After Razer and Beth left, she told everyone goodnight except him before going downstairs. Shade followed behind her, giving her enough time to reach his room and make her call. He wanted her to know all avenues of her planned escape were closed.
She had a big smile on her lips which fell flat when he casually walked into the room, shutting the door and locking it behind him then leaning back briefly against it. The cell phone was to her ear, but her eyes were on him.
Shade straightened from the door, going to the dresser where he took off his shirt then his boots, placing them to the side. Walking barefoot, he went to the large closet that was against the wall where her clothes were kept. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a keychain, unlocking the other side of the closet which held his neatly arranged equipment.
One after the other, he pulled out various items, testing their weight in his hands. He took out a thick ruler, which he smacked against his hand before putting it back in the closet. He then pulled out a flogger, which he slapped against his thigh before putting it back in the cabinet.
“Yes,” Shade heard her strangled reply to something Penni must have said.
Shade lost track of the conversation while he debated which toy he would use on Lily first. He knew which one he wanted to use, but she would have a panic attack, and he didn’t want that. He was going to have to start out slowly, despite wanting to give her a lesson a seasoned sub would cry over.
Shade pulled out his favorite paddle. It was thin and covered in leather. He smacked it against his palm, finding it was perfect for what he wanted. Happy with his choice, he shut the closet door then walked to the chair and sat down, staring directly into her eyes.
Her gaze tore away from his, going to the door. She was smart enough to realize she couldn’t make it. Shade wasn’t going to underestimate her again, already figuring out her next move by seeing her body tense in preparation.
“Make sure you do. I’m planning on coming for a visit.” She spoke into the phone quickly.
All of a sudden, Lily jumped from the bed, making a run for the bathroom. She didn’t make it, though. Halfway there, he had her around the waist, lifting her from the floor.
“Oh, no you don’t.”
“Don’t you dare touch me!” Lily yelled.
“I am going to do more than touch you. I’m going to teach you a lesson that you will never forget, Lily,” Shade promised.
She was about to scream, terrified, when he sat her down on her feet in her corner and took a step back.
He could feel her fear. She should be afraid, he thought grimly to himself. She had pushed him past his limits, but she was more than able to defend herself against him; she had proven that earlier. Therefore, it was time she faced her fears head-on, and come what may, he was going to rip away the barriers she used to protect herself from him. She needed to see the real Shade or as much of himself as he could show, anyway.
He pulled the chair to face her, taking a seat. “I think it’s past time we straighten out a few things.”
Her hand went to the rubber band as she pressed back against the wall.
“Cut it out. You’re in your safe zone, and I won’t touch you when you’re there.” Shade leaned back against his chair.
“I joined The Last Riders when I left the military. There are eight original members. When we started the club, we decided women would be members, too. Both the men and women have rules as to how they can join. The men, if they want to enter and we want them as a part of the club, pick four of the eight original members to go up against. If they can handle themselves, they become members. The women need six votes from the eight original members to join. To get the votes, the member either fucks them or has an orgasm as a result of their play.”
“I don’t want to know,” Lily moaned.
“Lily, you’re going to hear it all. No more pretending. Now, to continue, Beth and Winter earned their votes differently. They earned markers. That’s not to say they didn’t earn a few votes the normal way, just not the majority of them.” He kept his voice dispassionate when he discussed Beth and Winter.
“I really don’t want to hear this,” Lily said, turning her face to the wall.
“After they gain their last vote, the women can get their tat with the date they earned it and became a member.”
Lily turned back to face him. “Beth doesn’t have a tattoo.”
“I believe Beth and Winter both had their tats placed where no one would see them. I wouldn’t know. I gave them both my marker. I also have never participated in any of their fun with the club. Diamond, also.”
“Why?”
“Because Beth is your sister, Winter is your friend, and Diamond because I could tell that, when you eventually spent more time with her, you would become close friends. I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable around them.”
“I don’t understand.” Lily shook her head.
“Yes, you do. You don’t want to admit it, but you do.” He stared directly into her eyes.
“No.”