Derision (The Broken Bonds 7)

Later, there were deposits into his account from Alexis as her brother then blew right through her half of the insurance money.

But knowing what I know about the woman sitting across from me, I doubt that dissuaded her compassion for the junkie. Once her assets went dry, unable to send him any more money, he cut off communication with her.

I don’t know why I’m wondering about it now, other than the possibility that her brother could prove to be a distraction for her. A variable which may need further investigation on how to be remedied should that happen.

The limo pulls to a stop before the hotel, and Alexis appears less tense. I hide my smirk, letting her feel the relief of not being subjected to some tawdry sex club, as I suspect she assumed.

Jefferson opens the door for us and I exit first, offering her my hand. “You were expecting something different?”

As she accepts my hand to stand beside me, she nods. “I don’t know, but I wasn’t expecting this.”

The Skylark boasts eight floors in the heart of downtown Arlington. All sleek reflective glass and steel, the elegant building absorbs the city lights, casting the city’s shimmery reflection back at itself.

It was a risky investment at the time I acquired it and began the renovation—the biggest risk I’ve ever been persuaded to take—but the hotel is now the flagship of one of three Hotel Skylarks. The other two located in more prime locations, such as D.C. and New York City.

“I’m glad you’re impressed. Walk behind me at all times,” I instruct as I straighten my suit jacket and head toward the revolving door. Jefferson waits until we’ve entered the hotel before he parks, where he’ll wait to be notified.

The desk concierge nods to me as I stroll through the lobby, the scent of fresh gardenias in the air. I give him a curt nod to let him know I’m here on business, not a random inspection. The hard lines in his weathered face smooth some at this, and I head toward the bank of elevators.

Once we’re inside, Alexis settles against the wall of the steel car as I push a key in above the keypad. After I enter my four-digit code, the elevator begins its ascent to the penthouse.

“The top floor?”

My shoulders tense at her outburst. “Did I give you permission to ask a question?” I face her, my expression resolute. We haven’t had any official training, and I need her compliant. She’s the first sub I’ve ever taken on, and the partners will be studying us—studying me. Looking for a crack, a weakness to exploit.

As soon as I smoke out the offender, I’ll let him hang himself with his own noose—then make an example out of him. Until then, none of them can be given the impression that I’ve become weak.

Hostile takeovers happen with far less gain for the offerer, and as I have yet to be approached by one of the partners, I’m sure this is a hostile attempt to acquire control over The Firm. Which is far more profitable than acquiring majority shares of Lark and Gannet.

I doubt the weasel has weighed the risks, however. If any of the clients get a whiff of a takeover, they’ll enforce they’re out clause. It’s a safeguard I set up that ensures their privacy, as well as mine, in the event any threat of exposure is made. But before it comes to that, I prefer to handle this matter myself, instead of risking a forced shutdown.

My temples ache, the pressure creeping in. I hold Alexis’s gaze and she soon bows her head. I pull out the blindfold from my pocket. “Come here.”

As she moves closer, I turn her around and slip the black satin mask over her head. “This is for theatrics, showing you as being welcomed in. Purely decoration.” Her fingers trace the slits over her eyes that allow her to see.

“May I ask a question?”

The tension wrapping my muscles eases some. “Yes.”

“Do I need a password? And why the top floor?”

Two questions, but I don’t reprimand. Semantics. “No passwords required,” I say, facing the doors as the car approaches its stop. “This is an exclusive members only association. If you’re here, you’ve been invited. And no dark dungeons located in some secluded mansion basement. It’s not like the movies, so you can wipe away any preconceived notions and simply obey my orders.” I look at her. “That’s of utmost importance. Your objective is to please me tonight, and you’ll succeed only by following all orders without question.”

Her body trembles. I hook a finger under her chin and pull her gaze to mine. “Trust, Alexis. I won’t demand anything of you that I feel you’re not ready for.”

Her eyes keep mine through the openings of the blindfold, then I break our connection as the doors open. “Always walk behind me,” I remind her.

There is always a beginning and an end. To everything. But unlike history denotes, marking the moment of change, the impact, it’s the length of time between the two points that’s significant.

As I enter the penthouse, the comforting sense engulfing me, I’m reluctant to reach the end any time soon. It’s more than despising change; it’s reveling in my creation.

I built this floor with precise specs. With the initial play party in mind, majority of the room is an open floor plan with thick gray pillars running floor to ceiling. There are sections for different fetishes or theme

d play, sheer black curtains draped between sitting areas for voyeurs. The floor is lacquered gray cement. Rough but elegant, complimenting the red and dark gray walls.

The entire ceiling is covered with woven steel rafters. All the sleek, black-patent leather furniture hung from chains. Each section promotes its own theme: St. Andrew’s crosses in some, benches with restraints in others, Shibari in the next with adorning ropes streaming from the rafters.

I only get a few steps inside, the dimly lit room flickering with candlelight beckoning me home, before I turn to scrutinize Alexis. Her soft green eyes are wide behind the mask, her hands gripping the hem of her dress.