10. Drake

CHAPTER 10

DRAKE

“Damn, that’s a whole lot of fucked up.” My brother stares at me, his expression haunted.

I scrub a hand over my face. I spent the last twenty minutes telling Easton about Lily’s past. Normally, I wouldn’t share her secrets, but I need his thoughts on how I should handle this. Because it will be handled one way or another.

“Is she in therapy?” Easton asks.

“I don’t think so. Although she mentioned needing medication. So, honestly, I don’t know. I’m really trying not to bulldoze her and take over. You know how I am. Once I’m set on something, nothing gets in my way. I don’t think I can take that approach with her. She’s just now found her independence for the first time in her life. It wouldn’t be fair for me to rip that out from under her.”

My brother snorts and rolls his eyes. “There’s a difference between what she experienced in her past and consensual submission. What she went through was abuse and servitude. What you would provide is completely different. She sounds like she’s a bit lost, so having someone like you help her navigate this new life of hers might be beneficial.”

I let out a deep breath, my chest tight. “What if I do what I did with Shay?”

Shay was the only woman I ever tried to date. I was only a year into this lifestyle when we met at The Playground and instantly hit it off. Within three months, we’d broken up because I’d been too controlling for her. Too dominant. Too possessive. Too much. I tried to tone it down, but I couldn’t. I need control.

Ever since, I’ve avoided any kind of relationship other than casual, no-strings-attached scenes. Lily isn’t a casual woman, though. She’s a get-down-on-your-knee-and-beg-her-to-marry-you kind of woman. Maybe it’s her innocence that intrigues me so much. I want to be the one to show her the world. To give her the happy and fulfilling life she’s never had. But I also want to give her the freedom and independence she deserves.

“That was nearly ten years ago. You’ve grown as a Dom since then. The fact that you’re aware of it means you won’t repeat it. Trust yourself, Drake. You were young, and we were still new in the lifestyle and learning.”

I sit back and pick up the cup of coffee Easton made for me when I came knocking at his door at ten o’clock this morning. I didn’t sleep most of the night. I couldn’t get the things Lily had told me out of my head.

She was abused. Forced to marry as a child to a grown man. And she’s walking around with a smile on her face every night. My girl. She’s strong.

“So, which route do you want to go? The legal route or the less than legal route?”

This is why I came to my brother. No matter which option I choose, he’ll have my back.

“I left a message with our attorney this morning. Once he calls me back and gives me an idea of how successful we’ll be doing it the legal way, then I’ll know which way to go.”

Easton runs his fingers over the short scruff on his chin. “Might be a good idea to call Cage and give him a heads-up.”

I study my brother. “You’re sure you don’t mind if I involve him with this?”

He shrugs and leans back against the couch. “Cage is…unconventional and, quite frankly, he might be a psychopath. He’ll help us, though. And he’d make sure all the women were taken to safe places to start their lives over.”

We met Cage Black years ago at The Playground. The guy is different. Smart, though. He has a higher IQ than either me or Easton. He’s also impeccable at what he does—whatever it is. All we really know is that he works with a team of men, and they’re one of the most dangerous units in the world. They also don’t exist in any database. I’ve checked. And that’s enough to tell me that whatever job they do, they do it without a trace left behind.

Cage has a membership at our club, but he doesn’t ever come in unless we’re having a special invite-only event.

“Yeah. I’ll call him. For now, I need to go and pick Lily up so I can spend the day spoiling her.”

My brother smirks. “I want to give you shit like you did to me when I got with Faye, but honestly, I like seeing you like this. You seem happy.”

Warmth fills my chest. Easton and I are close, but our usual kind of brotherly talks are us talking shit to each other. It’s rare that we get so sentimental.

“Thanks, man. You seem happy, too. Faye is good for you. I like her a lot.”

We stand, grinning at each other before we lean in for a quick backslapping bro hug.

“Cage, it’s Drake Riley.”

“I know,” Cage answers in a bored tone. The guy is a strange one.

“Right. Well, I have something I might need your help with.”

“Tell me.”

He stays silent while I tell him as much as Lily’s told me about the commune.

“Do you want me to look into it, or do you want me to wipe it off the face of the earth?”

Jesus.

“Right now, just look into it. Whatever happens, there are women and children in there who will need safe places to go. It’s possible there will be women who have been so brainwashed that they don’t want to be split up from their husbands, and we’ll need to cross that bridge when we get to it.”

“I’ll be in touch this evening. I’ve already found the location using a satellite. It’s big. Probably two hundred houses up there.”

This is exactly why I wanted to talk to Cage. He could probably have the entire commune dissolved by tomorrow if I gave him the go-ahead.

“Thanks, Cage. You know, you can stop by Edge sometime. You are a member, after all. Paying five grand a month, I might add.”

“When you guys get a play area for Littles, then maybe I’ll stop by once in a while.”

I chuckle and shake my head. Cage is a Daddy Dom, which is why he goes to Surrender and The Playground. They have special areas set up for Daddies and Littles who don’t want to mix in with the dungeon players.

“Then why do you keep a suite on the third floor?”

“Because it’s smart to have a place to hide out in every possible city I might visit.”

My shoulders tense. “You’re using my club as a hideout? What the fuck?”

“Relax. It’s a joke. I have a hideout room at The Playground. Don’t tell Jace and Zane.” He chuckles. “I keep my room with you guys because you and your brother are rich as fuck and have your own private jet. It’s always smart to be in good with the rich guys.”

I snort and shake my head. “You’re also rich as fuck and have your own jet, so why the fuck would you need ours?”

“Because two jets are better than one. Jesus, Drake. Keep up.”

“You’re fucking weird, Cage.”

“I know. My brothers tell me that all the time. I’ll call you tonight.”

Before I can respond, he ends the call, and I stare at my phone for a full minute, trying to decide if I just made a huge mistake calling him.

“You look beautiful.”

Lily steps out of the house, her mouth curving into a shy smile. “Thank you.”

I hold my arm out and lead her to my SUV. She stops and looks at it, then looks at me.

“I thought this would be more comfortable for today.”

When she climbs into the passenger seat, I pull the seatbelt and reach over to latch it. Her floral scent is intoxicating. I could drink it in all day and never get tired of it.

“You smell edible, Lily.” I’m still leaning into the car, my face only inches from hers.

Her gaze darts around nervously as she fidgets with her fingers. “You smell good, too.”

I wink at her and straighten. “Thank you, baby. Let’s go have some fun.”

Once we set off, I reach over to take one of her hands. “How’d you sleep? Have you eaten yet today?”

Considering it was almost three in the morning when I dropped her off at home, she should have slept until almost eleven this morning to have gotten a full eight hours of sleep.

“You ask a lot of questions,” she says, giggling softly.

Grinning, I bring her hand up to my mouth and press a kiss to it. “I like to know that you’re taking care of yourself.”

“I slept well, and Hannah made me breakfast when I woke up. Even though I said she didn’t have to.”

“She sounds like a good friend.”

Lily glances at me and nods. “She’s the best.”

I’ll have to send Hannah and her husband a big thank you for taking such good care of Lily and helping her get away from the abuse she endured.

“Where are we going?” She stares out the window as we pass through downtown Seattle.

“It’s a surprise.”

She wiggles in her seat slightly, and my own excitement grows from watching hers.

A few minutes later, we pull into a parking lot attached to a brick building with a sign above it that says Beauty and Bliss Spa .

“What is this?” Her eyebrows are furrowed as she looks from me to the building and back again.

“This is a day for you. I’ve booked you an appointment to have a manicure and pedicure and have your hair done however you’d like.”

Her mouth falls open, and she looks a bit panicked. “Oh, um, I thought we were spending the day together. Also, I don’t know how much any of that stuff costs.”

Warmth spreads through me. She’s going to have to get used to me spoiling the hell out of her.

“Baby, I’m not leaving your side all day. And I’m paying for it.”

“What?” Her face falls, and she shakes her head. “No. I don’t want you to pay for it.”

Capturing her chin between my fingers, I pin her with my gaze. “Baby, I’m paying for it. I’m going to do a lot of things to spoil you—you’re going to have to get used to it. I have more money than I know what to do with, so paying for you to have a spa day is my pleasure. Especially since I’ll get to experience this first with you. Can you be a good girl and accept the gifts and luxuries I want to give you?”

She licks her lips and studies my face. Her skin is so soft against my fingers, and I love how she leans into my touch.

“Yes.”

A slow grin spreads. “I like it when you’re my good girl, Lily.”

The air around us crackles. She can feel it, too. We’re both breathing harder than we should be, considering we’ve been sitting in the car.

“What’s your safeword?” I whisper.

Her face flashes with confusion for a second. “Red.”

“Good girl. I’m going to kiss you, but if you don’t want me to, use that word.”

I give her a few beats to think about what I said. When she doesn’t say anything, I slowly lower my face to hers until our lips meet. She goes completely rigid, but as soon as I slide my hand to the back of her neck and give it a gentle squeeze, she relaxes and starts to kiss me back. I give her a moment to kiss me how she wants before I take over and dominate her mouth, using my tongue to part her lips.

She lets out a soft moan and brings her hands to my chest, stroking softly. I’ve kissed a lot of women in my life, but it’s never felt like this. Not even with Shay.

When I pull back, I rest my forehead on hers, keeping my hand on her neck while we catch our breath.

“That was…I’ve never done that before. That was hot .”

I chuckle and sit up straighter so I can look at her. “You’ve never made out before?”

“I’ve never kissed anyone before.”

My smile falls, and I blink several times, not understanding. “You never kissed your ex-husband?”

“No. Affection wasn’t a part of marriage. It’s considered dirty. Sex is only for the purpose of having kids. Honestly, I’m glad. I wouldn’t have wanted to do any of that with him.”

My entire body vibrates with the urge to punch someone. Particularly the people who hurt Lily.

“Baby, your whole world is about to change because I’m going to give you affection every chance I get.”

Her eyes glitter. “I think I’d like that.”

“Me too, baby. Come on. We don’t want to be late for your appointment.”