Unbind My Heart (10 page)

Flushing, her eyes flew to the door.  “The class is waiting?”

“Yeah.  How are you feeling? Ready to join them?”

Her hands shifted and covered her face.  “I don’t know.  How can I face them?”

“No worries, Sunshine.  You’ll get to see many of them tied up soon enough.  I promise, like you, they’ll be at their most vulnerable.  By the end of our twelve weeks, you’ll see a whole lot more of them, too.  Clothes always start coming off somewhere around week six.”

“You’ve taught this before?”

“Several times, yes, but never at my own dojo.”  Standing with her, he pulled her face up for a deep kiss.  “Watch and learn, baby.  You ready?”

“No, but I might as well get it over with.  But first, I really gotta pee.”

Chuckling, he pointed her toward the restroom.  While she was gone, he straightened the room and collected her things.  Waiting in the hallway when she emerged, he handed over everything, including the half-empty water bottle with an ordered, “Finish it,” then grabbed her free hand and tugged her along behind him.  There was no time like the present to face the rest of the class.

***

Tucked into Jonas’ Mercedes and heading for home, she still felt vulnerable despite his many reassurances.  On top of being self-conscious about practically coming in front of strangers, during the question and answer session, the other students had focused mainly on her response, despite Jonas’ attempts to redirect them.  That hadn’t eased her worries at all.  They had shot rapid-fired questions at Jonas.  How did you arouse her so quickly?  Is that a usual response?  Were you using shiatsu techniques?  How can I do that with my sub?  Is rope space different from subspace?  Is she a rope slut?

Jonas had shut it down after that last one.  If the questioner had been the least bit respectful and truly inquisitive, he would have addressed it, but the man had snickered childishly and Jonas’ patience had snapped.  In the blink of an eye, he’d seized the man by the scruff of the neck and, as though he didn’t weigh over 200 pounds, threw him out of his dojo.  His parting words were a growled “your check’s in the mail”.  His sub was shown the door, although much more gently.  What remained of the class was comprised of a lecture on the seriousness of Shibari and the respect owed to all submissives.

“This class is for adults.  There is no room for judgments, criticisms or childish behavior.  Anyone else feeling that way or who thinks they are incapable of controlling their behavior can leave now.”  Jonas had stood at the front of the class waiting.  His arms were crossed, and he had met the eyes of each student, communicating the seriousness of his statement.  When there were no takers, he’d given them a reading assignment and dismissed them until the next week. 

They were all gone, the door locked securely behind them.  Jonas had begun switching off lights in preparation for their own exit, when she asked her question.

“What’s a rope slut?”

“Forget that, Lexie.  He’s an ignorant putz.”

“Tell me, please”

Heaving a weighty sigh, he attempted to explain.  “In our community and at The Club, a slut is not necessarily a derogatory term.  It simply refers to a sub who enjoys his or her kink.  There’s nothing wrong with that.  I took exception to how he said it; the tone and the snickers were unacceptable and insulting to all the women in the group, most especially you.  I don’t suffer fools gladly and won’t have one in my class.”

“You handled him quite easily.  Your strength and skill are impressive, and kind of scary at the same time.”

Halting immediately, he turned to her.  “You’re not afraid of me, are you, Lexie?”

“Afraid?  No.  Intimidated, awed, and turned on as hell, absolutely.”  She laughed nervously, her attempt at nonchalance missing the mark. 

He’d given her an intense, assessing look, not at all convinced by her answer.  His eyes searched hers for a moment before he turned off the last light and whisked her out the back door. 

The vehicle braking brought her back to the present.  They were at her condo already, she noticed in surprise.  Neither had said a word during the twenty-minute drive home.  Jonas put the vehicle in park, turned off the engine and sat quietly for a moment before twisting to face her.  His features were distorted by the midday sun reflecting off the car beside them.  Jonas reached up and flipped down the visor, easing the glare and allowing her to see his troubled blue eyes.  They ran over her face and fell to her hands, clenched fiercely in her lap.  Taking one gently, he tugged until she relaxed them, raising one to his lips and pressing a kiss into her palm. 

“I’m sorry, Lex.  You shouldn’t have had to deal with that moron and his ignorance.  I thought I’d done a good job of screening out any ass—uh, undesirables.”  He turned his head and nuzzled his cheek in her hand, pressing it against his face.  “Even though he made me angry, but I was in full control the whole time.  I could have snapped his neck like a twig, but I didn’t.  The prick won’t even have a bruise come tomorrow.  I know my strength and skills.  I have trained years to gain this level of self-discipline.  You don’t think I’d ever hurt you, do you?”

  Her eyes searched his.  She felt an odd connection with this man.  He instilled a sense of safety, comfort and reassurance within her, not fear.  Her other hand rose until she was cupping his handsome face.  Looking deeply into his eyes, she tried to convey her sincerity so he’d believe her.  “No, Jonas, I don’t think you’d ever hurt me.”

“Thank God.  Come here, baby.”  Without waiting for a response, he released her seat belt and pulled her close, angling her face just right to seal their lips in a scorching kiss.  Lexie lost track of time, sinking into the delicious warmth of his mouth.  She didn’t even try to come up for air as she drowned in his seduction.

Finally, Jonas raised his head and murmured, “Let’s get you inside.”

He helped her out of the car, wrapping his arm around her as they walked to her condo.  He took her keys and opened the door.  There was a chirping sound as they entered, and Lexie quickly moved to plug in her code into the new security system.  Jonas had the Rossi team install it while they were out yesterday.  It flashed red; invalid entry.  Knowing she only had thirty seconds before the alarm started screaming, she tried again.  Fingers trembling anxiously, she entered the wrong code again and cursed under her breath.  Jonas, calm as ever, stepped up and brushed her hand aside.  He quickly cleared the alarm and deactivated the unit.  It flashed green, chirped once a few seconds later and read, “activated.”

“How many times did you set it off this morning?”

“Three.  I went out for coffee at 7:30, and the alarm company was calling before I finally got the right code in.  I’m lucky the police didn’t show up.  My neighbors are already giving me dirty looks.  ”

“You’ll get used to it.  Before I leave, we’ll practice more.”

“What if I can’t get it?”

“Then we’ll upgrade to a thumb print scanner.  Just relax.  You’ve had an emotional morning.  You need to eat some protein and do your yoga stretches.  Even though you’re very limber, but I don’t want any sore or strained muscles.  Understand?”

“Yes, Sir,” She said, giving him a little smile, while rolling her eyes on the inside.  She was the nurse after all.

“Okay then.”  Pausing, he watched her closely for a moment before reluctantly saying, “I should go.”

“But I thought I’d make lunch and we could hang out.”  Unexpected tears filled her eyes as she thought about him leaving.  “Won’t you stay with me for a while?  I feel kind of wired.  I guess that’s how you’d describe it.”

“Of course I’ll stay, but we talk first.  Let’s sit down.”  Taking her hand, he walked with her to the couch facing her patio doors.  He sat and pulled her down into his lap.  “I recognize what you’re feeling.  It’s an emotional letdown from earlier. You just haven’t recovered yet.”

Cuddling close, she pressed her cheek against his broad chest, finding the steady thud of his heart reassuring.  “We’ll talk and hold each other, whatever is needed, for as long as is necessary until you’re recovered, but no sex.  No tempting or teasing me, is that clear?”   

A wave of hurt crossed her face and a tear escaped.  “You don’t want me?”

“Never that, Sunshine, but you are temptation in the flesh.”  He pulled her across his lap, his rigid length against her soft bottom.  “Feel how much I want you, but I won’t take advantage while you’re vulnerable.  We’re too new to each other.  You’re too new to what you’re feeling.  If we were an established couple, I’d have taken you right there on the studio floor, the class be damned—have no doubt—but I want you clear-headed when you decide you’re ready.”

“I am clear-headed.”

“No, you’re fuzzy, weepy, and your eyes are still glazed over.  As a nurse, you understand the highs and lows of endorphins and an adrenaline rush. Sometimes the effects are mild and last for hours; other times it’s more intense and can last for days.  We’ll wait.”  His tone said he wouldn’t abide any arguments.  She wanted him to take her to bed, but she needed him to stay with her more.

“Yes, Sir, you’re the boss.”  She said this with a soft, encouraging smile as she tried to lighten the mood. 

“Damn straight. The time will come for intimacy. Don’t get the idea that because I’m going slowly, I won’t take control when necessary, even outside the bedroom.  Especially with the threats we’re facing.  If I find your door open again or the security system disarmed or if you start acting as recklessly as Elena or the twins, I’ll have no problem taking a page out of Cap’s DD handbook and will paddle your beautiful behind until you learn my rules.  Got it?”

   The twins and Elena had told her about the domestic discipline in their relationships.  Some of it sounded extreme, although the girls seemed to be okay with it—even enjoyed it.  Oddly enough, all three of them had said it made their relationships stronger.  How would she feel if Jonas decided to paddle her?  The idea alone had the tingling along her inner thighs returning with a vengeance.  A sudden image of being draped over his lap as he swatted her bare butt filled her mind and man-oh-man, was it hot!

“Uh-uh, Lexie, I know that look.  I’m serious.  If you want a spanking, I’m happy to oblige, but do not test me, especially on the safety issue, or you might just get what you’re asking for and be all the sorrier because of it.”

“I won’t push you, Jonas.  I understand the danger.”  She wasn’t confident enough to ask for it or experienced enough to act like a brat to manipulate him into it.  She didn’t know whether she’d ever be that experienced.  Deciding it was safest to change the subject, she offered something they could both agree on, “How about I make us some lunch?  I’m starved.”

Jonas wasn’t fooled by her evasive tactics.  “I mean it, Lexie.  You are not going to be the next Rossi woman to get kidnapped.”

“I promise to be smart and follow your safety rules, Jonas.”  Cupping his smooth cheek again, she raised her face for a kiss.  “I’ve patched some of those girls up in the aftermath, remember?  I don’t want anything to do with that nasty business—I swear.”

She stared into his unflinchingly intense gaze as he searched her’s resolutely.  His face changed as he correctly read the cooperation and understanding she intended, and his easy smile returned.  “That’s my girl.”  Squeezing her tightly, he ran his hands down her back before giving a firm pat to her bottom and setting her from him.  “Now, did you mention lunch?

Cap sat in his office at Rossi headquarters looking at the poor-quality grainy photographs that his would-be client had obviously printed from his home computer.  They were clear enough to make out the image of a male sub
—an older man—in tight bondage.  He was tied in four-point restraints to a St. Andrew’s cross.  Cap was barely able to control a shudder when he saw the metal cage and weights attached to the man’s cock and balls.  The Club was open-minded, whether a member was Dom or sub, Master or slave, gay or straight, all were welcomed without criticism or ridicule for the way they chose to live in the lifestyle, but damn, that looked like it hurt. 

Maintaining his professional demeanor, Cap flipped through the half dozen pictures of the sub in various positions pausing briefly on the last one—a threesome.  The male sub was servicing his Domme with his tongue, while another Dom was using the sub anally.

Cap looked across his wide desk at the obviously uncomfortable and very embarrassed Judge Jenkins.  He sat on the Circuit Court in San Antonio, and if memory served, his was an elected position. 

“I’m sure you can imagine what those pictures would do to my career if they got out.  I’m up for re-election this fall.  It would ruin me.  Even if I wasn’t running again, I would be disgraced professionally if these went public.”

“And you say these arrived in your personal email this morning?”

“Yes.  I can’t go to the police, Tony.  It would leak out for sure.”

“Where is the email that came with the pictures?”

Reaching into his coat pocket, the judge pulled out a folded white paper.  Solemnly, he handed it over.  “I’m sorry.  It looks like whoever is out to get me wants to use my membership to close The Club down.”

Cap unfolded it and read silently.

Jenkins, you sick fuck…

It's one thing to be an abuser of women like your Green Beret friends,

but when you let a woman beat your ass with a paddle

and allow a man to sodomize you… 

Well, that’s all kinds of twisted.

You have thirty days to get your friends’ operation shut down.

Or I go public with the pictures

That’s thirty days, three—zero, motherfucker!

P.S.  Tell Captain Dickweed and his buddies at The Club that I won’t rest until his den of inequity and abuse is shut down.  When the subjugated are released from the shackles of their oppressive slavery, once and for all, only then will I rest.

Tony didn’t flinch—Captain Dickweed—that was a new one.  He had seen this type of hate mail before, however.  Even the threat wasn’t all that unique.  The only difference was that this time a member, not an owner, had been targeted.

“I’m sorry about this, Steven.  Obviously, someone has breached our security at The Club.  I will gather the team and we’ll get right on this.  Jonas is a top-notch computer man and I’m sure he’ll be able to track this down.  He’ll need access to your personal computer.”

“Of course, I’ll cooperate, however I can.”  The judge looked frazzled, the stress from the potential exposure of his private life displayed clearly in his worried expression. 

“No expense will be spared, Steven.  This impacts all of us.”

After the judge left his office, he picked up the phone and spoke into the interoffice intercom.  “Conference room, now.  Jonas, bring the files.”

***

Within an hour, Cap and his team were assembled.  Jonas manned the computer and brought up images of all the emails on the huge wall-mounted smart board. 

“I had a new client in my office today.  He received an email threat and it’s club related.”

“Is it linked to the emails you, Rick and Dex received?  They didn’t mention The Club, did they?”  Sean put into words what the others were thinking.

“That’s what I wanted to take a look at.  The first specific email came to me, threatening paybacks to those closest to me.  I thought at the time he meant Megan.”

“Mine came next with vague threats about payback,” Rick spoke up, adding, “Snake eaters and buddies were mentioned, but nothing about The Club or Regan, at all.  That’s why we thought it was Rossi- or Special Forces-related.”

“But mine definitely threatened Elena,” Dex remarked next.  “It said she would be a down payment on our debt.  She had to be the songbird he was referring to.”

“They’re not from the same source, Cap.”

“Why do you think that, T?”

“Can you pull up today’s email alongside the others, Tech?”  T waited and with a few clicks, Jonas had the Judge’s email surrounded by the others.  The room was quiet as they all focused on the screen.

“Look at the first three.  They’re short, concise and direct with the threat of revenge directed toward us.  The use of Elena as payback was a change in M.O. toward the end, but the threats against us remained the same.  I imagine he was stepping up his game.  The judge’s email is exclusively about The Club, shutting it down and rescuing the subs.  No revenge is mentioned, nor anything remotely military or Rossi related.  This last one is from a lifestyle hater.”

Silence invaded the room as each man studied the emails from Lil T’s perspective.

“I agree.  Damn!  That means we’re looking at two separate threats.”  Cap concluded.

“It also means we have a mole.”  Jonas scrolled through the pictures.  He’d scanned them, cleaning them up as much as possible using enhancement software.  Coming to the twelfth and final picture, he paused.  Unfortunately, it was the most extreme image and had the same effect on the team as it had on Cap.  Most of the men couldn’t suppress the shudders and hisses of sympathy that escaped as they looked at the judge enduring cock-and-ball torture. 

“I could have gone a lifetime without seeing that in high-def, Jonas,” Sean complained, looking a little green around the gills.

“Sorry, guys, just looking for clues.”

“In his cock cage, Tech?”

“You know me, T.  I’m nothing if not thorough.”  Jonas switched back to the emails. 

“Shelby is the key,” Dex concluded softly.  “She had to have taken those pictures and her associate must be carrying on without her.”

They all nodded in agreement.

“The cops haven’t gotten anything out of her and she refuses to talk to any of us.”  Jonas immediately pulled up Shelby’s file and displayed the pages on-screen, allowing everyone to study them.

“This needs a woman’s touch.”  All the men turned to Lil T in question.  He grinned smugly, always enjoying when he got one up on his older, more experienced partners. 
He
“Zoom in on page five.”  The single page roster of Shelby’s high school class popped on screen.  Taking the laser pointer from the table, T pointed to Angela Hixson’s name. 

Cap shook his head.  “You’re slipping T.  Angie questioned her several times and came up with nothing.”

“Sorry Cap, my aim with this thing isn’t too accurate.  Look a few lines down.  Rachel Monihan, I believe, is Angie, Megan and Regan’s cousin, better known as the lovely Moon.”

“Damn, T,” Rick said with a grin.  “You’re getting pretty good at this, for a youngster.”

“Nah, I just don’t have to put on my bifocals to see the obvious.”  It was friendly banter.  As the youngest of the group, T was used to being ribbed about his age, and, as a result, he’d become adept at trash talk.  

Cap started giving orders.  “T, talk to Angie and see if she can get Moon’s buy in.  Dex, Rick, Jonas: let’s talk to our women.  Surely between the four of them, someone was friends with Shelby or they know someone who was.”

Jonas frowned.  He hadn’t thought about Lexie.  She was a few years behind the others in school, so the odds were against them being friends.

“I’ve seen Meg’s cheerleading pictures, Jonas.  She and Lexie were both on the squad with Shelby.”  It was as though Cap had read his mind.  “If Moon can’t help out, Lexie’s our next best bet.  Shelby would associate Megan, Regan and Elena with Decadence.”

“She couldn’t know Lexie and I are together; it’s just been a few days.”

“That’s what makes her perfect.  Neither she or Moon have played at The Club.” 

“I don’t like this and don’t want her dragged into a dangerous situation.  It’s bad enough that being with me makes her a target, but to bring her directly into the investigation is like putting a bulls eye on her back.  Who do we have available, Cap?  I need someone on her 24/7, starting yesterday.”

“Kyle or Dano are between assignments.”

“Kyle,” Dex suggested.  “He’s eager for an assignment after being on the sidelines from that concussion.  He’s cleared to return to duty, have no fear.  Besides, we may need Dano to help with Moon.  She’s taking one of his classes, and they seem to be on good terms.”

“Moon is submissive?” Cap asked, surprised. 

Rick was also floored.  “She’s always been adamantly vanilla and claims to be at The Club solely to hear Elena perform.  This is a drastic change of tune.”

“She’s taking the beginner’s Dom class,” Dex corrected.

“No shit!”  Cap murmured in disbelief.  “One of the LBD girls is a Domme.”

“I’m good with Kyle,” Jonas interrupted, refocusing the conversation on important matters.  Lexie’s safety was the foremost thing on his mind. 

“Consider it done.  We all know how you feel, Jonas.  When I got the first threatening email, I went off, if you remember, to the point of breaking it off with Megan to keep her safe.  Whatever Lexie needs to be safe, you’ve got it.” 

Cap’s promise didn’t help Jonas worry less.  The other three girls had all been victimized, despite 24-hour security.  Megan had been snatched right out of Lil T’s arms. 

As if sensing the direction of his thoughts, Cap volunteered, “My advice, Tech: be very firm with the rules.”

Jonas nodded.  “I’ve already addressed it.  The taking of Rossi women ends now.  I won’t let it happen with Lexie.” 

All the men nodded in agreement.  Each time a woman had been taken had cut them deeply.  They took their work seriously and when it was one of their own, it hurt tenfold.

“Sean,” Dex spoke up, the frustration clear in his voice.  “You and Jonas are going to have to look at security again at The Club.  Until we ID Shelby’s accomplice, we’re vulnerable.  I want to know how a camera got back in the member’s area in the first place.  With our no-photographs and no-cell phone policies that shouldn’t have happened.  If word gets out security can be breached, our membership will go to shit.”

“We’re on it, Dex.”

“I’m also freezing membership applications.  No new members until we get this solved.  I also plan to review the files on all current members as well as any guests who have played in the members-only areas for the past year.  There has to be something we’re overlooking.”

***

Jonas escorted Lexie into the Bexar County Jail later that afternoon.   Considered a flight risk, the judge had denied Shelby bail, so she’d spent the past several weeks sporting an orange jumpsuit while she awaited trial.  After the role she’d played in Elena’s kidnapping at the hands of two drug dealers, Lexie had a hard time forgiving Shelby’s actions.  Still, she couldn’t help feeling sorry for her.  In high school, she had been a popular, friendly, vivacious girl.  For her life to have taken such a drastic turn was shocking.

“If you don’t want to go through with this, say so and we’re gone.”

Jonas had been on edge ever since Cap had proposed Lexie visit with Shelby.  “Cap says she could have vital information to help you figure out who’s behind these threats.  She hasn’t had any other visitors, so she’s probably lonely and eager for some friendship.  I’d like to try and see if she’ll talk to me.”

“Why couldn’t she have been friends with Angie?  She’s a trained interrogator.”

“I’m pretty good, having worked in the ER for several years.  Besides, there will be guards everywhere.”

“I’m not worried about you getting hurt here.  I’m worried her partner will find out about your visit and start looking your way.” 

His hand rode possessively on her lower back and she could feel the tension in his body.  “I’m the best bet, Jonas.  The other girls are linked to The Club and she doesn’t trust

Angie.  With Moon out of town, what choice do we have?”

“I still don’t like it.  Angie and I will be watching and listening.  At the first sign of trouble, I’m pulling you out of there.”

Angie met them at the door and escorted Lexie to the visitation room.  Just like on TV, she sat in a hard plastic chair at a long table with dividers.  She’d been expecting thick glass and to have to talk to Shelby by phone, but Lexie figured that was just for state prisons, or Hollywood.  A few minutes later, Shelby was escorted in.  She paused when she saw Lexie, tears forming in her eyes as she sat across from her. 

“Lexie, good Lord, it is you.  When I heard you were my visitor, I couldn’t believe it.  What are you doing here?  We haven’t talked in years.”

“Not because I didn’t try, Shelby.  You kind of went off the grid on me.”