Kevin spotted me at the end of the bar and headed my way. “Hey, boss, what can I get for you?”
“Double Scotch, neat.”
Scanning the club while I waited for my drink, I noticed a few of the members heading down the hallway that led to the members-only area. I would never forget what Brian told me about opening a BDSM club in Portland. He said I was crazy and all I’d end up doing is losing money. Little did either of us know that a lot of men in Portland had a dark side. Considering the experienced submissives I had purchased over the years, I knew I owed it to them for making this place as successful as it was. Every one of them was worth every penny I spent. It was a win-win situation for them and me. They got their freedom and I got their experience. Even though some had left the BDSM scene and pursued other opportunities, there were still a lot that stayed. They always had that choice.
Lost in my thoughts, I heard Kevin speak. “Boss, yo.”
“Sorry, Kevin. I have a lot on my mind.”
“No worries. I said, I think a non-member entered the members-only area. You might want to check it out.”
I could always depend on Kevin to keep an eye open for the club. He knew every member, and if someone entered the members-only area that didn’t belong, he would know. Downing the rest of my drink, I knew my initial intent on finding where Lanie called from had to be on hold. It would only take a minute to find the trespasser and point him in the right direction. If he wanted to pay the five grand a month to become a member, good for me. As long as he passed the background check, he could take advantage of the VIP area within a week.
As I headed toward the red door, the thought of how Lanie would react to this place entered. I knew that it would take time, but if I could show her the possibilities that waited for her behind the door, maybe she would know the way she was taught to submit wasn’t the way I wanted her to be. Being afraid of her every move would soon be a part of her past. Every thought would be spontaneous and she would never be afraid to please her master.
Turned out, the gentleman was directed to the red door by a dancer. He heard about Rapture from a friend. After filling out the necessary paperwork and taking a three-month deposit, I let the gentleman know that as long as everything came back clean, he could expect to receive his membership information within a week. He couldn’t have been happier. He even suggested inviting some of his clients with the same taste to talk to me about a membership.
Knowing I was running out of time, I headed to my office to find out the information on Lanie. Firing up my computer, I went into the app to help me locate her. Setting my phone on my desk, I connected it to the computer. When I pulled up the number, I hit the phone icon and waited for someone to answer. As I was crossing my fingers, someone answered the phone. It was a woman. I almost thought it might have been Lanie, but her voice wasn’t as sweet and there was a distinct English accent.
“I’m looking for Lanie,” I said.
“Are you Roman?” the woman asked.
“Yes, can you tell me where she is?”
“She is at the Holland house. She needs your help.”
“What is the address?”
“I don’t know. I just know that it is a big house near the ocean,” she replied.
By the time I got off the phone with the woman, I had learned that she was a maid working for Martin Holland. She didn’t know the address, but was at least able to give me directions to the house. It was a place to start, and with the tracking software, I could pinpoint where the call came from. Soon Lanie would be free of the bastard and back with me where I knew she would be safe.
~Four~
ALANNAH
There was no way Roman would find me. I never got the chance to let him know where I was before the maid took the phone from me. I didn’t blame her. I wouldn’t want to get caught either.
It wasn’t so bad here. Master Holland’s home was much nicer than Master Winston’s. At least it didn’t smell like moth balls and was cleaner. The way he had the house decorated was also more modern than the mansion. But none of that mattered because the only place I wanted to be was back with Roman at his condo.
Picking up the outfit I was to wear, I wasn’t sure what would become of me. I had a feeling something very dark would happen. I was left to wear a black leather corset and a lace garter with stockings. The heels were higher than I was used to, but the minute I put them on, I could see how they made my legs look. Even though there was nothing left to cover my shaven mound, the exposure didn’t bother me. Grabbing the last item from the bed, I latched the buckle and turned the collar so that the ring was in front. Attaching the leash to the silver ring, I folded my legs beneath me and waited for someone to come get me. My legs were falling asleep, but I knew that if I got caught stretching, I would be punished. Hopefully when the time came to stand, I would be able to feel my legs and not fall.
I took off my heels when I could no longer to stand the pins and needles in my legs. I adjusted my position to give them some relief. The door opened and before I got caught, I quickly tucked them beneath me again and placed my hands on my lap, forgetting that I had taken my heels off.
“Alannah, it is time,” Master Holland said.
Rising to my feet, which I assumed he wanted me to do, I held the leash in my hand and walked over to the door. Bowing my head, I handed him the leather strap and allowed him to lead me out of the room. Not once did I lift my head as we headed down the long hallway. Doing what I could to control my breathing, I counted the large circles on the runner that extended the length of the hallway. Instead of going down the staircase, Master Holland led me to a wooden door at the end of the hall. The minute he opened the door, cool air filled the doorway. I wasn’t certain where he was taking me, but with the little clothing I had on, I could feel the cool air cut through my skin. Walking in only stockings, the tile was cold against my soles, making me even colder.
When we reached the bottom, the floor was covered with cement instead of tile. Even though I couldn’t see where we were going, the light from the torches that lined the dark corridor led the way. There was a musty smell and I could tell that I was being led to the basement. My stomach tightened and I was afraid of what would happen to me. I knew that I could not escape and even if I tried, he would stop me, like an animal resisting her master.
“Wait here.” Master Holland instructed as he let go of the leash.
Doing as he asked, I lifted my head. watched him open a door, and enter the room. I wasn’t sure why he wanted me to wait. Even with the door open, the room was too dark to see what was past the door. My breathing quickened and I knew that what waited for me in the darkness wasn’t good.
Feeling the constriction around my neck, I walked inside the room. It was much colder than the hall and the surface of the floor was also colder. As I stood and waited for my next instruction, I heard a sound coming from across the room. I couldn’t see where the sound was coming from, but it resembled something being dragged across the floor. Taking a deep breath, a scent of leather and musk filled my senses. There was a tug on my leash, which caused me to look up. A man stood before me gripping a cross with restraints on each end. I had seen nothing like it, nor was I sure of what it was used for. What concerned me more was why another man was in the room.