Surviving Doctor Vincent: The Good Doctor Trilogy Book 2 (18 page)

“So you didn’t follow him there because you suspected him?”

“No. I suspected nothing. I didn’t even know he was in the state. I knew he was going away on business, but I rarely cared to ask where. That’s the great thing about cell phones; they go with you.” I squeezed my hands together. “Even when I saw him sitting in that hotel lobby with that woman, I didn’t suspect anything. That’s why I didn’t approach him. My mom had passed years ago. I was happy he was trying to date, and the last thing I wanted was for his adult child to chase someone he cared for off. He didn’t know I was there.”

Her facial expression changed. Her warm glow turned critical.

“Someone called you and changed your reservations the night before you left, and you end up booked in the same hotel as your father?”

“Yes.”

“Who called you?”

What an odd question? “One of the executive assistants. I don’t remember which one. They handle all the travel, the call wasn’t exactly unusual.”

“What did they sound like? Was it a man or a woman?”

I glared at her. Her pretty, sunshine façade was masking something else. She was no better than my nosey co-workers, the lady at the bank, or my hairdresser. “A woman, but why does that fact even matter?”

“It doesn’t.”

I laced my fingers behind my head and leaned back, sighing in frustration. “That’s the thing, nothing matters, yet I can’t see how I’m ever going to get past any of this nonsense.”

She leaned forward and pointed, narrowing her eyes. “What happened to your wrist? Did your father do that?”

I sat up. “What?” Turning my hand, I examined the wrinkled lines of puckered skin that striped my wrist. “Oh that. Car accident. It’s finally healing. The doctor said the redness will go away with time.”

She jumped out of the chair and jerked my wrist toward her. “This isn’t funny.”

I stood and yanked my arm out of her grasp. “I’m not laughing.”

Glaring, she stared down at me from her high heels. “You tell him whatever kind of stunt he’s pulling, I’m not amused.”

“Tell who, what? What are you talking about?”

“He finds it amusing to send you here to play games, after all he’s done.” She bent down, her chilling gazed fixed me where I sat. “You tell him that next time he oversteps his bounds, if he ever tries to play in my sandbox again, I’m going to start by killing the messenger, the rules be damned.”

“Look I don’t know what kind of issue you have with Detective Mancini...”

She strode to her desk, leaned over it and picked up the phone. As she stretched, her pant hem lifted, revealing a snakeskin tattoo covering the back of her ankle. The sunshine and flowers act was nothing more than a mask for the angry woman who was coming unhinged in front of me. The last thing I needed was more deception and drama. “I’m gonna leave.” Tossing my purse over my shoulder, I headed for the door. I closed my shaky hand over the knob and turned.

She screamed at the phone. “You piece of shit. I know what you did.”

I pulled the door closed behind me and left.

* * *

H
oly shit. Crazy Dr. England. My world had been so insane, the bizarre encounter had barely registered until I glimpsed the same swatch of snakeskin. The slight change in perception sent the memories flooding back. Even though I hadn’t dwelled on the encounter, and chalked up her behavior to the strange things my father’s story evoked in people, the experience was memorable enough to keep me from seeking out anyone else for help. As the images of the visit resurfaced, the gravity of her reaction set in. Did she recognize me too? Was her show a power play? A message? One thing was certain; she was a member.

Pledge

T
he guests dispersed among the members already inside the house. The expansive room we entered had similar décor as the seating area we’d waited in but with lushly upholstered couches, ornate tables, and inviting ottomans scattered throughout. There had to be at least a hundred people in the open space. Dark, wood paneled, sliding doors lined every wall, partitioning this gathering area from the rest of the manor. Broad, muscular men in red cloaks huddled next to each other while men and women dressed in loose chain garments circulated between the furniture pieces, offering drinks on serving trays.

I tried to quiet the trembling of my hands. There was no way I could discuss Dr. England with Xavier now, and we had another two hours to pass before his service started. As if Xavier could read my mind, he squeezed my hand. “Let me get you another drink.”

He stepped into the path of one of the nearly nude servers and collected a glass from the tray. He turned around and gazed at me, holding the glass just out of reach. “Sebastian, look at her. Tell me what you see.”

Sebastian pressed himself against my back, gripped my hips, and then whispered in my ear, “The most beautiful woman in the entire establishment.”

I chuckled. I’d never compare to the naked servers. They almost seemed too perfect.

Xavier moved closer, allowing me to accept the glass from him. My body was sandwiched between the two men.

A rumbling sound echoed through the room.

“What is...” I caught myself. “My king?”

“Yes?”

“What is that noise?”

Xavier glanced over his shoulder. “Nothing, they are opening the doors to the playrooms.” Wooden panels shook on rails as they retracted into the walls. “Nothing to be concerned about. Many of the people are here to indulge in fetishes.”

I scanned the room for the snake lady.

Sebastian’s breath was hot on my neck. “We’re here to observe, right? Why don’t we take a little stroll, peek in a few rooms. There might be something you like.”

I chuckled under my breath.

He swatted my ass.

I jumped and fell against Xavier’s chest. “Hey.”

Xavier snaked his arms around my waist. “I think you might be surprised at what you can discover about yourself in a place like this.”

“It’s doubtful. I don’t like pain.” I quickly added, “My king,” and hoped he didn’t notice my slip.

Sebastian pinned me against Xavier. “Who said anything about pain? I remember how much you enjoyed yourself when X tied you to the Rainmaker. No pain at all, but you gave us your submission, your trust, and we barely knew each other. That bond will only get stronger the more we’re together, and you’ll be begging us to push your boundaries.” Sebastian pressed his pelvis against me. “Unfortunately, bending you over that table over there, and fucking you like I so desperately want to, is not on the menu tonight. I have to take it easy with this injury, but I’ve seen how creative you can be. Perhaps the night won’t have to be all business.” He kissed my hair. “Come on, I want to get a better look at this place.”

Xavier took my hand and Sebastian led the way. It still surprised me how at ease the men were with each other, especially Xavier. That Sebastian could speak so freely about having sex with me. In their eyes, there were no boundaries. No jealousy. Would I ever get past wondering what the other thought?

The first dark-paneled room featured a woman bound to a wooden cross. She smiled at the man holding the whip. His head was covered in a leather mask. He teased her nipples with the tip of the whip handle.

Xavier pulled me along. “I don’t think that will interest you.”

“Do the people always stand around and watch?”

He turned toward me. His eyes narrowed.

I quickly added, “My king.” I didn’t need to address Sebastian formally because he was simply a guest, but for tonight, Xavier, for all intents and purposes, owned me, and I couldn’t afford to let the pretense slip. He was right to hold me in check.

The next room featured a woman tied to a bed. She was gagged and nude, and a dark-skinned woman held a large vibrator in her hand, holding the device up for the captive’s examination. The woman settled the device between the bound woman’s legs and she squirmed against the restraints.

Sebastian leaned to whisper. “Now that’s certainly not painful and is another way to make you pay for your smart mouth.”

I laughed. “I hardly think that making me come is going be incentive to make me stop.”

He nipped my earlobe. “Who said anything about letting you come?”

I turned and glared at him. “You wouldn’t.”

“You’re right. I would allow you to come. Eventually. Only after I felt you’d made up for all the delightful aggravation you’ve given me.”

“My king, would you intervene on my behalf?”

He smiled. “Absolutely, not. I’d assist in your sweet torture.”

Sebastian ushered me on to the next room.

I halted as soon as my eyes adjusted to the low light.

A man knelt on the floor. His arms and legs bound, his cock encased in a strange contraption, but that wasn’t what caught my attention. Dr. England towered next to him with her back to us, as she examined a tray of tools. She was naked, except for her high heels. The snake tattoo that seemingly entered her vagina on the front continued to weave around her body, starting between the cheeks of her ass and ending in the hairline of the back of her neck. It gave the illusion that her own head was that of the serpent. Crazy, creepy bitch.

“Elaine, I can speak for both of us. What’s about to happen in that room is not something any of us are interested in. Even Marco, who will give some pretty crazy shit a whirl, I doubt would enjoy bloodletting.” Xavier pulled on my hand.

I didn’t move. When she turned, the knife in her hand gleamed in the small spotlight positioned overhead. The viper wove between her breasts.

I worried for the man. “My king...” I paused. I couldn’t wait until I no longer had to be so formal. My speech was slow as I contemplated what these people were capable of. “Did he consent? Does he want her to cut him?”

He engulfed me in his arms protectively. “Yes. I’m sure he thinks he did.” On almost a whisper, he added, “As much as anyone consents to the Society.”

I suddenly felt ill. That woman could have easily manipulated him. I didn’t trust any of them.

Sebastian pulled a flask from the inside pocket of his jacket and took a swig. “I don’t think I want to see what she has on the menu.”

I tapped on the side of the metal container. “You bring your own booze?”

“Occupational hazard. One of the first things you’re taught in...ah...”

I finished for him, “Spy School?”

He laughed. “Yes, spy school. Never drink what the enemy is serving.”

Xavier retrieved the drink from my hand and set the glass on a table nearby.

Sebastian laughed. “X, poison isn’t typically what I worry about. I can’t afford to get drugged.”

“No, you’re right, better safe than sorry.” Xavier glanced around the room.

The man in Dr. Crazy-bitch’s room screamed. A crimson stream trickled down his cheek.

“My king, can we...” I leaned around him looking for a quiet corner to talk. “...sit over there?” I pointed to the corner.

“Sure.” He agreed, but eyed me suspiciously.

On a bank of tufted ottomans in the center of the room, sat two nude men with two nude women. Each woman knelt between the men’s widespread legs. Each of the women’s heads bobbed as the onlookers watched them suck the men’s cocks.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to how people could meander around sipping drinks, talking about sports with someone fucking, sucking, getting whipped or cut a few feet away. With every minute the amount of flesh exposed in the room increased. While bare, each person’s bracelet was easy to see.

Xavier pointed to the unoccupied leather sofa. “Here?”

I nodded.

He sat, and I immediately climbed into his lap facing him.

Sebastian took the seat beside us.

Xavier smiled. “Elaine, does this place have you keyed up?”

I leaned forward and kissed his neck, working my way to his ear. I nipped the lobe.

He glided his hand over my ass, forcing me closer to him.

“Permission to speak without the ‘my king’ nonsense since they can’t hear me?”

“Permission granted.”

“I know that snake woman.”

“How?”

I kissed him and wiggled my hips against his.

He squeezed my ass. “You keep that up and the only thing I’ll want to hear from you is you telling me how great my cock feels inside you.” He lifted my skirt, teasing his fingers along my bare skin. “No panties, remember. The only thing between us is my zipper.”

My lips descended to the divot at the base of his throat and I sucked.

He groaned.

“Xavier, you’ve got forever to fuck me. I need you to listen.”

“Is that a promise?”

I raised an eyebrow. “That you can fuck me? Have I ever refused you?”

He gathered me even tighter against him. His gaze demanded my attention. “No, not that, even though it’s good to know. I meant forever. Are you willing to give me forever?”

He always picked the worst times to seek commitment.

“Yes.” Before I could utter the next sentence, he clutched my head between his hands and crushed his lips against mine.

I pushed against his chest. “You need to listen.”

“After you agree to marry me.”

“Really? You choose now?”

“You said forever.”

“You are insane. Listen... That...that...snake woman was my therapist.” That got his attention.

“What?” He lowered his voice. “Victoria England was your therapist? Why haven’t you ever mentioned you’d been to therapy?” He gripped my arms in a vice like hold.

“Because I only went once, and I didn’t even stay through the session. She freaked out about my father like most people do. I left. Funny, her doctor persona is almost southern belle, not Medusa. But even stranger is that she freaked out about my accident, my scar. The wounds were still healing at the time.”

“You need to stay away from her.”

“Yeah, no worries there.”

A man in his late forties sat on the sofa beside Sebastian. His salt and pepper chest hair descended into a thick trail that ended at his erect cock. His equally naked companion, a woman in her early twenties, with long, blonde hair and plump, rounded features knelt at his feet tethered to the end of a chain the man commanded. Her diamond-studded collar looked more like something a poodle might wear, rather than a sex-slave.