Subordination:Chronicles of a Domme(37)
Once again, gasps rang out. From people’s expressions, I could tell they were feeling just as vulnerable as I had earlier in the day. For the vast majority of members, their lives could be ruined if their secret got out.
The crowd parted as Robert, the club’s owner, walked through. When he got to us, I braced myself for anything from him taking my staff card to having me arrested. After giving me a fleeting look, he turned his attention to Calla. “Gianni, I want Mistress Calla removed from the premise immediately. Escort her to her locker and make sure she takes all her personal possessions because she will not ever be setting foot back in this club again.”
Calla’s face paled as her lip that I had busted trembled. “Robert, surely you don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do.”
“But we’ve been friends for years. You can’t possibly turn your back on me after everything we have been through.”
He gave a contemptuous laugh. “You silly cunt. I wouldn’t care if you were my own blood. You fucked over my club, so you’re dead to me.”
Calla’s eyes widened in horror as she shook her head back in forth. “Robert, please.”
He gave her one final look of disgust. “Get her the fuck out of here.”
Before Gianni could drag Calla away, Everett stepped forward. He pointed a finger at the patch on his leather cut. “You see this?”
“Y-yes,” she whimpered.
“You remember what this cut looks like and what I look like. If you even think about squealing to the cops or you do anything else to my cousin or her boyfriend, I will hunt you down. And what my cousin just did will be nothing compared to what I’ll do to you. Do you understand me?”
She squeaked a yes before Gianni dragged her away. Once she was gone, Robert turned his attention to the crowd. “Okay, folks, show’s over. Go back to partying. If you haven’t already had your allotted drink, it’s on the house. If you have had one, have another. I’m sure after what just went on we all could use one or two.” After motioning to the DJ, the music cranked back up.
Robert then turned his attention to me. “I should have you arrested for disorderly conduct and fucking with the vibe.”
“I’m not sure what section of the law “vibe fucking” falls under,” I countered.
The corners of Robert’s lips fluttered before he smiled. “I always did like that smart-ass mouth of yours.”
“I’m sorry I caused such a scene, but I had to confront her.”
“I suppose having her called into my office was a completely ridiculous idea.”
“You should know me well enough by now to know that I was never going to be able to be within three feet of her without bloodshed.”
“Considering what she did and the repercussions, I can’t say I blame you.”
“I’m glad you see it my way.”
“For what it’s worth, you’re always welcome here, and you always have a job here. If I can do anything else to help you and William, just let me know.”
“Thanks, Robert. I appreciate that.”
“You’re welcome.” With a wink, he added, “Now get the fuck out of here. Until you’re gone, no one is going to unwind and have some fun.”
“No problem.” Jerking my chin at the elevators, I said, “Come on, guys, let’s go.”
Everett extended his hand to Robert. “Nice meeting you.”
“Same to you. If you boys should ever want to come and play, I’d be happy to give you a few guest passes.”
Everett snorted. “That’s nice of you to offer, but I like to beat the shit out of people on my own time and turf.”
After eyeing Everett’s cut, Robert nodded. “Have a good evening then.”
“You too.”
I could feel the heated stares on me as we made our way to the elevator. Once we got inside, Everett let out a low whistle. “What?” I questioned.
“Remind me never to get on your bad side.’
“Oh please,” I replied.
Everett shook his head. “You’re one hell of a fighter. You might could take me.”
“You can’t be serious?”
He winked. “Well, maybe if I was drunk.”
As I turned down the long drive to home, my stomach lurched and rolled. The last time I had been this afraid to face my father was when I was seventeen. That was the night I’d lost my virginity in a hayloft on my boyfriend’s farm. We’d fallen asleep, and our wake-up call came in the form of an old rooster.
After throwing on my clothes, I had dared to look at my cell phone. The sheer number of calls from my father sent dread pulsing through me. I don’t think the drive home had ever felt so long. After turning on the gravel road, the sight of the house in the distance had caused me to fling open the door and throw up. Once I recovered, I didn’t get far before I saw my father’s figure in the distance. He stood ramrod straight at the top of the porch steps. I couldn’t help wondering if he had stood there all night waiting for me to get in. I didn’t have to tell him what I had done—he knew by taking one look at me. While I wanted him to tear into me with yelling, he merely shook his head. His disappointment cut me to the core far more than any of his anger ever could have. And that is what I feared the most this time.
Nearing the house, I did a double take at the sight of what appeared to be my father once again standing on the porch. I would have given anything in the world for that to be true. But instead, Ansel stood where my dad once did, looking like his mini-me. With his arms crossed over his broad chest, he wore the same furious expression my dad had all those years ago.
Before I could take the key out of the ignition, Ansel had pounded down the porch stairs. He was on me the moment I stepped out of the car. With his face only inches from mine, he demanded, “Where the fuck have you been?”
“Look, I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t come home.”
“Yeah, well, a phone call might’ve been nice. When you didn’t show up for dinner, Dad freaked out. He had me go into town to look for you.”
I threw up my hands. “Once again, I’m sorry. There were reporters waiting for me outside the school. The last thing I wanted was for them to follow me home. As for calling, I just didn’t know what to say.”
“Where did you go?”
“I went to see Everett.” Thinking of my escapade in Atlanta brought a faint smile to my lips. “He let me crash at his MC’s clubhouse for the night.”
Ansel narrowed his eyes at me. “Were you with him?”
He said the word “him” like it was a swarm of locust. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no I wasn’t.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. I mean, it’s bad enough you’re screwing your boss like a cheap whore, but on top of everything, he’s a fucking pervert!”
His words momentarily cut me to the core. But even though I was wounded deeply, anger seethed within me. “How dare you talk to me like that?”
Shaking his head, he replied, “You make me sick.” He then stormed past me and started for the barn.
“Don’t walk away from me!”
“Fuck off.”
“Would you at least let me explain,” I called after him.
“Save it, and go talk to dad.”
I jogged after him. “Last time I checked, I was your older sister, and the one who told you what to do.”
Ansel spun around, his boots kicking up a cloud of dust around us. “Yeah, you get a big kick out of that, don’t you?”
“Excuse me?”
“Telling men what to do—you get off from it, right?”
“Ansel—”
“Who knew all these years you’ve been bossing me around that I should’ve been paying you for it.”
“You don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I? You boss men around and beat them.” He stared at me in disgust. “You’re nothing more than a whore who fucks for money.”
A volatile mixture of rage and hurt burned through my veins, and I acted before I could stop myself. My hand flew out and smacked his cheek.
Ansel’s eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. After all the years I’d helped with raising him, I’d never raised a hand to him.
Just when I opened my mouth to apologize, Ansel snapped, “Thank you, Mistress.”
Any remorse I felt quickly evaporated. Mustering all the strength I had within me, I shoved him hard, sending him staggering back. “You ungrateful little shit! How dare you stand there and say that to me? Have you even stopped to think for one minute why I became a Domme?”
“Because you’re a pervert who gets off from hurting men?”
“It’s never been more than a job to me. One I took out of necessity.” I swallowed the lump rising in my throat. “I did it for you and for dad.”
“Bullshit.”
“Have you ever stopped to think how it’s been possible for us to keep the farm? Dad hasn’t drawn a decent paycheck in three years. His disability barely pay the bills, least of all Susie’s salary. If I hadn’t stepped in with the money for the taxes, they could have taken the farm. We would have lost everything.”