Entrusted: A Drug of Desire Novel Page 5

  “My own bed.” With a submissive who looked like her.

  “What?” She shook her head and laughed.

  “I’m serious. After a while, all the places and people blur together and the only place I want to be is in my own bed.”

  “Well, here’s hoping that tomorrow you get to sleep there.”

  Wouldn’t that be great?

  “Do you tilt right or left?” he asked.

  Raven grinned. “I’m a lefty.”

  “Good to know, I guess.” He shouldn’t need to kiss her, at least not at a business dinner, but he wanted to. If he kissed Raven once, he’d want to do it again, and neither of them needed him distracted tonight. “Let me tell you some stories I tell Victor every now and then.”

  “Are these your back when I played football and scored the winning touchdown stories?” She sighed heavily and rolled her eyes.

  It was his turn to laugh. Too bad this was a one-time gig. Raven could be a fantastic cover. But this was his last job. One more night. Another dinner. And they were done. He’d make sure Raven got home safe, and then he’d never see her again. It was a sad thought, but really, what did she need a guy like him for?

  Victor paced through the empty club. In a matter of minutes, the doors would open and the patrons would slink into this den of sin. He’d known people who had depraved tastes, and on occasion, he liked a woman who struggled, but this was a whole different world to him.

  José had hidden his proclivities well. Victor had turned over a couple dozen rocks looking for the stinking, fetid skeletons he knew the man was hiding. Hell, he’d been at the point where if he didn’t find something on José soon, he would have had to kill him—just to cover his ass. No man lived without secrets. And secrets were never kept for long.

  His phone vibrated and he glanced at the screen. It was his idiot of a boss, the pompous kid who thought he would take over his father’s business. If Victor had his way, he’d sink them and toast their deaths while taking over.

  But first, he needed the right people.

  Raven squinted at the two-story building as the rest of the Columbian’s friends got out of the SUVs. Matías was at her side, a hand pressed against the small of her back. When Victor said they would go out for dinner, she had expected a restaurant. The building they’d pulled up to was one of many night clubs, lit with ropes of neon lights. Music thumped from each establishment, so loud it jarred her teeth. The highs of techno and the pulsing base of club electronica melded together with the laughter of people stumbling from club to club.

  A line of people wrapped around the building closest to them. The would-be patrons weren’t dressed in typical club attire. Some were in fairy costumes, except chains wound round their arms. Others were in fanciful outfits with gags over their mouths. Many wore cuffs or collars. What kind of a place was Victor taking them to for dinner? Was it too late to back out?

  “What is this place?” Matías asked Victor.

  “A local club promoter put this together. It’s the latest thing. Fetish Ball. I believe you have these in America? I did my homework. I think you’ll like it.” Victor smoothed his hands down his jacket. Despite the darkness, she could feel his gaze stabbing her in the chest.

  Fetish Ball? What the hell was that?

  I’m just a wallflower. I don’t matter.

  Raven had a bad feeling about this.

  Matías rubbed his hand in small circles against her back. She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned into him, soaking up all the comfort he had to give. At least she had 007 in her corner.

  “This is unacceptable,” Matías said.

  “My people, we need to know every part of your life, José. Even this.” Victor edged closer, his hands up, his voice pitched so low she almost couldn’t make out his words over the music. “We don’t condemn. It’s very—interesting.” His gaze flicked to her.

  Victor was an evil man. She felt it in her bones every time he looked at her.

  “We are done,” Matías said. He grasped her hand. “Come on.”

  “José, don’t be so hasty.” Victor grabbed Matías’ arm, but Victor’s gaze was on her. “We need to show these men they can trust you. What better way than sharing this world with them?”

  “Haven’t I done enough to prove I’m trustworthy?” Matías jerked his arm out of Victor’s grasp.

  His gaze snapped to Matías. “Trustworthy enough to peddle some coke? Yes. Trustworthy enough to show you our factory? To be able to fly shipments in and out of our borders? No.”

  For a moment, neither man moved. Raven didn’t know much about the drug trade, but this sounded like a big deal. Sort of like revealing your secret clubhouse. Except this clubhouse came packed with drugs, guns, and people who wouldn’t hesitate to kill them.

  “Sit with us. Have a drink. Eat,” Victor said.

  “Give me a moment.” Matías’ voice was a low growl. He pulled Raven after him as he paced down the street toward a bodega. “Don’t look behind us.”

  “What’s going on?” She swallowed hard and held tight to his hand.

  “I did a job a long time ago that involved participating at a BDSM club. I’m guessing that Victor has uncovered bits and pieces of these other identities and assumes they’re all the same version of me.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Which part?”

  “All of it.”

  Matías led her into the convenient store and began studying bottles of water. “I’ll tell you more later, but what I’m guessing is that he’s about to try to shock us. He’s assuming we are kinky, into alternative sexual practices. Now I get why he’s been staring at you so much.”

  His hand tightened on hers to the point it was uncomfortable.

  She was scared. None of this made any sense. But she had Matías with her.

  “What do I need to do?” she asked.

  “Watch like you’re into whatever is going on. Pretend it’s normal. Try to not stare.”

  “Don’t stare, but watch?”

  “You know, there’s gawking-staring, and then there’s watching.”

  “I’m going to do what you do. How’s that sound?”

  “Good. Ready to do this?”

  “No, but we’ll do it anyway.”

  Matías leaned in and kissed her temple. She held perfectly still, holding her breath as his lips grazed her skin.

  He purchased two snacks and a bottle of water before they returned to Victor’s group in front of the club. Matías didn’t even say anything, he just nodded to the open double doors and the hooded doorman.

  Victor led their group to the doors and glanced over his shoulder, a smile on his face.

  She didn’t like it when that man smiled. It made her feel nauseous and apprehensive. What were they walking into? Fetish Ball? BDSM? She had no idea what to expect or how to try to be normal. If it weren’t for Matías leading her after Victor, she might have turned and fled.

  They stepped through the doors, into a short foyer. Lights painted the walls in blues and greens. Two women were chained on either side of the entry, wearing little more than metallic bikinis and fairy wings. A scream punctuated the music and Raven jumped, clinging to Matías’ hand. Her heart pounded and she glanced around, but no one else seemed alarmed by the sound.

  Matías squeezed her hand and they stepped into the club proper. An L-shaped bar was doing brisk business with scantily-clad people wearing costumes, some of them a hodgepodge of things a person might have at home, while others were…elaborate. A statuesque woman sauntered past, wearing a shiny black bodysuit and cat ears. A man leaned against the wall, dressed in a woman’s corset, suspenders and stockings—no underwear. Raven found somewhere else to look, except now she noticed nudity she’d skimmed over before.

  Victor led them through a large archway into what would be the dance floor in another club. A portable stage was roped off in the middle, and three women were suspended by rope like a human chandelier. In another corner, two X-shaped
crosses were bathed in red light. Four men prowled around a man and a woman strapped to the devices, wicked-looking instruments she had no name for in their hands. All around her, colored lights illuminated the most shocking displays of human sexuality she’d ever seen.

  A couple feet away, a woman was strapped to a table, and two men clipped everyday clothespins to her flesh. In a circle of amber light, a woman was handcuffed to a pole on a go-go dancer’s platform having her bottom spanked.

  “Raven?” Matías said, his voice low

  She turned toward him, trying to keep her face neutral, but she could feel the tenseness of her muscles and the corners of her eyes stretched.

  “What do you think about that?” she asked him in English.

  “I think this is a very well-operated Fetish Ball. Look.” He pointed to the stations roping off each section and a person poised at the edge of each. “I’m guessing those people control the spaces. I think these are professionals, and people line up to—experience their talents.” He surveyed the room as if this were a commonly acceptable thing.

  She shifted her weight from foot to foot. The craziest she’d ever gotten was having sex in her boyfriend’s car in a parking lot while people passed nearby. The idea of getting caught had thrilled her at the time. That seemed weak in comparison to what they were watching.

  She took a deep breath. This wasn’t normal for her, but it could be like watching a performance. She took another deep breath and found her center somewhat.

  A whip cracked nearby and she jumped, gasping and turning to see what had happened. The woman handcuffed to the post whimpered and danced on one foot, yet she smiled. Why?

  “Come this way,” Victor said.

  Matías tugged her into following. Their little party skirted the room to a back corner where a large, circular booth was marked as reserved.

  Matías sat her on the end, putting himself between her and the Columbians. He draped his arm over the back of her chair and leaned close.

  “How you doing?” he whispered.

  The situation was completely different than anything she’d ever been in, and yet, after the immediate shock wore off, she was curious more than anything else.

  What made people want to do these things?

  “Fine,” she replied.

  “I’m going to try to get us out of here.”

  “I’m okay. Really.” She smiled to prove her point, but he didn’t seem fooled.

  “Hang in here.” He turned to his other side, arm still safely wrapped around her.

  She couldn’t hear what the men were saying, and she didn’t need to. This job was way above her pay grade. Left on her own, Raven glanced around the room, mostly watching the crowd. There was an energy about them that was unfettered. Many of them stood, enraptured by the roped-off spaces, some fondling their partners as they watched.

  Raven took a deep breath and directed her gaze to the closest station. A massage table was set up and a woman poured hot wax over another woman. A man, maybe the second woman’s partner, stood at her side, holding her hand. The professional stared intently at the woman’s breasts as she dribbled wax across her nipples. Raven sucked in air and pulled her free arm across her chest. The woman arched her back and her lips parted on a moan. That didn’t look too bad. Was that kinky?

  A voice in the back of her mind said she should look away, that watching was wrong. And yet, she couldn’t. The trio grinned at each other. The professional looked as if she were having fun, while the other woman appeared to be enjoying it.

  Raven continued to watch, fascinated by the display as the couple left and another person took their position on the table.

  “It’s play,” Matías whispered.

  She sucked in a breath, unaware he’d turned his attention back to her. “It doesn’t hurt?”

  “Depends on what kind of wax she’s using.”

  “What’s going on?” She bent her head toward him, but was unable to stop watching the professional.

  “They’re discussing food and when to take us to Columbia. I think they mean this to be a trip that happens now.”

  “Oh. That’s not what I meant.” She glanced at him and her cheeks warmed. They were here for another purpose than voyeurism. “But that’s good right? They want to show you stuff?”

  He studied her, his expression so frustratingly blank. “It is good. It’s a step forward in our partnership.” He glanced at the couple and leaned his head a little closer. “As for them, the woman pouring the wax is a Pro-Domme. She’s brought in to provide these experiences. They all are.”

  “But—why?”

  He didn’t reply for a few moments. “Because…because some people want to see what it’s like. Others, it satisfies some need inside of them. Either something they were born with that pushes them to test the boundaries with their sexual partners, or it’s something they desire. Maybe they chose this for a reason all their own, but look at them. Do they look like they’re forced into this?”

  She glanced back at the Pro-Domme and her new subject. This time, the professional smiled and appeared to be flirting with the man, running her hands over his chest and stomach before pouring on the wax. It was sensual, playful.

  Matías tugged on a lock of her hair.

  “Do they look like they’re forced into doing this?” He was repeating the question.

  “No. But, why?”

  “Let’s talk about it later. Watch them for now.” He stroked her hair and she leaned into the touch.

  She was trusting him with more than her safety now.

  Chapter Four

  By the time Matías closed the door to their hotel room, it felt as if he’d lived a year in the last three hours. Never in his wildest imagination, would he have believed Victor capable of uncovering a decade-old alias Matías had used once for a sting. And not only that—but Raven was caught up in it all. Hadn’t he promised himself he would leave her out of his life to protect her from this very thing?

  He was all twisted up inside, nerves, dread, desire, the need for connection burning inside of him. It was worse because Raven…he knew her. She was a warm, familiar presence. But he couldn’t tarnish their friendship. She couldn’t understand him, could she?

  Matías hung back and watched her go straight to the kennel and knelt by the dog, speaking soothing words and letting him out of his cage.

  “Is now a good time to take him out?” she asked, glancing up at him.

  “Yes, in a moment.”

  The room had a cheap radio. He turned it on and flipped it to the AM frequencies, rolling the dial, listening for the perfect spot. The fuzz faded to silence with the occasional crackle. He began moving the radio in a systematic pattern around the room, covering the furniture and any architectural feature that might hide a bug. It wasn’t a foolproof way to detect a listening device, but if there was a microphone transmitting, the radio would squeal. If Victor was using anything state of the art, which he doubted, they were up the creek without a paddle.

  Raven watched him, but held her tongue until he was finished.

  “Room’s clean,” he announced, unplugging the radio.

  “Clean?”

  “Listening devices. I need to make a quick call, then we can go for that walk and check the perimeter.”

  Raven stared at him. He wanted to take a moment and calmly explain what was going on, that she would be okay, but he had to check in with Eddie. The job had to come first, before her comfort or assurance. Matías didn’t like it, but getting them through this was the way to protect her.

  He retreated to the bathroom, turning on the faucets once more for a little added background noise, and put in his call to Eddie. The number rang through to voicemail, which wasn’t unusual in the evenings.

  “Hey, Martin, I’m not going to be able to make that drop tomorrow. Business has delayed me another day or two. I’ll try you again later.” Easy double-speak for communicating that the operation would be more drawn out than what they expected.


  Matías blew out a breath and splashed some water on his face. How the hell did he even begin to explain things to Raven?

  The best thing, for her, was for him to either ignore or deny Victor’s claims.

  If he wanted Raven to work with him, he needed her to not fear him.

  And that meant lying to her. In all the years, he’d been able to be himself with her, which was rare. And now, he’d have to put lies between them.

  He turned off the faucets and entered the room. Raven sat on the floor, her little dog half draped over her leg. He had to admit, her ability to pull herself together and adjust to the new circumstances was astounding. The punches kept coming, and she just rolled right along. She would break, but it wouldn’t be tonight.

  “Ready?”

  “Yup. Come on, let’s go outside. You want to go outside, don’t you?” She clipped the leash onto the doxie’s harness as he wiggled his little body at her.

  “Give me one second. You should know Victor probably has us under surveillance. Don’t be afraid if there’s a car that follows us or some guys are hanging around. They’re there as much to watch us as protect us. We’re not on the payroll, but Victor sees us as his people now.”

  He laid the briefcase on the bed and popped the locks. Everything was still where it should be, including his José gun. A FN-57 pistol, it was illegal in the US. Dubbed the “cop killer.” It was a favorite of the Mexican drug cartels—and therefore exactly the kind of weapon José would carry.

  “Is that necessary?” There was a quiver in Raven’s voice. Fear? Well, she should be afraid.

  The briefcase went back under the bed, while he tucked the gun in his waistband.

  “Hopefully not. Let me go first.” Matías nudged her aside and stuck his head out to glance up and down the breezeway.

  There were two of Victor’s cars, one at each end of the street. Either his thugs weren’t good at their jobs, or Victor wanted them to know they were being watched. Probably both. Regardless, it would provide a modicum of safety for the late-night walk.