Red Handed(33)

Dressed in a see-through black mesh dress, Cassandra sauntered up the stairs with what appeared to Danielle to be a triumphant grin. As soon as the troublemaker caught sight of Master Cole, she schooled her expression into one of remorse. As she had earlier in class, she dropped to her knees in front of him. “Master Cole, I’d like permission to scene with Anthony Rinaldi.”

“Permission denied. Please stand.”

She tossed her long red hair over her shoulder as she complied. “May I ask why?”

Cole remained calm, calmer than Danielle would be in the same position. She didn’t understand why he indulged her behavior. “As your Master, I don’t have to explain my decision to you, but since you’re a trainee and this is a learning experience, I will. Rinaldi is a sadist and not the kind you read about in your BDSM romances.”

She raised a brow. “Then why is he a member?”

From the dungeon, two men climbed the stairs, Michael trailing behind them. The taller of the men wore a black business suit and was built like a football player, while the other, an older man with graying brown hair, was dressed casually in jeans and a Polo shirt. Which one was the sadist?

Answering Cassandra, Cole didn’t seem to notice Rinaldi’s approach. “I’ve known him for a number of years, and he’s been a member of Benediction since day one. So long as he follows the rules, a sadist has just as much of a right to membership as any other person. However, unless you’re a masochist with a high pain tolerance, this is not a man to tango with.”

“Cole,” the older man said smoothly, offering a hand. “I wasn’t aware you were running a dance studio.”

Michael’s phone rang, and he answered, motioning to Cole with his hands that he was needed elsewhere. At Cole’s nod, he headed toward the kitchen.

Cole eyed Rinaldi’s outstretched hand but didn’t shake it. “Anthony. I’m told you tried to negotiate a scene with my slave trainee. You’re aware you need to obtain prior approval, yes?”

Undeterred by Cole’s rejection, Rinaldi winked as he dropped his hand to his side. “You and me, we go back a long time. I figured by now, you’d trust me.”

Danielle sensed an undercurrent of animosity in Rinaldi’s words. Cole remained calm, but his hands twitched as if he was keeping himself from saying what he really felt.

If Rinaldi didn’t follow the rules, why wouldn’t Cole terminate his membership?

“My decision has nothing to do with trust,” Cole said in much the same way he’d told her he didn’t bring slaves to his bedroom. “Everyone, including Benediction’s original members, must adhere to our policies. Cassandra is not a masochist, and as her Master, it is my role not only to see that her limits are honored, but to know when to add limits for her own protection.”

Rinaldi tilted his head and ruminated for a moment. “Fair enough.” Then to her horror, he turned to her. “I don’t recognize you.” His assessing gaze slid down the length of her body. “I don’t suppose there’s any hope this one’s a masochist? What’s her name, Cole?”

Cole shoved him. “You will never fucking touch her. Don’t talk to her. Don’t even look at her. You’re not worthy to breathe the same air as her, and you’re certainly not worthy of learning her name.”

Danielle froze. Why was he so protective of her?

A sick grin turned Rinaldi’s otherwise unremarkable face into one of a psychotic. “No worries. I can see the girl means something to you.” He smacked his cohort on the back. “Let’s go find us a masochist. I’m itching to cause some pain.”

Although they could access the stairs if they went right, Rinaldi swaggered left. “Welcome to Benediction, Danielle Walker.”

An icy chill swept through her. Why had he asked Cole for her name if he already knew it?

Cole tensed, and his eyes darkened as he watched Rinaldi leave. Gracie laid a gentle hand on his arm and shook her head. “He’s not worth it, Master. Let him go.”

Rinaldi disappeared from sight before Cole moved a single muscle.     Then he turned to Cassandra. “We’ll need to speak tonight about whether you’re committed to Benediction and your training as a slave. Until then, you’re to return to your room. You’re excused.” Swallowing hard, Cassandra wisely kept her mouth shut and ambled toward the kitchen. “Gracie, thank you for your assistance. As a reward, I’ll set up a scene for you with Ryder and Morgan.” As if nothing had occurred, he returned his hand to the small of Danielle’s back.