42. Chapter 42
Cameron
They’re jealous. They might hate me for being a rat, but they came to watch the little show I put on anyway, because Justin is perfect.
I can gloat over that, at least, even if the rest of the experience sucks.
Not even the people who claimed to believe my innocence will approach me.
They might trust I’m being set up, but they won’t risk being seen talking to me. It’s like I have the plague.
I don’t blame them. I would have probably acted the same in their position. It still pisses me off.
Justin serves as a great distraction, and I’m increasingly grateful I brought him along. Without him, I’d sit here on my own, ignored and glared at until Rossi decided to grace me with his presence. I’m sure Sin would come eventually, but she tends to be quite busy on Friday nights.
Justin whimpers, his muscles tightening as he struggles to stay still. He tries, though. For me. Not because I threatened him, but because he wants to please me. It’s a heady feeling that almost makes up for the general distaste emanating from the club patrons.
I grab his shoulders and gently guide him back onto his heels.
His back and neck will be grateful for the change in position, but he’ll quickly discover what the device I put on him does, other than squeeze his balls so tight they’re now an enticing dark red color. Like cherries ready to be devoured.
He gasps as he tries to straighten up but stays hunched over.
I can’t help but laugh. “Come on, pet. Straighten your back. Chin up.”
“Oh my god,” Justin moans as he tries. The metal arms of the humbler are lodged firmly behind his legs, pulling his balls back every time he tries to straighten. The kneeling position isn’t even that difficult. If I wanted to be extra mean, I’d make him stand up. That one’s practically impossible.
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. Don’t you want to be a good boy for me?”
Another lovely, desperate whimper. Justin grits his teeth.
I watch him straighten his back, one vertebra at a time, his face scrunched in concentration and pain.
Just enough pain to make him struggle, so that he has to fight himself to do what I want.
So that it hurts him to please me, yet he does it anyway.
That’s where the real thrill comes from, not from cutting into someone or choking them until they pass out.
I want to watch Justin fight, but I also want him to win. And he does.
His eyes, glassy with tears, find mine when he finally manages to straighten up.
I can hear the unsaid plea behind them, and I don’t leave him waiting.
“Great job. You pleased me very much, pet.” He nearly sags with relief, but catches himself and resumes the position.
“So very good,” I praise as I lean in for a short kiss.
Breath leaves him in a rush when I bite his lip, not hard enough to draw blood but enough for it to swell. “Stay like that for me, pet.”
“Well, this is an unexpected surprise.”
I squeeze the leash tighter, using it to center myself before turning to face Alfredo Rossi. He actually came. That has to be a good thing.
The Triton Syndicate leader is wearing a tailored suit as usual, but the top two buttons of his blood-red dress shirt are undone, indicating that he’s done with business for the day.
He watches Justin struggle with quiet amusement.
As far as I know, he’s not gay, but like every other powerful person in my world, he has a thing for cruelty.
“Mr. Rossi,” I greet him with a nod and gesture to an armchair opposite mine. He sits down without hesitation, another good sign. Or maybe he’s just confident that his reputation won’t suffer even if he’s seen with me.
He waves at a waiter. Like me, he doesn’t have to specify his order. Even for people who aren’t into kink, Indulgence is a favorite spot to socialize without the risk of someone barging in and shooting you.
“Mr. Matthews.” He finally takes his eyes off Justin to look at me.
I wish I could say what I see in those two pools of darkness, but he didn’t become the leader of the most powerful organization in the city by telegraphing his emotions for everyone to see.
“I’ve heard some interesting information about you,” he continues.
As he settles into the chair, he holds up his hand, and the waiter places a drink straight into it, like they’ve rehearsed it.
I’m not into muscular hunks like him, but even I have to admit that it’s hot.
Fuck. Focus, Cameron. I let my fingers slide over the leather connecting me to Justin. If I don’t put a stop to Small’s accusations, we’ll both be in danger, and I just promised he’s safe with me. I don’t break my promises.
“If you mean those ridiculous lies about me working with the police, that’s just what they are. Lies.”
Rossi sips from his drink. I can’t tell if he’s doing it to be theatrical or if he really needs to think about what I said.
“Yes, so our dear Madame Sin claims, and I haven’t known her to be a liar.
” So this meeting is Sin’s doing. I owe her a case of that Spanish wine she likes. “She vouched for you.”
Forget one case. Sin’s getting a whole truckload of wine.
“Sin and I have known each other for a long time,” I say carefully.
If this goes sideways, I don’t want to drag her down with me.
“She knows I hold no love for the law. All I ever cared about was my career. And of course,” I glance at Justin, “a little fun on the side.” My pet is admirably still and quiet, even though his ass and cock must be burning from the special lube I used.
He catches my gaze and straightens up, wincing as the movement pulls on his balls.
When I turn back to Rossi, he’s watching Justin again, frowning as he studies my pet’s face.
Without a single word, he pulls out his phone and starts tapping on it.
What the fuck is he doing? He still hasn’t indicated if he believes me or not.
Sin might have vouched for me, but her word alone is not enough.
To mask my nervousness, I grab the glass of water and hold it to Justin’s lips.
The love bites on his neck bob as he drinks.
A drop of water escapes from the corner of his mouth and rolls down his chest. I’m tempted to lick it off, but I still have Rossi to deal with.
Rossi, who found whatever it was that he’s been looking for, and is now grinning like a cat who got the canary.
“I thought he looked familiar,” he says, jerking his chin toward Justin.
“My brother visits the same college. Your boy’s photos are all over the campus.
” He angles his phone, showing me a homemade missing poster with Justin’s photo, taped to a street light.
“I take it he’s not here of his own free will? ”
I shrug. “It’s no fun when you have to haggle for consent over every little thing. I prefer not to ask at all.”
“So very true,” Rossi agrees. “I can’t imagine your police buddies would condone this little hobby of yours.”
A threat? A genuine observation? I hate not being able to tell.
I have nothing to hide, so I decide to go with full honesty.
“Which is why they’re not my buddies. Detective Small followed me around a few months ago, trying to convince me to become his informant.
When he failed, he turned to more drastic measures.
I’m not an idiot, Mr. Rossi. I love my life the way it is.
” Especially now with Justin in it. “I wouldn’t jeopardize it by blabbing to the cops. ”
“Hmm, I always did consider you quite intelligent, and a person of integrity, which is why the news about your betrayal was so disappointing. However, if that news was fake…” He trails off and I wait with bated breath.
Leather creaks as I squeeze Justin’s leash tighter.
Rossi is watching him now, clearly contemplating whether I can be both an informant and a kidnapper.
Hopefully, he’ll reach the correct conclusion.
I thank the stars Justin all but insisted on coming with me tonight.
Had I known bringing him would tip the scales in my favor, I would have dragged him over days ago.
Rossi unhurriedly finishes his drink. This time, it’s definitely for show.
Just like when I played with Justin before, we have an audience now.
They’re more inconspicuous, trying to pretend they’re not listening in, but most ears in the club are swiveled in our direction.
Gossip will run rampant tonight, regardless of the result of this meeting.
When his glass is empty, Rossi sets it aside and looks at his watch. “Look at that. It seems that my time with you is up.”
Is he for real? I follow as he stands up, hoping I don’t look as desperate as I feel. Sensing Justin move, I gently press down on the top of his head, letting him know he can stay kneeling.
Amusement glints in Rossi’s eyes as he feeds on my discomfort.
Just when my patience is about to run out and I’m about to do something stupid, he extends his hand toward me.
“It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Matthews,” he says loudly enough for our audience to catch.
“My assistant will be in touch to set up a session to work on my tattoo. It appears that it will need some touch-ups.”
My knees nearly buckle as I grab Rossi’s hand. This is what I needed. In one smooth move, the Triton Syndicate leader has publicly taken my side.
I clear my throat so that my voice doesn’t shake. “My schedule is open for you, Mr. Rossi.”
Still gripping my hand, Rossi pulls me closer. Then, just for my ears, he whispers, “You better not be lying to me, Mr. Matthews. That would have very, very unfortunate consequences for you.”
I look him straight in the eye. “I have nothing to hide. Feel free to check.”
“Oh, I will. Detective Small, you said?” Stepping away, Rossi nods, as if he hadn’t committed Small’s name to memory the first time I mentioned it. “I’ll look into him. We’ll talk more when we meet again. Until next time, Mr. Matthews.”
As he heads out, hushed conversations erupt all around the club. I ignore them, sinking back into my chair and downing the rest of my drink.
“You won,” Justin whispers, like he isn’t sure if he can speak. He’s smiling, genuinely happy about me, and I realize he’s right. I won.
With backing of the Triton Syndicate, I don’t have to worry about my reputation anymore. Small’s plot has failed, and he’s going to pay for it. The lawyer I’ve contacted, a ridiculously expensive shark, is about to sue him for everything from violation of civil rights to abuse of authority.
At the very least, I’ll get a shit ton of money from a former detective. At best, Small goes to jail. On its own, it wouldn’t be enough to repair the damage to my reputation, but with Rossi backing me…
“No, pet. We won.”