Dark (Beautiful Ashes #1)(42)

E howled out, “Show time.”

Despite the tension in the room that was enough to earn a few chuckles. Keeley appreciated his sense of humor more in that moment than she ever did before. He was a good man with a beautiful heart. Nik was too. And as she gave a sidelong glance Tar’s direction, she acknowledged he was another one. She couldn’t believe her luck, surrounded by such wonderful men—men who would do anything and everything to keep her safe. Too bad they couldn’t save her from herself, she thought as they went back to the restricted dungeon.





Chapter Eighteen





Keeley’s heart raced, keeping a tempo like a thoroughbred in the final stretch of the Kentucky Derby. Braxton could not be the man Mitch was investigating too. And how the hell did this all work with the other secret assignment her and Leith were on? He leaned in where she was hanging from the leather cuffs and purred, “Ah, my lovely, we meet again.” He inhaled deeply at her neck sending shivers of terror ricocheting throughout her nervous system. “So your Dom is ready to give you to another?”

“Yessssss,” she hissed as he bit below her ear.

“You’re afraid of me,” he gloated. “Perfect. Though I’m sad to say, things won’t be quite as acute at this club.” He struck her with the flogger along her tender ribs.

Bastard knew she was sore after what he’d done to her at the underground. She didn’t want to fucking like it. Did not want to crave the fear he heightened, but she did. So much so that she was aroused to the point he’d notice. E’s club was different. She knew they were watching as did Braxton, but not in a full-view area. This was more private and concealed. No one watched without permission from both parties. Shame and guilt filled her that her traitorous body responded this way. Her heart screamed at her to use the safeword. With the next strike along the inside of her thigh, she implored, “Please, more.”

Braxton wanted to fuck this one. He didn’t know what it was about the girl, but he fought like hell not to take her. She would fight and that was what he wanted most. He grabbed a belt next and as he struck her sweet breasts, Braxton began to comment, “If you were all mine and we were in the privacy of my home, I’d show you just what I can do to your body. Make you come without ever touching you with my dick, my fingers, or my mouth.”

Keeley groaned. He kept talking like that, with strikes to her erogenous zones, and she would. Oh, she’d hate herself for it, but it was absolute fact. He already had her so close to orgasm. She must focus. For those girls who didn’t choose this. For Mitch, Nik, and E sitting in the other room. For Tar. “Tell me, Sir, what it’s like.”

“So sweet. I should wash that mouth out with my cum for your insolence.” His next strike was right on the cusp of brutal.

Keeley cried out, earning another just like it. Fucker was aroused each time he caused enough pain she screamed, “Sir.”

“You going to use the safeword?” He struck again, hard, right over her exposed clit. Tears blurred her vision. “I’m—”

“I need to know,” she interrupted while pleading.

Braxton pulled her head back by the hair and whispered in her ear valuable information. Not enough to charge him, but it was tangible. He broke away from her, breathing heavily. “Little girl, you will be my undoing.” Holding up a hand to give a signal, the door opened. He watched as Keeley was released from her chains and called, over his shoulder, “Be here in three days, same time.”

Keeley was leaning heavily on the other woman assisting her. “Yes, Sir.” Her eyes met his and a chill traveled her spine. This man would destroy her. She knew it, but the masochist craved what he offered. In over her head, she should confess it all to Tar. Yet she wouldn’t. She’d lie to herself that it was all for a good reason, the greater good. But it was just that—a lie.







“What the fuck?” Tar roared when he saw E carrying Keeley.

Nik took a protective stance between the two men. “Easy there,” he cautioned.

Mitch walked in, closing the door behind him. He gestured for Tar to take a seat. Tar couldn’t bring himself to sit. “Give her to me,” he growled at E.

Once more, Nik got right in-between them. “Back the fuck up.”

“Nikko, he’s fine,” E assured, passing Keeley to him.

Tar took his exhausted girl and sat down heavily, caressing her back as she slumped against him. “Someone start talking,” he growled.

“Contrary to how this looks, things went very well,” E explained. “She did great and he likes her, which is all good. Means we may be closer to cracking this wide open than we realized.”