Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
NORTH CAROLINA
A dria heard the snap of the tracker as she left—the sound sharp in the quiet air. She motioned for Bryson to follow and stepped out of the room.
Her heart pounded harder than she liked.
She had deliberately left Bryson alone for the first week, making sure he felt like an afterthought. The next two weeks, however, had been something else.
Procrastination.
And she hated herself for it.
She wouldn’t admit it to anyone—not even Eric—but Bryson made her nervous.
His father was an unpredictable sociopath, and experience told her the apple rarely fell far from the tree.
Except…
There was something in Bryson’s eyes.
The way he looked at her when she suggested he was loyal to his father. The way his jaw twitched. The way his posture tensed.
Revenge had felt great in the beginning. But after three weeks with Seth and Kaydon, it felt less realistic.
The problem was, despite her reputation, she didn’t stable unwilling men.
She let the families believe she did. Let them fear her methods. Let them assume she turned captives into mindless pets. The rumor served its purpose.
It kept her relevant.
It ensured she remained a serious player in the Nine.
But the truth was, most of her business was completely legitimate.
She had kept some of her father’s gambling rings, dabbled in illegal trade when it suited her. But mostly, she was a high-end procurer—tracking down hard-to-get items for the wealthiest bidders.
And if the Triune wanted information on a high-profile figure? Well. The submissive sales afforded her an extensive list of people to talk to.
And when that didn’t work, she always had X.
Adria didn’t abduct men off the street.
She didn’t break them.
Not in the way people assumed.
It was a fact she had reiterated to Eric many times as they finalized the new itinerary for training.
And yet, here she was.
The mind games with Bryson? Those, she had no problem with. He was fair game.
But Seth and Kaydon?
They were starting to feel more and more like collateral damage.
She had tried to talk to Eric about it, but he had been blunt as ever: Any one of those three wouldn’t hesitate to kill you if they got a sanctioned chance.
He was right.
And now that X had secured a buyer willing to sabotage Callen’s land prospects in exchange for Bryson’s sale, there was no more room for hesitation.
She was a Federov.
It was time she acted like one .
Bryson shuffled behind her, the weight of him pressing into her awareness.
Even though she had his number, she still had her hands full.
Kaydon had spent every night this week handcuffed to his bed. She’d had to get creative, but somehow, she’d managed to keep him from orgasming.
Seth was trickier.
He was a tangled ball of distrust, knotted tight and disguised as anger.
They had built something—not trust, but a careful understanding.
And that was almost worse.
Because the deeper she got into this, the harder it was to pretend it didn’t matter.
Adria entered the main foyer, her heels clicking against the polished marble.
At the bottom, Kaydon and Seth stood exactly as instructed, waiting.
Both were shirtless, wearing only their pants. Many Dominants—herself included—preferred their submissives completely naked. But she was trying Eric’s new program. A different approach.
For now.
Her gaze swept over Kaydon first. His tattoos were scattered across his chest and hands, some random, some significant. Many were the unmistakable Winters colors.
The snowflake with a snake curled along his neck. The hand inked into his right shoulder blade. ‘UNAQ’ tattooed across his right hand—code for Right Hand. Marks that tethered him to Bryson.
And then, the spider.
They all had one, imprinted on their left shoulder blade.
Seth and Kaydon also bore the four-sword Winters crest above their hearts .
To outsiders, these brands marked loyalty. Family . They were meant to protect, to signify allegiance, to shield them from rival factions.
But Adria knew the truth.
No one in the Nine would say it aloud, but the brands didn’t mean belonging.
They meant ownership.
Once marked, they were no longer men. They were property. They lived, breathed, fought, and killed at their family’s command. And if they refused?
They died.
It was that simple.
Her gaze flicked to Seth next.
More ink.
The word ‘KILLER’ stretched in bold Gothic script above his navel.
Three swords on his left hand.
And then, the scars.
Thin, faded lines tracing over both forearms.
Adria had seen the report. The physician assured her they were years old. The damage was done, but the wounds had long since healed.
She hadn’t seen Bryson’s marks in full yet, but she knew what colors he wore.
She had seen the photos.
Seth’s face lit up when he spotted Bryson, his sharp eyes softening in a way that caught Adria off guard.
Kaydon broke into a lopsided grin.
“Killer!”
Bryson’s greeting was warm, genuine. He pulled Seth into an embrace, clapping him on the back.
Adria arched a brow. Killer ?
Interesting.
Seth’s kill tattoos only gave him credit for one.
Her attention shifted as Bryson and Kaydon sized each other up, their gazes locking in silent communication.
Adria didn’t miss it.
It was the first time she had witnessed their dynamic up close.
It was unspoken, but strong.
A bond carved into them through years of survival.
There was warmth here—real connection.
“Mr. Winters is going to be joining us for dinner this evening,” she said. “That is, if he can behave.”
She watched Bryson’s face redden. Not from arousal, but from anger. He was way too free with his emotions. It was clear from the boys’ intake packet that Bryson played the Dominant in their dynamic. Which was why this introduction was so important. With Eric’s expertise, she had planned this encounter meticulously. It was a delicate balance. Kaydon and Seth being extremely loyal to Bryson meant she had very little to work with, but what she had, she was prepared to use.
“Brysey and I had a little chat, and I’m confident he and I have come to an understanding. Isn’t that right?”
Bryson kept his posture casual. His arrogance was na?ve at best, but bordered on delusional.
“It’s your show, princess,” he said, giving Kaydon a cocky smile.
Adria ignored the nickname. “You are so right.”
She put her dark hair up in a high bun. It was a simple move, but the other two had spent the better part of the last three weeks seeing her do this right before she played with them. The effect was immediate. Kaydon shifted uncomfortably, and blood flushed into Seth’s pale cheeks.
“Kneel.”
All three stayed standing.
So predictable .
She snapped her fingers, and Eric moved toward Bryson.
“Need I remind you what happens if Eric has to force you to follow my command?”
Bryson’s eyes moved to Eric and then looked at Seth. His entire body tensed, and his eyes narrowed, but his knees bent. Kaydon seemed surprised, but followed suit. Seth gave her a scathing look and took his place next to Kaydon.
Adria walked over to stand in front of the three, her blood-red stilettos stopping in front of Bryson. Reaching down, she grabbed his chin, forcing him to look up at her.
“You look so cute when you’re angry.”
“That’s funny. I never think you look cute.”
She faked a pout. “Aw, that wasn’t very nice.”
Grabbing a fistful of Bryson’s hair, she wrenched his head back, and he hissed.
“I do not tolerate disrespect. I know manners are something that you are woefully lacking, so let’s start training right away, shall we?” she said, letting go of his hair.
Moving a few pointed steps away, she turned and stopped.
“Come here,” she said.
She kept her tone light, but when he hesitated, she sharpened it. “Now.”
By some miracle, it had worked in the boardroom and while it didn’t have the same immediate effect as before, he started to move. Power pulsed in her veins and she wanted to push him further.
“Crawl!”
His rusty eyes burned with venom, but he complied.
Slow, mechanical movements. His gaze dropped to the floor, his hands and knees moving in careful succession toward her feet .
When he reached her, he settled back onto his heels, chest heaving, his tongue darting out to wet his lips.
He reminded Adria of a newly caged tiger.
There was no doubt—if given the chance, Bryson would kill her.
She needed to be careful. She needed to ensure his bars were secure.
Adria pressed her toe into the floor, triggering a mechanism beneath the boards. A switch clicked, and a metal eye hook rotated into place.
Eric stepped forward, handing her a pair of cuffs.
She didn’t rush. The cold metal clicked softly as she curled her fingers around each of his wrists, fastening them behind his back.
Adria could feel his breath, warm and steady, as she leaned over him, securing his cuffs to the floor.
He was helpless now.
But the fire in his eyes told a different story.
Something stirred deep inside her at the sight of him, restrained and glaring, barely hanging on to control.
She wanted to hurt him. Wanted to break him.
But there was more to it than that.
Something coiled low in her stomach. Something unfamiliar. Something she didn’t want to name.
She pushed the thought aside, stepping back to distance herself from Bryson, shifting her attention to Seth.
“Come here,” she said, locking eyes with him.
Seth’s sharp blue gaze flickered between her and Bryson.
The care he held for him was obvious. Impossible to ignore.
But there would only be one Dominant in this house.
And that precedent needed to be set tonight .
“Now, Seth.”
Her tone cracked through the air like a whip .
Kaydon and Bryson both tensed.
A war raged behind Seth’s eyes.
The rules had been clear. Follow them, and he could stay. Disobey and leave.
Tension crackled between them like a live wire.
His muscles tightened, coiling like a spring ready to snap. His face darkened, and something dangerous shimmered around him—like a storm about to break.
Adria didn’t move, but she felt Eric shift closer to her.
This must have been the version of Seth that had earned him his nickname. Killer .
And fuck, Adria wouldn’t want to meet this version of him in a dark alley.
“Seth.”
Kaydon’s voice cut through the thick silence. Sharp. Commanding.
Whatever dark thoughts had been forming behind Seth’s eyes faded, clearing like a dissipating storm.
His jaw ticked, but slowly—mechanically—he began to crawl toward her.
His eyes never leaving Bryson’s.
“Look at me,” she commanded.
His gaze snapped to hers.
For the past few days, Seth had responded to her Dominance. He wanted it, in ways he didn’t yet understand. But Adria had no doubts where his true loyalties lay.
Which is why phase two of her plan had to be something they wouldn’t expect.
She tilted her head slightly, watching him.
“At home, I assume you pleasure your brothers?”
She had done her research.
She knew brothers wasn’t just a word to them. It was a bonded nickname of sorts.
As expected, confusion flickered across Seth’s face, but he recovered fast .
His lips parted, his flush creeping up his throat.
“Fuck yeah,” he murmured, arousal bleeding into his voice.
His pouty, obscene mouth curved, his pupils darkening.
“Show me.”
A sharp inhale came from behind her—Kaydon.
Seth’s pupils blew wide.
Bryson tensed as Seth opened his pants. A process made difficult considering Bryson was shackled to the floor.
Enveloping his hands around Bryson’s cock, Seth ran the tip of his tongue along the shaft. A soft exhale escaped from Adria as she was taken aback by Bryson’s impressive size. Struggling to maintain her balance, she marveled at the sight of Seth skillfully taking Bryson into his mouth.
His tiny mouth stretched to accommodate Bryson. Despite her initial doubt, the task was done effortlessly, and Bryson’s cock was devoured completely. Intimate sounds filling the room, along with the smell of arousal.
The flush deepened on Seth’s back, and he put his arms around Bryson’s hips, pulling his cock impossibly deeper. Adria was transfixed by the scene. Seth’s blue eyes were glued to Bryson’s, with a reverie that Adria usually saw with only the closest of relationships.
When Bryson’s breathing became ragged and his eyes fluttered closed, she spoke up. “Seth, stop.”
Seth froze but kept Bryson inside his mouth.
Excitement tingled down her spine when he followed her command.
Tangling her fingers in Seth’s hair, she pulled until he cried out on Bryson’s cock.
Bryson bucked under him, and Kaydon whispered, “Fucking hell.”
Hand still in Seth’s hair, she knelt down until she was inches from his face. Her lips grazing Seth’s ear lobe as she whispered, “Tease him with your tongue.”
The control vibrated inside her, and her core ached. She watched as Seth pushed Bryson to the absolute brink, all under her command. The energy sparked around them, and when she was sure Bryson was about to combust, she pulled Seth away by his hair.
Bryson’s cock came out with a pop and slapped against his belly; his face twisted in a pained expression.
“He seems awfully glad to see you, pup,” she said, patting Seth’s head.
Seth wiped a hand across his mouth, and Bryson breathed heavily next to him.
“Kaydon, come here.”
Suddenly in a compliant mood, Kaydon moved quickly to join them.
“I think Seth has done a great job. What do you think?” she said.
Kaydon nodded, and after she narrowed her eyes, he cleared his throat. “Yeah.”
Yeah ? She would have to work on that.
“Such a great job. I think he deserves a reward,” she said.
Leaning in, she spoke softly in Kaydon’s ear. “Take care of the little one. If you put on enough of a show, I’ll even let you come.”
“Any way I want to?” he asked, eyes lighting up.
She smiled. “Any way you want to.”
Standing, he grabbed Seth and growled in his ear before pulling him toward the couch. Seth didn’t offer any resistance when Kaydon pulled down his pants.
“Lube’s in the side table drawer,” she offered.
“Don’t need it,” Kaydon said.
With one hand, he worked his excessive pre-cum over his dick and pressed the other hand on the small of Seth’s back, effectively holding him still .
Her show had all three of her charges rock hard. Adria was impressed by their sizes; their buyer would have no complaints in that department.
Kneeling down, Kaydon pushed his face into Seth’s ass. A few minutes into Kaydon’s eating, Seth was squirming and moaning under his firm hand.
Adria pressed her legs together. She was soaking.
Standing, Kaydon plunged into Seth, and the two rocked together. Adria could see Seth physically shaking with pleasure.
The sight was beautiful.
They were so different in size, yet they fit perfectly together.
“You’ve pleased me, stud. You can come.”
Seth cried out as Kaydon wrapped his massive arms around him, hauling him upright so his back pressed against his chest.
Adria imagined standing in front of them, her legs spread, Seth plunging into her as Kaydon fucked him from behind—the force of Kaydon’s massive thighs driving Seth deeper inside her.
She shook off the thought, looking away from the scene.
Pull yourself together. You do not sleep with your submissives.
She never had, and she never would.
It opened too many doors.
Besides, these three were a means to an end—nothing more.
Kaydon convulsed behind Seth, the release from weeks without coming hitting him hard.
Adria could feel the tension in the room draining from everyone—except her, and the person kneeling at her feet.
Moving her gaze to Bryson, she knelt down so only he could hear .
“Your brothers are mine now. For the next year, they fuck when I say, how I say.”
He swallowed hard, possibly for the first time, allowing the gravity of the situation to hit him. Bryson had a reputation for being caviler. Live free die young type. Sometimes she felt bad about breaking Seth and Kaydon, but she didn’t feel an ounce of sympathy for Bryson.
Standing, Adria pressed the tip of her shoe into his no-doubt painful erection.
“And they come when I say.”
Bryson squeezed his eyes shut. Adria tried to ignore the tingle that went up her spine.
She pressed a little more, knowing the pain would help the message sink in.
“If you want to take part at all, you will fall in line.”
Her entire body thrummed when she heard his teeth clack together, no doubt trying to stifle a cry of pain. She was completely in tune. Like a well-worn pair of shoes, hurting him fit surprisingly well.
“All right, boys, clean up and meet me in the dining room,” she said.
Kaydon had collapsed over a quivering Seth.
“Sadly, our star guest won’t be joining us.”
Adria moved across the room.
“Oh, and Kaydon, our guest feels the floors are unsanitary. I expect you and Seth to do a better job cleaning them tomorrow.”
Kaydon ground his teeth together, shooting a glare at Bryson.
They didn’t care for her. Of course not. But she had used their sexuality, and their desires, against them.
And she had loved the show.
Eric was right. This was going to be easier than willing participants. Because with willing participants, she had boundaries. Lines she wasn’t willing to cross. But with Bryson, she had no issues. If it was going to be between him and her, she would choose herself every time.
A saying her father used to use came to mind: “Breaking the horse is the best part. Once they’re tame, all the fun is gone.”
For once, she saw its merit.