He took off the mask again, wishing he could keep it on but knowing the next part of his plan wouldn't work if he did. Carrying it carefully, he slipped out the back door of his house, locking it behind him. He hated having to sneak out of his own home like some grounded teenager, and silently cursed his father for the hundredth time that day.
Gio snuck around behind the house, crossing several of his neighbors' yards until he was a block away, far from Rizzo's line of sight. Then he pressed the button on his ride-sharing app and waited on the corner until the car came to pick him up.
“Nice mask,” the driver commented, peering at Gio in the rearview mirror.
“Thanks,” Gio answered, cradling the fanged dragon face in his lap.
They rode in silence for the rest of the trip.
Chapter 21
Carla
As Carla stood outside the gallery's entrance wearing her mask, she saw Gio approach with his own mask in one hand and a leather bag in the other. He noticed her outfit and smiled wolfishly.
“Hey, that dress looks mighty familiar,” he chuckled. “Except we're gonna have a much nicer time tonight, ain't we? You ain't gonna be yelling at me and running for the door. Not if you know what's good for you, at least.”
Carla nodded. She was so nervous at the prospect of more “play” with Gio—especially in public—that it felt like ants were crawling around in her veins. She took several deep breaths, trying to tell herself that she should be less frightened this time around.
Unlike their first session, they'd be surrounded by witnesses, ensuring that Gio wouldn't decide he was finished with her and kill her. Still, not knowing what he had planned for her made her lungs tighten in her chest.
More whipping this time? Hot candle wax?
Or something that would leave more permanent marks on her?
She could tell Gio was savoring her trepidation based on the gleam in his eyes as he put his mask on. “While we're in here,” Gio said, “you can think of this place as an extension of the one I've got at home. Which means the same rules are going to apply. Understand?”
Going to, she thought. Not “gonna” this time. Now that the mask's on, he's discarded his bored gangster persona in favor of something that might be closer to his authentic self. Interesting.
“Yes, Master,” she answered, lowering her eyes immediately so they wouldn't make contact with his.
Gio laughed. “Perfect. You learn fast. Your yellow word tonight will be water. Your red word will be air.” He opened the door, gesturing for Carla to enter first.
As she stepped in, the first thing she noticed was the smells—heavy sweat, sex, leather, and a strange plastic scent which she identified as lube after a few moments. The air was filled with fake mist and colorful strobing laser-lights, bouncing off the walls and people in hypnotic patterns. The walls and floor thrummed as the sound system pumped out a song by Nine Inch Nails. The bass was so loud that the lyrics were drowned out and every note felt like sharp fingernails scraping against Carla's eardrums.
False faces appeared and disappeared in the mist all around her—animals, skulls, angels, demons, all with human eyes peering out of them. Many of them looked her up and down appreciatively as they passed.
Gio leaned in close, talking directly into her ear. “Now strip,” he commanded.
She felt an icy stab of panic. She'd never been naked in front of a room full of people before.
“But what will I do with my clothes and purse...Master?” she finished quickly, almost forgetting how she was supposed to address him. She hadn't brought her badge, gun, or phone, obviously, but she still didn't love the idea of leaving her things in some leather-freak version of a coat check room.
Gio's eyes glinted at her above the roaring dragon's mouth. “I'll carry them,” he said, “and that had better be the last time you hesitate or talk back when I give you a fucking order. Take it all off. Now. And stop looking into my eyes or I'll hurt you even worse than I'd planned.”
Carla handed her purse to Gio and stepped out of her shoes. Then she inched out of the cocktail dress, exposing her breasts, and slid out of her panties. She bundled the clothing and shoes up and handed it all to Gio, standing completely naked.
Gio nodded and took the bundle, tucking it into his satchel along with her purse. Then he withdrew the collar and chain leash, handing it to her.
“Put this on,” he said.
She slipped the collar around her neck, buckled it, and clipped the end of the chain to it, handing the other end to Gio.
“Now get down on all fours and walk ahead of me,” said Gio.