatawoman’svoicecouldpleasehim.
He’d been a lone wolf for a very long time, loping through the forest on a solitary track, hunting his
prey.
YetsomewherealongthewayAngelicahadcomeintohislife,anunexpectedmiraclewhoeasedhim.
Butitwastimetogettotheboatparade.“IthinkIshouldwarnyouaboutsomething.”
Hefeltaquickspurtofheranxietythroughthechains.“What’sthat?”
“Abouttheparade.Therewillprobablybecouplesontheboatsperformingallsortsofsexacts.Just
wantyoutobewarned.”
Sheshookherheadandturnedinthedirectionofthehall.“Well,comeonthen.Let’sgetmestrapped
intothisheinouscostume,thengocelebratewithabunchofpervs.”
###
Angelica could never have imagined an immense two-mile-long cavern, or a river sixty feet across
flowingdownthecenter,orasoftwindthatblewconstantlysothattheairsmelledfreshandclean.
She siphoned Reyes’s power in a steady stream now so that her vision kept improving. She stood
besidehimonalongwooddeckattheriver’sedge,andthoughthecavernwasdark,shesaweverything
asthoughitwerelitbyasoftglowoflight.Giventheheightofherstilettos,shenearlystoodshoulder-to-
shoulderwithhim.
Waitstaffbroughtdrinksaround,andshewascarefulnottoaskforanythingortolookanyoneinthe
eye.Reyesheldawhiskeyinhisrighthandbutheldhertetheredtohimwithaleashthatranfromhisright
wristtothefrontofherchokecollar.
Fortheoccasionheworeashortblackleatherjacket,thoughthisonehadsilverboaskinacrossthetop
oftheshouldersanddownthearms.Itwouldn’thavebeenafirstchoice,buthelookedamazinganyway.
Besides,hefitin.Thiscrowddidn’tholdbackwhenitcametoclothes,andsomeofthemenworestrange
snakeskinshoesthatshowedtheheadsofthesnakesonthepointedtips.
Herfantasycostumedidn’tcovermuch,andeverybreezecausedanotherroundofgoosebumpstorise
onherbareass.Oddly,thethigh-highstockingshelpedhertofeelmorecoveredupthanshereallywas.
TheturquoisestilettoshadreallybotheredheruntilReyessuggestedshesendsomeofthepowershe
siphonedtoherstrainedarchesandbenttoes.
Shethoughttheideabrilliant,andafteracoupleoftriesshefinallysucceededinsendingrelieftoher
achingfeet.Thoughnotallthepainhaddisappeared,enoughdidsothatshecouldwalkwithoutnearlyas
muchagony.
Shedidn’tunderstandhowhispowerworkedorhowshewasabletosiphonit.Vampirespossessed
extraordinary advantages over their human counterparts, which made her wonder why, with so much
power,hiscivilizationhadn’tconqueredhers.
WhensheaskedReyesquietlyheexplainedthatwhilehiskindlivedverylonglives,sometimeseven
millennia, they had poor reproduction rates. Their numbers ran in the low millions, compared to the
billionsofhumanswhopopulatedtheplanet.
“Beyond that, we’re not a highly centralized society. We still haven’t figured out how to manage our
psychopaths.”
Sheglancedatthevillasupanddowntheoppositebank.Eachwasverydifferentyethadanancient
Italian feel. Knowing she and Reyes would raise questions if they continued in conversation, she
maintained her submissive, head-lowered posture and switched to telepathy. I can’t believe all this is
hiddenfromourworld.
Reyes kept his posture rigid, his feet apart, a very dominant position. He wrapped the leash once
aroundhiswristbutdidn’tmakeeyecontactwithher.WehavemanyAncestralvampireswhocancreate
intricatedisguises.
Ancestrals?Herewassomethingnew.Shefounditdifficulttoconversewithoutwantingtolookathim.
ThemostpowerfulinourworldrisetoAncestralstatus,whichisessentiallythenamegiventothat
power.
AreyouanAncestral?
Ihavethegeneticmarkers,butIhaven’tembracedthatlevelofpower.NotsureI’mgoingto,butI
havetherestofmylifetomakethatchoice.
Sheturnedandheldhisgaze.Whyareyouholdingback?
Hescowled,thoughatfirstshedidn’tknowwhy.Angelica,rememberyourposture.Now.
Sheloweredhereyesquicklytosupporthiscover.Sorry.Forgotforamoment.
Hegrippedthebackofherneck.We’rebeingwatched.PretendthatI’mhurtingyou.
Shebentherkneesandgroaned.
Whenhereleasedhernecksheslumpedhershoulders.How’sthis?
Better.OneofthemenontheBoardofGovernorswaswatchingus.He’ssmilingnowandnodding
hisapproval.
Bastard.
Yes,heis.
Reyesturnedtowardtherightandaloudsaid,“Anotherboatiscoming.Youmayapproachtherailto
observe.”
Angelicadidasshewastoldbutkeptherheadslightlybowed.“Thankyou,master.”
Thefifteen-footboatmovedslowlyandhadanamazingarrayofpurplelightsthatrosetoapinnacle,
whichinturnlituplikeafireworksrocketexploding.Therewasevenanaccompanyingsoundeffect.But
built up over the pilot’s station was a platform on which a slave couple, both manacled, maneuvered
throughseveralsexualpositions,asthoughperforminganorchestrateddance.Maybetheywere.
OncemoreAngelicaavertedhergaze.Shehatedseeingthemlikethis,butatleastitremindedherwhy
sheandReyeswerehere.
Icanfeelyourdistress.Whydon’twetomovetothenextparty?
Yes,please.
Hegathereduptheslackintheleashandtuggedashedrewheracrossthedeck,headingtowardthe
publicwalkway.Theriversidepathhadbeensmoothedoutofthenaturalsurroundingrock,twelvefeetin
width.
Manyofferedtheircongratulationsoncemoreatbothhisacceptanceintotheorganizationaswellashis
winningbid.
A large portion of the slaves were completely naked, not even accorded the fantasy costume like the
oneshehadon.Atleastthefaux-leopardbustierandthongcoveredherupalittle.
A female slaver walked by with a well-endowed male slave who had his hand on his upright cock,
supportinghimselfashemoved.Hiseyeshadalow-lidded,glazedappearance.Angelicalookedaway,
tryingtofigurethisoneout.Washeenjoyinghimselfordoingsomethingelseentirely?
Icanfeelthequestionvibratingthroughmychain,Angelica.Andtheanswerisyes,hemustremain
inanarousedstateorhe’llbepunished.
Oh,God.Sheunderstoodalittleaboutthemaleanatomy.Howisheabletodothat?
Therearealotoftricks.
OfcourseReyeswouldknow:he’dbeenamaleenslavedtoasadisticfemale.Butthisslavewasfrom
herworld.
Reyescontinued,Giventhathe’shuman,he’sprobablypumpedfullofadrugmeanttotreaterectile
dysfunction.
Shedidn’trepresstheheavysighthatfollowed.
###
ReyesdespisedthatAngelicahadtowalkslightlybehindhim.Herpositionalsostressedhimout,since
he couldn’t control what happened in his wake. If one of these partygoers, many of whom were drunk,
decidedtocopafeelReyeswasprettysurehe’dcomeunglued.
Let me know if anyone touches you. I won’t stand for it. He moved his gaze from side to side,
watchingeveryonewhopassed.
IsthatwhymychainisvibratinglikeaHarleyrightnow?
Ifanyofthesecretinsputhishandsonyou…
Okay,easedown.Icanseeyourneckmusclesflex.That’snotgoodforanyman,andprobablynota
vampire,either.
Heclearedhisthroat.You’regoingtomakemelaugh.
Youneedtolaughmore.
Maybeso,butrightnowI’mseeinganotheroftheBoardofGovernors,amanbythenameofFitch,
and I’ll want to meet him. He’s a few yards away, very tall. Wears his hair flowing around his
shoulders.Hehasoneofhisslaveswithhim.Theblondwomanwasnakedandstareddull-eyedtoward
thegroundinfrontofher.
Oh,myGod,Reyes,shehascutsinperfectthinlinesdownherabdomen.Hemusthaveusedthecat’s
claw.
Lookslikeit,butthere’snothingwecando.
She’lldie.
Notrightaway.He’sknowntotakehistime.
Fitchapproached.“Reyes.ItisReyes,right?”
ReyesoncemorepickeduptheslackonAngelica’sleashanddrewherclosetohisside.Heextended
hishand,andFitchshookit.“Howdoyoudo,MasterFitch?Iunderstandyou’reontheStarlinboard.”
“Iamandyournamekeepscomingupatthemeetings,hasforsometime.Keepupthegoodworkand
youmightbeaskedtojoinus.”
Reyesstrovetocheckhisemotions,butexcitementcoursedthroughhim.Hehadonegoalhere,toget
ontheboard,buthewaspreparedforhiseffortstotakeyears.Woulditbepossibletospeeduphisplans?
“I’dlikethat.Starlinhassetthebarineverysense.”
“Oneday,we’llexceedevenBriggsinvolume.”
DanielBriggswasthelargestslaverintheentirevampireworldandhisDarkCavernsystem,whichhe
owned and operated, moved more slaves than any other outfit. He was also untouchable as the most
powerfulvampireontheplanetandcurrentlynowheadeduptheCouncilofAncestors.
OnceReyesbroughtStarlindown,hefullyintendedtoturnhissightsonBriggs.Thevampireowned
hundredsofclubsfromwhichhedrewnewtalent, the current euphemism for fresh slaves. Briggs even
ownedtheOceanClub,whichStarlinalsousedtogatheritsslaves,includingAngelica.
WishingFitchenjoymentofthefestivities,ReyestuggedonAngelica’sleash.
AshemovedpastFitch,however,Angelica’svoiceshotthroughhishead.Reyes,hejustgrabbedmy
ass.
Fitch?
Yes.
Reyesdidn’tstoptothink;hewhirled,leapedtowardFitch,andhadhiminachokeholdontheground,
onekneehardintothevampire’ssternum.“Youdon’ttouchmyslave.Sharingisacourtesybutnotaright.
Youaskfirst.Haveyougotthat?”Boardornoboard,Reyeswassettingsomeboundaries.
A crowd gathered quickly, but Reyes didn’t care. He had to live this life for now and Angelica had
alreadysacrificedsomuchtoplayherrole,butlikehellwouldheletanymantouchherandnotfeelthe
consequences.
“Understood.”Fitch’svoicenowsoundedhoarse,likehehadlaryngitis.“Apologies.”
Reyesreleasedhimslowly,thenrosetohisfeet.Hedidn’twaittosayanythingmoretotheman,but
Reyesdidnoticethestartledlookintheblondslave’seyeandthattearswelledquicklyafter.
Reyesunderstood.Hecursedseveraltimesashemovedaway.He’djustmadeitworseforthewoman.
Fitchwasabully,likemostoftheseslavers,andhe’dtakehishumiliationoutonher.
Reyes?Areyouokay?What’sgoingon?
I want you to move forward and walk in front of me; just keep your head down. I can’t have that
happenagain.
Angelica moved past him, unsteady in her stilettos. I’m getting a feeling you’re upset about Fitch’s
slave.
Iam.He’llpunishherbecauseIhumiliatedhimjustnow.Iwasn’tthinking,butIfeltyourhorror
riseuplikeawavebecausehe’dfondledyouandyourreactionjump-startedmyown.
Didyoujustruinyourchanceswiththeboard?
Don’tgiveafuckifIdid.IthoughtIwouldbemoretolerant,butnotchain-bound.
Angelicasighed.Nothingaboutthisissimple,isit?
No,it’snot.
Atthenextpartyalivebandhadjustsetup.Overtwohundredguestsdancedonthelargestoutdoor
patioReyeshadeverseen.Drinksaboundedandbynowseveralslaverswerestumblingaround.Others
madeashowofdominatingtheirslaves,everythingondisplay.Morethanonewomanwasbeinghurt.
WantingtogetAngelicaawayfromasmuchofthecrueltyaspossible,heguidedhertowardthefront
entranceofthehouse.Anotherboardmemberownsthisplace.MasterKell.
ButthechainshadgrownveryquietonReyes’sneck.Whenhedidn’tgetaresponsehedrewcloseand
strokedthebackofherarminsuchawaythatnoonecouldseewhathewasdoing.Hey,areyouokay?
She turned back to glance at him, then lowered her gaze. I don’t suppose there’s someplace we can
hideoutforawhile.I’malittleoverwhelmed.Hertelepathicvoicegrewfaint,Thatmanwasrapinghis
slaveanallyrightonthelawn.
Iknow.Let’sgetyouinside.
Themansion,madeofcream-coloredstoneanddeckedoutwithhandsomepillarsforsupport,wenton
foratleastfiftyfeetineitherdirectionandhadtwostoriesandagrandcurvedstaircase.
Awomanstoodinthecenterofthefoyer,wearingasophisticatedtightblackdress.Heunderstoodher
roleasthehousekeeper.
“Howdoyoudo,MasterReyes,andwelcometoMasterKell’shome.”
“Myslaveneedsthefacilities.”
The housekeeper nodded, her expression unchanging, then gestured toward the stairs. “You’ll find
severaltochoosefromonthethirdfloor.”
Heleanedclose.“Whichonewouldbemostprivate?”
“Ah, yes, of course. You’ll want to go left, then right. Master Kell has made this suite available to
certainassociates.Veryprivate.”
“Thankyou.”
Wishing this nightmare would be over, once more he gestured for Angelica to precede him. As she
started up the stairs he was grateful to be following her because he could block at least some of the
attention her nakedness drew. He hated that she was on display and the entire trip up the stairs brought
dozensofpairsofeyesturninginherdirection.
Thankyou,Reyes,forstickingclose.Idon’tfeelquitesoexposed.
You’remorethanwelcome.
Thishastobehardonyouandprobablywaytoofamiliar.
You’reexactlyright.Morethanatanyotherpoint,I’mremindedofwhatitwastobeasexslave.
Whenhearrivedatthedesignatedroomheturnedandlockedthedoor.Hewantedtoapologizeagainto
Angelica,butsheflungherarmsaroundhimandthankedhim.“I’msorry,butIsoneededtobeawayfrom
allthat,atleastforalittlewhile.”
Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherbutslippedbackintotelepathy.Thisplaceisprobablyvideoed,so
we’llneedtokeepupappearances.
Herarmsfellaway,andthereliefshe’dfeltwasclearlyshort-lived.Shedippedherchin.Well,atleast
we’reawayfromallthevisuals.Justtellmewhattodo.
Ishouldwarnyou,I’llhavetoreallyplayupmyrole.
It’sokay.
Aloud,hespokeinacommandingvoice.“Facedownonthebed.Now.”
Thedécorwassparse,aroundbedcoveredinavioletthrow.Angelicastretchedout.
Justtrytorelax.
Shereleasedadeepsigh,thenputahandoverherface,shadinghereyes.I’lltry.Anddespitethatwe
mightbefilmed,thisisstilleasierthanhavingtowatchwhatwasgoingonoutside.
Hesatdownnexttoherandcaressedherbottom.Isthisokay?
Youmeanbesidesthefactthatitfeelsreallygood?
Yes,besidesthat.
It’sfine.Whateveryouneedtodoisfine.Itrustyou.
Reyes couldn’t really imagine what this was like for Angelica, the horror of it, seeing all this
perversionallatonce.Forthesakeofthosewhoweremostlikelywatchinghedroppedtohiskneeson
thefloorbehindher,spreadherlegs,andleanedoverher.
“You’retostayinthisposition,slave,anddoasyou’retold.”
“Yes,master.”
Asheheldherwaistandkissedherbottomthechainsathisneckvibrated,tellinghimthatsheliked
what he was doing. His ever-present desire for her began to flow, hardening him, making him want to
buryhimselfdeepbetweenherbeautifulthighs.
Reyes,shewhisperedthroughhismind.
Icanmakeyoucomelikethis,ifyouwantmeto.
Itwouldbewrongonsomanylevels.Herhipsflexed.ButI’dloveit.
You’rebeautiful,Angelica.Andtheseblackstockingstoppedwithfauxleopardareturningmeon.
Yourlipsarelikeheaven.
Despitethehorrorofthefestival,hewantedthisforAngelica;hewantedhertoknowpleasure.This
muchhecoulddoforher.
Heslidonehandbeneathhertocoverhermoundandbegankneadingher,pushingagainsther,teasing
herclitoris.Shemoaned.
Wantingbetteraccess,hedrewbackandpulledhertotheedgeofthebed.Hetookhistimetakingher
thongoff,strokingherlegs,thenkissingherbottominturns.
Reyes,myGod,Reyes.
Whenherthongsatonthefloorbesidehimhespreadherlegswideandmovedbetween.Heignored
hisowndesireandmadethisallabouther.
Usinghistongue,hewenttoworkwhileatthesametimereturninghishandtohermoundandtothetop
ofherclitoris.
Buthavinghistonguedeepinsideherwellandfeelinghertightpulsesbroughthisownneedtoasharp,
painfulpinnacle.
Hecontinuedtodrivehistongueintoherandtomassageherclitorisatthesametime.Shewasgasping
now,herfaceintothecomforter.
Aloud,hespokeinaharshvoice.“You’llcomeforme,slave;comenow.”
Spankme,ifyouwant.
I’msotempted.
Doit,Reyes.Itwillhelpwiththecoverand,truthfully,I’dlikeit.
Heliftedhishandandgaveherasharpcrackonherbottom.
Shecriedoutasifinpain.Reyes,oh,myGod.Doitagain.
Onlyifyouprotest.
“Thathurts,master.”
“It’smeantto,slave.”Heslappedheragain,thenwentbacktoworkusinghistongue.
I’msoclose.
Wheneveryou’reready,Angelica.
She panted, and because of the chains he could feel that she was on the brink. Using his vampire
abilities,heflickedinandoutofherfasterthanahumancouldgo.Shemoanedheavily;thensuddenlyshe
wasscreamingherorgasm.Hekeptworkingheruntilshesettledbackagainstthebed.
Reyes,thatwaswonderful.Thankyou.
Evenwithinhismindshesoundedlooseandwell-used.
I’mgoingtoissuesomecommandstohelpsupportwhatI’mdoing,okay?Forgivemefortheway
thiswillsound.
Noworries.
“Allright,slave,you’retostayinthatposition,yourlegsspreadwide.Doyouunderstand?”
“Yes,master.”
Herosefromhiskneespainfullyaroused.
Hedrewachairfrombesidethewallandmovedtopositionitsothatheappearedtobelookingather.
Whenhesatdownheplacedhisfeetontheinsidesofhers.I’mgoingtoforceyouwider,butletme
knowifithurts.
I’mgood.
Slowly,hepushedherlegsfartherandfartherapart.Foraslavethiswouldbeapointofhumiliation,
butforhimkeepingAngelicainthispositionshoweddominance.
How’sthat?
Fine.Really,I’mfine.
We’rejustgoingtostaylikethisforawhile.Imaytouchyounowandthen,justforshow.AllIwant
youtodoistotakeabreath,torelax,beforewecontinueon.Withthismuchdrinkinggoingon,Ithink
thingswillgetworsebeforewe’llbeabletoleave.
Youmeanmorelikeoneorgyafteranother.
I’m afraid so. Again he repressed the need to apologize. If he didn’t hold back he’d be apologizing
everyotherminuteforwhatshe’dhavetoendure.
Everyonceinawhilehe’dleanforwardandcaressherbottomorstrokeherinnerthighs,justforshow.
ButhecouldtellbythechainsthatAngelicawasfinallyrelaxed.
Doingbetter?
Much.Thatwaslovely,Reyes.Unexpected.IthinkIneededthat.
Iknowwhatyoumean.Ofcoursetheviewofher,ofwherehewantedtobe,wasn’thelpinghisown
situation,buthe’dbeenwell-trainedandtougheditout.
DoIhavepermissiontoturnovernow?
Sure,butitwillmeanthatinafewminuteswe’regoingtoleavethisroom.
Hereleasedherlegs,anddrawingthemtogether,sherolledontohersideandmethisgaze.CanIdo
somethingforyou?shesent.
Hesqueezedhiseyesshut.Whenheopenedthemheshookhishead.Notrightnow.Iwon’tlieandsay
Idon’twantyou,becauseI’vebeeninpainsinceweputthesechainson.AndIreallyappreciatethe
offer.ButIhavetoomuchragerightnow.Can’texplainit.
Andyoudon’thaveto.Igetit.Hereyeswelledwithtears.Fitchisgoingtohurtthatwoman,isn’t
he?
Yes.Badly.He’sanabuser,asmostoftheseassholesare.They’vegivenitapolite“Starlin”gloss,
andbuiltalifestylearoundit,pretendingit’ssomethingthatit’snot.Someofthemevenbelievethat
when slaves scream in pain it’s merely because they’re so emotionally connected to the ones who
torturethem,thateverythingisanactoflove.
She rolled slightly to lean her head against the comforter. There ought to be a stronger word than
perversiontodescribethesepeople.Afterreleasingadeepsighsheadded,IthinkI’mreadytoleave
now.
Good,andthesoonerwegetthroughthisthesoonerIcantakeyouhome.Heroseup.“Onyourfeet,
slave.”
Sheputherthongbackon,thenhershoes.Whereareweheadedtonext?
Engles’splace.
Shesighed.Oh,goodie.
OncemoreReyeshadtorepresshisamusement,buthelovedthatshe’dlightenedthemoodyetagain.
ChapterThree
Angelica made the trek to what would be Engles’s mansion in the platform stilettos and continued to
focusReyes’shealingenergyontoherachytoesandnowtightarches.Atleastthestonepathwassmooth.
Because drunkenness was becoming an increasing problem, Reyes finally gave up trying to sustain a
submissivedistanceandheldherclosetohissideandwellawayfromthefoottraffic.
Shestillcouldn’tbelievethatjustalittlewhileagoReyeshadworkedherbodyandbroughthertosuch
aperfect,thrillingorgasm.Shedidn’tevenknowwhyshe’dallowedit,exceptthathistouchfeltsogood
andmaybeinlargepartbecausethewholetimehisownsexualneedanddesirehadvibratedthechain
aroundherneckinstrongpulses.She’dbeenabletosensehowarousedhewas,andthat’swhathadtaken
herthedistanceandmadewhatshouldhavebeenanimpossiblethingverypossible.
Andhistongue.She’dneverexperiencedanythinglikethatbefore.Wicked.
Wherehaveyourthoughtsgone?
Nowhere.
That’snotwhatI’mgetting.
She didn’t know why she tried to pretend. The chains wouldn’t allow her to conceal that merely
thinkingaboutwhathe’ddonehadworkedherupalloveragain.She’ddesiredhimfromthebeginning
and she’d known that the blood-chains would enhance what was there, but she hadn’t expected to be
catapultedintoanalmostchronicstateofarousal.
Angelica?
Idon’tknowwhattosay.ButIcan’tstopthinkingaboutwhatyoujustdidtome.Itwasamazing.
Ipleasedyou.
Oh,myGod,tosaytheleast.
Iwanttodoitagain.
Sheheldthewordsback,theonesshereallywantedtospeak,whatshe’dalwayswantedfromhim,as
inIwantallofyourightnow,yourweightonme,yourcockinsideme.
Instead,sheoverlaidhisrightarm,theonethatheldhertighttohissideastheywalked,andsqueezed.
He guided her past three mansions, and after a turn in the path as the river shifted to a southeasterly
directionEngles’shomecameintoview.
Shestaredupatanincrediblemansionbuiltseveralstorieshighofwhitestone,reachingalmosttothe
top of the cavern. The pyramid effect had vines trailing off several balconies and trees growing
everywhere.
Reyes,howdoesanythinggrowintheseundergroundcavernswithoutsunlight?
It’ssimple,really.Wemakeuseofmoderntechnologyandmassivegrowlightsthatrunontimers.A
community like this would have specified daily periods in which the entire cavern is ablaze with
manufacturedlight.Wehavealotofengineersinourculture.
It’strulyamazing.
Shebegantobelievethatfromwhatshe’dseenthiscivilizationcoulddojustaboutanything.
Another boat moved by, but Angelica didn’t bother looking. She knew what to expect, and no matter
howbeautifulthelightsortheartisticdesignoftheset,theexhibitionoffleshandsexwouldonceagain
disgusther.
ShewalkedbesideReyesinsilence,workingtosustainhersubmissiveappearance.Atthesametime,a
strangeemotionvibratedthroughtheblood-chain.
SomethingwasbotheringReyes.
###
AchillchaseddownReyes’sspineashestaredupatEngles’smassiveriversidehome.ThoughReyes
hadneverbeentothispartoftheworldbefore,hecouldn’tshakeabizarrefeelingoffamiliarity,though
hehadnobasisforit.
Hethoughtthemansionamonstrosity,thoughheadmiredhowthebuildingactuallymoldeditselftothe
shapeofthecavernwall.Thedwellingwasthesizeofasmallhotel,andheknewfromgossipoverthe
yearsthatitboastedfifteenbedrooms,someofthemequippedwithsmallerversionsofhisgameroom.
Englesstoodaloneonasecondaryplatform,awayfromtheriver’sedgebythirtyfeetandguardedbya
securitydetail.Heheldatumblerinhishand,probablyhisfavoriteDubonnet.Apairoffemaleslaves,
wearing nothing but chain chokers, stood nearby, heads bowed, bodies bruised. Engles represented the
worst of his kind, depraved and self-involved, as though nothing else in the world should ever happen
exceptwhatpleasedhim.
Engleshadanodd,owl-likelookwithlargedarkeyesandahawkishnose.Hecombedhisthickmass
ofwavydark-brownhairawayfromhisface,hadadeepindentationinhischin,andpossessedalevelof
charismathatmadehimappearbetter-lookingthanhereallywas.HisheadswiveledinReyes’sdirection,
Engles smiled and waved his hand in acknowledgment but swiftly reverted his attention to the party
below.
Hisgazescannedthecrowdonthedeckthatranatleastfortyyardsalongtheriverfront.Englesseemed
methodicalinhissearch,asthoughcatalogingwhohadattendedhiseventandmaybedecidingtoaward
favorsbasedonthatattendance.Heworeasharkskincoatandblackslacks,anopen-collaredblackshirt.
ReyestightenedhisgriponAngelica.DoyouseeEngles?
Yes.He’slikeahawk,isn’the,lookingforprey?
Reyesnodded.Andwejustneedtoavoidhistalons.
Repressing a sigh, Reyes held the leash at shoulder level, another dominant position, as he guided
Angelicatowardthestepsthatledtothecurvedstoneplatform.HemovedinEngles’sdirection,intending
to fulfill his obligation, when from the opposite side Engles’s security detail called to Engles, handing
himaphone.
Engles’sfaceturnedscarletwithrageasheshoutedintothecell.
Reyesshifteddirection,guidingAngelicatowardthemansion.Ithinkwe’llleavehimalonefornow.
Goodidea.Besides,Iwasnotlookingforwardtobeinganywherenearthatman.There’ssomething
notrightabouthim.Personificationofevil,maybe.
Ithinkthat’sexactlyright.
ButasReyesledherupthewalktothehouseanotherchilltraveleddownhisback.
Whatisit?Angelicaasked.BecauseI’mgettingthisstrangevibefromyou.
Reyesfeltconfused.Ihonestlydon’tknow,butIkeepgettingthisfeelingthatI’vebeenherebefore.
Yet,IknowIhaven’t.
Doyouthinksomeonehasmessedwithyourmemories?Imean,isthatevenpossibleinyourworld?
Possible,yes.HisthoughtswentimmediatelytoSweetDove.ThewomanwasanAncestral,partofthe
reasonshe’dbeenabletogainsuchcompletecontroloverhim,toholdhimallthoseyears.Someofhis
chains had been preternaturally enhanced with her power, a kind of binding that took decades to sever
despitehowphysicallystronghe’dgrownovertheyears.
Butthequestionwas,wouldSweetDovehavetakenhismemoriesofbeinginthishousebefore?Ifso,
why?
Ifinditawkwardspeakingtoyoubutnotlookingatyou,Angelicasent.
Iknowwhatyoumean.
AndIfeeldizzysuddenly.
Heglancedather.Thoughtherewerehardlyanypeoplenearthehouse,hestillheldhertight,buthe
couldfeelhertrembling.What’swrong?
Idon’tknow.Idon’tlikethis,Reyes.Somethingisn’tright.
I’mgettingthatfeelingaswell.
Whatdowedo?Shelookedworried,atightfrownbetweenherbrows.
Wegoforward.Iwanttoknowwhat’shappeninghereaswell,butI’llhavetoreleaseyou.Itwon’t
lookrighttobesupportingyouthisway.
I know. She removed her hand and he slid his arm from around her waist. Holding the leash, he
gathereduptheslackalittlemore.
WhenhecrossedthethresholdAngelicagasped,assheshouldhave.Evenhewasstunnedbythesight
of split curved staircases that met at an upper landing. A massive crystal chandelier hung from a forty-
foot-highceiling.
Dozens of guests milled throughout the foyer and off to both sides. Elegant food stations ranged
throughout, but he didn’t see an open bar. Reyes thought he understood, that Engles might enjoy a good
party,butthedrunkenrevelscouldtakeplacedocksideratherthaninhisdwelling.
Engleslikedcontroloneverylevel.
Reyesacceptedmorecongratulationsonhiswinningbid,justasAngelicareceivedtheonce-overagain
andagain.Hedidn’tlikeitandbristledmorethanonceatasuggestivecomment.
Ignorethem,shesent.
Reyesshookhishead.Isitthatobvious?
Thechainsspeakyourirritationeverysingletime.
Heglancedaround.Areyouhungry?
Alittle.
I’llhaveyoupileupaplateandhopefullyfindsomeplaceprivate.Unfortunately,forshowI’llhave
tocontrolwhatandhowmuchyoueat.
Don’tworryaboutthat.Let’sdowhateverweneedtodo.
Hepassedbyaseafoodbuffetandwendedhiswaytoalesspopulatedroomthatopenedontoaside
garden.Anotherbuffetsatinthemiddlewithaspicyaroma.
Italian.Howdoesthatsound?
Perfect.
Heorderedhertoloadaplate,thendirectedherintothegarden.Hewantedtohaveherstretchouton
thechaiselongueandkickoffhershoes,butthereweresecuritycameraseverywhere.Hechoseinsteada
chairandottoman,sothatshecouldtakethesubservientpositioninfrontofhim.
I’mprettysurewe’llbeonvideoagain,sofollowmylead.
Sheloweredherhead,nodding,holdingtheplatewithbothhands.
You’redoinggreat.Justtrytokeepthefirefromyoureyes.
Herlipsthreatenedtocurve.Thefire?
Yes,youhavefireinyoureyes,oneofthethingsIvalueaboutyou.
So,youvalueme.
YouknowIdo.Hewantedtotellhermore,butseveralpeoplehadenteredthegardenandheriskedhis
coverbyappearingtohesitate.Weshouldgetthisshowstarted.
Readywhenyouare.
Hegesturedtotheottoman.“Sitdown,slave.”
Whenshe’dtakenherseathecontinued,“You’retofeedme.”Canyoumakeyourhandstremble?
Sure.
Shedidanexcellentjob,preparingbitesoffoodforhim,herfingersshaking,herheaddown.Heate
twoforkfulsbeforehesaid,“Youmayhaveabite,asmallone.”
Sheobeyedhim.
Bynowtheyhadanaudience,onethatcontinuedtogrow.InStarlinterms,theywerebothfamous.He
satbackwatchingher,forcingahardexpressiontohisfeatures,justshortofaglare.Tohermindhesent,
You’redoinggreat.
Thiswholethingisfreakingmeout,Reyes.Whyhaveatleasttwentypeoplecometowatchthis?
They’rehopingitwilldevolveintoeitherviolenceorsex.
Isthatwhatweneedtodo?Hecouldfeelhermountingtensionthroughthevibrationofthechains.
Doesn’tmatter.Notgonnahappen.
“Youmayprepareanothersmallbiteforyourself.”
Usingthesideofherfork,sheslicedapieceofcorkscrewpastainhalf,spearedapea-sizedworthof
prosciutto,andslippeditbetweenherteeth.
You’rebeautiful.HaveItoldyouthat,Angelica?Andnowyou’reblushing.Aloud,hesaid,“I’llhave
abiteofthebread.”
“Yes,master.”Sheliftedthetoastedsourdough.
Lookatme,Angelica.Sheliftedhergazetohis,andthemomentshedidheopenedhismouthandshe
slidthepieceinside.
Reyes.Shewhisperedhisnamethroughhismindandsuddenlyallhecouldthinkaboutwashavingher
underhim.He’dwantedherfromthebeginning,butinthissituation,withherfeedinghimbitsofpastaand
breadandlookingvoluptuousinherblack-and-turquoiseleopardbustier,hewasarousedalloveragain.
In an effort to calm down he shifted his gaze to the row of nearby large planters that held thirty-foot
cypresses.
Youokay?Hervoiceandherconcerndidlittletohelphisproblem.
Notexactly,butIthinkit’stimeyoustoppedfeedingme.
Shesettledtheplateonherlapandfoldedherhands.Idon’tsupposeyoucouldfindusadarkcorner
somewhere?
Whatareyouproposing?
Hergazeflickedsuddenlytohis,thenfellobsequiouslytoherlap.You know what I’d like? I mean,
reallylike?
Hecouldhardlybreatheandhedidn’tdaretrytostandup.What’sthat?
Reyes,Iknowthisisgoingtosoundstrange,butI’dloveafirstkiss.Wehaven’thadthat,youknow.
We’vehadotherthings,butI’dlikearealfirstkiss.
AreyouforgettingthatyoukissedmeattheOceanClub?
Herchestroseandfellinadeepbreath.That’snotthekindofkissI’mtalkingabout.Thatwasjust
meshowingyouhowmuchIwantedyou.
ReyeslovedtheideaofgivingAngelicaafirstkiss.Icanfindussomeplaceprivate.Herosetohis
feet, took the plate, and set it on a nearby table. Gathering up her leash once more and without saying
eitherawordtoherortothenow-disappointedcrowd,heledherbackintothehouse.
###
AngelicafeltReyes’sdeterminationvibratethroughherchain.Hedidn’tdawdle,either,butmovedas
swiftlyasherstupidshoeswouldletthem.Heevenlevitatedheruptothesecond,thenthethirdfloorof
thesprawlingmansion.
A lot of the bedrooms were in use, but he didn’t bother finding an empty one. They would all have
cameras;thatmuchAngelicaunderstoodextremelywellaboutthisperverseculture.
Atlast,hedrewheroutontooneofthebalconiesthatprovedemptyofguestsbuthadalushgarden.
GuidingherawayfromtheFrenchdoors,hepulledherofftothesidesotheycouldn’tbeseen.
“Getridofyourshoes.”Hekepthisvoicelow.
“Oh,canIreally?”
“Hell,evenI’minpainwatchingyouwalkinthem.”
“I’vebeensiphoningyourpower,”shesaid,alsowhispering,“butitstillisn’tenough.”
Hesupportedherwhileshesteppedoutofthemonstrosities.Sheflexedherfeetandmoaned.“Thank
you for that. Although I’d be hurting worse if I hadn’t been using your power to heal my feet along the
way.”
“Idon’tknowhowyouwomenbearthem.”
“Noteasily,butthey’repretty.”
“Andtheseareunusuallyabsurd.”
Hedrewherintotheshadowsofftotheside.“Soyouwantedafirstkiss.”
“Doesthatseemsillytoyou?”
“No, actually, it doesn’t. This has all been ass-backwards and I’d apologize again, but it doesn’t
changewhat’shappened.”
Heslidhisarmaroundherwaistandpulledheragainsthim,whichsentaspatteringofgoosebumps
travelingdownherback.Shesettledherhandsonhisarms,awareyetagainthathewasheavilymuscled
andmoremanthanshe’deverkissedbefore.
Thelightinginthepatiowasverysoft,butshesiphonedalittlemoreofhispowerandwarmedupher
visionsothatshesawhimperfectly.“Reyes,”shemurmured.
Hetiltedhisheadslightlyandmovedin.Hemetherpartedlipswithasoftpressureofhisownthat
wentstraighttoherknees.
Sheslidherarmaroundhisneck,andwhenhedeepenedthekissshemoanedalloveragain.Histongue
dovewithin,causingherbodytostrainagainsthim,needingmore.
Angelica.Hisvoiceinherheadfeltlikethesoftestvibration.
Hegrippedherwaisttighter,thenslowlygroundhishipsintoher.Shecouldfeelthehardlengthofhim
andgaspedashistonguebegantoplungeinandout.
For a first kiss this one rocked. She couldn’t get enough of the warm feel of his lips, his tongue
searchingtherecessesofhermouth,thendrivingoncemore,ofhisarmsflexingandreleasing.
Sheletherthoughtsflow.IwantedtotakeyouhomethatnightattheOceanClub.
When he drew back he leaned his forehead against hers. “If things had been different, I would have
gone with you, maybe even stayed all night.” He caressed her arms. “I’ve wanted you badly, but this
situation…”
“Iknow.So,howaboutwepayourrespectstooureleganthost,thengetthehelloutofhere,ifit’sokay
toskipthoseotherparties.”
Hesmiled.“We’vemadeourappearance,sowe’llbefine.Youcanleavetheshoes,though.I’llcarry
youifhaveto.”
“Can’tyoujustflymeoutofhere?”
Heshookhishead.“There’sabasicrulewhenthere’sthismuchdrinking.Everyonewalks.”
“Youmeanyoubroketherulesflyingmeupthestairs?”
“Itookachance.”
Angelicaglancedbehindherandsawthattheroombeyondwasempty;“Let’sgothen,becauseifIsee
onemorenakedwomanonherkneesinfrontofanotherself-satisfiedslaverImaygoballistic.”
Hesmiled.“Thenwe’dbettergetyouhome.”
He led her on her leash into the hall, then down the stairs. More than one partygoer glanced at
Angelica’s bare feet and seemed to approve. She hadn’t realized that her barefootedness might be
received as a way to control her. How ironic that instead Reyes had saved her some pain. His fellow
Starlinmemberswouldbeextremelydisappointediftheyknewthetruth,bastardsthattheywere.
He’djustreachedtheopenfrontdoorswhenEngles’svoicereachedacrossatleastfortyfeetoffoyer.
“Reyes,wherehaveyoubeenkeepingyourprize?Ah,you’vestrippedherofhershoes.Iapprove.Now
ifonlyshelostthecostume.”
ShefeltReyesbristleasheturnedinEngles’sdirection.
Engles,withadrinkinonehand,caughtReyes’sarmwiththeother,liftingithigh.“Ourhighestbidder
foroneofourfinesttrophiesinalongtime.”Aburstofapplausefollowed.
Angelicafeltsick.
“IbelieveInowregretnotexceedingyourbid.”
“You’llhaveachanceathersix-monthmark.”
“Ah,yes.”Hesmiled,thenglancedaroundathisguests.“You’llnoticehowwell-preservedourbeauty
is despite that she was in the hands of a man like Reyes all last night. But he’s assured me that he has
planstorecouphisinvestmentathersix-monthtransition.Isuggestyouallstartsavingyourmoneyforthe
chancetobidonheronceshecompletestheprocess.”HethenturnedtoAngelicaandtookherchininhis
hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. “For I have no doubt that you’ll survive and when you do you’ll
becometheperfectslave-companion.Again,IenvyReyes.”
Angelica knew that those slaves who survived the six-month mark underwent a terrible sexual
transitionthatcausedthemtofullyembracetheslaverlifestyle.
As she stared into Engles’s evil dark eyes her spirit rose up within her, demanding that she speak.
Thoughhestillhadholdofherchin,shesquaredhershoulders.“Butifalltherumorsaboutyouaretrue,I
wouldn’thavelivedtoseemysix-monthtransitionhadIbeeninyourhands.”
Reyes’svoicewassuddenlyinhermind.Angelica,backdown,now.
Engles’snostrilsflaredandhisdarkeyesflashed.“Youdaretospeaktomeinthatmanner,slave?”He
releasedherchinbutliftedhishandhigh,hislipspulledback,fangsshowing.
Shecringed,turningawayfromhim,knowingshe’dgethit.
Whennothinghappenedsherightedherself,appalledtofindthatReyesheldEngles’sarmtrappedin
hispowerfulgrip.
Thetwomenglaredateachother.
Angelica,Reyescalledtohersharply,mind-to-mind.Droptothegroundandprostrateyourselfatmy
feet.Holdontomyanklesandputonthebestbegging-for-mercyshowyoucanthinkof.
Shefelldowninstantlyandbegansobbing.“I’msosorry,master.Iforgotmyself.Pleaseforgiveme.
Forgiveme.”
“Silence,slave,”Reyesbitout.
Angelicadidn’tdarelook.
“Youmustdisciplineher!”Englesshouted.“Hereandnow.”
“She will be disciplined. Beyond that, you have no rights other than my apology for my slave’s
thoughtlessbehavior.”
“Sheshowsnorespect.Youhavenotbroughtherintopropersubmission,whichmeansthatyourcurrent
methoddoesn’tseemtobeworking.Allslavesareworthlessandneedtobetaughtwellfromthesecond
youtakepossession.It’scleartome,youstillhavealottolearn.”
###
ReyesstaredintoEngles’shard,darkeyes.Heheldtheman’sarmhighoverhead,hisfingersgripping
Engles’swrist.ButReyesfeltnogivewhatsoever.
“Relent,”Reyessaidquietly.“Iwilldisciplinemyslave,andsheclearlyrealizesnowthatsheerred.
Rememberhowmuchfightthisonehas.Andagain,I’mtakingmytimetoseasonthemeat.Thatismyway.
Andsofar,she’sprovedsavory.I’llhaveherinmygameroomnext,forafewhours,teachingthelesson,
asyousuggest,thatshesobadlyneeds.”
Finally,Englesstartedtorelax,pullinghisarmaway.“Andwedohaveourrules.”Hetuggedonthe
cuffsofhissilkshirt.“AndIhavenorightsoveryourslave.ButIwouldliketoownheroneday.I’dlike
hertolearnanewsetoflessonsatmyhands.Infact,Ilookforwardtoit.”
Reyes dropped his arm to his sides and felt a little flattery might help. “I looked at several
organizationsbeforesettingmysightsonStarlin.WhatIalwaysvalued,thatisn’ttrueacrosstheboard,is
that the owner has all the rights and members of the organization are not allowed to infringe on an
owner’sproperty,notwherehisslaveisconcerned,atleastnotwithoutpermission.”
“Youknowourlawswell.”
“Ido.”
EnglesoncemoreglanceddownatAngelica.Histonguemadeanappearancebetweennewlyemerged
fangs.Thebastardlustedafterher,whichsentoffawarningbellinReyes’shead.Engleswoulddowhat
hecouldtogaincontrolofAngelica.Morethanatanyothermoment,ReyesunderstoodEngles’smindand
hispurpose.Themanwasbidinghistime.
Engles gestured with an elegantly swept arm, encompassing the audience of at least a hundred of his
guests.“Wehaveresolvedourdifferences.Please,enjoytheparty.”
Likemagic,thecrowdturnedbacktoitsvariousconversations.
ReyesglanceddownandspoketoAngelicainaforcedvoiceofcommand.“Youmaystandnow,slave,
wellbehindme.”
Sherosetoherfeet,herheadbowedheavily.Herarmscrossedoverherstomach.Hefeltherremorse.
Morethananything,heneededtogetheroutofEngles’shome.
HewasabouttothankEnglesforhispartywhenhesaid,“Aword,Reyes,ifyouwill,forIwantyouto
knowthatdespiteyourslave’sunfortunateconduct,Ihavesomegoodnewsforyou.Ifyou’llcomewith
me.”
Reyeswantedtoprotest,butEngleshadalreadyturnedandnowheadeddownthecentralhallthattook
himbeneaththesplitstaircase.
Angelica’svoicebrokeintoReyes’sthoughts.Dowehavetogowithhim?Idespisetheman.
Wedon’thaveachoice.He’sthegatewaytowhatIneedforStarlin’sdestruction.
Angelicasighed.Iknow.Myquestionwasmorerhetorical.
Believeme,iftherewasanyotherway…
Englesledthemdeepintowhatappearedtobetheprivatepartofhishome,unavailabletohisguests
exceptbyinvitation.Thehallwaywaspartofamucholdersectionboredoutofsolidrock.Againthatodd
shiverchaseddownReyes’sback.WhydidEngles’shomeseemsodamnfamiliar?
Reyes,you’refeelingitagain,aren’tyou?Thatyou’vebeenherebefore?
Thechainsdidn’tlie.Yes.
Areyousureyouhaven’t?Shesoundedworried.
Idon’tthinkso.
Englesledthemtoanalcoveandthroughadoorwayintoasmallerroomfullofbooksandtwomaroon
leatherchairs.“Pleasesitdown.”
WithleashinhandReyestookaseat,gesturingforAngelicatostandbehindhischair.
Englespouredoutadrink.“IhearyoulikeagoodBowmore.”
Apparently,Engleshaddonehishomeworkaswell.
“Ido.”
Englespouredfromacrystalcarafe,thenhandedReyesaheavycut-glasstumbler.Heheldthescotch
beneathhisnosebutnevertookhiseyesoffEnglesashesipped.“Excellent,butImustsayI’mhonored
thatyouactuallyhavethebrandIprefer.”
Engles planted his hand on his chest. “You do not have me to thank but rather Scorpion. He had you
vetted and learned your proclivities and your background. I understand that you were a slave yourself
once,butthatyoumanagedtoeludeyourcaptor.Iwasstunnedbut,morethanthat,couldnotimaginehow
youescaped.Sohowdidyou?”
Reyesfelltoaplaceofvampirestillnesssothathismindcouldworkontheseswiftlyrenderedbitsof
hislife.Nooneknewofhisslavery,sohowdidEngles?
“I see I’ve stunned you.” Engles smiled and poured his own drink. He sat down slowly in the chair
opposite.BehindEngles’schairaslowtrickleofwaterrandownthenaturalcavewall.Reyeswatched
thewater,hismindturningindeepcircles.
Reyes,what’sgoingon?It’sasthoughyou’vedisappeared.
Ineedamoment.Heneededseveral.WhatwasEngles’sgame?
Buthowdidheknowaboutyourpast?
Idon’tknow.Heglancedaroundtheroomandfeltuneasyoncemore.
Andthisplaceseemsfamiliartoyou,doesn’tit?Icanfeelitthroughthechains.
Yes.LikeadreamIcan’tquiteremember.
###
Angelicatouchedthechainatherneck,focusingonReyesandEnglesatthesametime,aswellasthis
small,strangeroom.Suddenlyitwasasthoughtheedgesofthespacebegantospinandshefeltherself
driftingbackwardintime.
Anotherrevisitingvision,atripintothepast.
AfterafewsecondsthefullvisionarrivedandshesawReyesinthisexactsamespace,becauseshe
recognizedthenarrowwaterfallalongthenaturalflowofrock.
There were no chairs, however. Instead, a hard wood platform took up the same space as Engles’s
current chair. Reyes lay on the table, on his back. His face was bruised, his arms bound overhead. A
familiarwomanwithamassofcurlyredhairstraddledhim,ridinghimhard.
Hecriedoutasifinpain.
SweetDove.
She lifted her hand, cloaked with the cat’s claw, and dragged it down his chest, cutting deep. Blood
flowedfromReyes’swounds.Hescreamedinagony.
Angelicafeltfaint.Shewantedthevisiontoend,butshecouldn’tturnaway.ThiswasReyes,andshe
neededtoknowsomethingaboutthismomentintime.Sheneededtounderstand.
Sheworked hard withinthe vision totake herself backward, tosee more ofthe room. Someone else
waspresent,butwho?
Thensheheardhim:“Yes,SweetDove,makehimcomelikethat.Itwillbebetterforyouboth.He’s
takenenoughfornow.Focusonhiscock.Slowdownjustalittle.Lethimfeelhimselflow.Thepainfrom
thecutswilldimjustenoughandhe’llstartconnectingpainwithpleasure.”
Angelicaknewthatvoice.ItbelongedtothemanoppositeReyesinthepresent.
SweetDovecriedout.“He’shard,MasterEngles.Sohard.Iwanttocome.”
“Notyet.Leandownandtakethebloodfromhischest.Thisispartoftheprocess,thereward.”
Stillstraddlinghim,sheleanedforwardandlappedReyes’sblood.TearsstreamedfromReyes’seyes,
whichwerenowclosed.Hemoanedasherhipskeptworkinghimlow.
“You’llsee.He’llgrowtoenjoyallofit,includingthepain.”
“Andyou’llslicehismemoriesafter?”
“Yes,asweagreed,sothathe’llneverthinkofmeashismaster.Youwerealwaysafavoriteofmine,
SweetDove.Andnowyou’rebecomingthemaster.Howdoesitfeel?”
SweetDoveturnedtohimandsmiled.“Abitlikeheaven.”
Engleslaughed.
Angelicahadseenandheardenough.Shereleasedthechainatherneckandthevisionfaded.
Reyes,however,stoodnexttohernow,hishandgrippingherarm.“What’sgoingon?”
She met his gaze, blinking hard, as though trying to remove from her eyes the sights she’d just seen.
Aloudshesaid,“IthinkIblackedout.Idon’tknow.”Buttohismindsheadded,Reyes,Ihadavision,
butIcan’ttalkaboutitrightnow.ItinvolvesEngles.
“Onyourknees,andnomoreofthiscryingout.”
DidIcryout?
Yes.JustdroptoyourkneesbeforeEnglesbecomessuspicious.
Shefellquickly,bendingovertoplantherhandsbesideherknees.Shefeltsodizzyandsickatheart
thattearsoncemorewelled,thenploppedonthefaux-leopardtrimofherblackstockings.She’dseenthe
beginningofReyes’storture,andherhearthurtbecauseofit.
EngleshadtrainedSweetDovehowtobecomeasadist.
Reyes’svoicefilledtheroom.“Andbesilent,slave.”
“Yes,master,”shewhispered.
“Very good, Reyes.” Engles’s approving voice made Angelica cringe. “She’s probably just in shock.
Now,ontomoreimportantthings.”
HisdismissivetonegaveAngelicasomerelief.AslongasEnglesthoughtherworthless,hewouldn’t
assigntoomuchweighttoanythingshedid.
Heclearedhisthroat.“Nowthatyou’vebroughtyourslaveundercontrol,Iwantedtoletyouknowthat
Scorpionaskedmetospeakwithyoutonight.Iseethatyou’resurprised,butI’mhappytotellyouthathe
hassingledyouout,hopefullyforaquickpromotiontotheBoardofGovernors.”
“Ibegyourpardon?”Reyeswasclearlystunned.
“Ithinkyouheardme.”
TheleatherchaircreakedasReyesshiftedhisweight.“Idon’tunderstand,Engles.I’vebeenamember
fortwodaysnow.WhathaveIdonetodeservethatkindofelevation?Iwouldn’tsayI’veprovedmyself
yet.”
“I understand why you’re skeptical, and in my view you should be. I don’t agree with the concept
generally.You’rerelativelynewtothelifestyleandyouhavesomegrowingtodo.Ourleader,however,
believes differently and thinks you possess tremendous potential. And perhaps this will be an excellent
meansofprovingyourself,sinceScorpionhasarequirement,somethingverysimpleandbasicthatI’m
sureyouwon’thavethesmallestproblemfulfilling.”
Angelica’schainvibratedagainstherneck.Clearly,Reyesdidn’tlikewherethiswasheaded.
“Andthatwouldbe?”
“Abitoffun,actually.Scorpioncommandsaprivateshow,justyouandyourslave,engagedinbondage
play.Thechoiceofdominancewouldbeyours,chains,ropes,silkscarves,whateveryouprefer.Iwillbe
there, of course, with my own slaves. Scorpion usually doesn’t allow me to attend, but he’s made an
exceptioninthiscase.HeknowshowmuchIvalueyourslave’sattributes,andifyouhaven’tfiguredit
outbynow,ScorpionandIareclosebusinessassociates.”
Angelica’smindblitzedoutoncemore.
Whathadshebeenthinkingwhenshe’dagreedtostay?Shehadthoughtmaybeshe’dhavetoperform
fellatio again. But something like this, having others view a full-on sex act while she was tied up, had
beenbeyondthescopeofherimagination.
Angelica?
Foramomentshedidn’trealizeReyeshadjustcontactedhertelepathically.Comingoutofshock,she
responded,Idon’tknowwhattosay.
Asimplenowillendthisnow.
Butyouthinkyoushouldaccept?
I want access to Scorpion, to meet him, to understand my enemy. This is so much more than I’d
hopedtoachieve.IfIcouldgetontheboard,I’dbeabletogathertheinformationIneedtodestroy
thisorganization.
Angelica didn’t know what to say. She understood how much this could mean to Reyes, but she was
havingahardtimegettingbeyondtheideaofperforminginwhatwouldessentiallybeasexshow.
Hisvoicewasoncemoreinhermind,butsofterthistime.Nevermind.I’maskingtheimpossibleof
you.
Sheheardhimdrawadeepbreath,preparingtorefuse,butshewassuddenlymovingtowardhimon
herknees.Shebentoverhislap,herhandsonhisarms.“Please,master,youmustallowmetodothisfor
MasterEngles.Iwasrudebefore.Iwanttomakeituptohimandtoyou.”SheknewthatrightnowEngles
hadaclearviewofherass,withonlyanarrowthongcoveringher.
Angelica,Ican’tdothis.Iwasn’tthinkingofyou.
Withherheadburiedagainsthisslacksshesaid,ButIagreedtobewithyouandwebothknowthatif
yourefuseyouwon’tgetclosetotheleadershipformonths,maybeyears,maybenever.Englesisnota
mantoberefused.EvenIknowthat.Pleasesayyes.Wecanarguelaterifyouwant.
“Engles, I owe my membership to you, something I’ve sought for decades. The least I could do is
obligeyouandScorpioninthis.”
Angelicaleanedbackonherheels.ShewatchedReyeslifthisglasstoEngles.
“Goodman,”Englessaid.“I’lle-mailyouthedetails.Andnow,Imustgetbacktomyparty.Doyou
haveothereventstoattend?”
“Afew.”
“Enjoy.”Herosefromhischairandheldhishandtowardthedoorway.
AngelicatrembledasReyestuggedonherleash,andshegainedherfeetaswell.
Asexshow.Oh,God.
###
ReyesledAngelicaout,butbecauseEnglesfollowedhekeptherinfrontofhim.Hereallydidn’tneed
tobebattlingEnglesrightnow,butReyesstillwouldn’tletthebastardtouchher.
Reyes moved in a state of shock. So much had been said in that room that he didn’t know which
disastertoexaminefirst,orthetrulystartlingrealitythatacommandperformancecouldleadhimtoaseat
ontheboard.
Once in the foyer, Engles parted from them with an easy wave of his hand. Reyes guided Angelica
outsideandcommandedhertomovedowntheslopeofEngles’spropertytotheriversidewalkbelow.
Reyes realized she was distressed. Are you absolutely sure you want to go through with this? He
couldalwayscancel.Icanfeelthatyou’retrembling.
She kept her head lowered. I’m just overwhelmed, but I’ll do better soon. As for the sex show, we
havetodoitbecausefromeverythingyou’vetoldme,gettingontheboardiscritical.
Good.Thenwe’llconsideritsettled.Butwhathappenedinthere?Didyouhaveanothervision?
Yes,butIdon’twanttotalkaboutitrightnow.Howaboutwhenwereturnhome?
Ofcourse.
Bynowthey’dreachedthestonepathbyEngles’sdock.Reyeswasabouttotellhertheycouldleave
anytimeshewanted,butshesuddenlymurmured,“No,ohno.”Thencoveredhermouthwithherhand.
Atfirsthedidn’tunderstandwhathadhappened.Helookedattheraucouspartyandwatchedslavers
andtheircaptivesmovingbackandforth.HeglancedatAngelicaandsawthathereyeshadfilledwith
tears.Hetrackedhergazetothedeckontheleft.
The young Russian human stood beside her captor, very pale, too pale. Bruises covered most of her
body, as well as partially healed cuts. Her eyes were dull as she stared at nothing in particular. The
circlesaroundhereyesweredeep.
Andjustlikethat,Reyeshadhadenough.
Hedidn’tcarewhosawhim.HesweptAngelicaupinhisarmsandshiftedabruptlytoalteredflight.
Hetookhistime,notwantinghertobesickagain,butheflewherthehelloutofthecavern,rulesorno
rules.
Angelica’svoicefilledhismindassheclungtohim.She’sgoingtodiesoon.
Yes.
Andthere’snothingwecando.
Notadamnthing.
Whenhearrivedbackinhissittingroomhesatdowninhischair,pullingAngelicaintohisarms.She’d
startedtoweep,andhedidn’ttrytostopher.Hisowneyesfilledwithtearsaswell.
Suddenlyhewasovercome.TearstrackedhischeeksfortheyoungRussianwoman,foralltheslaves,
forhisfather,who’dgivenhislifetryingtoprotestthegrowingindustry,forhimselfandthecenturyhe’d
spentlockedup,used,andtortured,andfinallyforAngelica,thatherinnocencecontinuedtotakesucha
horrendousbattering.
Afteratime,shegrewquietandthetearsonhischeeksdried.Heorderedameal,andthoughshe’dlost
herappetite,hemadehereatwhatshecould.Heencouragedhertodrinksomewater,thenforcedafew
bitesdownhisownthroat.
Sharingtheblood-chainswithAngelicahadforcedhimtolookatthehorrorofthesituationwithfresh
eyes.
Afterthemealhetookherintothebathroomandranherabath,addingthebubblesshe’denjoyedonce
before.Maybeshecouldtakesomecomfortinitnow.
HehadhishousekeeperbringAngelicaaglassofredwine.Onceshewassettledinthebathshetook
thewineandbegantosip.Hecouldfeelherstartingtoletgo.
Withhislaptopcloseathand,hecheckedhise-mails.Hewasn’tsurprisedtofindthatScorpionwanted
the private performance the next night, at midnight, at Engles’s home, the same place the after-auction
partyhadbeenheld.
Reyes had intended to respond right away. Instead, his mind got caught in the earlier loop of
rememberingthedestructionofhisfamilyandtheterroroflivingwithasadistlikeSweetDoveandofthe
impendingdeathoftheRussianslave.
Heneededtoletallthisgo,butthemusclesofhisarmsandbackkeptseizing.Maybefiringuphisfive
showerheadswouldhelp.Becausethetubwascloseenoughtoallowfortheirconstantproximityissue,
heheadedintothewalk-inenclosure.
Thechainathisneckhadgrownveryquiet,anotherindicationthatAngelicawasdoingbetter.
Asheletthehotwaterbeatdownonhisneckwhatendedupbotheringhimthemostwasthathe’dbeen
achingtomakelovetoAngelicaformonthsnow,butitlookedlikethefirsttimewouldhavetobeinfront
ofanaudience.
ChapterFour
Angelicawasgratefulforthewine,thefood,thewarmbath,andeventheseparationasReyestookhis
shower.Allofithadsoothedandeasedher.
But she was pretty sure that seeing the Russian in a completely emaciated, battered state would live
withhertherestofherlife.
Now that Angelica had some distance from the entire earlier experience, her resolve returned more
firmlythanever.
TherevisitingvisionhadexplainedwhyReyeshadasensehe’dbeentoEngles’shomebeforeandhad
alsodrawnatighterlinebetweenSweetDoveandEngles.Thetwohadbeenconnectedforalongtime,
andasEngles’sprotégéSweetDovehadlearnedhercraftbyenslavingandtorturingReyes.
HatredlivedinAngelica’sheartnow,aimedatbothEnglesandSweetDoveforwhatthey’ddoneto
themanwhohadsavedherfromEngles’sbrutalitybybuyingheratauction.
SheneededtotellReyeswhatshe’dseeninthislatestvision,butshewasn’tcertainhow.Forthepast
severalminutesthechainatherneckhadbeenvibratingheavilyandshecouldfeelthatReyeswaslocked
inalevelofrageanddespairthathecouldn’trelease.Thelastthingshewantedtodowastellhimthat
EngleshadbeenpresentatReyes’sinitiationintotheworldofsexslavery.
Havingfinishedherglassofwine,sherosefromthetub,crossedtotheshower,andmovedinside.
Reyesfacedawayfromher,hishandsplantedonthefarcarved-stonewall,thewatersteaminghotand
pummeling his shoulders across the tattoo of the hawk. The chain at her neck still spoke of Reyes’s
anguish.
She went to him, grateful all over again for the worthy man he’d become despite the horror of his
captivity.Hewasattemptingtheimpossibleandhadbeendoingitalonefordecades,todestroysomething
thathadbroughthimacenturyofpainandthatmurderedhumanseveryday.Herpeople.
Tearsburnedhereyesasshemovedinbehindhimandslidherarmsaroundhischest.Hetensedup,
because she’d startled him, but then he relaxed and she felt his chest rise and fall in what felt like a
terribletremor.
Shehuggedhimhard.Shefelthisbodyshakeasheletloose.Heshouted,thenpoundedthestonewall
withhisfist.Heweptlikeonewhosehearthadbeentornfromhischest.
Angelicaneverletgoofhim;shejustheldhim,strokedhisarms,hisback.Shesaidnothing.Whatgood
werewordsatatimelikethis?
Butherpresencemighthelp,aphysicalrepresentationthatshestoodwithhiminthismomentandthat
hewasn’taloneanymore.
Atlast,hestoppedshoutingandwhenthewatergrewcoldheshutitoff.
Slowly, he turned to face her, his cheeks drawn, his eyes haunted. “Are you ready to go back to
NewportBeach,becauseIcan’ttakeyouonemorestepdownthisroad.I’mdone.Itwasonethingwhen
itwasjustme,butIcan’tdowhat’sbeingasked.”
“What’schanged?”
Hethumbedhercheek.“WhatScorpionrequiresofustomorrownightSweetDoveusedtodemandon
aregularbasis.Shelovedtowatchmetiedownoneofherfemaleslavesandworkherover,bringherto
orgasm,repeatedly,themoretimesthebetter.Sheofteninstructedmehowtogetthejobdone,orhowshe
wanteditdone.”
“Didyouhurtthem,thewomenImean?”
Hedidn’tsayanything;hejustheldhergaze.“There,youseewhatIam?I’vebruisedwomenjustto
stayalive.Stillwanttobewithme,Angelica?StillthinkI’mworthanything?”
Hemovedpasther,grabbedatowel,andstarteddryingoff.Shefollowedhimasmuchbythenecessity
ofbeingchain-boundtohimasbytheneedtoresolvetheircurrentsituation.
“Willyoubeexpectedtohurtmeduringtheshow?”
“No.Engleswouldhavebeenmoreexplicit.Besides,I’mprettysurebynowheknowsIwouldhave
refused.”
“ButI’llbetieddown.”
Heshookhishead.“Doesn’tmatter.We’renotdoingthis.”
Ashewipeddownhislegs,takingthetowelslowlytohisfeet,shefelthisrefusallikeabrickwall
betweenthem.Butshewonderedifheunderstoodherowncurrentresolve.
Heliftedup,wrappingthetowelaroundhiswaist.
Shehadthingssheneededtosay.“Ididn’tknowawomancouldlooklikethat,hereyessodead.”
“That’sthewayIfeelrightnow.Dead.”
“Anyonewouldinyoursituation.”
Heglancedather,thenturnedtowardher.Shestoodcompletelynaked.Hereachedforasecondtowel
andbroughtittoher.“Whatareyousaying,Angelica?BecausewhatI’mgettingfromthechainmakesno
sensetome.”
“Wehavetodothis,Reyes.”
Heshookhishead.“No.Wedon’t.I’vechangedmymindcompletely.”
She moved closer to him. “I had some time to think while I soaked in the tub, about you and what
you’vebeentryingtoachieve.Andearlier,Ifeltthelevelofyourrelief,whentheslavefromthatclub
went through the door and crossed your threshold, moving from slavery to freedom, because you know
whatthatfeelslike.”Sheheldhisgaze.“Idon’t,notreally,exceptforwhatIcanexperiencethroughyou.
Idon’twanttodiminishhowhardthiswouldbeforme,butIdowanttomoveitoutofthe‘unacceptable’
categoryandinto‘shitthatmustbedoneinordertoachievetheimpossible.’”
Heshookhishead,afrownformingonhisbrow.
Puttingherhandsonhisshoulders,shesaid,“Whatyou’redoinghere,Reyes,nooneelsewoulddream
ofdoing,ofinfiltratingtheStarlinGroupinordertodestroyit.Thatdoesn’tevenmakesensebyanykind
oflogic,exceptthatsometimeinthenexttwenty-fourhoursayoungRussianwoman,tornfromherlife,
willbedead,justlikehundredsofthousandsofotherswhohaveperished,maybeevenmillions.AndallI
havetodotohelpyoutrytostopitisletyoutiemedownandmakelovetomeinfrontoftheheadof
Starlin, the man you’ve been trying to get to for decades. From that perspective, Reyes, it seems like a
smallsacrifice.”
Hegrimaced.“Youdon’treallyknowwhatthiswouldbelike.”
“Actually,Itakeissuewiththat.”Shedrewinadeepbreath,wantinghernextwordstocarryweight,a
senseofher resolve.“Ifwe didthisright, itwouldbe justyou andme.I thinkwecould blockoutour
audienceandengageinwhatI’vebeenwantingtodowithyoufromthebeginning.”
Hiseyeswidened.“You’reactuallyserious.”
“Oneverycount.”
Heturnedawayfromher,forcingherhandstofallaway.“Shit.Youalmosttemptme,butyoustilldon’t
understand.”
“Thenmakemeunderstand.”Againshemovedclosetohim.
Hewhirledonher.“Idon’twantEnglestoseeyoulikethat.”
Sheshrugged.“He’salreadyseenmostofme.Ididbendoveryourlapearlierinordertodistracthim
withaneyefulofmyass.”
At that Reyes’s lips curved, but he quickly closed his eyes and suppressed his sudden amusement.
“You’re missing the point. I don’t want him to see you aroused, to watch you experiencing pleasure.
That’sforme.”
Herheartmissedabeatortwo.Shelovedthisunexpectedadmissionthathesawherasbelongingto
him,thathecaredabouther.
“There’sjustonethingIwantfirst,”shesaid.
“Andwhat’sthat?”Shefelthissadnesslikeastonehecarriedaroundinhisheart.Shewantedtosmash
thatstone.
Sheslidherarmsaroundhiswaistandheldhimbutkepthergazepinnedtohis.“Iwantyoutomake
lovetomefirst,beforewedoanythingelseormakeanymoredecisionsabouthowtomoveforward.No
matterwhathappens,Iwantourfirsttimetogethertobejustyouandme.”
Hestaredatherasthoughstunned.“Youwanttomakelovewithme?”
“Morethananything.”
He frowned as he slid a hand through her damp hair, easing his fingers through. “You amaze me. I
hardlyknowwhattosay.IsupposemorethananythingI’dexpectedyoutobefreakingout;insteaditwas
me.”
Shefeltnervoussuddenly.Shehadtotellhimaboutthevision.“There’ssomethingelse,Reyes.”
“What is it? Because my blood-chain is telling me you’re really upset when you weren’t before, not
evenaboutperformingasexshowinfrontofEngles.Whatthehellisit?Whatareyouholdingback?”
ShefeltReyes’sansweringpanicasthoughonsomelevelhemusthaveknown.“Iwantadrinkfirst.”
Shereleasedhimandmovedpasthimtothecloset.Hefollowedthemomentthechainstuggedonher
neck.Shegrabbedadark-greensilkrobeandwrappedherselfup,thenledhimtothesittingroom.
Grabbingtwotumblersfromthesilvertray,shepouredouthisBowmore,twofingersforeachofthem.
Turningbacktohim,shehandedhimaglass,thensippedherown.Thewhiskeyburnedandmightnot
havebeenthebestthingtoputontopofthewine,butthisseemednecessary.
Shemetandheldhisgazebutdidn’tknowhowtotellhimwhatsheknew.
His nostrils flared. “It’s the vision, isn’t it? The one you had back in Engles’s library. You said it
involvedhim.”
“Itdid.Oh,God.”
###
Reyeshadapremonitionthatwhathewasabouttohearwouldchangethingsforhimforever.Quietly
heasked,“So,whatdidyousee?”
Sheclosedhereyesanddrankdeeplyfromhertumblerbutcameupsputtering.Shedabbedatherlips
withherfingers,thensettheglassonthenearbyendtable.
Taking a deep breath, she began, “Do you remember how you told me you felt odd about Engles’s
home,thatyouknewyou’dneverbeenthere,butfeltlikeyouhad,sortofapowerfuldéjàvu?”
Henoddedslowly.Hedidn’tlikewherethiswasheaded.
“Well,ifwhatIsawwasreal,andIhavenoreasontodoubtit,thenIthinkEngleshadtakenusboth
into the older part of that cavern because you’d been in that space before and, by my estimation, many
times.”
His gaze moved slowly around different objects in his sitting room, the sofa and matching brown
leather club chairs, the painting of his Venezuelan home, the carafe that held his Bowmore, a stack of
booksonthetablebetweenthechairs.Heneverstoppedstudying,reading,learning.WhenSweetDove
hadn’tbeenchaininghimuphe’dkeptfillinghismind.
SweetDove,alwaysSweetDove.
“Shewasthere,wasn’tshe?Mycaptor.”
“Yes.”
HeheldAngelica’sgaze.“Tellmeeverything.Tellmeexactlywhatyousaw.”
Angelica straightened her shoulders, then recounted the vision, dwelling especially on the unusual
waterfallasthedefinitivemarker.
SweetDoveandEngles.They’dknowneachotherallthoseyearsago.Engleshadapparentlyowned
SweetDoveatonetimeorhadfoundawomanwithhisproclivitiesandhadtrainedher.
Reyes sank down in the closest chair. He felt ill all over again. He still couldn’t pull the memory
forward, but he believed that what Angelica had seen was real. It explained so much, and it also
confirmedthatsomehowSweetDovewasinvolvedwithStarlin.She’dbeenthereearlyintheprocess,
havingcheckedAngelicaoutwhenshe’dfirstbeencaptured.Sotherewasdefinitelyaconnection.
AndEngleshadtaughtSweetDovehertradeonReyes’sbody.
Therewouldbeareckoningoneday.
ReyescouldseethathismembershipinStarlinandnowanoffertomeetScorpionweren’tanaccident
and maybe had even been planned for a long time, but to what end? Was it possible that Engles, as
perverted as he was, had a sexual interest in Reyes, in bringing him into his own perverted circle of
followers?Engleswouldn’tbethefirstmantopropositionReyes.
What Reyes didn’t know was Sweet Dove’s role. Was she also a Starlin member? He thought it
unlikely,sincehe’dneverheardevenawhisperaboutherinallthesedecades.
Intheend,ReyesthoughtitlikelythatEnglesandSweetDovewereplayingsomegame.Hejustdidn’t
knowwhatitwas.
Angelicadrewclose,thensanktoherkneesbesidehim.“I’msosorry,Reyes.Iknowthishastobeyet
anotherblow.ButwhatIdon’tunderstandiswhyyoudon’thaveamemoryofwhatIsawinthevision.”
Hischestfelttightashemethergaze.“SweetDoveisanAncestralwithgreatpower.Shecouldhave
erasedanymemoryshewanted.Englescouldhaveaswell.”
Angelicaappearedtoturnallthisoverinhermind.Finally,sheasked,“Doyouthinkit’spossibleyou
mightactuallyknowwhoScorpionis?Thatyoumighthavemethimbefore?”
Reyesgrimaced.“YoumeanthatImighthavefuckedhimatoneofSweetDove’sparties?”Heneeded
Angelicatokeepfocusedonthetruthofwhohewasandthesicknatureofhispast.
Sheshruggedbutdidn’tseemeithersurprisedorparticularlydisgustedbythequestion.“Atthispoint,
giventhelevelofcrueltyanddebaucheryofthisgroupofpeople,Ithinkit’smorethanlikelyyoudid.”
Heshookhishead,narrowinghisgaze.“Andthisdoesn’tbotheryou?”
“Inwhatway?”
Shewasactuallyserious,andthechainathisneckconfirmedit.Butheneededtoknowmore.“You’re
notdisgustedbythefactthatyouessentiallysawmebeingtorturedbymycaptorandthatEnglesprobably
gotoffonwatchingmypainandmyorgasm?”
“I’m not disgusted by you,” she stated flatly. “They committed crimes against you, whether you felt
pleasureornot.Theyhadpoweroveryou,somethingSweetDovehadgainedbecauseshe’sanAncestral
who enslaved you when you were young. You were at their mercy and they were merciless, yet you
survived.
“What’smore,I’mbeginningtothinkthatyoumighthaveanunsuspectedadvantageoverbothofthem.
I’mnowconvincedeachissolostintheirenjoymentoftheirlifestylethatneithercanimagineforevena
secondthatyouhaven’ttrulybecomeasadistic,self-absorbedslaver.Englesmighttauntyoubysayinghe
hashisdoubts,buthe’smanipulatingyou,tryingtogetyoutobecomeasvileasheis.Reyes,hedoesn’t
suspectyou,notreally.Andinthatway,wecancontinuetodeceivehimandthereforeScorpion.”
Reyesstaredatherhard,searchinghereyesforthetruthaswellasthechains.Heconcludedthatshe
truly believed what she said. But what astonished him the most was that she saw no real connection
betweentheyoungmanwhohadbeenchainedinEngles’slibraryandwhoReyeswastoday.
Healmostbelievedinhimselfbecauseofit.
“Thenyouwanttomoveforward?You’reactuallywillingtohavesexinfrontofEnglesandScorpion,
despitethefactthey’llbothprobablyabusetheirslaveswhilewe’reengaged.”
He felt Angelica’s resolve as she responded, “What I’m saying is that I believe it doesn’t matter. If
you’re the only one touching me and making love to me I’m not going to give these bastards the
satisfactionofthinkingI’mdistressedbecausethey’rewatchingme.Thesemenarenothing.They’redirt
beneathmyshoesandwillneverbeanythingmore.TheonlythingIcareaboutatthispointiscrushingthis
organizationonceandforall.”
Thezealouslightinhereye,herwillingnesstocontinue,aswellasherbeliefinhim,movedhim.
Hesethisglassdown,drewhertoherfeet,thentookherinhisarms.“You’reactuallywillingtogo
throughwiththis.”
“Yes,Iam.IwanttoseeEnglespunishedfortheseterriblecrimes,andifwecanfindSweetDoveand
destroyheraswell,thenallthebetter.AlthoughIwouldliketoseeherinparticularburnedatthestake
withareallyslowfire.Butthere’sonethingIneedfromyou.”
“What’sthat?”
“LikeIsaidearlier,Iwantyoutomakelovetome.Iwantyoutopretendthatwesharedafewdrinksat
theOceanClubandthatwe’reonadateandthatyou’vebroughtmehere,backtoyourplace.”
Hiseyesflutteredandhisgroinheatedup.
Foramomenthewasbackinthefoyeroftheclubandhefeltashehadthen,thatshewasgivinghim
somethingthatcouldn’tlast,ahope,adesireforhislifetobemorethanitwas.
Hehadmadethebestofatrulyhorriblebeginning.Buthe’dbeenasexslave,andfortherestofhislife
hismindwouldbetwistedandhisheartscarredinjustthatway.Hecouldn’tchangehispast.
But as he stared into her eyes and felt her desire for him, the scent of her sex perfuming the air, he
shunted aside what would always be a deep blight on his soul. Instead, he kissed her, slanting his lips
overhers.
Her hand traveled up and over his neck, caressing him. She ran her finger along his jaw, through his
scruff.Shemoanedagainsthislips.I’vewantedthisforsolong,shesent.
I’vecravedyou.
Shedrewback.“Youhave?”
Hegroanedanddraggedheragainsthim,kissingheroncemore.Youhavenoidea.
Heslidhistonguebetweenherpartedlips,movinginandoutashishandspulledapartherrobe.She
loweredherarmsandtherobeslippedfromhershoulders.
Shetuggedonhistowelandthenextmomentnothingstoodbetweenthem.Herhandfoundhiscock.She
driftedherfingersslowlyupanddown,lettinghimfeelhernailsaswell.
Hewhispered,“Youwantedmeinyourapartment.”
Shesmiled.“Inmybed.Iusedtohavethisfantasythatyou’dbreakdownmydoor.”
“Ilikeyourfantasyalot.”
“Whatwasyours,Reyes?”
He nuzzled her neck, kissing the lobe of her ear. Her hair was damp as he spoke softly against her
cheek.“WhenI’dbeintheshower,allsoapedupandstrokingwhatwasveryhard,I’dimaginemytongue
deepinsideyou.”Heflickedinandoutofherearseveraltimesuntilshemoanedandshivered.“Iwantto
dothattoyounow,downlow,tasteyouagain,savorwhat’sbeentemptingmeformonths.Youdon’tknow
how much I enjoyed making you come while in that riverside mansion. So how does that sound? How
aboutIfeastonyou?”
###
Angelicadrewbackandstaredintoclearblueeyesnowdarkwithpassion.Shetookhishand,turned,
thenled him towardthe bed. Oncethere, she pulled thecomforter back andstretched out, throwing her
armsaboveherhead.Slowly,shepartedherlegs.
Hergazefelltohiscock,nowupright.Hewasbig,whichcausedherhipstocurl,especiallysincehe
thumbedtheridgeatthetip.Hisgazewasfixedbetweenherthighs,soshespreadherkneesevenwider.
She wanted him to see all of her, nothing hidden, everything exposed, just as it had been at the
undergroundriver.
Hedrew close, thenknelt beside thebed. Sliding his handsbeneath her thighs,he pulled her toward
him,thenkissedjustaboveherlandingstrip.Sheglanceddownathisthick,shorthairandslidherfingers
through.Shecouldn’tbelieveshewashere,withReyeskissingheroverandover.Shecouldjustmakeout
the tattoo of the hawk on his back. She arched as his tongue made an appearance and dipped between,
slidingalongherfolds,flickingattimes,teasingher.
Shemoaned.“So,thiswasyourfantasy?”
“Yes,onlyI’ddothisforhours,bringingyourepeatedlyuntilyouwereworndowntonothingbutsoft
bones.”
Shemoaned.
She’dwantedhimforsolong,andnowhewashere.Shestrainedtowardhimashekissedandlicked
herlow.He’ddonethisearlierwhileshe’dbeenonherstomach,givingherbeautifulrelief.Butthisfelt
likesomuchmore,especiallysincethistimeshecouldwatch.
Helookedupatherashistonguemovedoverherflesh.
Shemethisgaze,strokinghishair,thendraggingafingerdownhischeektofeelhistongue.Helicked
herfinger,thenherflesh,movingbetweenthetwo,thendrewherfingersintohismouthandsuckled.
Herhipsrockedinasteadyrhythm,longingformoreofhim.Reyes,comehere.
He looked up at her, relinquishing her finger. She motioned for him with both hands to climb up her
body.“Letmefeeltheweightofyou.”
Atthathesmiled.Buthedidn’texactlycrawl.Instead,hesurprisedherbydoinghisvampirethingand
levitatinginaproneposition.Shedidn’tknowwhathemeanttodountilhefloatedaboveher.Usinghis
hands, he slid them beneath her waist. In a single motion, he moved her up the bed so that her legs no
longerdangledovertheedge.
“Veryclever.”
Hethenloweredhimselfslowly.Shespreadherlegswidesothathiskneeslandedbetweenthemashe
stretchedoutontopofher.“How’sthat?”
“Likeheaven.Thiswasanotherfantasy,feelingyoulikethis,seeingyouaboveme.”Shesmiled.“Iwas
sointoyou.”
“You’reblushing.”
Shenodded,herheadslidingagainstthesheet.“IsupposeIam.It’sjustsostrangetobeadmittingthese
thingstoyou.Andnowhereyouare.”
Henodded.“You’rebeautiful.HaveItoldyouthat?”
Shelookedintohiseyes,savoringthemoment,everythingabouthim,thegorgeouscolorofhiseyes,his
sexy scruff, the varied tattoos on his left shoulder. She ran her finger over them. “Do these have
meaning?”
“They’reallelementsfrommyVenezuelanhome,thefoliage,flowers,vines.”
“Isthatwhereyouwereborn?”
Henodded.“Wherewehadourhomebeforemyfatherdisappeared.Becauseoffinancialhardshipmy
motherlostthedwelling,butIboughtitbackonceIstartedmakingmyfortune.”
Shecaressedhisface,hismassiveshoulders,thendriftedherhandlowtofeelthesolidcurvesofhis
chest.Heclosedhiseyesandgroanedsoftlyassheteasedhisnipples.“Dothatlevitatingthingagain.I
wantmytonguerighthere.”Sherubbedahandoverhischest.
Heobligedherandfloated,loweringhimselfjustenoughsothathertonguecouldswirloverhispecs.
Shetookturnswithboth,workingthethickpadswithherhandsandsuckingonhisnipples.Hemoaned.
“Thatfeelsamazing.”
Hestartedtofloatbackdown,butshestoppedhimwithherhands.Helookedather,questioning.
“Howdifficultisthisforyoutosustain,”sheasked,“thiskindoflevitation?”
“Fairlyeasy,why?”Helookedthenicestbitconfused.
“Becauseifyoumoveback,thengojustalittlebitfarther,Icouldputmymouthonsomethingelse.Just
takeitslowsoIcanenjoyyourbodytheentiredistance.”
Hegroaned,thenglidedslowly.Shekissedhimalldownhisribcage.Guidinghimwithherhandson
hiswaist,shelethimknowwhenandhowtomovesothatshecouldkissandlickdifferentpartsofhis
body.Shemappedhisabs,whichhekepttenseforher,anotherneattrickwithgravitypullingtheopposite
direction.Butthemanwasstrong.
Lower she went, licking his navel until his hips flexed. Because his cock was fully erect, she didn’t
havefartogo.Shetookthetipofhiminhermouthandmoanedatthevelvetyfeel.Sheusedherhandsat
thesametimeandexploredallthathewas,theentirelengthofhisstalk,endinginhisballs.
Shesuckledgently.
Hisentirebodyshudderedandsuddenlyhecaughtherhandswithhis,pushingthemaway,thendrewhis
cockoutofhermouth.“Toomuch,”hewhisperedhoarsely.
Sheunderstood,smilingashereturnedtolandoncemorebetweenherthighs.Whatsurprisedherthe
most was how much affection she felt for him, though she’d only been with him such a short time. But
maybesharingadisastroussituationcoulddothatforanytwopeople.
Heheldhergaze,hisexpressionsomber.Hetouchedherdamphair,hercheek,thenthumbedherlips.
“Iwanttoenteryou.”
Sherolledherhipsinresponseandcooed,“Yes.”
Usinghishand,heguidedhimselftoheropening,thenbegantopush.
She planted her hands on his shoulders, gazing into his eyes. She wanted to remember this moment
forever,thefirsttimehepenetratedher.
Herlipspartedasshedrewinadeepbreath.
“You’reverywet.”Hethrustgently,eachtimegoingdeeper.
“I’vewantedthis,Reyes,morethananything.”Herbreathinggrewrough.
###
WitheachthrustofhishipsReyesfeltmoreandmoreconnectedtoAngelica.Therewasnoquestion
thathe’dimagineddoingthistoherrepeatedly.Hewasaman.
Buthe’dneverbeeninthisplacebefore,desiringawomannotjustwithhiscockbutwithhisentire
being.Plantinghisforearmsandcurlinghishipswitheachthrust,hewatchedhermovebeneathhim,her
darkeyesglittering.
Herlipspartedandaseriesofsmallgaspscameout.Hewatchedpleasurestreamoverherface.He
wasdoingthistoher,givingherwhatshe’dwantedforalongtime.
Nothingseemedmoreimportantthanthathepleaseher.Herheadrolledfromsidetosideandshenow
hadahardtimefocusing.“That’sit,Angelica;you’refeelingmenow,aren’tyou?”
“Iam.”Herwordswerehushedandhoarse.Herbreathinguneveninthebestway.“AndIcanfeelhow
muchpleasureyou’reexperiencingatthesametime.Thisisamazing.”
He thrust faster and her back arched. She moaned, gripping his shoulders, her body tensing and
releasing,gettingready.
Shegrippedhimlow.“Reyes,”shewhispered.
“I’mhere.I’mwithyou.”
“Doyouwanttocome?”
“Iwanttoseeyoucomefirst.Canyoudothat,Angelica?Canyouletgo?”Heleaneddownandplaced
akissonhercheek,thenherothercheek,thenherlips.Heplayedhistongueoverhermouth,dippingin.
Shemoanedandhekissedherhard,drivinghistonguedeep.Shecriedoutagainsthismouthandher
wholebodyspasmed.I’mcoming.Oh,God,Reyes!
Heheldback.Thoughhewantedtorelease,he’dbeenwell-trainedandkepthimselfhardforher.Ashe
feltherorgasmreachapinnacle,thenfinallyeasedown,heslowedhisrhythm,yetstillkeepingthepush-
pullsteady.
Shekneadedthemusclesofhisshoulders,herfingersfallingtohisbiceps.Heflexedforher.
“Myheadisspinning,”shewhispered.
“Wantmore?”
“DoyouknowwhatIwant?”
“What’sthat?”Hekissedheragain,asoftpressureagainstherlips.
“I want to watch you come, Reyes. That’s what I want. That’s the only thing I care about right now,
seeingyouhavepleasurebecauseyou’reinsideme,becausewe’reconnected.”
Reyeshadneverheardsuchwordsbefore,andforalongmomenttheydidn’tconnectinsidehisbrain.
He’dneverhadawomanputhispleasureabovehersorengagewithhimasthoughhehadimportanceof
anykind.
YethesawinAngelica’seyesandfeltinthewayshecaressedhisarmsthatshewastrulythinkingof
himrightnowandnotwhatshecouldwringfromhisbody.
Hemovedfaster.“Yougivemepleasure,Angelica,ineverythingthatyousayanddo.”
Smallgaspsoncemorebrokepastherlips.“Ifeelthesamewayaboutyou.”
His body heated up, a fire that raged through him, that made him want more than anything to release
whileecstasyheldherinitsgrip.Hedrovestrongernowanddeepersothatshecriedout.“Reyes,will
youcomewithme?”
“Yes.”
He’dneverbeensohardashedrovefasterandfaster,slammingintoher.Shecriedoutinlong,almost
anguishedsounds,pleasurebuilding.
I’mclose,shesent.
AndI’mready.Lookatme,Angelica.Lookatme.
Hecouldtellshestruggledtostayfocusedonhimbecauseherbodyragedwithpassion.
Reyes.Hergazelockedwithhis.I’mcoming.
Ashewatchedhertipovertheedgehisreleaserocketed.Heshoutedashiscockpulsedwithheatand
aspleasurestreakedthroughhim.
Angelicascreamed,whichinturnintensifiedtheecstasythatrushedthroughhiminheavypulses.And
stillheheldhergaze.Emotionswelledwithinhimasthemomentrolledoutandhishipsflexedinrapid
jerks.
Reyes.Shespokehisnameonelasttimewithinhismind,thenfinallyrelaxedbeneathhim.
Heslowedhisrhythm,thenfinallystopped,hisbodysatiated.
Stillconnecteddeep,hekissedher,along,lingeringkiss,thenlookedathersomemore.
Hefeltmystified,unabletocomprehendwhathewasfeeling.He’dneverexperiencedanythinglikethis
inhislong-livedlife.He’dneverbeenaroundsomeonelikeAngelicabefore,whoactuallysawhimasa
personandnotasatooltobeused.
Hefrownedslightlyasshecaressedhisface.“Howwasthatforyou?Wereyousatisfied?”
Hereyespoppedwide.“Didn’tIscreamloudenoughtomakemyselfclear?”Shelaughed.
Hechuckled.“Yes,Iguessyoudid.”
“Whythequestion?”Shethumbedhisscruffandsighed.
“Hardtoexplain,IguessIjustwantedtobesurethatIdidwellbyyou.”
At that she leaned up, surrounded his neck with her arms, and pulled him down to her. “You were
magnificentandthatwasbeyondanythingI’veeverknownbefore.ButReyes,I’mnottalkingaboutyour
technique.I’mtalkingaboutyou.”Shefondledhisarms,hisshoulders,hisneck.
Hesimplycouldn’tfathomwhatitwashefelt,exceptsuddenlyhewastakenbacktoatimeinhisyouth
whenhe’dbeenwithhismomanddad.They’dtakenhimnight-fishingontheAmazon.They’dalllaughed
somuch.
Andthat’swhatitwasaboutAngelica.Sheremindedhimthatbeforehe’dbeentakenintoslaveryhe’d
knownwhatnormalfeltlike,whenhe’dbeenatypicalkidandknownhowtolaugh,whatbeinglovedhad
feltlike.
“Wheredidyougo?”sheaskedsoftly,stilltouchinghim,thistimerubbinghisback.
Butitwasalltoomuchsuddenly,toogood,toonormal.Anditcouldn’tlast.
Heshookhisheadandliftedoffher.“Idon’tknow.I’muneasyaboutwhatwehavetoface.”
“Dowehavetothinkaboutthatnow?”
“Ido.”Itwasonlyapartiallie.Hejustdidn’twanttobefeelingsomuchforAngelica.Hedidn’twant
tolivewiththehopethathislifecouldactuallybedifferent.Hecouldn’triskbelievingintheimpossible.
Buthewasn’tabouttohurtherintheprocess.Heleaneddownandkissedher.“Ilovedeveryminuteof
this.Thankyou.You’vebeenwonderful.”
Slowly,hepulledoutofherandrolledontohisback.
TimetofixhisthoughtsontheperformanceforScorpion.
ChapterFive
Angelica knew something had happened to end the moment; she just didn’t know what. Although she
was pretty sure she could guess. The vampire had a lot on his mind. For herself, she tried not to think
about what would happen on the following night or how ill she felt with thoughts about what they’d be
requiredtodo.
Butshealsobelievedinpresent-momentliving.Sittingup,sheturnedtowardReyes.Hehadhisarm
thrownoverhisface,hiseyesclosed.“Reyes,I’mstarved.Howaboutyou?”
Atthatheshiftedandopenedoneeye,hislipscurving.“Youneedsomefood?”
“Ido.Andmaybeanotherquickshowerwouldnotbeunwelcome,either.”
“Verypragmatic.”
“It’seitherthatorI’mgoingtostartscreamingatthetopofmylungsoutoffearaboutwhatwe’llhave
todotomorrownight.”
Hewinced,sittingupaswell,hisgazefallingtoherbarebreasts.Theywerepuckeredinthecoolair
oftheroom.Shedidn’tbothercoveringup.Shewantedhimlooking.Shewantedhimtomissherwhen
shewasgone.Shealsoknewherbreastswereoneofherfinestassets.
Sheputherhandsbehindherbackandarchedjustalittle.
Hemethergaze,hisbrowsraised.“Whatareyoudoing?”
Butshejustlaughed.“Youwerestaring,soIthoughtI’dhelpyoulookatmebetter.”
Hereachedforher,coveringherbreastwithhishandandfondlingher.
Onethingledtoanotheruntilheasked,“Thinkyoucanwaitforyourmealalittlelonger?”
“IthinkIcandothat.”
Hemadelovetoheragainandagain.
Laterhecalledhishousekeepertohaveatraysentup.
AfteraquickshowerAngelicadippedintoyetanotherfragrantsoupandsavoredaglassofwhitewine.
Reyesseemedpreoccupied.
“Anythingonyourmind?”
Heglancedupfromafullspoonthathadbeensittingmidairforaboutminute.Loweringittothebowl,
thenleaningback,hedrankfromabottleofbeer.“Justtheusual.I’mfeelingtheneedtochecktheStarlin
Website,toseewhat’sgoingon,ifanything’sdevelopedthatwouldrequireourattention.”
“Goodidea.”
Herose,crossingtohisdesk,andbroughthislaptopbackwithhim.Hesatdowninadifferentchair
adjacenttohismealandwatchedthescreenashebegantappingkeys.
She watched his expression shift as some kind of video began running and the changing light played
overhisface.Sheheardlaughterandshouts,lotsofvoices.
Suddenlyheslammedthelidshut,shadinghisfacewithhishand.
Angelica had the worst feeling, and the chain at her neck vibrated with an emotion that ranged
somewherebetweenfull-outrageandapitofdespair.
Sheleftherseat,roundingthetable.Shetriedtoliftthelaptoplid,buthewouldn’tlether.“Don’t.”
“Starlin,right?”
“Yes.Onthefuckinghomepage.”
Ifthishadbeenanyothersituation,ifshehadn’talreadybeenabductedbythevilestpeopleshe’dever
known,shewouldhaveletitgo.
Instead,sheknewshehadtoseewhathadsoswiftlytakenhimdown.Herubbedthreefingersacross
hisforehead,digginginasthoughtryingtoforcetheimagesaway.
“Youhavetoletmesee.”Howcalmhervoicesounded.
Hestaredupather,thatfamiliarhauntedlookinhisblueeyes,theonethatseemedtobethesheerest
gatewaytohissoulandtowhatgavehimthegreatestpain.“Idon’twantyoutoseethis.Idon’twantthis
foryou.Dammit,itisn’tright.Youshouldn’thavetoknowthiskindofthingexists.”
Angelicawastorn.Shevaluedthathewastryingtoprotectherfromwhatheknewtobetheworstof
hiskind,andpartofherwantedtostayinthatsafegarden.Butanotherpart,thepartofherthathadchosen
to stay with Reyes through the duration of the Starlin Festival, had already gotten her hands dirty and
didn’tintendtostopnow.
Shedrewclosetohim,thenslidontohislapandputherarmsaroundhisneck.Sheheldhim,notsaying
anything.
For a long moment, he did nothing as well but remained immobile, unyielding. But in the end, he
wrappedherupinhisarmsandheldhertight,evenrubbinghishandseverynowandthenupanddown
her back. She remained silent but let him feel her determination, knowing that their blood-chain bond
wouldcommunicatewhatheneededtoknow.
Finally,shedrewbackandmethisgazestraighton.“Showme,Reyes.Icantakeit.”
“Justprepareyourself.”
Heshiftedheronhislap,turninghertowardthetable,thenliftedthelid,andthevideobegantoplay.
The young Russian woman’s body, eyes wide and empty now, lay on a bloody sheet. She was naked
and had cuts and bruises everywhere. She wasn’t alone, either, which might have been the worst part,
becausethereseemedtobeapartygoingoninthebackground.Severalpairsofnakedmuscularmalelegs
surroundedher.Laughterensued.Somecheeringaswell.
Herskinwaspurewhite,withsmearsofbloodonvariousparts,andfang-puncturemarksthathadn’t
closedup.Therecouldn’thavebeenadropofbloodleftinsideher.She’dnotonlybeenbrutalized,but
she’dalsobeendrained.
“Theykilledher.”
“Yes.Andtheywerebettingonthemomentofdeath.”
Angelicafeltdizzyandsicktoherstomach.Shekeptthinkingshe’dneverbeshockedagain;thenanew
horribleeventwouldknockheroffherfeetoncemore.
Closinghereyes,sheworkedatadjustingtotherealityofthemurder,thattheinnocentwomanhaddied
bytortureandthatthere’dbeennothingAngelicacouldhavedonetohavestoppedit.Inthismomentshe
thoughtsheknewbetterthaneverwhatdroveReyestokeepgoingandherresolvedeepened.
Whensheopenedhereyessheforcedherselftowitnessthegruesomespectaclealloveragain.
Butthistime,asshesettledhereyesoncemoreonthelaptopscreenandstartedreplayingthevideo,
familiarwavesbegantoflowallaroundtheedgesofcomputer.Theactualimagesofthevideobeganto
growindistinctandarevisitingvisionarrived.
Uncertainwhattodo,shetoldReyeswhatwashappening.
“Justgowithit,”hesaid.“There’ssomethinghereyou’remeanttosee.”
“Okay.”
Shewatched,panningbackward,andfoundthattheroomwasfullofaboutthirtypeople,mostofthem
drinking.Onepartofthecrowdwasclusteredaroundaseriesofflatscreensthateachheldstatsofone
kindoranother,typicalbettingwindows.
Nowthatshe’dmovedintothepast,Angelicacouldheartheyoungwomanmoaningandwordsspoken
inwhatsoundedlikeRussian.ShetoldReyes.
Heheldhertight.“Youcanstopanytime.”
Butshecouldn’t.Shefeltitnow,whatshewasmeanttosee.
Hearingavoicethatsoundedfamiliar,shepannedtoherleftwithinthevisionandkeptturninguntilshe
reachedthearcheddoorwaytothelargeroom.“Yourformercaptoristhere,SweetDove,theonewiththe
redhair.She’sdefinitelyaStarlinmember.She’sstandinginadoorwayandamaniswithher.Hehashis
armaroundher,butIcan’tquiteseehim.I’llhavetopanjustalittlebitmore.”Shecouldalmostseehim.
Sheshiftedthevisionslightlysothathecameintoview.
Engles.
Shegasped,surprisedalloveragainbutnotcertainwhysheshouldbe.Iftwopeoplehadeverbeen
madeforeachother,itwasSweetDoveandhermentor.
“It’sEngles,isn’tit?”
“Yes. They’re enjoying the moment, each holding a drink and looking nonchalant, as though nothing
especiallysignificantisgoingon.”
“Typicalslavers.Aretheytalkingtoeachother?”
Shenodded.
“Seeifyoucanhearwhatthey’resaying.”
“Okay.”
Eventhoughwhatshesawhadalreadyhappened,shetrembledasshedrewclosewithintherevisiting
vision.Evillivedinthesetwopeople.
SweetDovetweakedEngles’sear.“SoyouthinkReyeswilldoit?WillheperformforScorpionand
foryou?Becausefromeverythingyou’vetoldme,Idon’tthinkhelikesyouverymuch.”
“Ithinkhehatesme,butthatdoesn’tmatter.He’sbeenclamoringtogetintoStarlinfordecades,andI
sawhowhiseyeslitupwhenImentionedtheBoardofGovernors.Youwererightabouthim,mydarling,
andIconfessyoutrainedhimwell.HehasmoreambitionthanI’veseeninalongtime.
“Butitwasfunwatchinghimjumpthroughsomanyhoops,makinghimwaitforovertwodecades,and
it was absolute genius that you had me let him win the bid. He’s very possessive of Angelica, which
meansthattakingherawayfromhimisgoingtobealotoffun.Butareyousureyoustillwanthimback?”
“Iownedhimonce,remember?Iwillalwaysthinkofhimasmyproperty,todowithasIplease.So,
yes, I want him back. Only now that he’s embraced the lifestyle, and he’s become a slaver, we’ll have
newterritorytocoveranditwillbeextraordinary.”
“He’snotthesameman,notayouthtobeseducedandtrained.”
“Buthe’snotanAncestralasIam,whichmeansthatIcanhandlehim.”SweetDovepulledatoneof
herlongredcurls.
“ButhehasAncestralpotential.”
“AndI’llmakesureheneverusesit.”
“Youaresobeautifullycorrupt,butwhendoIgetmyrewardfordoingyourbidding?”
She held Engles’s gaze. “Just be patient and you’ll get your prize. I tested Angelica when she first
arrived,soIhappentoknowjusthowmuchshecantake,andyes,she’llbreakeveryendurancerecord.
We’llbothearnanothersmallfortunethroughthegamingorganization.”
Engles smiled, his eyelids low. “I can hardly wait. She has so much fire.” He then turned to Sweet
Dove and nuzzled her neck, asking quietly, “But when do I get to meet Scorpion? Haven’t I proved my
loyaltyyet?”
“Ah,yes,yourambitions.”SweetDoveturnedandkissedhim,thenbitdownhardsothathecriedout.
Drawingawayfromher,Engleshadbloodpouringfromadeepwoundonhislowerlip.Hescowledat
her.“Whatwasthatfor?”
“Forfun,ofcourse,andtoremindyouthatIwon’tbehoundedormanipulatedbyyouoranyone.When
Scorpionisreadyhe’llbringyouintoourpartnership,andnotamomentsooner.”
Englesdrewahandkerchieffromhispocketanddabbedathislip.“Andwillyoubepresenttomorrow
nightwhenReyesperformsforScorpionandme?”
Sheshookherhead.“Scorpionwon’tallowit.”
“Yetyou’repartners.”
“Scorpionalwayshashisreasons.”
ButatthatmomentSweetDovegotafunnylookonherfaceandturnedinAngelica’sdirection,almost
asthoughshecouldseeher.“Engles,mydarling,Idon’tbelievewe’realone.Someoneishere,watching
us.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Idon’tknow.It’sjustastrangekindofspiderycrawlupmyspine.”Shenarrowedhergazeasthough
tryingtoseebetter.
BecauseSweetDovetookacoupleofstepsinAngelica’sdirection,Angelicaknewitwastimetoshut
the vision down. She had no idea whether it was actually possible for an Ancestral of Sweet Dove’s
powertomakecontactovertimeandspace,butshedefinitelydidn’twanttofindout.
AsAngelicadisengagedtheprocess,thevisionfadedslowly,thendisappeared.
Reyesstrokedherarm.“Areyouallright?You’retrembling.”
Angelicaclosedthelaptop.“I’mfine.”
“You’refrowning.Whatdidyousee?”
Shemethisgaze.“SomuchthatIhardlyknowwheretostart.”Butshedecidedthatthebeginningwas
thebestplaceandrelatedtheconversationpointbypoint.
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,itlooksasthoughthestudentnowschoolsthemaster.Moreimportantly,everythingthey’vedone
hasbeentobringyouunderSweetDove’scontroloncemore.Althoughitwascleartomethatshefully
believesyou’reaslavernow.Atleastthatpartoftheequationisintact.Reyes,you’vegottobecareful.”
HepulledAngelicatightagainsthimandsheleanedherheadagainsthisshoulder.“Ineverthoughtfor
asecondthatgoingafterStarlinwouldleadmebacktoSweetDove.”
“Maybethisisagoodthing,becauseitseemslikelytomethatwhenyoutakeStarlindowntorubble
there’sastrongchanceyou’llbeabletoburyherforgoodatthesametime.AndrightnowIwantnothing
morethantoseethatjobdone.”
Shefeltabsurdlysafeheldinhismassivearms.
Reyes sighed heavily. “So Sweet Dove’s plans are in play to bring me back under her control and
she’llhappilyofferyouupasEngles’sreward.SoundslikethewomanIknew.”
Angelicafrowned.“There’sjustonethingIdon’tunderstand.Englessaidhestillhadn’tmetScorpion,
sohowwillhebepresentatourperformancewithoutEnglesevermeetinghim?”
“He’llprobablyuseadisguisingshield.SomeoftheAncestralscancreatelayereddisguisesthatmost
vampirescan’tpierce.IfafterallthistimeEngleshasn’tmethim,thathasprobablybeentheprocess.”
Angelica shook her head. Disguising shields, revisiting visions, and sadistic perverts. How had this
becomeherlife?
Butsheknewhowandhehadhisarmswrappedaroundher.
###
With Angelica pressed against him, Reyes processed the revisiting vision. When she had first
mentionedSweetDovetorturingAngelicaearlyinhercaptivity,he’dthoughtthathisformerownermight
havehadadistantrelationshipwiththeStarlinGroup,liketherightstolookovernewlyacquiredslaves
orsomething.
Yetateachturn,andespeciallythankstotheabilitythatAngelicapossessedofexperiencingrevisiting
visions,itwasbecomingclearthatSweetDovewasasignificantplayerinStarlin.
Hisheartsanklikeastone.
Foralongtime,he’dwantedtofacehiscaptor,toconfrontherhead-on,eventochokethelifeoutof
her.Buthewasn’taloneanymore.HehadAngelicatothinkof.Healsohadtensofthousandsofslaves,
presentandfuture,whomheheldasthebeaconinhismind,theoneideathatkepthimonasteadycourse.
NowSweetDoveappearedtobeatStarlin’scenter.
His only consolation was that neither Engles nor Sweet Dove suspected his subversion. Engles had
spokenonlyofReyesasanambitiousman,aswantingaseatontheboard,withapowerfuldesiretorise
withintheorganization.Hecouldbreatheeasybecauseitwasclearhiscoverheld.
AsforSweetDove,hethoughtheunderstoodher,thatthelastthingshe’deverbelievewasthathe’d
wantherdestruction.Shetrulybelievedhewasaslaverandthatshe’dhadahandinhelpinghimalong
thatpathbecauseshe’dbeenhistorturer.Howwrongshewas.
His sole relief in the current situation was in knowing that Sweet Dove wouldn’t be at the sex
performance.Hedidn’tthinkhecouldholdhisragebackifheknewhisformercaptorwaswatchingand
enjoyingherselfathisexpense.
Herpresencewouldhavebeenadealbreaker.
Angelicagrewveryquietandheremainedholdingherinhisarmsforalongtime.Nodoubtshewas
processingallthatshe’dwitnessed,bothinthewoman’sdeathandinthesubsequentvision.
Eventually,histhoughtsturnedtothedifficultdilemmaofmanagingtheupcomingsexperformance.He
didn’t lack for experience. But technique and even theatrical quality was one thing. Making love to
someonehecaredaboutfortheperversepleasureofotherswasanentirelydifferentholetodig.
He’dalreadybeentoldthatAngelicawouldhavetobetieddown.Thoughherefusedtoconsiderusing
chainsorropes,hethoughthecouldhandlesilkscarves.Thetruthwas,ifEnglesinsistedonanythingelse
Reyeswouldrefuse.Hewouldn’tsubjectAngelicatotherigorsofsteelorironbondage.
His phone dinged indicating a new text message, but his phone wasn’t handy. As though reading his
mind,Angelicaslippedoffhislap.Heroseandheadedintothebedroom,wherehe’dlefthisphoneonhis
nightstandonthefarsideofthebed.
BecauseAngelicahadn’tfollowedhim,however,hedidn’tgetfarwhentheblood-chaingaveitstug.
As he glanced back at her she seemed to awaken from her own lost-in-thought reverie, nodded, and
movedwithhim.Moreandmoretheyworkedintandem.
Once he retrieved his phone he read the text, then glanced at Angelica. “From Engles. I’m to wear
dominancegear.”
She touched the chain at her neck. “You’re upset and you’re scowling. Why? Isn’t this what you
expected?”
“It’sallleatherandshit,noshirt,usuallyaflogger.It’stheideaofitIcan’tstand.”
Sheshrugged.“It’sfinewithme,Reyes.Becauseit’syou,Icanhandleit.”
“I’vealreadydecidedthattherearelineshereIwon’tcrosswithyou.OneofthemisthatthoughI’llbe
tyingyoudown,Iwon’tusechainsorropes,nothinglikethat.”
“Butyou’reokaywithsilkscarves,likeweoriginallydiscussed?”
“Yes.”
Shedrewcloseandslidherarmsaroundhiswaist.“Scarvesactuallysoundkindofnice.”
Hislipscurved.“You’retryingtoputapositivespinonsomethinghideous.”
“Maybe.ButI’vebeenthinking.Whatifwepracticedalittle,setupsomekindofoverallrhythmtothe
event,somethingplanned,moretheaterthanactuallovemaking?”
Hemetandheldhergaze;thenhekissedher.“Ithinkthat’sabrilliantidea.”
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,
withgentleovertonesandaseriesofclimaxesthatmadehimwonderhowthehellhecouldeverlether
go.
###
ThenextnightAngelicaflewwithReyes,herheartbeatingsohardshefeltsureshecouldn’ttakemuch
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
actuallylikedhissnugblackleatherpants.
They’d talked for a long time about how to get through the experience, which moves he’d make and
why,andespeciallywhatwouldbeacceptabletoeachofthem.Reyes,foronething,wouldcallahaltif
Scorpion or Engles demanded anything extreme, like binding her with chains or inflicting any kind of
torture.
TherealproblemwasthatneithershenorReyeshadanywayofknowinghowmuchScorpionwould
be dictating what was about to happen. But Reyes assured her repeatedly that the moment any of their
agreed-uponlineswerecrossedhe’dshifttoalteredflightandgetherthehelloutofthere.
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
createdgreatbeautyintheexternallandscapeofhispropertywiththelakeandwaterfall,thestonework
andthepalmtreesalllitup,aterribledichotomy.
Readyforthis?Reyes’swordsrampedupherheartrateyetagain.
Shehadonlyoneresponse.Hell,no.
Yousaytheword,andwe’reouttahere,noquestionsasked,norecriminations.
Iknow.Ithinkit’stheonlyreasonIcanputonefootinfrontoftheotherrightnow. She wouldn’t
turnback,though,notwithaseatontheBoardofGovernorsatstake.
Englesmettheminthefoyer.Heworetailoredslacksandaredsilkshirtopenatthecollar.Hehelda
familiartumblerinhishand.HisgazeskatedoverAngelicaandthesheernegligeeshewore.Hiseyesfell
tohalf-mastandthebastarddidn’ttrytohidehisarousal.
Shekepthereyeslowered.
“Lookslikewe’regoingtohavesomefun.”
Reyesdidn’tsayanything,butthechainatherneckvibratedheavily.HedespisedEnglesanyway,but
themanalwaysseemedtobeabletosaytheexactthingthatwouldfillReyeswithrage.
EnglesgesturedforthemtoenterandAngelicaalmosttookastep,butReyesgotinEngles’sfacesofast
thatshegasped.“Youdon’ttouchher.Haveyougotthat,Engles?AndIdon’tgiveafuckwhoyouarein
thisorganization.She’sminetodowithasIplease.I’llonlysharemyslavewhenI’mgoodandreadyand
notasecondearlier.Understood?”
Englessmiled,sippinghisdrinkashereturnedReyes’sglare.“Ofcourse.That’stheStarlinway.But
as you know, sharing is encouraged. You’re an ambitious man, Reyes, so I hope you take the hint.”
AngelicaheardthelatentchallengeinEngles’svoiceastheirhostpivoted,wavingthemforward.“And
now,ifyou’llfollowme.”
Reyesaddressedhermind-to-mind.Staybehindme.Iplantokeepalotofspacebetweenthetwoof
you.
Goodidea.Imightkneehimintheballs,ifhe’snotcareful.
Reyeslaughedquietlyandsomeofthetensionleftthemoment.
Asalways,itwasn’taquickmarchtomoveinstilettos.
Englesguidedthemdownthestairswherethemainpartyhadgatheredlasttime,thenthroughabankof
glassdoorsthatledtoasmallgardenandashallowbutverylongrectangularpoolthatappearedtobe
abouteightinchesdeep.
Somesortoftable,drapedwithdark-greensilk,restedonaplatforminthemiddleofthepool.Four
woodposts,intricatelycarvedanddanglingwithstripsofmulticoloredsilk,rosefromeachcornerofthe
table.
We’regoingtodoitthere?Angelicashuddered.
Actually,thisismorethanIcouldhavehopedfor.
Whydoyousaythat?Itlookssoexposed.
Reyesglancedather,holdinghergazebriefly.Becausethepoolsurroundsthetable.It’scleartome
thatthiswilljustbeaperformance,thatengagementwon’tbeexpected.
Angelicawantedtotakehishand.Isthatwhatyou’vebeensoworriedabout?
Ofcourse.
Englesstoodonthepathwaytotherightofthepoolandoppositetheplatform.Heextendedhishandin
the direction of the table. “Scorpion has already arrived, but will remain hidden behind a layer of
disguise.Hemaycalloutcommands,inavoicethatwillbemodifiedtosustainhishiddenidentity.You
areexpectedtoobeywhateverheasks.Iwillberequiredtodothesame,andReyes,youwouldbewise
toobeyusboth.”
Without giving Reyes a chance to respond to this speech Engles turned and snapped his fingers. The
lightingwithinthepoolshiftedfromasoftwhiteglowtoasensualred.Atthesametime,musicfloated
throughtheair,asoftjazzwithabluesundertone,verysexy.
Nervous,Angelicasaid,ItakeitEnglesissettingthemoodforus.
Alwaysathoughtfulhost.Reyesglancedaround.
Atleastthere’snospotlight.SomehowIexpectedtheretobelightsblazingoverus.
Reyesturnedtowardherandmadeapretenseofgatheringuptheslackintheleashashemethergaze.
You’redoingfine.MyproblemisthatifEnglesdoesn’tstopsmirkingI’mgoingtobreakhisfaceinto
aboutathousandpieces.
I’dbuyaticketforthatshow.
Reyesclearedhisthroat.You’regoingtomakemelaughagain.
Sorry.
Andkeepyourheaddown.
Angelica obeyed. The part of her that was all nerves wanted to crack jokes, but Reyes was right.
Laughterwouldnotserve.I’llbegoodnowandI’lldomyabsolutebest.
I know you will. Now step up on my foot. I’m going to fly us to the platform. Wouldn’t want your
shoestogetwet.
Angelicabitherlip.Hey,it’snotfairifyoutrytomakemelaugh.Theywerebothnervous.
###
ReyesheldouthisarmtoAngelica,andjustforamoment,assheslidherarmaroundhisneckandhe
drewheragainsthim,hepretendedhewasn’tabouttoputherthroughhellagain.
Slowly,hetookherintotheair,landingontheplatformjusttothesideofthetable.
Englesdisappearedintotheshadows,probablybehindhisownAncestrallayerofdisguise.
Reyescouldnolongerseehimatall.
Hetriedtowarmuphisvision,toseewhatwastherebeneathatallshelfofrock,butmorethanone
layerofdisguisepreventedhim.
“Thankyouforobligingme,Reyes.”Thevoicethatspokesoundedseveralpitchesdeeperthannormal,
withametallicoverlay.
Scorpion.
“As you are a new member, I’m sure my invitation for a private sex performance shocked you, but I
confessI’vebeenwatchingyourcareerwithinterest,especiallyoverthepastyear.You’veprovidedme
withampleentertainmentasyouusedavarietyofslavesinanumberofourclubs.”
SothiswasStarlin’sfounderandprimaryowner,theonewhocalledtheshots.
Reyesdrewhisshouldersback,refusingtobeintimidated.“You’vespiedonme,then.”
“Ofcourse.Wereyouexpectinganythingless?”
“I suppose not. I knew you had your men watching me, but I didn’t know you took such a personal
interestinyourmembers.”
“Always,sinceIcan’ttakethechanceoflettinganyoneinwhomightnotfullyappreciateallthatwe
do.Andnow,youmaybeginbytellingyourslavetoundress.”
HeturnedtoAngelica.Removingthecollarandleash,hetossedthemonthewoodfloorthatsupported
theplatform.
“You’veheardthecommand,slave.”
Mind-to-mind,hegavehermorespecificinstructions.Stripslowly,movingthenegligeeupfromthe
bottom, and just as you said, this is more theater than anything else. I’m going to touch you at the
sametime.Stayfocusedonme.
Iunderstand.Themusichelps.
Sheliftedfromthehem.
Usingtheflogger,hetappedherhips.“Danceforme,slave.Makemewantyou.”
Shebegantogrindslowlytothemusic,andforamomenthestalledout.Thesightofherlandingstrip
comingintoviewasherpelvisrockedandherhipsswayeddidhimin.Shewasabeautifulwomanwith
soft,voluptuouscurves.
Shebegantoturntothemusic,movinginaslowcircle,sothatafterafewbeatsherhipsandbuttocks
wereondisplayandswaying.
Hecuppedherbottomandsqueezed.Justkeepliftingthenegligee.
Reyes, what you’re doing feels so good. She gyrated with her hips, swirling, then tilting her pelvis,
rockingseveraltimes.
Angelica,myGod,youcanmove.
Thankyou.I’mthinkingaboutyou,Reyes.Aboutwhatyoudidtomelastnight.
Forabriefmomentheforgottheperformance.AllhesawwasAngelica’ssensuality.Imagesofmaking
lovetoherseveraltimesthenightbeforerolledthroughhismind.
He stepped away from her and savored the way she finally lost the negligee, letting it drop near the
leashandcollar.
Themetallicvoicefilledtheair.“Bendoverthetableface-first,slave,andspreadyourlegs.”
Reyesfroze.Youokaywiththis?
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 with the side of the platform. In slow,
measured sidesteps, again in time with the bluesy music, she parted as she’d been commanded. Still
thinkingaboutyouandwhatyoudidtomethelasttimeIwasinthisposition.Remember?
Hell,yeah.
Reyesknewnottoremainstaticbutdrewclosertoher.Heusedthefloggertoplayoverherbuttcheeks
anddowntheinsidesofherlegs.Hespankedhergently.
CanScorpionevenseethis?
Reyes glanced around. I’m sure he can, but you should also know that there are at least a dozen
videocameras,allatavarietyoflevels,aimedatthetable.
So,everyexpressionofmineisbeingrecorded.
Yes.Reyeshadtogiveheranout.Wanttostop?
No.Ikeepthinkingabout“her.”I’mdoingthisforher.
ReyesknewexactlywhatAngelicameant,thatshereferredtotheRussianslave.Me,too.
Angelicagroundherhipsrepeatedlyagainstthesideofthetable,stillkeepingtimewiththemusic.
ThoughReyeshatedthatothermenwerelookingatwhatwasveryprivate,hestayedofftothesideto
allowtheviewheknewthemenwouldwant.
“Beautiful!”themetallicvoicecalledout.“Andyourslaveisperformingwell.She’spleasingmewith
herefforts.Icongratulateyouonyourdominanceofher.Youmaybindhernow.”
“YouheardScorpion,slave.Climbuponthetable.”
Angelicamovedslowly,onekneeatatime,stretchingoutaleg,archingherback,makingitallwork.
Eventuallyshewasspread-eagledonherback,andReyestookhistimelashingherwristswiththesilk
scarveslooselytotheposts.Hethenboundherankles.
“Takepleasureinherbreasts,”camethenextcommand.
Still in his dominance leathers, he moved to the opposite side of the table, facing his well-disguised
audience.
GlancingdownatAngelica,heasked,Howareyoudoing?
Still focused on you, Reyes. Every move I make is for you and I can’t wait for you to fondle and
sucklemybreasts.
You’remakingthiseasyforme.Hesethisfloggeraside.
Nothard?Notevenalittle?
Don’tmakemelaugh,butyes,I’mhardasarockandIcan’twaittobeinsideyou.
Thisisn’tsobad,youknow.
No, it’s not. He drew close and caressed her breasts with both hands, then leaned in and slowly
suckledtheoneclosest.Herbackarchedandshemoaned.
Callmecrazy,Reyes,butthisisreallyturningmeon.Ilovethemusic,andwithmylegsspreadlike
thisI’mfeelingalotofcool,moistaireachtimeIgrindmyhips.
Hedriftedhishanddownherabdomen.Letmemakeyoufeelevenbetter.
Themomenthisfingerstouchedherlow,shecriedout.Hedidn’thesitatebutslippedoneinsideand
begintoworkhersteadilywhilehesucked.
“Niceaction!”thevoicecalledout.
Justignorethat.Hesuckedalittleharderanddrovefaster.
Thisisn’tquitewhatwehadpracticed,butyou’llmakemecomelikethis.
That’stheplan,Reyessaid.Iwanttomakeitgoodforyou.
Youalwaysdo.
He watched her arms tugging on the scarves now, her legs writhing. He moved his fingers faster,
pistoning.
Moans now came from the metallic voice and a few quiet commands that Reyes knew meant that
Scorpionwasdirectinghisownslave.
IsthatwhatIthinkitis?
Yep.Justbegladyoudon’thavetoseeit.
Iam.
Reyesremovedhisfingerinordertomakeuseoftwo.
Whenheslippedinside,Angelicasaid,Oh,God,Reyes.
Whenyou’reready,justletgo.
Hemovedfasteruntilsuddenlyshecriedoutandhefelthertugginglowonhisfingersasherorgasm
crested.Aseriesofsharpgaspslefthermouth.Thenhereyesmethis,herbreastsrisingandfallingasshe
caughtherbreath.Thatwassogood.Ididn’tthinkIcoulddothis.
Othersounds,comingfrombehindthedisguise,leftnooneindoubtofwhatwasgoingon.Ametallic
shoutbroughtthefirstroundtoasatisfiedconclusion.
Engles,alsohiddenbehindhisowndisguise,washeardgrunting.
ButReyesknewhowthiswouldgo.He’dparticipatedinplentyofexhibitionslikethisone.Nodoubt
Scorpiontookopiatestosustainhimself.Justliketheydidforhumans,opiatesdidwondersforvampires.
Youdidgreat.Reyesreleasedhernippleandkissedherbreasts,thennuzzledherneck.Heplannedon
drinkingfromheratthelatterstageoftheperformance,alsoexpected.Yourbloodiscallingtome.
Can’twait.Shewasbreathinghard.Reyes,I’mlovingthis,lovingthatyouhavemetrappedonthis
table.Ididn’tthinkIwould,butit’ssexyashell.
Heroseupandwaitedforthenextorder.
Themetallicvoicecalledout,“Let’sseewhatyou’vegot,Reyes.I’veenjoyedmyshareofmen.And
I’veenjoyedseeingyouintheclubs.I’velookedforwardtoaprivateviewingforalongtime!”
OfeverythingReyeshaddone,thissmackedsomuchofhiscaptivity,ofdisplayinghisarousedgirthfor
SweetDove’spleasure,thatonlyinthismomentdidhehesitate.
Angelicamusthaveknown,becauseshequicklypiercedhismind.Do it for me, Reyes. Not for that
bastard.Letmelookatwhatyou’vegot,whatIhadinmymouthlastnight,whatIwantbetweenmy
legsdesperatelyrightnow.
Reyesturnedslightlytowardher,meetinghergaze.Heknewtheperformancehadtobegearedtoward
Scorpion,butAngelicaknewReyesaswell,thathewavered.
You can do this, she added. You’re not a slave and right now you belong to me. Let me see you,
Reyes.Allofyou.
Hemetandheldhergaze,thenunbuckledthethickdominancebelt.Heunzippedandremovedhispants.
Hewasinahalf-arousedstateandhiscockhunglow.
You’resobeautiful.Icouldlookatyouforhours.
Themetallicvoiceintruded.“You’reabigman,Reyes,apromiseofgoodthingstocome.Now,release
yourslavetoserviceyouonherknees.You’llbindheragainafterward,butawomanisatherbestonher
knees.”
Reyesmovedquickly,thenclimbedupontheplatform.Justletmeknowifyouwanttostop.
Hell,no.Thisisatrapwe’resettingforthesebastards.They’reincrediblyarrogantnottosuspect
whatwe’reupto.So,let’sgivethemwhattheywant,becauseattherighttimewe’llmakethempay.
Besides,IalreadytoldyouthatIwantedthis,thatIwanttoseeyou,andthatIwantyouinmymouth.
Hecaughtthebackofherneck,andwithhishipsarchinghefedherhiscock.
Shegroaned.
“Theslaveknowsagoodthingwhensheseesit.Ithinkshe’senjoyingherself.”
ReyesignoredScorpion.HeclosedhiseyesandfocusedonAngelica,savoringhermouth.Hemoaned
asshesucked,asherfingersmovedoverhisthighs,hisabdomen,hisballs.Shehadalight,sensualtouch.
Ilovedoingthistoyou,Reyes.
Heknewthenthathecoulddothiswithher,evenreleaseintoherasneeded,andhebegantorelax.And
allbecauseofher,becauseshekeptbringinghimbacktohowthiswasanactbetweenthem,despitethe
circumstances.
SuddenlyhefeltmovementandEngleswasthere,nakedandaroused,levitatingtoplacehimselfbehind
Angelica.“We’resharing,whetheryoulikeitornot.”Engles’sdarkeyeswerewildandglazed.
ButsomethingprimaleruptedwithinReyes.Aflushofheatflowedthroughhisbodyandhesawthrough
aredfilmthatnowcoveredhiseyes.HelevitatedwellaboveAngelica,thenlaunchedatEngles,catching
himhardinthechestsothatheflewbackwardbetweenthetwoposts.
ReyeslandedontopofEnglesinthepooljustafewfeetfromthetable.WithhisweightholdingEngles
down,Reyesrainedpunchesathisenemy.Furyragedthroughhim.HefoundEngles’sthroatandgripped
himhardashecontinuedtopoundhisface,shovingmostofhisheadbelowthewaterline.
Reyesshouted,“Don’tyouevertouchwhatbelongstome!”
“Enough!”themetallicvoicecalledout.
At the same time, two sets of powerful hands grabbed Reyes from behind, hauling him off Engles.
Reyes tried to wrench free, but the men were part of Engles’s security staff and built like tanks. Still
Reyesfought,especiallysinceEnglesrosetohisfeetinthepool,asallthemenwerenow,hiseyesdark
withrage.
Reyes,stop!You’vegottocomebacktome.I’mscared.
Angelica.Shit,inhisfuryhe’dleftheraloneandunprotected.
Hestilledasheturnedtostareather.
Shewasstillonherknees,thoughattheedgeofthetable,andverynaked.Butthesecurityteamnow
levitatedintheairaroundherandhecouldn’treachher.
Sheshiftedhergazetosomethingbeyondhim.Lookout!sheshoutedwithinhismind.
Hedidn’tseethepunchcoming.Englescaughthimonthejawandhesawstars.
ChapterSix
Angelica slid off the platform, jumped into the shallow water, then leaped toward Reyes. She’d half
expectedthesecurityteamtostopher,buttheydidn’t.
WhenshereachedReyes,nowhelduprightbyEngles’smen,hisheadlolled.
Shereachedforhim,butEnglesgrabbedherarmandjerkedherinhisdirection.Hisfacewasbloody
andswollen,buthesmiled.“Ihaveyounow.Andthere’snothingReyescandoaboutit.”
ButtherewassomethingAngelicacoulddoandrightnowshedidn’tgiveadamnfortheconsequences.
SherelaxedinEngles’sgripandturnedtowardhim.Adoptinghermostsubmissiveposeandvoice,she
said,“Whatapowerfulmanyouare.”
Hepivotedjustenough.Sheleanedintohim,andbecausehewassousedtoservilityshewasableto
liftherkneeinahardjab.Shecaughthimjustright,becausehiseyeswidened,thenhismouth.Hebuckled
andfelloveronhissideintothewateroncemorebutcameupsputteringandholdinghiscrotch.
Thesecurityteamgrabbedheraswell.
Englescalledoutonapainedhiss,“Takethemtotheinterrogationroom.Now!”
Butthemetallicvoicebegantolaugh,thencalledout,“Youwilldonosuchthing,Engles!”
Scorpionissuedhisownsetoforders,sendingEnglesandhissecurityteamaway.Angelicakneltinthe
coldwater,supportingReyes’sheadonherlap.
Scorpion’smetallicvoiceoncemorecalledout.“Slave,trytobringyourmasteraround.Ineedaword
withhim!”
AngelicapattedReyes’scheek.Sheshiveredasmuchfromtheicywaterasfromtheknowledgethatthe
head of Starlin, an extremely powerful Ancestral, was only a few yards away. She had no doubt that
ScorpioncoulddoanythinghewantedtoeitherReyesorherself.
“Master,youmustwakeup.Pleasewakeup.”
Shestartedrubbinghisarms,chest,andshouldersvigorously.“Wakeup,master.”
After what seemed like ages, Reyes finally came around. And once awake he leaped to his feet.
“WherethefuckisEngles?”
Reyes,calmdownrightnow.We’realonewithScorpion.Don’tgiveusaway.
Hepressedahandtohisface.“Scorpion,myapologies.”
“ThefaultisEngles’s.Hedidnothavepermissiontodisrupttheshowandhe’sbeingpunishedaswe
speak.However,Iwasstillextremelywell-entertained.YoustooduptoEngleswhennooneelsedared.
“I’vehadmyeyeonyoufordecadesandhavewatchedyourexcellentprogressasaslaver.Ibelieve
youhavetremendouspotentialinmyorganizationandI’llbefrank:I’mlookingforamuchmoreintimate
associationwithyou.
“I expect your attendance at the masked ball tomorrow night, and if all goes well I plan to reveal
myselftoyou.”
AngelicawasstunnedandthechainstoldherReyeswasaswell.
Reyesfrowned.“ButevenEnglesdoesn’tknowwhoyouare.”
“Engles will always have a specific role in my organization, but I’m looking for something very
differentwithyou.AndtherewillberequirementswhichIexpecttobeobeyed.”
Angelicawasn’tsurprisedwhenReyesbowedslightlyandsaid,“Anythingyouwish,master.”
“Excellent.Andnowyoumaygo.”
TherewasnothingelegantaboutthewayReyessimplypickedherup,thenshiftedtoalteredflight,both
naked.Unfortunately,asanxiousasReyeswastogetheraway,hemovedtoofastandpainpiercedher
skull.
Shescreamed.Reyes,ithurts.
He pulled back immediately, but the damage was done, so that by the time they arrived back at his
bedroomshewasdragginghimtowardthebathroom,whereshepromptlythrewup.Naked,bentovera
toilet,andvomiting.Exactlythewayanywomanwantedhermantoseeher.
Reyeswasnothingbutkind,however,ashestrokedherbackandapologizedrepeatedlyforbeingso
thoughtless.
Thistime,however,asshesiphonedReyes’spower,sherecoveredmuchmorequickly,sothatwithin
halfanhourshesatnexttohimonthecouchinhissittingroom,bothwearingrobes.
Hekeptshakinghishead.“Ican’tbelievewhatScorpionsaidtome,thathe’sbeenwatchingmeand
hasplansforus.”
“Soundslikehewantsyouforhisboytoy.”
Reyesgrimaced.“Ihavenodoubtthat’shisintention.”
“I’dteaseyouifthewholethingwasn’tsohorrible.ButitalsoseemedtomethatScorpionwantsto
bringyouinasmoreofapartnerthanjustamemberoftheboard.”
Reyesrubbedthebackofhisneck.“That’swhatitsoundedlike,butwhy?”
Angelicashrugged.“Likehesaid,he’sbeenwatchingyou.”
“I’vebeencareful,”hestated,moretohimselfthanher.“Butthisisanamazingturnoffortune.”
“Iassumewe’llbegoingtotheballtomorrownight.”
“Yes,ofcourse.Wehavetogo.”Hedrewinadeepbreath.“Doyouknowwhatthismeans?”
Angelicasmiledandranherhandlightlyoverhisscruffalonghisjaw.“Actually,Ido.You’recloseto
yourgoal.”
“All I need is to get at the documents detailing all the players, the clubs that Starlin owns, the bank
accounts,themachineryforabduction,theholding-celllocations,andIcantakethemdown.”
“Reyes, this is amazing.” That it all sounded too good to be true wasn’t something that she said out
loud,butshefeltuneasy.
Hismoodshiftedsuddenly,new,surprisingemotionsthathadhimgrindinghisjaw.Shejustcouldn’t
imaginewhatitwashewasthinking.
Finally,shesaid,“Sayitoutloud.Maybethatwillhelp.”
Hegroaned.“I’mstillfuriousthatIleftyouexposedonthatplatform.Ikeepthinkingabouthoweasily
EnglesorScorpioncouldhavehauledyouaway.Iwasunconscious,forGod’ssake.”
“Andthereforecompletelyoutofcontrol,morethanyou’deverbeenwhenIwaswithyou.”
Turningtowardherslightly,heleanedhiselbowonthebackofthesofaandsettledhisheadintohis
palm.Hisbrowwaslinedwithfurrows,hisbodytense.Shedidn’tknowhowtohelphim.
Finally,shedecidedonlettinghimknowwhathappenedafterhegotknockedout.“IkneedEnglesinthe
jewels.”
AtthatReyes’sbrowsrose.“Youdidwhat?”
She chuckled. “I kneed Engles hard. You were out cold and he so kindly told me that now I was his
becauseyoucouldn’tdoadamnthingaboutit.So,Ihithimwhereithurt.”
“Idon’tunderstand.Ifyoudidthat,theneitherbothofusshouldbedeadorIshouldbedeadandyou
shouldbeboundtohimrightnow.”
“IthinkthewholethingamusedScorpion.Hewaslaughingwhileyouwereunconscious.Hewasthe
onewhobrokeitup.Believeme,wewerebothsurroundedbyEngles’ssecurityteam,butEnglesbowed
toScorpion’swill.”
Reyesstaredatherforalong,hardmoment;thenhislipscurved.“So,younailedthatbastardinthe
jewels.”
“Hecrumpledlikealittlegirl.I’veneverseenafacethatred,andhischeekswerepuffedoutlikea
blowfish.Hefellintothewaterandcameupchoking.Itwasabeautifulsight,despitethefactthatIwas
scaredoutofmymind.”
Reyeslaughed,thenslidhishandinherhair,cuppingthebackofherneck.“Ihardlyrememberwhat
happenedexceptthatthemomentEngleslandedbehindyouandtouchedyoumybrainfunneleddowntoa
narrowbeamofpurerage.”
“Youknockedhimsohardthatbothofyoulandedinthewater.Itwasawesome.OfcourseIcansay
thatnowbecausewe’rebothstillalive.Butitwasoneofthebestmomentsofmylife.”
“Youamazeme,Angelica.You’rehandlingthiswholethingwithtremendousgrace.”
ShestaredintoReyes’sclearblueeyes,oncemorecaughtbythemansheknewhimtobe.Throughthis
difficultexperienceshefeltasthoughshewasgettingtoknowhimandhopedthatmaybeshe’dbeableto
helphimseewhohetrulywas.Sheknewheviewedhimselfinabadlight,asonewho’dbeenenslaved
andworthless.
For her, he would always be the man who, the moment Engles had touched her with the intention of
rape,haddefendedher,puttingbothhislifeandallhisplansatrisk.
Her mind ran suddenly back to the platform, to making love with him, despite having an audience.
She’dwantedhimtocompletetheactthen,andshewanteditnowevenmore.
Adeliciousshiverracedthroughher.“Youknow,Reyes,”shebeganasshepulledapartherrobeand
lethimseeherbreasts,“wedidn’texactlygettofinishwhatwestartedandIhaveafeelingyouneedto
feed.”
“Angelica,”hewhispered.
Heleanedtoward,slantinghislipsoverhers.Passioneruptedbetweenthemlikeavolcano.
Hepushedherbackonthecouchandkissedherasthoughhewereastarvingmanandshewashisfirst
mealinmonths.
Shelovedit.Sheflungherarmsaroundhismassiveshouldersandshiftedaroundsothatherlegscould
accommodatehisbody.
She reached low, fondling what was already hard for her. She’d begun to feel that nothing was so
beautifulasfloatingherfingersoverthecrownofhiscock,thendriftingthelengthofhim.Hewouldfit
insideherandconnecthertohim,inthesamewaythechainshadboundthemtogether,thewayhislips
andhistongueformedasacredseal.
Whenheenteredherthistimeherbodyrolledinalanguidarch,takinghimin,feelingallthathewas.
“IlovedoingthiswithyouandIwouldn’thavecaredifwe’dbeenontheplatform.Iswearit.AllI
wantedwastofeelyouinside,tobejoinedwithyou.Icraveyou,Reyes,everypartofyou.”
He nuzzled her neck and she felt the sides of his fangs pushing against her throat in careful nudges.
Knowing that he’d soon pierce her vein and take her lifeblood made her moan loudly. “Please, yes,
please.Drinkfromme.Ineverdreameditcouldbelikethis.”
Angelica,youfeedmeinsomanywaysandtonightyousavedmylife.
Heslowedhishipsbutkeptuptheseductivecurlofhispelvisandthighsasheplacedanarmoverher
chesttokeepherstill.Helickedalongherthroat,encouragingthevein.Shefeltitriseasthoughreaching
forhim,asthoughneedingthisasmuchasheneededsustenancetosurvive.
Yes,shewhisperedthroughhismind.
Hisfangsstruckandshecriedoutasherinternalwelltightenedaroundhisslowlyglidingstalk.Hefelt
sogoodandhisscent,fullofmalenessandsex,rosetocreateeuphoricstreamersthroughhersenses.
He removed his fangs and began to suck, pushing into her deeper now. The sounds of his mouth
workingherthroatintensifiedherbody’spullonhim.
Seewhatyoutodome?Shewrithedbeneathhim.I’malmostreadytocome.
Hegroaned;thenwithamovementthatstunnedherhedrovehiscockinquickthrusts,vampirefast,so
that she was crying out, her body spasming before she realized what had happened. All the while he
suckledherneck,somehowremainingpinnedtoherwhileherbodyarchedandrocked.
Thepleasurewassosharp,sointense,thatshedughernailsintohisback,whichforsomereasonmade
himsuckharder.
Heslowedhishipsbutkeptpushingintoher.Hiscontrolstunnedandamazedher.
Thisfeelssogood.You’llmakemecomeagainifyoukeepthisup.
Then,justlikebefore,hethrustinquicksensualjabsandsherushedovertheedgeoncemore,crying
outrepeatedly.Ifhehadn’tkeptherupperbodypinned,shewouldhavethrashedjustforthepleasureof
it.
###
Reyestookfiredownhisthroat,oneofthemostbasicelementsoflife,ofcivilization,whetherhuman
orvampire.Hetookheressence,allthatshewas,anddrankitin.Hefeltmorevampireinthismoment
thaneverbefore,asthoughsomethingaboutthehuman,aboutAngelica,drovehimbacktohisrootsand
helpedhimtoknowhimself,allthathewas.
He couldn’t get enough. His hunger for her knew no bounds. Feeding for him had always been
perfunctory,anecessarypartoftheprocess,butnotsomethingtobesavored.He’dfedfromSweetDove,
butonlywhensheallowedandonlyaspartofherpleasuringprocess.
Whenshewasn’tinthemoodshe’dthrowhimahalf-deadslavefromwhomtakingbloodhadbeena
difficult,soul-strippingprocess.
NowtherewasAngelica,hersoftflesh,thesweetnessofherblood,andtheadoringwayshecaressed
him.He’dneverhadanexperiencelikethisinhislong-livedlife.Hehardlyknewwhattodoortothink,
excepttocontinueenjoyingher.
Whenhehadhisfillandreleasedtheserumintoherbloodthatwouldreplenishhersupplyswiftlyhe
drewbackandliftedupsothathecouldlookather.
He loved the euphoric expression on her face as he continued to push inside her, moving toward yet
anotherorgasm.Hehadmanytechniquesthatcouldgiveherpleasure,andherotatedhishipssothathis
cockswirledwithinher,rubbingthesensitiveareasjustinsideherwell.
Shepantedlightly.“Reyes,myGod!”
“Iwantyoutocomewithme.”
“Yes.”
Heheldhergaze,watchingpleasurefloatoverherface,movinginaliftofthebrows,acurveofthe
lips,thenafaintalmostpainfulgrimaceandback.Herbreathingwasbeautifullyerratic.
Hestartedmovingfaster,thrustingintoherinalong,steadydrive.
“Yes,”shewhispered,stillmeetinghisgaze.
Herlipswereswollenwithneedandshelookedreadytoflyapartoncemore.Heloveddoingthisto
her.
“Soclose.”
“Comewithme.Now,Angelica.Comenow.”Heleaneddownandkissedheronce,thendrewbackto
watchthemagic.
Herbodyarched.“Yes.Yes.I’mcoming.”
Hespedup,aburstofspeedthatopenedhermouth,andshescreamed,asoundthatcausedhimtoerupt.
Pleasurestreakedandheroaredaseachpumpofhisseedlefthisbody.
Sheheldontohisshoulders,pantingoncemore.Thensuddenlyshearchedandscreamedagain.Her
bodyheldhimtightdownlow,squeezingthelastounceofpleasurefromhim.
Rockingintoher,hegroanedheavilywiththelastfewpulsesofhiscock.
Herabdomenfluttered.“Reyes.Whatyoudotome.”
Hefeltthesamewayashishipssettleddown.Hestaredintoherpassion-drenchedeyes,glintinginthe
dark,hisvisionwarmingherfeatures.Hesmoothedherhairandkissedheragainandagain.
She kissed him back, her legs and body lax, her breathing slowly returning to normal. She slid her
handsupanddownhisarms.
He remained connected to her for a long time, just looking at her, trying to understand how this
miraculousthinghadhappened.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,he’dtrulymadelovetoawoman.Hehadn’t
justsexedherup,usingherforrelief,buthe’dmadelovetoher.
HerealizedhecherishedAngelica,thatshe’dbecomevaluableinhiseyes,awomanhecouldtrust.
HowdifferenthispreviousexperiencewithSweetDovehadbeen.Nothingaboutherspokeoftrust,of
anythinggood.Shewasnarcissisticandvainandwassomehowconnectedtothemostpowerfulmanin
theStarlinGroup.
“Hey.”Angelica’svoicecalledhimoutofhisreveries.
“Whatisit?”Reyesasked.
“Youleftmethere.Youreyesglazedoverandyourlipsturneddown.”
Hehuffedasighasoncemorehefocusedonher.“Sorry.”
“Noneedtoapologize.Weexperiencedawonderfuldistractionjustnow,butoursituationwillcallon
eachofusquickly.Besides,Ishouldapologizeaswell.Iwaslookingatyou;thensuddenlyallIcould
thinkaboutwaswhatitwouldbeliketofinallymeetScorpion.”
“Andthat’ssomethingwe’llbothdotomorrownight.”
ButAngelicafrowned.“Reyes,don’tyouthinkit’soddthatScorpionintendstorevealhimselftoyou
whennotevenEnglesknowswhoheis?Andyouwereonlyrecentlymadeamemberofhisorganization.”
“IadmitI’muneasy,althoughhe’salreadysaidhe’sbeenwatchingmeforyears.Butworryingabout
anyofitrightnowwon’thelp.We’llknowthetruthsoonenough.”
###
ThefollowingeveningReyesdressedasaRomangladiatorandlookedincrediblysexy.Hefrownedas
headjustedthemetalbrassarmoroverhischest.
Angelicaknewthathe’dhaditmadeupweeksagoinanticipationoftheStarlineventandthatthebrass
works had taken a mold of his chest. She had a hard time keeping her hands off it, because even the
nippleslookedexactlylikehis.
“Ifyoukeeptouchingmychestarmorwiththatkindofgleaminyoureye,I’mnotsureI’llbeableto
answerforwhathappensnext.”
She took a step back, lifting her hands playfully. “Don’t you dare disturb either my costume or this
hair.”Shepattedtherollsatthebackofherheadcarefully.“Yourhousekeeperspenthoursgettingmeto
lookthisway.”
Hewrinkledhisnose.“Andsheprobablyusedanentirebottleofhairspray.”
Angelicalaughed.“Ibelieveshedid.”
Hisexpressionsoftened.“Youlookbeautiful.”
SheworealongwhitegownintheRomanstyle,thoughitwassplitinthefronttothecrotchandinthe
backallthewaytothewaistsothatagain,asusual,herbottomwouldbeondisplay.Despitetheseflaws,
itwasfarbetterthananyoftheotherfantasyoutfitsshe’dhadtowearandnodoubtahundredtimesmore
modestthanwhatmostoftheslaveswouldnot-be-wearingatthemaskedball.
She turned sideways to expose the full-length cutout of the soft white linen fabric. Only one strip of
fabric three inches in width held the front of the gown to the back on each side. “At least I’m mostly
covered.”
Hiseyesfelltohalf-mastashedrewcloseandsettledhishandonherwaist.“Worksforme.”
Shereachedupandkissedhim,intendingittobeaquicktouchofherlipstohis.Butheturnedintoher
and surrounded her with his arms, his breastplate hard against her chest. When she parted her lips he
deepenedthekiss,whichmadehersighandleanagainsthim.
ThemoreshewaswithReyes,themoreshewantedtodoexactlythis,tobeclosetohim,tokisshim,to
makelove.
Butitwouldhardlyservetoextendthemoment.Reluctantly,shedrewbackandaddressedsomething
veryspecific.“IknowthattheStarlinFestivallastsatleastthreeweeks.ButIthoughtitculminatedina
maskedball.Isthatstilltrue?Willtherebeanotherone?”
“Yes.ThefinaleventisallinblackandwhiteandtakesplaceatalocationcalledtheCrystalCavern,
anotherwell-disguisedStarlinlocation.ButI’lltellyouflatoutwewon’tbegoingtothatone.It’safull-
onorgy,withlotsof‘sharing.’”
Sheshudderedslightly.“Let’sdefinitelyfindanexcusenottoattend.”
Hisgazesliddownthesideofhergownfromherwaisttoherhipsandallthewaytoherankles.“Ilike
thatyou’recoveredaswell,butallIwanttodoistoslidemyhandsbeneaththefabrictofeelwhatIcan’t
see.”
Shestaredupathim,enjoyingthissomuch,thathewascomfortablewithher.“Ifweweren’tleavingin
afewminutes…”
“Iknow.I’dhaveyoubackinbedsofast.”
“YouknowI’malittlesore,right,inagoodwayImean?”Shesmiled.
Hegrowledsoftly.“Asyoushouldbe,sinceIspentsomuchtimeinsideyoubeforewefellasleep.”
“Ididn’tknowamancoulddohalfthethingsyoucando.”
Heleanedcloseandnuzzledherear,whispering,“Andthere’smoretocome.Inevertoldyouthis,butI
cansplitintotwobeings.”
Shedrewbackandmethisgaze.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Some vampires, with sufficient power, especially those with Ancestral markers, have the ability to
becometwopeopleatthesametime.”
“Youmean…twoofyou?”Herchainvibratedathernecksothatshefelthisgrowingdesire.
Henodded.“Yes.”
Angelica’scheeksgrewwarm,butnotwithembarrassment.ThethoughtofhavingtwoofReyestending
tohermadehershortofbreath.“Sortoflikeathreesome.”
Henoddedslowly.
Herbodystalledout,sothatshewasn’tevensureshecouldfeelherfeet.Ifsheunderstoodhim,when
they made love at any given time she would have two pairs of hands on her instead of just one. The
thoughtwassointoxicatingthatsheweavedonherfeet.
Hecaughtherarm,steadyingher.“Hey,areyouallright?”
“Oh,sure.Justhadacoupleofimagesofyouthattrippedmybrain.”
Atthathetookherinhisarmsagain.“Andwhatwereyouthinking?Tellme.”
“Allfourhandsonme,mybreasts,myabdomen,mybuttocks.”
Thistimehelistedandshehadtokeephimupright.
“Maybeweshouldgo.”
He drew back and forced himself to focus. “Yes, that’s what we should do.” After a couple of deep
breaths,headded,“Timetoputonyourmask.”
Fromthenearbytableshepickeduponeofthesmallestmasksshe’deverseen,pureblackandbuilt
morelikeapairofglasseswithoutthelenses.Theyslidintoplaceandintoherhairwithoutdisturbingthe
coiffurethatMathildehadsopainstakinglycreatedforher.
Hedonnedhisatthesame,asimilarsmallpairwithagoldcoloringthatmatchedhischestarmor.
After stepping onto his foot and with his arm holding her tight, he flew her slowly, protecting her
vulnerablehumanphysiology.
You’llenjoytheresortwheretheballisbeingheld.It’sontheMediterraneaninamassivehidden
cavernopentothesea.
Soundsbeautiful.
Itis,especiallyatnight.
Doesthatmeanyou’veseenitduringtheday?
Of course. With altered flight I can go anywhere in the sunlight and not be affected. I’m only in
dangerwhenItouchdown.
Theypassedthroughmorestonethatfeltlikesoftfingersgrazingherskin.Oncebreakingthroughtothe
cavern,Reyessloweddownevenmore,whichgaveheratremendousviewofthescopeoftheresort.A
caveshelfthatstoodatleastahundredfeethighoverhungtheseabyatleastfiftyyards.Abeachoflight-
coloredsandmetabankofrocks,andseveralsetsofstairs,carvedintotheseawall,ledthirtyfeettothe
mainresortarea.Thecoastline,beneaththeshelf,curved,andallsortsofdwellings,includingamassive
hotel,heldbeachfrontlocations.
She glanced behind her and watched as more and more vampires flew in, many with their slaves in
nothingbutchainsandfeatheredmasks.Eachcouplelandedinthesameareaorcontinued,asReyesdid,
tolevitateslowlythroughtheair.
DoesthisentireplacebelongtoStarlin?
Yes.Impressive,isn’tit?
I’mstunned.
MyoriginalplanwastopurchaseahomehereassoonasIbecameamember.Itwouldbeanother
waytogetclosetothemoversandshakers.
Ikeepforgettingthatyou’rewealthy.Sheglancedathimandsawthathislipscurved.AndIlikethat
aboutyouverymuch.You’vebeenchased,shesent.
Hunted.
Shechuckled.Butneverbroughtdown.
He drew off to the side to make sure he didn’t block incoming traffic. Holding her gaze while he
hoveredandkepthertightagainsthim,hecreatedadisguisingshield.Notuntilnow.
Herbrowsrose.ButIhaven’tbeenhuntingyou.
Atthathesmiledfully,somethingrareforhim.Iseemtorecallacertainreddress…
Sheplantedahandonhiscoolbreastplate.Thatwasnothunting,Reyes.Ionlywantedachancetobe
withyou.
Inyourbed.
Yes,there’snosensepretendinganymore.Iwantedtojumpyou.
His turn to laugh. He seemed so relaxed, something he hadn’t been, even though they were going to
meetScorpionatsomepointduringtheparty.
When Reyes removed the disguise he reminded her to adopt her servile attitude once more, then put
thembackinmotion.Shekeptherheadbowedbutlethergazedriftovertheseaonherright,thentothe
homesonherleft,allstaggereduptheslopedinclinetowardthecaveshelfandfinallytothehotelwith
theentranceatthewalkwaylevel.
Asattheundergroundcavern,whatsurprisedherwasalltheplants,likethiswasanyordinarybeach
communitywithwindowboxesfulloftrailingvines,flowers,andevensmallshrubs.Afewofthelarger
homeshadsmallpatchesoflawnsandlargetrees.
Anothercommunitythatmadeuseofgrowlights.
Yourcivilizationneverceasestosurpriseme.
There’salottovalueinwhatwe’veachieved,butwe’vegotalongwaytogo.
HelevitatedtoTheStarlinHotel,toucheddownoutside,thentookherleashinhand.Ireallyhatethis.
Smallpricetopay,Reyes.
You’reright,butyou’retheonewhohastopayit.
She stopped in her tracks and glanced at him. She didn’t have her head down, which she could tell
madehimnervous.You’rewrongaboutthat.
Hefrowned.Whatdoyoumean?
Iknowwhatthisiscostingyou.
Heseemedsosurprised.“Loweryourgaze,”hecommandedsharply.
Angelicaobeyed.She’dtakenariskconfrontinghimlikethat,withsomanypeoplewatchingthem.But
shewantedhimtoknowthatsheunderstood.
Stopmakingmelikeyousodamnmuch.You’redrivingmecrazy.
Angelica refrained from smiling, but her heart soared. She knew she was being ridiculous, that what
she was experiencing with Reyes couldn’t possibly lead to something permanent, but she never thought
she’dhearhimsayshewasdrivinghimcrazy.Itpleasedherfemininesoul.
Heledherstraightthroughthelobby,pastthecheck-indeskstoeithersideofthefoyer.Twocostumed
vampires, both extremely tall and wearing feather-trimmed dominance gear, made the ballroom easy to
find.
Musicpouredfromthespace,enliveningthefoyer.
As usual, Angelica had never seen so many naked people before, and not just women but men with
erectpenises.Shetriedtolookelsewhere,butbecauseshehadtokeepherheadloweredcertainthings
werehardtomiss.
OncesheandReyeswereinside,themainballroomareawasinasunkenspacesurroundedbydozens
of small tables and chairs, all at different elevations. A series of at least ten steps led to a dance floor
alivewithcouplesgyrating.
Sowhatdowedonow?
WeworktheroomandwaituntilScorpioncallsforus.
###
ReyesmadetheroundsandletanynumberofprominentStarlinmembersstareatAngelicabutpostured
tomakesurenooneelsetouchedher.
HesawEnglesonce,butthebastardmerelynodded,hiseyescold.Reyesknewhe’ddestroyedalotof
goodwillinthatdirection,buthewouldn’tundohisactionsevenifhecould.Engleshadbeendetermined
toinsinuatehimselfintothesexperformance,andonlyahardbodyslamliketheoneReyeshaddelivered
couldhavestoppedEngles.
SoReyesignoredScorpion’srighthand,especiallysincetheinvitationstillstoodandhe’dbemeeting
with Scorpion for the first time. More than once, however, Reyes wondered why Scorpion was taking
such an interest in him when so many other vampires, having served on the board for decades, should
havehadpriority.
Hewouldsoonfindout.
He’djustfinishedhissecondtumblerofscotchwhenEnglesfinallyapproachedhim,lookingnonetoo
happy. But Reyes met him stare for stare. Reyes supposed one day he’d have to battle the asshole for
good,butnottonight.
“Scorpionisreadyforyou.Followme.”
Heturnedonhisheelandmovedquickly,buthelookedmadasfire.ReyescaughtAngelicaagainsthis
side,thenlevitatedswiftlyafterhim.
EnglesglancedatReyes,thenswitchedtoalteredflightaswell.
Reyestrackedwithhim,passingthroughsolidstone.
Thetripdidn’tlastlongandReyes’sinternalsignaltoldhimtheywerestillwithinthebeachsideresort.
The suite was empty and nicely appointed with light-blue silk drapes and matching comforter, dark
wooddresserandnightstands.Offtooneside,anarched,darkeneddoorwayledtoalongcorridorthat
slopedatadownwardangle.
Englesgesturedtowardthebed.“Yourinstructionsarethere.”Withthosewordsheshiftedtoaltered
flightandwasgone.
Onthebedwasabox.
“Whatdoyouthinkthismeans?”Angelicaasked.
“Idon’tknow.”Reyesdrewclosetotheboxandflippedthelid.Inside,anoterestedontopofseveral
foldsofblackleatheraswellasaflogger.
Thefloggerhadafamiliarstylewithasnake-headtopper.SweetDovehadownedanimplementjust
likethisone.Hischesttightened.Wasitacoincidence?
Heunfoldedthesinglesheetofpaperandread:“Yourslavemustwearthecostume,thoughyoumay
keeponwhateveryouworetotheball.Throughthearchedhall,you’llfindalovelytripdownmemory
lanewaitingforyou.”
AsealbearingalargeSwasstampedatthebottom.
Setting the paper aside, he lifted the leather costume, then glanced at Angelica. The chains vibrated
againsthisneckasshelookedatit.Herheartratehadjumped.
“You’retowearthis,”hesaid.
Shetookthejumbledleatherinherhandsandlifteditup.“Thisremindsmealittleofwhatyourfriend
Eveworeduringhertheatricalperformance,onlyshewasdressedinred.”
“You are being too familiar with me,” he said curtly, then slipped into telepathy. Remember that we
mightbewatched.
Right.Sheloweredherhead.“I’msorry,master.”
Asfortheoutfit,thatwouldfollow.Thecostumeisessentiallyadominatrixoutfit.
Herbrowsrose.Really?Scorpionwantsmetobeinthedominantposition?
Idon’tknow.Istillhavenoideawhat’sgoingonhere.
ShouldIputiton?
Reyesnodded.Ifwe’regoingtomoveforwardwiththisyou’llhaveto.Justremember,youcanstop
atanytime.
Angelicatookthecostumeinhand.Imightneedyourhelpwiththis.
In other circumstances, the process of helping Angelica get into any kind of fantasy wear would
probablyhavelandedhiminbedwithher.Asitwas,despitethefactthathepulledthebustiertightand
zippedherupandthatherfirmbreastsmoundedsobeautifullyinthesnug,too-smallcups,hisnerveskept
himfromenjoyingthemoment.
Hehadabadfeelingaboutthissituation.WhywasthefloggerliketheonethatSweetDovehadused
onhimandwhywasAngelicasupposedtowearthedominantoutfit?
Theleatherpantswereanintricatecombinationofstripsofleather,sothatittookmorethanonetryto
get each leg through. Once the job was done and she wore the six-inch black stilettos he stood back. I
won’tforgetthisimageverysoon.
“She’slikeawetdream,isn’tshe?”
Reyesturned,thesoundofthewoman’svoicelikebrokenglassslicingintohisskin.Shehadfrizzyred
hairanddeepcornflower-blueeyes,asmallbowofamouth,andcrueltyemanatingfromeverycellofher
body.
SweetDove.
Sheturnedinaslowcircle.“HowdoIlook,lover?”
She wore a cream silk skirt to midcalf, a sheer blouse with sleeves that ran to the wrists, ending in
three-inchruffles,andagoldmetallicbravisiblebeneath.
Herhairwasinacloudaroundherhead,gatheredoncebehindwithagoldclip,thenflaringinmore
cloudsandstreamersdownherback.
He hadn’t seen her in decades, and now here she was somehow intimately connected to Starlin and
eventoScorpion,thealliterationsinkingdeepsuddenly,likeasnakehissing.Hewantedtosaysomething
toher,torailatherforallthepainshe’dcausedhim,butnothingwouldcome.
He’ddreamedofthismoment,offinallyconfrontinghisabuser,yethestoodimmobileasthough,even
afterallthistime,shecouldstillcontrolhim.
ButitwasAngelicawhospokefirst.“You’rethebitchwhohurtme.”
She pivoted toward Angelica. Though Sweet Dove continued to stare at her, she addressed Reyes.
“Yourslaveneedsalessoninmanners.Wouldyouliketoteachher,orshallI?”
SheextendedherhandtowardAngelica,butthethreatagainsthermovedReyesoutofhisstupor.He
caughthiscaptor’swristandturnedhertowardhim.“Whatthefuckisthisallabout,SweetDove?Iwas
toldI’dbemeetingScorpion.”
SweetDovesmiled.“Andyouwill.AsforScorpion,heandIareoldfriends,mucholderthaneven
EnglesandI,ordidyounotknowthat?”
Reyesmadeadecisionnottotiphishand.TherewasnoreasonwhySweetDoveneededtoknowthat
Angelicahadarevisitingvisioncapability.“Ididn’tknow.”
“I’malittlesurprised.SomehowIthoughtyoudid.Butbeforewegetanyfurther,Ireallymustknow
howyougotfreeofmeallthoseyearsago.”
Reyesrecalledtheprocessandhowithadtakentwodecadesofslow,determinedeffort.Hegaveher
the short version. “It was simple. Though it required time and patience, I seduced two of the men you
broughtinonaregularbasistojoininourfun,that’show.”
Sheheldhisgaze.“Actually,I’dalreadyfigureditout.ButwhatdistressesmetothisdayisthatInever
suspected.Ithoughtyoulikedbeingwithme.Imadesureyouhadpleasure.”
Reyes stared at her for a long, hard moment. Something that had never quite made sense to him now
cameintosharpfocus.He’dalwaysknownSweetDovetobeapurenarcissist,butuntilnowhehadn’t
trulyunderstoodthatshewasactuallysurprisedthathe’deverwantedtoleaveher.Shebelievedwhatshe
said,thatshe’dthoughthe’dbeenfulfilledandcontentservingasherslave.
Thewomanboughtherownpropaganda.
Butherefusedtogetdistractedbyhersenseofill-usage.“Ilookedforeachofthosemenlater,butthey
seemedtohavedisappeared.”
Shecheckedhermanicure.Shehadlong,sharpnails.“Ihadtoknowthetruth,soItorturedthem.Iwas
never so disappointed in all my life, because as much as they enjoyed inflicting pain on you in my
presence,neitherlastedverylongwhenputunderthecat’sclaw.”
Reyes let these words slide off him. He didn’t really care very much about the past, not anymore,
especiallywithAngelicaintheroomandextremelyvulnerableasahuman.NomatterwhatSweetDove’s
game was, he had to protect Angelica and because of Sweet Dove’s Ancestral status she had complete
powerinthesituation.
“AndhowareyouconnectedtoScorpionandStarlin?”
She moved in his direction, reaching out with her right hand to touch his bare arm. But suddenly
Angelicawasrightthere,standingbetweenthem.InherstilettosshewastallerthanSweetDove.“Keep
yourhandsoffhim.He’smymaster.”
SweetDove’slipscurled,herfangsshowing.Thenshelaughed,alongtrilloflaughter.“Whatastupid
humanyouare,ordoyounotunderstandthatIcouldripyouawayfromReyesrightnow?Icouldhave
yourblood-chainsremovedandthrowyoutothedogsorgiveyoutoEngles,thoughIsuspectyouwould
prefertheformer.”
Reyes felt Angelica ready to respond, but he took her quickly by the arm and pulled her behind him.
Aloud he said, “Stand down, slave. You’re out of line.” Privately he added, She can kill you with a
singleblow.Letmehandlethis.
“How endearing that your slave has become protective of you, but we will get rid of her once you
returntome.”
He wanted Sweet Dove’s focus off Angelica. “I belong to no one, Sweet Dove, or are you called
somethingelsenow?”
“Iam,asithappens.ButIcanseethatyouhaven’tguessed,whichsurprisesme.Youneverlackedfor
intelligenceandyouwerealwaysstudying,whichIthoughtendearinginitsway.”
Herefusedtogetsidetracked.Hehadtogetaclearpictureofwhathewasdealingwith.“What’syour
newname?”
Shelaughedoncemore.“Iswearyou’vegrownpositivelyobtusesinceyouleftme.Howcanyounot
knowwhoIam?”
Reyesstaredatherandthenthepiecesofthepuzzlefellsuddenlyintoplace.Itcouldn’tbe,yetinhis
gutheknewitwastrue.Hefeltdizzyashestated,“You’reScorpion.”
Shenodded.“Iam.DoyouliketheempireI’vebuiltallaroundmyfavoritepastime?Ithinkitsublime.
I’mveryproudofwhatI’vecreated.Thebettingpoolshavebeengoodfunandarealmoneymaker,more
thantheauctionsthemselves.IwonasmallfortuneonthelittleRussian.Ofcourse,ithelpedtoknowthe
ownerandtoencouragehimtoincreaseordecreasehisbeatings.Powerisawonderfulthing.”
Reyesstaredathisformercaptor,thewomanwhohadbeaten,raped,andtorturedhimforacenturyand
whomhe’dbeenunabletolocateallthistime.Buttherewasonethinghehadtoknow,whetherornotshe
suspectedhiscurrentruse.
“After Starlin, you’re my second most favorite achievement, you know.” She drew close. “I’ve
watchedyouespeciallyoverthepastyear,whenEnglestoldmeyou’dappliedformembership.I’mgood
atdisguises,yousee,andIwatchedthatlittleAsianbeautysuckyouoff.Youbitherear.Verynice.But
whatthehellhappenedatthetheaterperformance?”
Again,SweetDovehadtaughthimsomuch.Withoutmissingabeatheresponded,“Iwasthinkingof
you,ofcourse,soIgotlostinthememories.”Wouldshebuyit?Orwouldshesuspecthe’dalmostlosthis
mindinthatmomentandblownhiscover?
Shesmiled.“Ofcourseyouwouldhave.Itakeityoutelepathicallycommandedyourslavetoservice
you?”
HeheldSweetDove’sgazefirmly.“Yes,that’sexactlywhatIdid.Ihadcompletecontrolofherand
sheperformedformejustasIwantedherto.”
SweetDovesmoothedahandoverhisbreastplate.“Soyouwerelostinthoughtsofme.”
“Iwas.”Howhehatedher.Hewantednothingmorethantosnapherperverseneck.Butshestillhad
physical and preternatural power over him and she wouldn’t hesitate to kill Angelica if it served her
purpose.
“Oh,andIdidsoenjoythatevenwhileinafullyarousedstateyouattackedEngles.Ihadn’thadthat
muchfuninages.You’rebothfit,beautifulmen.ItwaslikewatchingtheGreeksofoldwrestle.”
Heworkedhardtoprocessthetruththatthewomanwhohadenslavedhimnowledtheorganizationhe
intended to bring down. It would never be enough to kill her outright. He had to get hold of the entire
structureofherorganization,alltheplayers,everyonewhogotpaidoff,thenamesoftheclubs,thebetting
organization,everydamnthing.
Rightnowhefeltstuckbetweenarockandahardplace.Ifhe’dbeenalone,withoutAngelica,hecould
havemaneuveredthrougheasily,evensettingouttoseducehisformercaptorandgaintheinformationhe
sought.
But Sweet Dove had been a fiercely jealous master and wouldn’t tolerate Angelica’s presence for
longer than she had use for her. He needed to understand Sweet Dove’s purpose right now and to
somehowfigureoutawaytosaveAngelica.
“Whatdoyouwant,SweetDove?”
“I want you back of course. I realize you’d never be my slave again, but we could become so much
moreasacouple.I’vemissedyou.I’veneverhadamanlikeyousinceyouleft.
“So for starters, I thought I would offer you what I know your ambitions crave: a seat on the Starlin
board.That’swhatyouwant,isn’tit?”
Hereyesglitteredandinthatmomentherealizedshedidn’tsuspecthimofanykindoftreacheryanda
smallpartofhimbegantobreathe,begantobelieveheandAngelicamightjustsurvivethisnight.“Yes,
morethananything,Iwantontheboard.Iwantwhatallofthegovernorshave.I’vemadeasmallfortune
onmyown.ButnowIwantwhatyouandEnglespossess.”
Shedrewinadeepbreath.“Iknewit.Youaremygreatestaccomplishment.Iseeitinyoureyes.You
matchmeinambitionnowaswellasindepravity.”Shesmiled,afamiliarpenetratingsmilethatcaused
feartorunthroughReyes.Heknewthatnothinggoodwouldfollow.
“So, you may have a seat on the board of Starlin governors if you’ll do one thing for me, one very
simplething.”
Hisheartratekickedupseveralnotches.
Angelica’svoicewassuddenlyinhishead.Reyes,Idon’ttrusther.Shesmellsevil.
Idon’ttrusther,either,butwe’vegottoplayhergame.
Aloudhesaid,“Whatdoyouneedmetodo?”
“Actually,it’snotwhatIneedjustyoutodo,butratheryouandyourslave.Butyou’llunderstandalot
betterifIshowyouwhatIrequire.”Hersmilebroadened.“I’vepreparedasurpriseforyou.”
###
Angelica gripped Reyes’s hand as she moved with him down the hall. The chains hummed low and
hard,indicatingacombinationofsensationscomingfromhimthatshecouldn’tquiteseparateout.Beneath
everything,however,rageboiled,theoldkindthatswamindeepcurrentsofhatredandshame.
Sweet Dove led the way, walking with a confident stride in her cream skirt and gold bra, with her
moundsoffieryhair.
Thecavernhallway,sculptedwithuniquecarvingsinthestonewallsandhighcurvedceiling,wasat
leastthirtyfeetlong.Itslopeddownwardtoaroomthatappearedtobelitwithcandlelight.
ThecloserAngelicadrewtothelight,however,thefasterthechainsvibratedatherneck,oncemore
indicatingReyes’sdistress.Hetightenedhisholdonherhand,andoncetheyarrivedonthethresholdshe
wasinpain.Reyes,you’rehurtingme.You’recrushingmyfingers.
Shepulled,tryingtodisengage,buthestaredattheroomthewayhehadlookedduringEve’stheater
performance,likehewasn’tallthere.Somethingaboutthisroomhadgottentohim.
Angelicaturnedtowardhim.Hiseyeslookedglazed.“Reyes,”shecalledsharply.
“Idon’tunderstand,”SweetDovesaidsoftly,acurvetoherbowlips.“Helookedjustlikethiswhile
watchingthatwomanduringtheperformanceatEngles’shome.Iwonderifhe’sthinkingaboutmeagain?”
ShemetAngelica’sgazeandshowedherfangsinasatisfiedgrin.
Part of Angelica wanted to rip Sweet Dove’s face off, but there were more important things to do.
Angelica ignored the woman and began wrestling with Reyes’s hand. If he didn’t let go he’d break her
bones.Shesentsomeofthepowershesiphonedtoherfingersandgraduallybuiltupenoughstrengthto
disengage.
Oncedisconnectedsheheldherhandbutkeptupthehealingflow.Thiswouldnotbethewaytostartan
encounterwithSweetDove,toshowanykindofweakness.
“Hehurtyouthen?Itakethatasagoodsign.”
Angelica didn’t rise to the bait; instead she rubbed Reyes’s arm, up and down. She kept her head
bowed,tryingtomaintainherslavecover.Comebacktome.You’vegottocomeback.
Hemovedslowlyforward,however,asifinatrance,butignoredhercompletely.Shestayedwithhim,
though,untiltheybothstoodinthecenterofthespace.
The room had a peculiar odor, something she couldn’t place at first, except that it smelled very old,
almost ancient. The room held a throne-like chair and a barred grate over what was an arched cavern
openingthesizeofanaveragewindow.Beyondshecouldhearwaterrushingatwhatmusthavebeena
greatdepth.Yettheresultingfreshairstilldidn’tsoftentheodor.
Shesupposed many ofthe cavern systemsaround the world wouldhave lots ofolder parts and even
badsmellslikethisone.ButwhyhadthisroomshutReyesdownsocompletely?
HeturnedslowlyinSweetDove’sdirection.
Glancing past his shoulder, Angelica saw that a second archway led to another space, also lit by
candlelight.
Within were a series of old rusted chains and hooks, like something from an ancient fishing trawler.
Below,onathree-foot-highplatform,wasawoodtablestainedverydark.
She reached for Reyes’s hand once more, because a terrible chill went through her. She almost
connected,touchinghisfingers,butsuddenlyhelevitatedtowardthedoorwayandmovedswiftlyintothe
room.Shehurriedtoretainthenecessaryproximity.
Hemovedtostaredownatthetable,grippingtwoofthenearestchainsintightfists.Themusclesofhis
armsflexedandreleased.Hisbreathinggrewrough.
Whatwasheseeing?
Angelicasteppedawayfromhim.Allshefeltfromhimnow,throughtheirsharedchains,wasarage
thatwentbeyondanythingshecouldpossiblycomprehend.
Shemovedofftothesideandpressedherselfagainstthewall.Shesawhiminprofileandthathisface
hadbrokenoutinasweatashestaredatthetable.
Thensheunderstoodandhorrordescendedonher.
This was where it had all happened, repeatedly, over a century. Maybe this had even been the first
room.
She watched Sweet Dove move to join them near the platform, easing off to the opposite side. She
movedslowly,slitheringlikeasnake,takingdeepbreaths,watchingReyes.Shedidn’tfearhim,noteven
alittle.ButAngelicacouldtellthatSweetDove’sdrivetopossessReyesagain,tooncemoremakehim
herslave,exceededeveryotherpurposethewomanhad.She’dliedaboutapartnership.
“Areyourememberingnow?”SweetDoveasked.“CanyoufeelhowI’mpeelingawaythedisguises
deepinsideyourmind,allowingyoutorecallthetimesyou’dbeenherebefore?”
Reyesnoddedslowly.
Thewoman’slipswerepartedandhernipplespeakedwithinherbra,tight,hardbuds.Shewasgetting
offonthis,onseeingReyeshere,theyouthshe’dabused,tortured,raped,andonwatchinghimrelivehis
past.
“YouusedtolikethethingsIdidtoyou.”
Agrimacesweptoverhisface,buthedidn’tshifthisgaze.
“Iknowhowbadlyyou’vewantedtojointheStarlinGroup,topartakeofallthedelightsofmyworld.
I’mofferingyousomuch,Reyes,andallIneedfromyouistodothisonelittlethingforme.
“Yousee,EnglesdisruptedtheperformanceearlierandIwantedtowatchyouexplodewithpassion,to
reallyfeelyourpleasureasyoudominatedyourslave.”
Shetookafewstepsclosertothetable.“Butthatmomenthaspassedandmaybeitwasforthebest,
becausenowwhatIdesiretonightwillbesomuchbetter,foryouandforme.”
Atthat,heslowlypivotedinherdirection.
Angelicamovedatthesametime,closertothetablebutadjacenttoReyessothatshecouldseehim
andwatchhisexpressions.HowReyesrespondedinthissituationhadjustbecomeamatteroflifeand
death to Angelica. If rage took him over and he attempted to kill Sweet Dove, something he’d fail at
becausehecouldn’tprevailoveranAncestral,Angelicaknewshe’ddie.Theybothwould.
She had to do the thinking for both of them right now, since Sweet Dove had taken away Reyes’s
rational mind by bringing him here. Angelica had the impression that the woman hadn’t used this room
sinceReyesleft,whichwasmaybepartofthesmell.ThescentremindedAngelicaofthebackroomsofa
housethathadn’tbeencleanedorairedinalongtime.
Sheleanedcloserandrealizedthesmellcamefromthetableitself.Shewonderedifpainandviolation
developedaredolenceovertime.
Butasshestaredatthestainedwoodsherealizedwhathadcausedtheunevenstain.
Blood.
Andlotsofit.
Shesteppedback,horrorpiercingheroncemore.
Foratime,shecouldn’tbreatheandcouldn’tthink.Butshehadtopullherselftogether.
Reyes had worked hard to build a life for himself after his subjugation in this dungeon, honest work
withanhonestwageonwhichhe’dbuilthiswealth.OnlythenhadhesethissightsonStarlin,whenhe
could afford to buy into the expensive lifestyle. And he had only one purpose, to bring this diseased,
perverseorganizationdown.
Buthecouldloseitallrightnow.
“Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”heasked.
“It’ssimple.Iwantyouonyourback,naked,thewayyouusedtobeforme.AndIwantyourslaveto
dominateyou,togivetheperformanceI’vebeendeniedallthesedecadessinceyouleft.Ifyoudothat,I’ll
makeyouaboardmemberthisverynightandinthecomingdaysandweeks,ifyouoncemorebecomethe
loverI’vecravedallthistime,I’llmakeyoumypartnerovertheentireorganization.You’llbewealthy
beyondwhatevenyoucanimagine,andthepower,Reyes,trustme,thepowerisintoxicating.”
Heshookhisheadslowlyfromsidetoside.“Icanneverbeboundagain.Don’tyouunderstandthat?I
canneverreturntoyou.”
She pouted. “But why, when I brought you to ecstasy every time we were together? I made sure you
knewpleasure.Iwasagoodmastertoyou.”
Angelica’s chain trembled at her throat, vibrating with Reyes’s emotion. “While you chained me, cut
me,andbeatme?Whileyouhadotherspullingandsuckingonmeorshovingtheirdicksintoeveryorifice
Ipossess?Youcan’timaginewhyIwouldn’twanttoreturntothat?”
“You’re kidding yourself, Reyes. Don’t you see? You’ve found your way back to me. This is what
you’vewantedsinceyouleftmyhome.Youneedtobehere.”
Angelica made a quick decision. She joined Reyes and slid her hand up his arm. “I want to do this,
master.”
Hewhippedhisheadinherdirection.“What?”
Shecaressedhismuscles,hopingtogiveanappearanceofarousal.Shesweptahandthelengthofthe
wood. “I want you here, master. I want you laid out. I want to ride you while you’re chained. You’ve
alreadygivenmesomuchpleasureandtaughtmethejoysofpain,butnowIwantmore.”Sheshiftedher
gaze to Sweet Dove. “And I want your mistress to watch, because mostly I want to survive, and what
betterwaythantopleasetheStarlinleadership?”
Sweet Dove narrowed her gaze at Angelica. “You’re smarter than I suspected. And I admire anyone
whochoosestolive.”
###
ReyesstaredatAngelica.Hedidn’tfullyunderstandwhatwasgoingon,whichmeanthisbrainwasn’t
quitefunctioningyet.ButhedidknowthatAngelica’sprofesseddesiretodowhatSweetDovewanted
madenosenseatall.He’dnevercausedAngelicathatkindofpain,sowhywasshetalkinglikethis?
He shifted his gaze back to the table, where he’d been raped times beyond counting, and knew he
couldn’tgothroughwithSweetDove’sdemands.Herewastheonethinghe’dpromisedhimself:Neverto
allowagainanyonetochainhimdown.Ever.
“Iwon’tdoit.”
Angelica turned toward him and pressed herself up against his body. “Please, master.” She sounded
desperate,buthertelepathicwordscarriedprofoundresolve.Reyes,togetherwecandothis.YouandI.
ForgetSweetDoverightnow.Focusonme.Justme.Wehavetodothis.
Heturnedandheldhergazeandhismindbegantoclearalittlemore.Ican’t.Trytounderstand.She
tookeverythingfromme,hereinthisroom.Everything.
Iknowthat.Butshe’salsoScorpionandshejustearnedafortuneonthedeathoftheRussianslave.
Weoweittothatwomantokeepgoing.Reyes,youhavetodothis,butitwillbeverydifferentbecause
I’llbewithyoueverystepoftheway.I’llbetheonecommandingyouandridingyou.Nother.I’llbe
makinglovetoyou,andthat’snotthesamethingaswhathappenedbefore.
Aloudshesaid,“Iwanttolive,master.DothisfortheheadofStarlin.Please.”
Heshookhishead.Ican’tdothis.Iwon’t.
Angelicakeptherheadbowed,stillplayingherrole.Reyes,youmust.Don’tyousee?Ifyoudothis
onethingyou’llbeontheStarlinboard.You’llfinallyhaveaccesstoalltheinformationyou’vebeen
seeking.Thegamecanbewonorlosthere.
His mind finally ordered itself, and he shifted his gaze to the table. But one final element came into
view,somethinghewassureAngelicahadn’tconsidered:Oncehewasboundinchains,ifSweetDove
decidedtokillAngelicaortogivehertoEnglesthere’dbenothinghecoulddotosaveher.
Reyes,tellmeI’mwrong,butifyourefuseisn’titpossible,evenlikely,thatSweetDovewillnever
maketheofferagain?Isn’tthisyouronlyhope,ouronlyhope?
As if to confirm Angelica’s take on the situation, Sweet Dove drew close. “I’ll only offer this once,
Reyes.AcceptthechainshereandnoworI’llrescindyourmembershipimmediately.Andyou’llbeout
forgood.”
Tobecontinued…
SAVAGECHAINS
Surrendertoyourdarkestdesires.
Don’tMissAnyoftheInstallmentsinThisSexySerialfromSt.Martin’sPress!
SavageChains#1:Captured
SavageChains#2:Scarred
SavageChains#3:Shattered
AvailablelateJune2014
GetevenmoresexyromancewithCarisRoane’s
full-lengthMeninChainsseriesfromSt.Martin’sPaperbacks!
AvailableJuly2014
Caris Roane is the author of the Guardians of Ascension series and the Men in Chains series, both
featuring powerful vampires and the women who love them. Caris lives in the Phoenix area of the
SonoranDesert,reallydoesn’tlikescorpions,andinhersparetimetriestostayoffFacebook.Youcan
findCarisat
Thisisaworkoffiction.Allofthecharacters,organizations,andeventsportrayedinthisnovelareeither
productsoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.
“Scarred:SavageChains:Part2”copyright©2014byCarisRoane.
All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y.
10010.
Coverart©GoldenCzermak
eISBN9781466832930
FirsteBookEdition:June2014
eBooksmaybepurchasedforbusinessorpromotionaluse.Forinformationonbulkpurchases,please
contactMacmillanCorporateandPremiumSalesDepartmentbywritingto
Document Outline
- Title Page
- Copyright Notice
- Table of Contents
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Savage Chains: Surrender to your darkest desires
- Caris Roane’s: Full-length Men in Chains series
- About the Author
- Copyright
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