Engles had trained Sweet Dove how to become a sadist.
Reyes’s voice filled the room. “And be silent, slave.”
“Yes, master,” she whispered.
“Very good, Reyes.” Engles’s approving voice made Angelica cringe. “She’s probably just in shock. Now, on to more important things.”
His dismissive tone gave Angelica some relief. As long as Engles thought her worthless, he wouldn’t assign too much weight to anything she did.
He cleared his throat. “Now that you’ve brought your slave under control, I wanted to let you know that Scorpion asked me to speak with you tonight. I see that you’re surprised, but I’m happy to tell you that he has singled you out, hopefully for a quick promotion to the Board of Governors.”
“I beg your pardon?” Reyes was clearly stunned.
“I think you heard me.”
The leather chair creaked as Reyes shifted his weight. “I don’t understand, Engles. I’ve been a member for two days now. What have I done to deserve that kind of elevation? I wouldn’t say I’ve proved myself yet.”
“I understand why you’re skeptical, and in my view you should be. I don’t agree with the concept generally. You’re relatively new to the lifestyle and you have some growing to do. Our leader, however, believes differently and thinks you possess tremendous potential. And perhaps this will be an excellent means of proving yourself, since Scorpion has a requirement, something very simple and basic that I’m sure you won’t have the smallest problem fulfilling.”
Angelica’s chain vibrated against her neck. Clearly, Reyes didn’t like where this was headed.
“And that would be?”
“A bit of fun, actually. Scorpion commands a private show, just you and your slave, engaged in bondage play. The choice of dominance would be yours, chains, ropes, silk scarves, whatever you prefer. I will be there, of course, with my own slaves. Scorpion usually doesn’t allow me to attend, but he’s made an exception in this case. He knows how much I value your slave’s attributes, and if you haven’t figured it out by now, Scorpion and I are close business associates.”
Angelica’s mind blitzed out once more.
What had she been thinking when she’d agreed to stay? She had thought maybe she’d have to perform fellatio again. But something like this, having others view a full-on sex act while she was tied up, had been beyond the scope of her imagination.
Angelica?
For a moment she didn’t realize Reyes had just contacted her telepathically. Coming out of shock, she responded, I don’t know what to say.
A simple no will end this now.
But you think you should accept?
I want access to Scorpion, to meet him, to understand my enemy. This is so much more than I’d hoped to achieve. If I could get on the board, I’d be able to gather the information I need to destroy this organization.
Angelica didn’t know what to say. She understood how much this could mean to Reyes, but she was having a hard time getting beyond the idea of performing in what would essentially be a sex show.
His voice was once more in her mind, but softer this time. Never mind. I’m asking the impossible of you.
She heard him draw a deep breath, preparing to refuse, but she was suddenly moving toward him on her knees. She bent over his lap, her hands on his arms. “Please, master, you must allow me to do this for Master Engles. I was rude before. I want to make it up to him and to you.” She knew that right now Engles had a clear view of her ass, with only a narrow thong covering her.
Angelica, I can’t do this. I wasn’t thinking of you.
With her head buried against his slacks she said, But I agreed to be with you and we both know that if you refuse you won’t get close to the leadership for months, maybe years, maybe never. Engles is not a man to be refused. Even I know that. Please say yes. We can argue later if you want.
“Engles, I owe my membership to you, something I’ve sought for decades. The least I could do is oblige you and Scorpion in this.”
Angelica leaned back on her heels. She watched Reyes lift his glass to Engles.
“Good man,” Engles said. “I’ll e-mail you the details. And now, I must get back to my party. Do you have other events to attend?”
“A few.”
“Enjoy.” He rose from his chair and held his hand toward the doorway.
Angelica trembled as Reyes tugged on her leash, and she gained her feet as well.
A sex show. Oh, God.
###
Reyes led Angelica out, but because Engles followed he kept her in front of him. He really didn’t need to be battling Engles right now, but Reyes still wouldn’t let the bastard touch her.
Reyes moved in a state of shock. So much had been said in that room that he didn’t know which disaster to examine first, or the truly startling reality that a command performance could lead him to a seat on the board.
Once in the foyer, Engles parted from them with an easy wave of his hand. Reyes guided Angelica outside and commanded her to move down the slope of Engles’s property to the riverside walk below.
Reyes realized she was distressed. Are you absolutely sure you want to go through with this? He could always cancel. I can feel that you’re trembling.
She kept her head lowered. I’m just overwhelmed, but I’ll do better soon. As for the sex show, we have to do it because from everything you’ve told me, getting on the board is critical.
Good. Then we’ll consider it settled. But what happened in there? Did you have another vision?
Yes, but I don’t want to talk about it right now. How about when we return home?
Of course.
By now they’d reached the stone path by Engles’s dock. Reyes was about to tell her they could leave anytime she wanted, but she suddenly murmured, “No, oh no.” Then covered her mouth with her hand.
At first he didn’t understand what had happened. He looked at the raucous party and watched slavers and their captives moving back and forth. He glanced at Angelica and saw that her eyes had filled with tears. He tracked her gaze to the deck on the left.
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 circles around her eyes were deep.
And just like that, Reyes had had enough.
He didn’t care who saw him. He swept Angelica up in his arms and shifted abruptly to altered flight. He took his time, not wanting her to be sick again, but he flew her the hell out of the cavern, rules or no rules.