Black Light: Possession, page 2
“Rough day, huh?” I lounged back against the bar on my elbows.
His lip curled in a snarl while he rubbed his forehead as though warding off a headache. “You know it was. And thanks for sticking around after I got called into the Assistant Director’s office, dickhead.”
“What did you expect me to do? Your attitude is what got your ass in trouble. I know you’re frustrated, but man, you can’t keep running off at the mouth. You’re gonna get yourself suspended, or worse, if you can’t fix your shit. I tolerate it because you’re my best friend. The higher ups we report to aren’t going to.”
“Damn it, Joseph, you don’t think I know that?” He spun around in the bar stool and stood to mimic my pose, his gaze unfocused on everything in front of him. Not even the sharp cry of ecstasy coming from the raised platform not far from where we stood could drag his attention from the explosive emotions he kept restrained. “These last two cases have just gotten me off my game. The fucking ‘Casanova’ case has gone completely cold over the last six months, and the Russian is presumed dead. Yet we still have five dead women at the hands of that piece of shit serial killer and hundreds more missing, presumably as part of this goddamn sex trafficking ring. How am I supposed to react?”
I smacked his arm to get his attention back to me. “Definitely not by telling the Assistant Director he has his head so far up his boss’ vagina that he wouldn’t know how to solve a case if it was handed to him.”
Nathaniel smirked a little. “I can’t help it if it’s true.”
I only shook my head. “Regardless, the fact is, you need to keep that shit to yourself.”
His expression dropped again and this time he scanned the room as if searching for someone. “I’m also feeling, I don’t know, on edge I guess. Like something is supposed to happen, but I can’t figure out what. There’s this tingle at the base of my neck, a shift in the atmosphere somewhere signaling that whatever is coming, it’s big.”
Over the last five years working together, I’d learned not to ignore Nat’s instincts. If he said something big was coming, I’d better brace myself.
“One shot of Patron. No salt. No lime.”
Nathaniel turned back toward the bar, grabbed the shot glass, tipped a salute to Klara, and threw it down the hatch. With nary a shudder at the straight liquor no doubt burning a path down his throat, he set the glass on the bar top.
“My thanks, Klara.”
She gave a small smile and snatched up the empty glass before disappearing down to the other end of the bar.
“You better watch it. Next thing you know, Spencer will be riding your ass about showing up here and irritating his woman.”
“Klara secretly likes me, even if she busts my balls on occasion.”
I ignored his comment and brought the conversation back to what was really bothering me. “I’m feeling the same way you are. The restlessness. The frustration. Everything’s getting to me, and I’m barely keeping things under control. Especially after Elizabeth.”
Nathaniel’s lip curled in disgust and his dark eyes blackened with loathing. “That bitch almost destroyed us. Spencer is lucky he revoked her membership. I wouldn’t have been responsible for my actions.”
Five months ago, Nat and I discovered the sub we’d been in a relationship with decided she wasn’t interested in a ménage. In reality, she was a viper we’d unknowingly let into our bed. Looking back, I couldn’t believe how dumb we’d been to let her try and play us against each other the way she had. Thankfully, we’d figured it out before she ravaged our friendship. I didn’t blame him for his anger. I felt it too. Mine was just slower to simmer, while his was fiery and burned deep.
“Maybe we’re both experiencing this agitation because we haven’t had a woman in a while. We’ve come to Black Light every weekend for the last four months, and every time we’ve left alone and frustrated. At least I have. I’m ready to settle down, Nat. Start a family.”
He let out a heavy sigh. “How do you think I feel? I’m closer to forty than thirty. I never thought I’d be saying this, but I want kids just as much as you do, Joseph. You were the one who kept telling me something didn’t feel right with Elizabeth, that there wouldn’t be any doubts if she was the one, but my stubborn ass didn’t listen.”
I’d just opened my mouth to respond when all the air was sucked out of me like a vacuum. Moving across the room was an angel in white. My vision tunneled to include only her. Toffee colored hair was bound on top of her head, a few tendrils cascading down to brush her cream colored shoulders. Even from this distance, I knew the top of her head would barely reach my chest. The large, tortoise shell glasses encompassed half her face, her eyes big and bright behind them. I was dying to see what color they were. Every inch of her body was flawless from the perfectly sized breasts to the dipped-in waist to the flared-out hips my fingers itched to grip.
Unconsciously, I took a step forward, but the hand on my arm stayed my movement. I jerked away and growled at the touch, ready to lash out at whomever was stopping me from meeting this woman.
“Earth to Joseph. What the hell, man?”
I shook my head at Nat’s voice and the tunnel vision cleared, bringing the whole floor of Black Light back into focus. Still, my eyes never left her.
“We need to go meet her.” My voice came out on a whisper.
“Who?” he asked in confusion.
I nodded in the direction the angel walked. “Her.”
I sensed Nat move closer to me and when he drew in a hissed breath, I knew he’d spotted her too.
My eyes tracked her movement. Fate had brought her here tonight. Maybe she was the one we’d been looking for. Maybe not. Either way, I certainly intended to find out.
Chapter 3
Madeline
When the cab pulled up in front of a storefront with a bright hand-painted sign saying PSYCHIC in bold purple lettering, I was confused. Where was this high-class club Garreth had talked up? He helped Hadlee out, then me, and my gaze darted up and down the street looking for something more. The bell above the door of the shop jingled when he opened it.
“Ladies.” He gestured inside and I entered the store with him following on my heels. My eyes scanned the dimly lit shop, my nose twitching at the clash of scents filtering through the room. My feet were moving me forward, trying to figure out where the hell we were going when I almost ran into Hadlee.
“Hello, Luís.”
I peeked over her shoulder, trying to see the person Garreth was greeting. It was then I spotted the Latino man sitting guard on an uncomfortable looking chair, half-hidden behind a curtain at the back of the shop. He smiled, lighting up his entire face and making the horrific looking scar running down the side of his face soften. He rose to greet us. The two men shook hands and he gave a respectful nod to Hadlee and me.
“Evening Garreth. Ladies. Be sure to have your membership card ready for Danny. You know how he is. Have a good night.”
He turned and opened a door I only now noticed behind him. Like a lamb being led to slaughter, I continued following my escorts and shivered inside the cold, but well-lit, tunnel. My excitement was growing at the cloak and dagger type entrance we appeared to be making into Black Light. It all reeked of mystery and intrigue with all the dark halls and mysterious men guarding locked doors. Even though I remained confused, I was more eager to see where this was going. When we stopped at the next door, Garreth turned to us, but directed his comments to me.
“I know you don’t need to be reminded, but I’m going to anyway. There will be some extremely prominent men and women inside here. People whose privacy is of the utmost importance. Parrish, I know you haven’t been here long enough to recognize the majority of them, but confidentiality is a must. There are DMs available around the entire club if you need anything. There is also a two-drink limit that is strictly enforced. You’ll have to put all your electronic devices in a locker. If you’re ready to go before we are, you only need to say the word and we’ll get out of here. In the meantime, let go of your shit and have fun.”
Childishly, I stuck my tongue out at him, which only made Garreth shake his head and Hadlee chuckle.
“You’re lucky you’re not his sub. My ass would be on fire if I tried that move with him.”
He reached for her hand and kissed her knuckles. “You know you love my punishments.”
With that, he turned around and opened the door. Instantly the base of the tunnel was flooded with an iridescent purplish light that made everything glow. He gestured us through and when we turned a short corner, there stood a muscular man behind a security desk.
“Danny.”
Muscular man smiled and looked less intimidating. “Garreth. Miss Hadlee.” He lifted his chin in my direction. “A guest?”
“This is my best friend, Parrish.”
Politely, I reached out to shake his hand. “You can call me Madeline.”
Danny stared at my outstretched arm before placing his warm hand in mind. “Enjoy your evening, miss.”
A glass window suddenly slid open and a woman spoke to us. “Good evening, Garreth.”
“Maureen.” He nodded in greeting while holding up his arm.
She swept a small wand emitting a purplish glowing light over his inner wrist. My forehead crinkled in puzzlement and then my eyes widened in awe at a brief glimpse of a barcode and number suddenly appearing on his flesh. Holy hell, what kind of place was this? I was actually impressed. Even my local, exclusive club back in North Carolina wasn’t this high-tech and secure. Garreth hadn’t told me much about the club, but it made me wonder what kind of people opened it that required this much security to get in.
Hadlee must have sensed my awe, because she squeezed my hand and whispered in my ear. “I’m glad you decided to come with us. I know you’ve been struggling lately, but I have no doubt you’re going to have a great evening.”
I smiled back at her, happy my best friend had found someone to love who was perfect for him.
“I’m sure I will.” My response lacked confidence.
We were interrupted from further conversation when Garreth handed me a clipboard and the woman in the window rattled off instructions. “Read over these, initial each page, and sign the last one. All of your personal belongings, including all electronic devices, will need to go into a locker before you’re allowed entry. If you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to find a dungeon monitor.”
I tuned out most of what she’d been saying as I scanned the NDA in front of me. From what I could tell, it was a typical agreement. I scribbled my initials on each page before signing it and handing it back to her.
Garreth pulled his wallet out and handed over cash.
“You don’t need to pay my way. I’ve got it.”
His only response was to shoot me a glare and my mouth snapped shut, even as I scowled right back.
“Left hand, please.”
I startled at the forgotten woman’s command. Knowing there was no point in arguing with Garreth right now, I stuck my arm out and she turned it over before stamping the inside of my wrist. I couldn’t see what she’d stamped on me, but I could feel the coldness of the wet ink before it dissipated as it dried. We headed over to the wall of lockers and I stashed my purse with phone inside the designated metal compartment.
“You ready?” Hadlee asked.
I looked over at her and almost laughed as she stood there giddy and almost bouncing with energy. “As I’ll ever be.”
We left the locker room and my breath caught at the club in front of me. Not even the club back in Pinegrove prepared me for the debauchery going on at Black Light. Suddenly, my whole body became lighter. It was like I’d come home. In wide-eyed wonder I wandered my way through the club forgetting entirely about Garreth and Hadlee. I stopped at one of the raised platforms that seemed to be spread randomly around the room to observe a scene going on. I shivered with arousal while I watched a Dom wield one of my favorite implements, the Wartenberg wheel. My nipples pebbled as I imagined the prickly points running over my skin.
My eyes continued to wander the room, and I struggled to take everything in. All my senses were firing, and I was feeling that endorphin-infused high. There was a frosted glass window like you’d see at the doctor’s office. That must be the medical/doctor play area Garreth had told me about.
I found myself flitting across the entire floor absorbing the sights, sounds, and smells of Black Light. There was nothing like hearing cries of ecstasy mixed with searing pain. The smell of sex was strong and teased my nose with the hope of what might come from the night. The musky scent had my core throbbing with a need unlike any I remember ever experiencing before. My body was ready to play. The problem was finding a likeminded partner.
I startled when a deep voice sounded far closer to my ear than I expected.
“I really hope you’re not looking for your Dom… unless of course it’s me you’re looking for.”
I inhaled a sharp gasp when I laid eyes on the man who’d spoken. The biggest and brightest blue orbs stared back at me, surrounded by sculpted cheekbones and a jaw that seemed to be chiseled from stone with a small patch of hair covering about an inch of the tip of his chin.
“And me.”
My head whipped to my other side where another breathtaking man stood so close I could feel the heat emanating off his trim, muscular body. His essence was in complete contrast to the almost light aura coming from his younger counterpart. This man was all dark. From his hair to the burning fire in his deep brown eyes. There was an intensity that made me want to purr at his feet.
“Cat got your tongue, love?”
My eyes jerked back up to meet mocha-colored eyes that I thought held a hint of humor, but I couldn’t be sure because his expression gave none of his emotions away. They both shifted positions until they stood directly in front of me and I was thankful I wouldn’t get whiplash jerking my head back and forth between them. Silence continued until I realized his question wasn’t rhetorical.
“No, I’m perfectly capable of speech.” I could taste the bitterness of the almost-lie on my tongue. They had no idea the effort it had taken me to form those six words. It was the first time in a long time I’d been struck dumb by a Dom. Let alone two of them.
“Perhaps you’d tell us your name then?” Blue eyes spoke this time.
I batted my eyelashes in an unpracticed move of flirtation. It felt awkward and unnatural so I had no idea why I’d even tried, but some insane part of my brain was leading things at the moment.
“Perhaps.”
A deep growl came from the dark beast with brown eyes. “Coyness doesn’t become you.”
I blinked at the assessment, because he was one hundred percent correct. I didn’t have a coy bone in my body, and the fake emotion was clearly obvious. My eyes lowered in deference.
“You’re right. I apologize. My name is Madeline.”
A finger under my chin tilted my head up and I stared into heated dark eyes. “That’s better. I’m Nathaniel and this is Joseph. However, tonight you can call us Master.”
Chapter 4
Joseph
Violet. Her eyes were the most stunning shade of violet. I could almost get lost in them. I was also curious to see how she responded to Nat. He was being aggressively forward, but between the two of us he enjoyed the slightly darker elements of our lifestyle — my penchant for breath play not withstanding. If she couldn’t handle what he dished out, no matter how disappointed I ended up, it was best to find out now.
Madeline’s eyes darkened at Nat’s command and her pupils dilated in arousal. I swore she let out a soft sigh of content. I waited with bated breath, wondering how she’d respond to the simple, but forceful, instruction. I could sense her indecision, and wasn’t sure if it was Nat’s presumptive nature or something else holding her back. Nat’s expression turned predatory when she blinked those gorgeous orbs and made her decision with a softly uttered, “Yes, Master.”
I leaned down and murmured into her ear. “You won’t regret this, Madeline. We’ll take extremely good care of you.”
She looked us over and her lips turned up. “I’m looking forward to it. Master.” She tacked on the honorific at the end.
“Is there anyone you need to check in with?” Nat questioned.
The few tendrils of hair fluttered back and forth when she shook her head. “My friends are here, but they encouraged me to play.”
“Good,” he nodded. “Why don’t we all get to know each other a little better first.”
We crooked our arms and waited to see if she’d accept our escort. I let out a breath of relief when, after only a slight hesitation, Madeline threaded her hands through our waiting arms. Nat and I both kept some distance from her. No need to crowd her and scare her off before we even got a chance to talk—and hopefully play afterward. We led her to a small table with a front row seat to a wax play scene playing out on the raised dais in front of us. Normally, I’d take the opportunity to observe one of my favorite kinks, but our violet-eyed angel had my full and complete attention. My eyebrows raised when Nat played the gentleman and pulled out Madeline’s seat. As she sat, he pushed the chair in and his hand swept across the back of her neck when he moved to his own chair. I hid my smile when a faint flush crossed her cheeks at his touch. It would seem the little sub was affected by our presence.
Once all three of us were seated, I discovered I was too far away from the beautiful woman at my left. Catching Nat’s gaze, I eyed the distance between our seats. We’d been a team long enough that he read my thoughts and practically in unison, we slid our chairs closer to Madeline. Close enough that there was an intimacy to our conversation without her feeling like she was closed in without a way to escape.
“Just so you know, there are DMs here to make sure all play is safe, sane, and consensual,” I reassured her.
