Текст книги "Disgraced"

Автор книги: Annabel Chant

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Текущая страница: 13 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

Forty Three

Him

‘It seems she really is Aimee Maitland,’ said DI Brown, coming into the interview room, later that afternoon. ‘That makes two people you’ve written off this week, to my certain knowledge, only for them to pop up alive and kicking days later. I’m starting to wonder if the easiest thing wouldn’t be to have you committed.’

I gave her a sarcastic smile. ‘For the record, I never wrote Aimee off. I was the one trying to find her. It was years ago, anyway.’

‘Something feels off, though, to me.’ She leafed through a handful of papers. ‘Strange that she should appear, at such an opportune moment.’

I shrugged. ‘My mother’s been in touch with her for a while. I just didn’t believe her.’

‘Why not?’

‘If you must know,’ I said, reluctantly. ‘I thought she had a screw loose.’

DI Brown snorted. ‘Well, it does seem to run in the family. Off you pop, then. Same time, next week?’

‘I sincerely hope not.’ I stood up to go.

‘I’m counting on it,’ she said, as I left the room.

I waited outside. It was a cloudy afternoon – the first in weeks – and, for some reason, it felt like an omen. I wondered if she’d already gone or, if she’d been out first, if she’d have waited for me. It still hadn’t really registered. Aimee, my purpose in everything, alive and well and getting on just fine without me.

I turned to look up the road. The traffic was snarling up already – another fight through rush hour traffic to come, on top of everything else. I sighed and turned back, just in time to see her making off round the corner away from the police station.

‘Hey,’ I called, running up behind her. ‘Not so fast.’

She looked round at me, but didn’t stop walking. ‘Leave it, Nat,’ she said. ‘I’ve done my duty. I’ve saved your hide. Can’t you just let me go now?’

‘No.’ I took her arm and steered her in the direction of the river. ‘I think you owe me an explanation.’

She didn’t reply, but let me guide her down towards the river. As we neared the Embankment, I hesitated. Suddenly, it felt strange to be coming here with Aimee, almost as if I were betraying Grace.

‘What?’ she said, clearly sensing my unease.

‘Nothing,’ I said, unable to express the mix of emotions flowing through me. ‘It’s nothing.’

She shrugged. ‘It’s been a long time. It’s weird for me, too.’

‘It didn’t have to be.’ I pushed through the traffic, crossing onto the Embankment proper. ‘Where have you been, Aimee?’

‘The States.’ She gave a bitter laugh. ‘At least ten of them. I lost count in the end.’

‘The States?’ I could hardly believe what I was hearing. ‘But Giles had all flights checked, all everything checked. How?’

She gave another harsh laugh, but just shrugged again. ‘I had to get away, Nat.’ She turned to face me and, for the first time, I could sense regret in her eyes. She put her hand to my cheek. ‘It wasn’t you. I just…had to get away.’

I shook my head, not wanting to hear it. How could anything have been so bad she’d just walk away from me and not look back?

‘I put everything on hold,’ I said. ‘Indefinitely. My home…my career…my life and it was all for nothing.’

‘I don’t know,’ she said, with a sad smile. ‘It does seem to have knocked off your rough edges, if you don’t mind my saying so.’

‘Meaning?’

‘Meaning you seem more grown-up now…more responsible.’

‘It’s been eight fucking years, Aimee.’ I shook my head. ‘I am more grown-up.’

‘Okay,’ she said, holding up her hands as if in surrender. ‘You seem less self-centred. Is that better?’

‘Self-centred?’ I moved back away from her. ‘You fuck off to God knows where, you let me think you’re dead. I spend the next eight years doing penance, while you swan around every fucking state in America. And I’m self-centred?’

She didn’t speak for a moment. When she did, it was in such a small voice that I could barely make out her words. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I did what I had to do.’

I just shook my head again. It was almost more frustrating now, seeing her and still being none the wiser. ‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Are you hungry?’

‘No,’ she said. ‘Look, Nat. I really should be getting back.’

‘I’ll ring Stephens,’ I said.

‘No, really. It’s not far.’

‘Then, I’ll walk with you.’

‘You needn’t, Nat,’ she started to walk faster. ‘I’m quite okay.’

‘I’ll see you home,’ I said. ‘If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed about me, it’s that I’m still a gentleman.’

She turned back and gave me another sad smile. ‘You are,’ she said. ‘It’s good to see you.’

I walked her up to a house in Kensington. It reminded me of Charlotte’s place in Eaton Square, which just added to the ominous way I’d been feeling ever since I’d left the police station. ‘Nice address,’ I said, watching her walk up the path.

‘It’s not mine,’ she said over her shoulder.

As she reached the front door, it swung open and a child ran out. It was a girl, strikingly pretty with long blonde hair and dark blue eyes. A girl of about seven or eight.

Aimee’s reaction was immediate. She looked back at me over her shoulder, her eyes wide with alarm, before hustling the child back indoors as quickly as she could.

It wasn’t quick enough. I’d seen all I needed. I knew those eyes. I should do – I saw them in the mirror every morning.

‘Aimee!’ I called after her. ‘Aimee!’

She didn’t reply. She only threw me an anguished look and slammed the door without as much as a goodbye.

I stood there for a while, looking at the house, before turning tail and heading home with more questions than answers.

    Forty Four

Her

He rang me at just after four.

I’d spent the afternoon sourcing the tiles to have Liv’s fireplace mended. I knew I’d left it too long and it gave me something to take my mind off Nat. It’d taken a few hours, but I’d finally found a reclamation yard online with the right ones.

Since I’d finished that, I’d been pacing the living room floor, wondering what the hell was going on, and how the sudden appearance of Aimee Maitland was going to affect my relationship with the Filth Monger. I had a feeling it was bound to – after all, hadn’t he said that she was the motivation behind everything he did? I couldn’t help feeling jealous. The fact that she looked so like me didn’t help, either. Why would he content himself with the cheap imitation, now that the real deal was back on the scene?

I was so strung out that, when the phone finally rang, I jumped physically and answered it, my heart racing.

‘I’m so sorry about earlier, Angel.’ He sounded subdued. ‘It’s been quite a day.’

‘It has,’ I said. ‘Is everything okay?’

‘I guess.’ He hesitated for a moment, before continuing. ‘There’s a few things I need to sort out.’

‘Oh.’ I took a deep breath. ‘Are you calling it off?’

‘What?’ He sounded confused. ‘Calling what off?’

‘Between us.’ Now I’d voiced my fear, I couldn’t shut up. ‘I don’t mind a bit, if so. I quite understand. I mean…’

‘Hey.’ He interrupted me, with an incredulous laugh. ‘Now, wait a minute.’

I didn’t speak. I couldn’t – the lump in my throat was too large and I knew if I said anymore, I’d break down completely.

‘Angel,’ he said, after a pause. ‘Nothing’s changed. It’s us, remember? Christ, what made you think...’

‘I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘I just thought…’

‘Have you been stewing on this all afternoon?’ He gave an impatient sigh. ‘That woman – DI Brown – she’ll be the death of me. She won’t give up until she’s got something on me. And you’re the one that’s suffered. How can I make it up to you?’

I don’t know what made me say it. Maybe it was some desperate desire to please him, or maybe it was because I’d found myself keep thinking about it ever since he’d mentioned it, but I just blurted it out. ‘You could use me at Dominion – on the cross.’

He didn’t speak for a moment. I think I’d truly shocked him. When he did, I could almost see him raising his eyebrows. ‘Fuck me, Angel,’ he said. ‘You never fail to surprise me. Are you sure?’

‘Yes,’ I said, sounding more definite than I felt. ‘I’m quite sure.’

‘Okay.’ He still sounded doubtful. ‘I’ll have Stephens bring an outfit when he comes to pick you up. He’ll wait for you. Do you have a long coat?’

‘Yes,’ I said. I had the perfect coat for his purposes.

‘Excellent. I’ll wait for you outside the club. Stephens will bring you around the back way. I’ll see you tonight.’

‘Okay.’

‘Good, and Angel?’

‘Yes, Sir?’

‘I love you.’

‘I love you too, Sir.’

‘That’s my girl.’

I put the phone down and turned to go and find my coat, and that was when I realised. It was in my wardrobe at the flat I’d shared with Leo. I wondered briefly if I could borrow a coat from Liv, but then I’d have had to explain why I needed it and I wasn’t quite ready to share the fact that I was going to be publicly used.

Anyway, the coat I had in mind was absolutely perfect. I could’ve gone to the shops and hoped to find a similar one, but time wasn’t on my side and I might end up with none at all. I headed out onto Chiswick High Road and flagged down a cab.

When I knocked at the door of our flat, there was no answer. I opened the front door, calling out as I entered, but there was still no response. The place was cleaner this time, anyway, and tidier. It looked as if Leo had taken my words to heart and was trying to sort himself out.

Trembling slightly with nerves, I headed upstairs and into our bedroom. It felt strange being back here, the linen sheets of our bed still rumpled on one side where Leo had obviously lain alone. I felt a sudden pang of guilt. I’d been stringing him along with my promises of trying again. It wasn’t fair.

I threw open the wardrobe and rummaged through, trying to find the coat I needed. Just as I found it, I heard a noise behind me. I turned to find Leo, standing in the doorway, a towel round his waist.

‘What is this?’ He looked more puzzled than angry. ‘I was in the bath.’

‘I…I thought you were out,’ I said, dropping my hand from the coat. ‘I just came to collect a few things.’

‘Collect…?’ His voice trailed off and his eyes widened in horror. He shook his head. ‘No, Grace. This wasn’t what we agreed.’

‘I just need my coat.’ I turned to the wardrobe and took the coat from its hanger.

‘Your coat?’ He shook his head again. ‘What for? It’s the middle of summer.’

I didn’t speak.

‘Well?’ He advanced upon me. ‘What do you need your coat for?’

‘I’m…going out.’ I pushed past him and headed back towards the stairs.

‘Where?’ He grabbed my arm and turned me to face him. ‘Who with? Another man?’

‘It’s none of your business.’ I pulled my arm away from him and turned to go.

‘It’s another man, isn’t it?’ He followed me down the stairs. ‘You said we could try again.’

‘I said maybe.’

I headed towards the front door, but he snatched at my arm again, turning me to face him.

‘You bitch!’ He lifted his hand and struck me across the face. ‘You fucking tramp! I’ve been sitting in here every night, doing nothing but going training, and you’ve been screwing around behind my back.’

‘It’s not behind anyone’s back,’ I said, shielding my face with my free hand. ‘I told you, we’re through.’

He grabbed my hand and pushed me against the wall. ‘You whore,’ he spat. ‘You said we could try again.’

He drew back his fist and punched me, full in the face. My head hit the wall as his knuckles connected with my eye and I reeled backwards, grabbing at his towel as I did so.

He looked down at himself, noticing his nakedness, and it seemed to bring him back to reality. He looked up at me, blinking, as I pushed him away and tore past him to the door.

‘You don’t deserve me,’ he shouted after me, as I threw it open. ‘You’d better collect the rest of your stuff, before I throw it out.’

I could hear him, coming out behind me and was relieved to see the lift was there. I got in and turned to face him, waiting for the doors to close. ‘I will,’ I said.

‘See that you do,’ he said. ‘I’m at training tomorrow morning. If it’s still here when I get back, I’m chucking it.’

I only nodded, as the doors finally closed.

    Forty Five

Her

Stephens came to pick me up later that evening. I’d tried my best to cover up the bruising around my eye, but I couldn’t hide the swelling. I was relieved when Stephens arrived with another matte black and beribboned box. Inside was a similar outfit to the last one, but this time black. A note inside, in Nat’s fierce handwriting, said:

Hope you don’t mind the colour – it’s more suitable for someone about to lose their Dominion virginity.

See you soon,

           N

To be honest, I’d hardly noticed the colour. I was too relieved to find the mask inside. I slipped it on and tied up the laces at the back. With it on, my injuries were hidden, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I dreaded to think what Nat might do, if he saw the extent of the bruising.

Stephens was already waiting outside, when Liv arrived home from work. I’d taken the mask off, but I had on my long, black coat and I hoped she wouldn’t ask me why I was wearing it on such a warm evening. I didn’t need to worry – she was too distracted by the state of my eye. As soon as she saw it, she drew in her breath sharply.

‘Ouch, Grace. I take it Leo paid you a visit?’

‘I went over to his,’ I said. ‘So, I suppose, I was asking for it.’

At this, she snorted. ‘Of course you were. For fuck’s sake, give it up with this victim attitude, will you? He’s a dick. End of. You need to report him.’

‘Okay.’ I said, trying to think of a way to change the subject. ‘Uh…how’s Max?’

‘I’ve barely seen him.’ Liv looked despondent. ‘He hardly came out of his office for the rest of the day. And there I was, hoping he’d ask me to cover for you again.’

I absorbed this information, feeling pretty despondent myself. There’d been something in his eye, when I’d mentioned Liv to him. I’d been sure it was a flicker of interest, but maybe not.

‘Give him a chance,’ I said, giving her a quick hug. ‘You know what he’s like.’

‘I guess so. Enjoy yourself, with Mr Filth Monger.’

I nodded, butterflies dancing in my chest, and headed out to the Bentley and my public disgrace.

    Forty Six

Her

I put my mask back on in the car and sat there, wondering what the night would hold. By the time we drove into Knightsbridge, I was shaking with nerves. Stephens pulled up around the back of the Dominion hotel, where Nat was standing, waiting for me. He opened the car door for me and held out his hand. I got out and he kissed me. It was only the lightest of kisses but it was enough to set the butterflies inside me dancing. God, I was so in love with him. He put his arm around me and walked me in, through a set of black double doors.

‘Are you sure about this?’ he murmured, as he slipped my coat from around my shoulders.

I nodded. ‘I’m sure.’ I wasn’t, though. I was already self-conscious, knowing my ass cheeks were on show, and I had no idea how I was going to cope with everyone watching Nat doing whatever he had planned for me.

‘Okay,’ he said. He seemed preoccupied and clearly hadn’t noticed the doubt in my voice. He handed my coat to one of the doormen, then steered me through the club to the bar.

‘Is it going to liven up?’ I looked around at the sparse groups of clubbers. At the far end of the dance floor, stood the stage – the St Andrew’s cross positioned in the centre of it.

‘Most definitely.’ He handed me a glass of champagne. ‘It’s early yet.’

I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing, or not.

Whether it was or not, Nat was right. As the night progressed, more and more people arrived, until the dance floor was thick with clubbers, most of whom were showing at least as much bared flesh as me.

We’d been chatting so much, I’d almost forgotten why I was there and, when I heard someone talking over a tannoy, I paid it no heed.

‘I think that was meant for you,’ murmured Nat into my ear. ‘They said they had a Dominion virgin that needed breaking in.’

I flushed. Could I really do this? I remembered the night at the Castle, when I’d realised I’d set myself up purely to please Nat. Was I doing the same again?

Nat led me towards the stage, as everyone around us applauded. It reminded me of the fantasy I’d had about being disgraced on the stage at Jackaroo’s and, immediately, the thought of it sent a rush of excitement to my clit.

‘And this is one lucky little slut,’ came the voice over the tannoy. As I looked up at the stage, I finally saw the person speaking. It was the older guy – Alex – that had been in the playroom at the Castle. The one who’d told me to strip…the one who Nat had gone off to talk to last time we were here. ‘Her owner is none other than our host and the owner of Dominion, Master Nat himself.’

Everyone applauded even louder and Nat jumped up onto the stage, before holding his hand out to pull me up. Once up there, I turned to look behind me. It reminded me of the time I’d stood on the stage at Jackaroo’s, looking out across the faces staring back at me. I’d saved that moment for my fantasies but now, here, my fantasy – or a form of it, at least – was about to come true.

‘Isn’t she beautiful?’ said Alex.

There was further applause, followed by Alex laughing. ‘If you could see her without the mask, you’d be amazed.’

Nat shot him a look, but Alex just grinned and shrugged.

‘Come here, Angel.’ Nat turned to me. ‘Bend forward and put your hands on the cross.'

I turned away from the audience and followed his instructions, placing my hands on the cold metal of the cross.

Nat ran his hands across my buttocks before hooking his fingers into the sides of my thong and dragging it down across my boots. ‘Spread your legs,’ he said, pulling my cheeks apart and exposing my asshole to the spectators.

I shuffled my feet further apart, maintaining the posture he’d told me to adopt. I could practically feel the eyes burning into me and, knowing they were all looking at my naked rear end, I was relieved to be facing away from them.

‘There’s a good girl, Angel,’ he said, bending down to whisper in my ear. ‘Unfortunately, even good girls get their bottoms spanked when they’re on stage.’

I was aware of him pulling his hand back and, for a moment, it reminded me of Leo, earlier that evening. But, even as I thought it, I realised how different they were. Leo didn’t care how he made me feel. He’d hit me and not give a shit how much he hurt me. Nat, on the other hand, was all about pleasing me. This spanking was all about my pleasure and, as he brought his hand down across my ass, I felt it right through to my clit, as my walls clenched of their own accord.

As he raised his hand again, I couldn’t help but push my ass out further.

‘Gorgeous,’ he remarked, as he spanked it harder. ‘So tight and yet so yielding. Stay still now, Angel.’

He walked over to a bench at the back of the stage, behind the cross, so I was able to watch him sorting through the various implements and tools laid out across it.

‘This,’ he said finally, coming back across to me. ‘A paddle and, look, across it in studs, it says SLUT. Let’s see if we can’t brand you with what you are.’

As he brought it down across my ass, my back arched. I remembered the girl, Christo, tied to the wall in the dungeon last time I’d been here. She’d been punished with a paddle and I hadn’t, at the time, understood the attraction. Now, I got it. As the harsh, yet pliant, leather cracked down across my buttocks, I didn’t cry out. I moaned with pleasure. The thought that my ass might be branded with the word SLUT made me moan even more, and I felt the juices flowing between my legs.

‘Getting excited, Angel?’ Nat took hold of my hair and pulled me up until I was standing, my naked ass still facing the crowd. ‘Turn around now, there’s a good girl. Let’s get you into position.’

I did as I was told and turned around until I was facing the audience. I couldn’t hide my eyes now, and had to look out across them, knowing they were all looking at my semi-naked body.

Nat pushed me backwards gently, onto the cross, and took one of my hands. ‘Cuffing you now, Angel,’ he said, shackling my wrist to the frame. He pulled away and stared into my eyes. ‘You look divine,’ he said, taking my other hand and doing the same. ‘But are you absolutely certain about this?’

I looked out again across the sea of expectant faces, then back to Nat. Despite my embarrassment, I’d never been so turned on. I nodded. ‘Quite certain.’

‘Open your legs, then,’ he said. ‘Those ankles need tying out as well.’