Little Light of Mine (Club Decadence) (16 page)

Chapter Fifteen

The following Wednesday Elena returned to The Club and was getting ready to perform her usual three sets.  Although Dex had argued she was going back to work too soon, she had prevailed for once.  She told him she would feel better keeping busy rather than dwelling on the latest trauma in her life.  She had been tenacious in her arguments and it cost her a few well-deserved swats on her bottom, but she was back on stage performing.  Her audience noticed an obvious difference in her song selection.  Gone were the heart-wrenching songs of lost love, now replaced by ones with more positive messages.  

Dex was seated at a front table with Megan, Regan, Rick and Cap.  She sang to him as if they were the only two people in the room.  She glowed with happiness and the light of love beamed from her eyes.   The showstopper had been when she sang the Al Green classic, “Let’s Stay Together”. 

Within seconds of her singing the famous first lines of the bluesy ballad, Dex had joined her on stage.  He bent her over his arm and captured her mouth in a soul-searing kiss.  The crowd went wild and Ronnie the lead guitarist took over without missing a beat as Dex carried her off stage to find a more private location.  She didn’t return until the final set and was welcomed back with cheers, wolf whistles and cat calls which made her blush.   

Their family and friends were thrilled with their reunion.  Elena’s friends especially were caught up in the loving words and passionate gestures between the couple.  They were fascinated by their reunion and were sucked into the drama and romance like it was a story line from an afternoon soap opera. 

The following Wednesday, Regan and Megan declared as LBD day at The Club.   All the subs would come to watch Elena perform dressed to the nine’s in their little black dresses.  It happened to be open sub night so the twins invited their cousins Moon and Angela, Jenny their pastry chef and Lexie Berry.

The women sat at a table in the front row but off to the side worried they would distract Elena as the liquor flowed freely.  Megan was supervising as she was due anytime in the next two weeks and was sipping on a virgin strawberry daiquiri.  Regan and the other girls were sharing a pitcher of margaritas and were singing along with Elena as they started to feel the mellowing effects of the alcohol.  Regan had shared that she had been given a strict two-drink minimum by Rick because he had hopes for playtime later that evening.

The girls had a wonderful time, chatting and reminiscing about high school all under the watchful eyes of The Club owners Cap, Rick, Dex and Jonas who were all stationed in the lounge that evening.  The twins were in matchmaking mode and called Master Jonas over to meet a blushing Lexie.  Regan knew that Jonas was busy opening a mixed martial arts studio but was also looking for a model to help him with a private project.  Regan thought that Lexie with her gymnastics and modeling experience, as well as her openness to BDSM, would be perfect for Jonas, in more ways than one.

Jonas was a tall, well-built Dom who at 6’2” was a few inches shorter than Cap, Rick and Dex, but he was no pushover.  He was a karate grand master and also held belts in Taekwondo, and jujitsu.  He could take down any of the guys, even Cap and Lil T who were bigger and outweighed him by thirty or forty pounds.

Regan invited him to join them as he walked up to their table during one of Elena’s breaks.  Cap, Rick and Dex had also joined the ladies table and each held their subs on their laps.  Cap had his arms full with a squirming and protesting Megan. 

“I’m too big to sit on your lap, Captain.” She grumbled and then let out an uncomfortable moan as she pressed her hand against her swollen belly.  “One of these buggers has a knee or an elbow in my ribs.”

Cap rubbed her distended belly and smiled,
always right there to offer a supportive arm or hand in this case.  “Just sit here quietly and let me soothe our boys, Angel.”

She surrendered her argument and leaned back against him, letting him massage her belly with his big hands.  She moaned in pleasure. “That feels so good I don’t care if I squash you, Captain.”

“It looks like you’re about to pop anytime Meg.”  Lexie laughed with a twinkle in her eyes.  Her short little friend was enormous with her twins, looking almost as wide as she was tall.  “Maybe I should get my black bag out of my car just in case.”

“Bite your tongue, woman.  No way is she delivering my boys at The Club in front of all these gawkers and perverts.” Cap grumbled this as he watched Megan’s belly ripple in waves as the twins jockeyed for position in his wife’s womb.  There couldn’t be much room left in there.

“Maybe I should get you home, Angel.”

“No Tony, please.  I want to hear Elena’s last set.  She usually does such sad ballads.  But now that she’s back with Dex, I can’t wait to hear her new material.”

“I go on in a few minutes, Cap, and it’s a short set.  Dex asked me to be done by midnight from now on.”

“Yeah, and I’m thinking of pushing that back to eleven.  I’m getting tired of sharing.  These poor slobs will have to find someone else to drool over and fantasize about into the wee hours.

“Dex, no one’s doing that.”

“Wanna bet?  I saw some new guy giving you the once over earlier.  Jonas had to hold me back.”  He said this as he rubbed his nose along her exposed shoulder and sensitive neckline.  He was very possessive and protective of his little submissive.  As he licked at her leather play collar he made a mental note to dig her public collar out of storage as soon as possible.  He wanted everyone to know she was unavailable and belonged to him.

Jonas nodded and confirmed the accuracy of Dex’s claim.  “I thought I was going to have to get him in a sleeper hold there for a minute.  Either that or we would have had a barroom brawl on our hands.  Sean would have been pissed if he had to order new furniture again.  Most of this stuff is brand new.”

They all laughed and Regan looked at Lexie and Jonas with a twinkle in her eye.  They looked good together.  Her wholesome girl next-door image complemented his All American good looks and athletic build.  “You know Master Jonas, Lexie has done some modeling.  She might be interested in that project you have in the works.”

Rick gave Regan a warning squeeze, knowing his matchmaking wife had Jonas in her sights.  Regan ignored his warning. She wasn’t meddling; she was just connecting two people with a common interest.

Jonas looked at Lexie and admired her wholesome beauty.  She wore little makeup, which gave her a fresh youthful appearance
that pleased him.  Many of the club sumissives had too heavy a hand with the makeup brushes and he didn’t care for it.  He admired her figure in her bright yellow halter style dress.  It showed off her curves to perfection, baring her shoulders and upper back.  Her tanned skin had a healthy glow and was further enhanced by the bright yellow fabric.  She had long wavy brown hair streaked with blonde highlights from the summer sunshine.  He smiled, thinking that was exactly what she reminded him of, a ray of sunshine.  “I’m very pleased to meet you, Lexie.  That’s a very pretty dress.”

She blushed and her friends giggled.  “Thank you.  It seems someone forgot to give me the memo that it was little black dress night.”

“Well, you’re a refreshing ray of sunshine in this sea of perpetual black tonight.”

The other subs sighed at this bachelor Dom and his charming, smooth-talking ways.  If they had been watching, they would have seen the other men roll their eyes.  Jonas in heartthrob mode made the women melt.  With his smooth, effortless James Bond delivery, he got them easily and every time.

Jonas seemed to be oblivious to the interaction surrounding him.  With his focus entirely on Lexie he asked, “Do you have an interest in the lifestyle or the martial arts?”

Megan interrupted then, “Master Jonas is an eighth degree black belt grand master or something of the sort.  Did I get it right Master J?”

Cap frowned and met Rick’s eyes; could the twins be any more obvious?  He gave his subbie a little pinch on the behind.  She yelped and looked at him over her shoulder as if to say, “What did I do?”  He just shook his head in a not so subtle warning to behave.

Elena joined in next. “Aren’t you opening a studio soon?”. 

“Yes to all your questions ladies.  The studio actually opened a month ago and classes have filled up quickly.  But let’s give Lexie a chance to answer my question.  About your interest?”

“I’ve actually been doing Tae Chi since college.  I also do some yoga.  I enjoy the meditation and health benefits of both.”  She blushed as she felt everyone’s eyes on her.  She didn’t really want to broadcast her interest in the lifestyle just yet.  Jonas recognized her reluctance and came to her rescue.

“I apologize for being so insensitive.  May I suggest we move our conversation to that corner table over there where we will have more privacy?”  Lexie immediately responded to his request that was actually more of a command and allowed him to guide her to the private table.  He murmured an excuse to the rest of the group and signaled for a waitress to bring him a beer.

He seated her and then took the chair to her left, sliding in closer as he sat.  “I forget that we have open nights sometimes, Lexie.  You might just be curious although I think I can recognize a submissive when I see one.  Am I correct?’

“I… um, I’ve never really thought…” she stammered, her tongue surprisingly tied around this handsome, dominant man.  She lowered her gaze shyly.  His watchful eyes were compelling but also disturbingly intense.

“And there it is, a very submissive response.”  He took her hand in his much larger one and admired her clean short nails.  The long acrylic red ones just didn’t do it for him.  He smiled deeply as he realized he found this shy newbie very appealing.  “Let’s talk about my project, shall we, and give those blushes time to die down?”

He chuckled when her face flamed a deeper red and she smiled self-consciously.  She held her cheeks trying to cool the burn with the coolness from her drink.  “I’m not usually so ditzy and shy.”

“I find your blushes very becoming but I really don’t mean to embarrass you.  What do you know about the Japanese art of Shibari?”

Lexie’s jaw dropped open.  Oh, my God.  He was into rope bondage.  How had the twins known that they had matching kinks?  Lexie had never let on to Elena, Meg or Regan about her secret fantasies.  “Uh, well… I’ve seen some pictures.”

“And what did you think?”

“I found them quite beautiful actually.  Not the trashy porno ones but the really artistic ones with good photography, lighting and intricate ties.”

“Hm, a few pictures did you say?”  His interest in her sparked. Was it possible she was more interested in bondage than she let on?  He intended to explore the possibility further but first he needed to get to know her better.

Elena, Regan and Megan all shared secretive smiles as they watched the two hit it off.  Dex shook his head and looked at the other Doms silently conveying a message. “What we have here gentlemen, is a trio of matchmaking submissives who are urgently in need of correction.”  And do it was that after Elena’s firnal set, Dex and Rick escorted their cupid wannabes to the private areas for some much needed attention while Cap escorted a very uncomfortable Megan home.  

Chapter Sixteen

Two weeks later Dex paced in front of his desk in his office at Rossi.  “Son of a bitch!”  He usually tried to keep his cursing to a minimum but needed to vent some of the fury churning in his gut.  He had called Cap but he was out of the office.  He now waited for Rick and Jonas to arrive.  “Damn it to hell!”  This curse was accompanied by the crash of a glass picture frame striking the far wall of his office.

“Christ Dex, what has you all riled up?”  Rick spoke from the doorway as Jonas moved into his office and took in the broken class covering the wooden credenza and hardwood floor.

“I got a love note from our stalker and a blackmail package today.”

Rick understood his friend’s anger now and he stepped into the office and closed the door.  Jonas flopped down on one of the leather chairs in front of his deck and cursed, “I’m really getting tired of this shit.” 

“Yeah, and you only know about the emails.”

Rick heard the thinly veiled rage in his friend’s voice.  “What’s in the package, Dex?”

Dex told his friends about the hand-delivered package that had come without postage or a return address.  It contained the photos Elena had warned him about.  She’d told him they were graphic, but when he actually saw them he’d been beyond angry.  Two men were manhandling his woman.  While one restrained her, the other had a hand down her pants and was groping her breasts.  Coupled with the threatening email, he was close to losing control.

“I’ll need the package to check for prints Dex,”  Jonas said softly, knowing that his friend wouldn’t want sordid pictures of Elena common knowledge.  “I have a friend in forensics at the department. I trust him to be discreet.”

“One of the men holding her was Luis Lopez, I can tell by the tattoo on his arm.  The other is probably one of his kiss ass toadies, either Bobby or Eduardo.  Looks like one of them is trying to grow a pair and follow in Luis’ corrupt footprints.”  Dex handed Jonas the package and then resumed pacing.  “Hell, she’s just starting to heal from all that happened.  I don’t want this to get in the way of her progress.”

Jonas flipped through the pictures, frowning.   If he didn’t know better, he would think the trio in the picture was into a heavy ménage.  Her face was covered by her long dark brown hair.  Elena’s was short, curly and black now and the girl in the picture had flawless skin, not a tat in sight.

“I have to ask, are you sure this is Elena?”  Dex shot him an incredulous look as if to say, “Seriously?”  “I told you, I had to ask.  It's just that these don’t look at all like her.”

“Those were taken over two years ago.  She told me they forced themselves on her while a buddy took those pictures for blackmail purposes.  They threatened to send them to me and imply she was cheating if she didn’t become their drug mule.  They had others from a play party that they were going to send to her father.   They were of us… well, needless to say the leather and skin exposed in those would have fried her papa’s retinas."      

“So, the man who she thought was her brother for twenty some years, raped and assaulted her, let his buddies put his hands on her, then blackmailed her and made her a drug mule.  Holy Christ, Dex.  No wonder she tried to-,” Rick abruptly bit back his last remark.  Bringing up her suicide attempt in front of Jonas would have been a breach in trust. 

Jonas was quickly adding up all the details. “That’s why she ran from you, turned to the drugs, changed her appearance, got the tattoos.  She was off the rails, big time.  Shit!  I want to kill that son of a bitch all over again.”

“You and me both, buddy.  But, I’ll settle for the other two bastards for now.”  He handed Jonas a sheet of paper.  “I also got this by email today.  Just another shot to the gut, huh?”

Are you ready to pay up snake eater?

You’re tasty little song bird would make a fine down payment

On the debt you and your asshole friends owe me.

“This is the first time he’s been specific.  Obviously Elena is the little song bird.”  Jonas leaned back in his chair and rubbed his face in frustration, “Son of a bitch!”

“Do we have any leads at all?” Rick demanded.  “If he knows about Elena, this asshole must also know about Regan and Megan as well.

“That’s a reasonable assumption, Chief.  I have no leads at all.  I was able to track all of the emails but he uses a network of relays.  With a lot of work, BS and payola, I was able to trace them back to Internet café’s back east.  All were sent from public computers in coffee shops that coincidentally have no security so I couldn’t match up the video with ISP’s and time stamps.”

“Bottom line then Jonas?  Our women are sitting ducks for some revenge-seeking asshole.”  Dex flopped down behind his desk.  “I’ll need to ramp up the security at my place and put a man back on Elena.”

“We have no choice.  Until he shows his hand, we’ll have to maintain defensive positions and lock the girls down.”  Rick looked at Jonas.  “What about you and Lexie?  Is that serious?  Do we need a man on her, too?”

Jonas considered this option.  Things were very new with Lexie.  They hadn’t even had their official first date yet.  Maybe he needed to back off until the stalker was caught.  But this had been going on for almost a year.  He didn’t want to put her off indefinitely and lose his shot.  He nodded in frustration.  “It’s a good thing the new office in Los Angeles is raking in cash from all the new business.  The steady flow of income from that business line will help cover all the personal security we’re running here at home.”

“Yeah, sounds like Cap, Eric and Lil T did a great job getting that office up and running.”  Dex agreed and let out a tired sigh.  “Where is Cap anyway?  We need to bring him up to speed on this?”

Rick grinned, “Last time I saw him he was in pre-meltdown mode.”  At their puzzled expressions he elaborated, “Megan called him en route to the hospital.  She’s in labor and about two weeks early at that.  I thought Cap was gonna lose his shit when he flew out of here about thirty minutes ago.”  Rick looked at his watch and got up, heading for the door.  “I better get a move on myself.  I promised Regan I’d pick her up and take her over there.  Knowing my woman she’s climbing the walls right about now.”