Chapter Two

Storm

After I let out a loud whistle, a beaming smile adorned my face as my mom strolled around the bar. With excitement, I lifted her up and embraced her tightly, causing her to burst into laughter and playfully slap my shoulder.

"Put me down, Jason."

Doing as she requested, I kissed her cheek. "How's my best girl?"

"Tired," my mom huffed. "Your sister's friends were here, and Finley gave poor Brenden a run for his money."

I laughed at that.

"Good for him," I said, taking a seat at the bar.

My mom smiled at Fury. "Hi, Christian. How are you?"

"Mrs. Calloway." Fury winked, oozing with charm, which had my mom shaking her head.

Punching Fury on the shoulder, I growled. "No hitting on my mom, asshole."

"Why not? Your mom is smoking hot."

My mom laughed, shaking her head. "What brings you two by this late? Please don't tell me you didn't just leave the office?"

"Nope. Was in the area and thought I'd stop by and see how you and Robin were doing. Speaking of which. Where is my sister?"

"Working on a case."

Trying my best not to reveal my disappointment, I shook my head in silent disapproval.

It was difficult for me to accept the fact that my sister had chosen to become an NYPD officer. Not just any officer, either. A detective who specialized in heinous crimes. Specifically, those regarding children. Made me sick to my stomach knowing my baby sister was around that shit.

Though I hated she was a cop, more.

Throughout our lives, Robin and I have always maintained a close bond. Losing a parent apparently did that to some siblings, no matter the age gap. However, when Robin told the family she was joining the NYPD after college, I lost it. I didn't want my sister anywhere near the police, let alone working for them. What I did in my spare time was bad enough, but if she ever found out, it would be disastrous, not only for me and the family, but for the Soulless Sinners.

As I glanced around the pub, a flood of memories from joyful moments, infectious laughter, and heartfelt sorrows besieged my mind. The overwhelming feeling of sorrow was something that I found extremely difficult to cope with, and, as a result, it greatly restricted the amount of time I could spend in this place. The realization that I would never have the opportunity to walk into this place and see my dad again was an unbearably painful feeling.

Despite the passage of time, I continued to feel a deep longing for him.

With a fortifying breath, I settled myself onto a barstool and flashed a contented smile. "So, Finley gave Brenden a run for his money. Who else was here?"

"Well, Ares showed up and was her usual self. That girl is a handful."

A chuckle escaped from me as I nodded my head. "Arabella show?"

"Yeah, but that girl is too shy to cause trouble. Did you know her parents are still trying to get her back in the business?"

"Thought Bella was done with that crap?"

"She is, but her parents didn't get the memo. It was good to see Delany out and about. Haven't seen that girl in ages."

"Delany?"

"Oh, that's right. The last time you saw Delany, she was just a little girl. She moved back here before Robin and the other girls started tenth grade. You were already out of the house by then. She's the sweet one. She's a mom now. Her daughter Harlow is just the cutest little thing."

"Moved back?"

"Yeah. Her dad was a firefighter in another firehouse. After 9/11, he needed to get away, so he transferred to Arizona. Delany moved back after her parents died in a house fire. A relative offered to take her in."

"I'm sorry to hear that," I murmured, swiftly brushing away any hint of melancholy. I always felt this way when I was here. I hated it. "Look, Mom, I need to get going. I just wanted to stop by and check in. I'll come by this Sunday for dinner, okay?"

"Sure thing, honey. Go home. You look tired. Are you sleeping okay?"

"I'm good," I replied, smirking as pictures of my club piece, tied up and gagged, filled my head.

Oh, yeah... and if she knew what was good for her, she would be ready for me when I showed up in an hour.

After giving my mom another hug, I walked out of our family-owned bar and took a deep breath.

"You okay, Storm?"

Shaking my head in an attempt to dispel the lingering memories, I managed to utter, "I think I deserve a good, strong drink."

When Fury and I walked into the clubhouse, we were surprised to find it completely empty, which was odd considering it was a Friday.

"Hey, guys," Silver said with a smile as she stood behind the bar. "Board meeting. They are waiting for you two."

Nodding our heads in unison, Fury and I proceeded towards the boardroom. I didn't bother knocking and simply walked right into the room.

As Montana glanced up from his seat, looking unbearably bored, Bane's face twisted into a frown before he resumed speaking, "Your father's wounds—"

"Asshole," Montana growled. "Call him asshole."

Bane's eyes narrowed as he responded with a somewhat guarded but affirmative, "Alright. Asshole's wounds are healing nicely. I'm keeping him sedated at the moment."

"Why?" Mercy's head snapped up.

I knew there was no love lost between Mercy and George Stone. The former President of the Soulless Sinners, and Montana's father, made his bed, and now he was being forced to lay in it. All because he didn't want anyone to know he fathered Largo, Mercy's woman. Instead of coming clean, he destroyed his marriage to Virginia, punished Mercy's woman, and created a clusterfuck that damn near obliterated a valued alliance with the Romano Family. Although the severity of the damage caused by George warranted a punishment of death, Mercy made the decision to mete out the identical punishment that George had insisted the current board inflict on Largo. Despite my participation in the decision to end his life, I still felt that it was fitting for the old bastard to face consequences befitting his betrayal. It became clear to me at a young age that second chances were rarely, if ever, capable of altering the course of events.

The best course of action was to quickly eliminate the poison before it had the opportunity to spread.

"Because the fucker has a goddamned heart condition. You want him to drop dead of a heart attack?"

Payne huffed and said, "It wouldn't bother me."

It was only last night that the club exacted their punishment on George Stone, the former president of the club.

"Fucker's lucky he's breathing." Malice groaned. "Should have killed him."

It was no secret within the entire club that Malice harbored strong feelings towards George due to his betrayal, however; it was what he had put Largo through that Malice believed he could never forgive.

Largo held a special place in Malice's heart. She had a soft spot for him. The fact that she treated him like a brother mattered more to him than the fact that she was Mercy's woman. She loved him, regardless of his past. Maybe even more so. After learning the truth of her past, Malice led the charge of wanting George to be punished mercilessly for his crimes. It was Mercy's decision because Largo was his woman, and so the club followed his lead, albeit reluctantly. In the end, Mercy called for Blood of a Sinner .

The same punishment his wife received when she returned home.

Fucker got off lucky in my opinion.

If it was my call... the motherfucker would be dead.

"Anyway, you can move him in a few weeks."

"Anything on the calendar we need to worry about?"

Montana's question was directed at Mercy, who sighed before turning his attention to me. "Yeah. We've got the Fireman's Ball coming up."

Shit.

That's right.

I totally forgot about that.

Leaning forward in my seat, I added, "The Fireman's Ball is July first and is being held at the Museum of Natural History. All donations will go to the families of the 9/11 victims. This year is going to be special because several of the children of fallen firefighters will be present, so expect a big media coverage."

"Black tie?" Payne questioned.

"Yep, and it's also a plus one."

"Alright, you all know the drill." Montana groaned. "This is Storm's charity, and it hits close to home for all of us. Let's show the fire department some love and honor their families for their sacrifice."

"Hear! Hear!" Happy muttered.

"Before I forget," Bane added. "The club's annual physicals are next week. I've placed a sign-up sheet on my door. Just fill in the time that works for you and I will set everything up."

Everyone groaned.

"I'm not happy about it either, assholes. Got a problem with it, take it up with Montana. Just don't miss the fucking appointment when you make it, because if I have to chase any of you down, you will receive the one-finger exam. Got me?"

Several brothers grimaced.

I was one of them.

"On that note, meeting's over. Get the fuck out of here," Montana muttered grumpily before getting to his feet.

Not waiting around, I headed straight for my office.

Watching the screen before me, I couldn't help but lean forward with great interest. While she meticulously explored the room, my complete focus was on the current piece, fascinated by her thoroughness. There was a lingering curiosity in me, pondering whether there was something of great importance that had slipped her attention. Her agreement was not just with the club, but also with me, making it a contractually binding arrangement. Unlike some of my brothers, who preferred a more simplistic approach, I had a strong inclination towards having everything presented in intricate detail. By choosing to go in that direction, I made sure there would be no room for misunderstandings.

They were aware that I had no interest in anything lasting, as I had explicitly mentioned that their presence would only be for a month.

My current piece was Stephanie. Decent enough girl who would soon graduate from NYU with a degree in Childhood Education.

I smirked at that.

It was always the schoolteachers who were the freakiest.

It's unfortunate for her that I was able to quickly see through her strategy. Looking back, I realized that I should have ended the relationship with her weeks ago, but I couldn't resist the excitement and thrill of keeping her around.

Tonight was going to be our last night together.

The contract I insisted she signed hung in a frame bolted to the bed where she slept. I made damn sure she wouldn't forget. I didn't do it to be mean. That wasn't my intent. It was important to me that she fully comprehended the fact that our relationship was destined to go nowhere.

Too bad for her she didn't believe me.

For one month, she was my submissive.

I owned her.

After that, she would receive a large sum deposited into any account of her choosing and we would part ways amicably.

Plain and simple.

No muss, no fuss.

Besides, if I was being honest, I got bored with her a week into our contract. The girl was too eager to please. That was my first red flag.

The second was she never fought me about anything I wanted to do. She barely had any hard limits and the ones she had were graying.

She played a good game, but she picked the wrong mark.

It was time for me to move on.

The sight of the clock caught my attention, prompting me to rise from my chair. In a leisurely manner, I proceeded to remove my suit jacket, meticulously folding it with precision, and ultimately draping it gracefully over the back of my chair. As I watched the seconds tick by, I decided to take off my crisp white shirt, throwing it into the hamper that I conveniently kept in my office. Unlike some brothers, I never played and slept in the same room. I had one room for the girls and then there was mine.

The two never crossed.

Making my way to the office door, I closed it firmly before proceeding to flip the light switch. The purpose of this was to notify Malice that I would be needing his presence in an hour, after which I walked over to the bookshelf located on the far wall. Observing from my spot against the wall, I witnessed Stephanie's reaction upon noticing the time. As she gracefully lowered herself to the ground, a small smile formed on her beautiful face.

Taking a graceful position to the right of the door, she kneeled down while her hands effortlessly rested on the tops of her thighs. Her overall posture exuded elegance, with her heels serving as a comfortable perch that added to her poise. There was not a single piece of clothing on her body, leaving her completely nude. With her posture impeccably straight and her lustrous, flowing auburn hair catching the light, she emanated an aura of confidence that was impossible to ignore. Casting a soft glow from above, the lights illuminated her exposed body, revealing the impeccable smoothness and flawless condition of her waxed and moisturized skin. The only thing she adorned herself with was a gold necklace that hugged her neck, and it was only temporary.

It was one of my rules.

Once I put that necklace on her, she could never take it off.

For one month, she was mine and mine only.

Tonight, she would leave with that necklace.

A token of my appreciation and thanks for the fun.

A simple parting gift.

Nothing more.

While I observed her, a frown gradually appeared on my face upon witnessing the rise and fall of her chest, accompanied by the noticeable arousal of her nipples. The purpose of her kneeling was to find solace in a state of meditation, as she mentally equipped herself for the challenges that awaited her. However, what I observed was that her mind seemed to be a chaotic whirlpool, brimming with an assortment of thoughts and desires, all intermingling and churning. As she sat in eager anticipation, her fitful body movements only intensified, providing a clear manifestation of her inner restlessness. With her nipples hardening into tight buds and her breath becoming shallower, my gaze was drawn to the unmistakable glistening of her aroused pussy, a visual testament to the thoughts that excited her.

The room suddenly filled with a simple tone, catching her attention and signaling that it was time. In response, she straightened her back, pushed out her breasts and chin, and deliberately cast her eyes downwards.

As I watched the monitor intently, I patiently waited for a few more seconds, eager to see what actions she would take. Would she be able to keep her composure, or would her nerves get the best of her?

I got my answer moments later.

I should have known, because the second I didn't enter, a frown appeared on her face as her eyes darted to the door.

Impatient woman.

And that right there confirmed what I already knew.

My current piece of the month was not a fucking submissive.

Narrowing my eyes, I glared at the woman who played a good game.

Now it was time to end it.

With a single press of the red button on the wall, a secret section opened up behind the bookshelf, granting me access. I entered with purposeful strides.

With a shocked expression on her face, she quickly turned and snapped her head up as she realized I'd entered the room from another location. Typically, I would have chosen to enter from the door she was facing, but tonight was different. When I was done with her, she would leave the way she came in, while I would retreat to my office before heading up to my room.

But first, I was going to have some fun.

Walking over to her, she quickly lowered her head.

Glaring in irritation, I inspected her.

Stephanie's confidence in her body and looks was unwavering. It had been suggested by some that she had an exaggerated sense of perfection and a narcissistic belief that she was faultless. The total perfect package. Although she seemed one way externally, internally, she carried the weight of being tarnished, tainted, and inauthentic. Although she possessed a sharp wit and a wicked sense of humor, it was evident that she lacked any substantial depth. She was what I called a chameleon. She was the type of person who transformed herself into what others wanted, yet never lost sight of her own aspirations. Rather than finding contentment in her current circumstances, she desired to acquire additional possessions. Craved it like a drug, and for the last month, she craved me.

She used her looks and her knowledge of my preferred lifestyle to twist and play the player.

She was good. I would give her that.

But I was better.

She was fully aware of her own beauty and attractiveness. The combination of her creamy white skin, dark hair, and doe eyes had always made her a magnet for interested men. Her body was perfectly shaped, with curves that accentuated her best features. The emphasis of her narrow ribcage only heightened her ample breasts, which seamlessly transitioned into her curvaceous hips and buttocks. Her figure was flawless, featuring a flat stomach and elegantly long legs.

I said nothing as I watched a small smile appear on her face.

Bitch thought she was going to play me.

If she only knew the truth.

"Are you ready to play, pet?" I asked.

"Yes, sir." The bitch smiled up at me and that just pissed me off.

With a strong hold on her throat, I exerted pressure and effortlessly lifted her, maneuvering her towards the whipping bench that was permanently stationed in this room. I was determined to get the most value out of my money tonight. She positioned herself in a way that reflected the submissive persona she wanted me to see, turning away from me and bending over the bench with her arms spread, presenting her backside in the air.

Tsk, Tsk, Tsk.

I grinned. "Not tonight, pet."

She stiffened.

Stepping around the bench, I assumed a stance with my legs apart and my arms folded across my chest, signaling my intentions and patiently awaiting her comprehension.

Bitch thought she knew me.

Let's see how well.

As she hesitated, her eyes showing signs of doubt, I never looked away, fully aware that she would find her way out of the predicament, just like she always had in the past. I wasn't lying when I said the bitch was smart, because seconds later, she bent at the waist, her stomach resting on top of the bench as she spread her legs, her hands reaching for her ankles.

"That's good, pet."

Instantly, her body relaxed.

"If you move, tonight ends. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then let's have some fun."

"Jesus fuck, Storm." Fury laughed, taking a seat next to me at the bar as I watched Malice drag Stephanie kicking and screaming from the clubhouse. "How in the hell do you keep finding the fucking crazies?"

"You're one to talk," I huffed out, turning to the shot of whiskey Silver slid toward me. "The last piece you had damn near ripped your dick off."

Fury chuckled. "Lana was feisty."

"She was fucking psycho."

"But an animal in the sack."

"One of these days, someone's going to neuter you."

Fury laughed loudly. "Not fucking likely. I'm gonna die a bachelor. Besides, I don't need a woman. Got my perfect, beautiful girls, my brothers, and all the bitches in the world. My life is perfect."

Whatever.

Getting up, I headed upstairs. Too damn tired to head to my penthouse. As a board member, I got a bedroom at the clubhouse. Mine for life. While I still had a place in the city, I preferred staying at the clubhouse. Convenience was a wonderful thing.