Bound by His Command: A Dark Billionaire Romance Read online

  Christopher

  I rubbed my hand as I walked down the hallway and into the open portion of the club. After scanning the main floor, I moved through the crowd, keeping my eyes peeled for the asshole and his bodyguards, finally heading forward the front entrance. “Questions, Bruno.”

  “Yes, boss?” Bruno asked.

  “The Russians. Did they leave?”

  He snorted, fisting then flexing his hand. “Yeah, but not without issuing a warning.”

  “Let me guess,” I snarled.

  “Something about making certain you learn not to mess with them.”

  “Were the assholes members?”

  Bruno shifted from foot to foot. “Yeah, they were. Kinda surprised the hell out of me.”

  I took another glance around the club, noticing Gregory’s approach out of the corner of my eye. “Did they make any trouble or talk to anyone?” If they had a connection with one of the other members, then I’d know we had a situation on our hands.

  “Nope. The big blond dude just finished the bottle of vodka then stormed out of here.”

  “Okay. Make sure and let me know if they try to gain entrance again,” I said casually.

  “Are they banned?” Bruno asked.

  “I’ll let you know if they try and get inside.” I moved outside, studying the parking lot. Almost immediately, I heard the door once again and chuckled. “Are you worried, brother?”

  Gregory flanked my side, folding his hands together in front of him. “Worried? Should I be? I will say this. You certainly know how to push buttons. First some group of college kids then a paying member. What’s next?”

  A moment of tension shifted between us.

  “We may have an issue, Gregory. Something I need to check on.” I thought about the informant I’d used for years, the man’s knowledge about criminal activity on the streets worth every penny I’d paid for gathering his information. There was no doubt he’d know exactly what Aleksandr was doing in my beloved city.

  “What kind of issue?”

  “There is a reason the Russian was here. That’s something I need to determine.”

  He exhaled, remaining quiet.

  “Who is the ballerina?” I finally asked, staring him directly in the eyes.

  “Her name is Willow Summers. I don’t know much about her. She stays to herself.”

  The name rolled off my tongue, soft and sweet just like the woman herself. I rubbed the hand I’d spanked her with, enjoying the tingling sensations. As I brought my fingers under my nose, inhaling the musky scent of her pussy, my mind wandered once again to all things savage. I couldn’t wait to shove my cock deep inside her wet channel and tight little asshole. “She is a fascinating addition to the group of dancers.”

  Gregory shifted until he was able to face me, a smirk crossing his face. “Interesting to see your reaction, brother. Is she the issue?”

  “Quite possibly. I will have a discussion with her.” Discussion. What I actually planned for the lovely blonde was a cathartic sin for a man like me. If she had knowledge of the Russian, it would take ripping away her defenses in order to gain even a single line of information. I would do what it took, even if it meant breaking her.

  “Consider that she may be able to tell us more about why Prentikov is here but do try and keep our employee in one piece,” he said, half laughing. “You also may want to check with that informant of yours.”

  I huffed under my breath. “Already in my planning.” I hadn’t talked with Luis Cacini in almost sixty days, the club’s activities quieter than they’d been in three months. The brutal man had worked with me for almost six years. He was offensive in every way, his body reeking of two days’ worth of sweat and liquor, often mixed with the flowery perfume of whatever woman he’d taken to bed. He was also dangerous in his own way, capable of cutting a man to ribbons without so much as a second thought. Our relationship was caustic, but in some sick kind of way, we trusted each other.

  “We’re all concerned about finding the ledger, but we must maintain our business objectives. You know how Michael is.”

  Yes, I knew very well. Michael was the consummate businessman, refusing to allow potential dangers or our growing enemies to thwart our desires for the future. Older by several years, he’d been required to take care of Gregory and me after our parents’ untimely accident.

  “Understood; however, there’s something going on under our noses. I feel it in my gut. We need to find out where that fucking ledger is.”

  “Agreed. From the list of members, have you narrowed down suggestions of who might be on the short list for this infamous inner circle? Does that include Prentikov?”

  Snorting, I noticed a car driving very slowly past the club, the ugly street lighting barely creating a highlight against the dark tinted windows. Instantly, I reached for my weapon, prepared to handle the situation as necessary. “I have a list of ten potential candidates, and it does not include the Russian.”

  “Interesting. Then I suggest we have a meeting tomorrow.”

  I nodded, scanning the road surrounding the club, the lights of the other buildings giving the area an ominous glow. “That we can do.” I started to walk away.

  “If Aleksandr is involved, we can expect violence, but caution is in order. I hope you heed my warning.”

  Chuckling, I shoved my hands into my pockets. My brother usually had a sixth sense about these things, his uncanny ability to decipher the ugliness of humanity unparalleled. “I assure you that the Russian has met his match.”

  Willow

  Obey.

  The word refused to leave my mind as I made certain I hadn’t left behind anything important.

  When the door was thrown open, I jumped, a moan slipping past my lips.

  The dancer entering narrowed her eyes, studying mine. “Are you okay, Callie? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” She gazed down at the cash on the floor, her eyes narrowing.

  “I’m fine. Just not feeling well.” My words were as stiff as my muscles, especially as I tried to smile. Not a single other dancer knew my real name or anything about me.

  “Well, there is something going around. You know, DC weather and all,” she said, laughing. She glanced at the floor once again then shrugged. When two other girls bounded into the room, all three of them now giddy because of one of the members, I slipped into the hallway, darting glances both ways before lowering my head and heading directly for the exit. While I’d never believed in coincidences, it didn’t appear that Aleksandr had recognized me.

  Or so I prayed to God.

  The moment I was outside, I took a deep breath, loathing the way the frigid breeze cut through my thin coat. As I gathered the two sides together, struggling to secure the bag over my shoulder, I suddenly felt a presence behind me. Every muscle in my body stiffened, my blood chilling, suddenly unable to continue walking. No. No! The asshole wasn’t going to take me. I was much stronger than that.

  “I think you and I need to have a discussion, Willow.”

  Oh, God. Oh… Fuck.

  Christopher.

  I wasn’t certain whether I felt relief or simply a different kind of terror, especially since he’d already learned my real name, or at least the one I used for this business. “I’m sorry, Mr. Dunmore, about my reaction toward a customer, but I refused to be pawed by some Neanderthal. This Russian is a pig.” I was shocked the words were spouted off so easily. Cringing, the second I heard him walking closer, the heels of his expensive shoes hitting the pavement, I closed my eyes. There was nothing quite as evocative as his scent; masculine and rugged, yet fresh with hints of exotic spices. The fragrance ignited my senses, my nipples aching from slicing against the tight confines of the costume. I bit back a cry of frustration from my body’s reaction.

  Within two seconds, he’d wrapped his hand around my arm, yanking me against the heat of his body. My God, the man’s cock was throbbing, hard as a rock. The way he ran his fingers through my long, curly hair before easing it asid
e was very intimate, enough so my legs were trembling. The feel of his hot breath cascading across the back of my neck was far too enticing. I was wet and hot, fighting a string of nasty words even as the damn scent of my leaking pussy wafted between us.

  “Do you not remember the rules when you agreed to take this job, Willow?” he asked with utter authority in his voice. His grip remained firm, his fingers digging into my skin.

  I remembered them, had even witnessed one of the more aggressive dancers reprimanded by another one of the Dunmore brothers. I’d heard rumors that a few girls had been punished over the years. The rules hadn’t seemed real to me, or maybe I’d positioned myself inside a snow globe, pretending as if I could remain under the radar. Everything had changed minutes before.

  I hadn’t made friends with any of the other girls, couldn’t care less about earning extra income performing private dances. Club Darkness was an entirely different world than the other portion of my life; power, influence, and money all but erasing acts of indecency and humiliation.

  I’d been lured into the sexy world of kink and submission, allowing the fantasy to take over every time I danced. Every night when I floated out onto the stage, all the anger and fear from the past was washed away. Sadly, my hidden life had just turned into a nightmare.

  How had Aleksandr found me?

  “Yes, I remember them,” I managed as he pulled me against the door. When he turned me around to face him, his expression shifted into something savage. Primal. As if he was going to devour me. The ugly lighting coming off the building still allowed me to see his features up close and personal. I’d never been any closer than a few feet away from him before tonight, had always hidden my face behind a mask until seconds before I walked outside and toward my car. While I wanted to be uncomfortable as hell, the truth was everything about the man attracted me.

  Damn it.

  As he inhaled, a smile curled across Christopher’s face. He cupped my face, lightly brushing his thumb back and forth across my jaw. The simple move made me tingle even more. By the time he spoke, I’d already lost myself to a vacuum.

  “You disobeyed several of those rules, including my direct orders. While I can forgive your insolence for accosting a member, your blatant disregard for my command is something else entirely. That makes me believe that you have something to hide. As you might imagine, secrecy and privacy are vital for the success of this club. You are coming with me. I think it’s time that you and I had a discussion.”

  Excitement.

  Apprehension.

  Dread.

  All three wrapped their bony hands around my throat, jagged edges of sharp nails digging into my skin. This was the worst thing that could have happened.

  Discussion.

  I honestly doubted a man like Christopher Dunmore had ever entered into a real dialogue with anyone, at least with regard to business. He made demands, exuding power from across the room. He made bold statements, his booming baritone cutting through the din of the music more than once during my employ. And he made enemies, enough so I had to wonder whether he lived in a fortress.

  I’d seen the looks on several of the members’ faces, a combination of resentment and respect. I’d read every article on the brothers as well as the club, their reputations and histories reading like the who’s who of the upper crust of American society. I’d also heard the innuendoes and rumors from people who likely had axes to grind. Christopher was indeed a dangerous man.

  He’d taken over one of the private rooms, closing and locking the door behind us. While I’d seen several of them, had even witnessed some of the kinky acts performed by members, I’d never had interest in participating. I closed my eyes briefly as Christopher pushed me further into the room, his massive hand pressed against the small of my back both enticing and disturbing. I felt his power, the aura surrounding him like a tidal wave of forces. The realization of what he could do terrified me.

  It also excited every nerve, butterflies swarming into my stomach. What were his plans for me? What would I be required to endure for the sake of keeping my privacy? Could I surrender to another round of punishment or… or could I submit to whatever other filthy needs he had? I was sick at the thought, but I’d do what it took to get out of there and never return. Plus, there was no way I was telling Christopher anything. I had no way of knowing whether he would go directly to Aleksandr.

  “What do you see when you study this room?” Christopher asked casually.

  I sucked in my breath as he walked around me, slowly removing his jacket. I was able to catch a glimpse of his firearm protruding from the inner pocket of the fine linen. My thoughts drifted to just how expensive his suit truly was, the fit obviously tailored, the material never wrinkling. I knew he required an answer. “Possibilities.”

  He chuckled darkly as he positioned his jacket over the back of a crushed velvet sofa. The club catered to every kind of fantasy, no matter how vile or sadistic. I shuddered at the thought. “Fascinating answer but I would agree with you,” he stated before unbuttoning his sleeves, taking his time to roll them up his muscular forearms. “Why are you working here?”

  The question seemed odd, but I’d asked myself the same thing time and time again. “For the money.”

  “Hmmm… And do we pay you enough for your obvious expertise?”

  The benign questions were already getting on my nerves. What did he want me to tell him? “Who doesn’t like additional money, Mr. Dunmore? I’m like everyone else who simply wants to make certain and keep a roof over my head. Do you make enough money to satisfy your life?”

  As he turned his head in my direction, the shimmer in his eyes was almost unbearable. There was no doubt he was undressing me with his intense gaze. Even the slight curl on his lip was telling. For a few seconds, the most disgusting images rolled into my mind.

  Naked and tied down.

  My legs spread wide open.

  His tongue buried in my pussy.

  Swallowing hard, I gave him a solid glare. I just wanted this damn inquisition to be over with.

  “You are obviously very intelligent, Willow. I appreciate and value that in my employees.” He walked closer as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Just the way he was leering at me was as if I wasn’t wearing a coat and one ridiculous costume. I also hated the fact he acted as if this was his club alone, instead of the entire facility belonging equally to three brothers.

  “Should I say thank you?” I asked, holding my head high. His arrogance was as formidable as everything else about him.

  “I think you can say whatever is on your mind. As long as it’s the truth.”

  The sexual tension between us was off the charts. I was afraid of moving, my nipples already aching to the point I had difficulty holding back a whimper. Why did this man have such a profound effect on me? “The truth is, I took this job in order to be able to dance. I’m not a stripper nor am I a party girl.”

  “Party girl. While I can understand your sanctimonious attitude, when you accepted this position, I’m certain you were told that you might be required to perform private dances. Is that not correct?”

  Sanctimonious? You fucking asshole. I was appalled, my anger matching the raging desire, both continuing to build. I had the distinct impression that he was attempting to rile me. Why? So I’d spill my guts? Or beg him for forgiveness? He would get neither. Ever.

  “Yes, I was informed.”

  “Then why did you refuse the Russian? He certainly attempted to pay you well. Or is five thousand dollars not enough to peel away a few of your virtuous layers?”

  He spit out the word ‘Russian’ as if Aleksandr’s presence was as distasteful to him as it was to me. The rest was a continued attempt to push me into admission. “I already told you. The man is a pig. Then again, from what I’ve discovered in this… industry, the majority of men are unintelligent thugs who believe that by wearing their six thousand dollar suits and twenty thousand dollar Rolex watches that they can disguise the slim
iness of their actions. I know better.”

  His smile and another twinkle of his goddamn eyes should have been a just reward. His reaction only further ignited anger that was already to the boiling point.

  “Very nicely said, Willow,” he mused as he clapped several times. “You have much more of a backbone than I originally gave you credit for.”

  This was nothing but a damn game for him. Why I’d ever found him attractive was beyond me. “Aleksandr is merely an extension of his ruthless upbringing and his inability to follow the rules. In other words, he’s top of the level swine.” I’d already quit my job. I certainly wasn’t going to give a shit whether or not I insulted Christopher. He’d forget my name within thirty minutes of me driving away.

  “Sounds like you know him very well, Willow. That’s what I need to hear about. If you have any knowledge of why Prentikov is in town, then you are going to tell me.”

  “Why?” I asked without thinking. “Does he hold some kind of power that pisses you off?”

  A wry smile crossed his face. “You are very astute, but I suggest that you be very careful what insinuations you toss around. This is a club full of very powerful men.”

  I looked away, shaking my head. “Which has nothing to do with me. I’m here to dance and make money. Nothing more. Powerful men hold no interest for me. They never have.”

  “So you’ve said.” He walked even closer, until I was able to gather another whiff of his cologne. “What you might not understand is that with extreme power comes various opportunities, including the ability to make people disappear.”

  “Are you threatening me, Mr. Dunmore?” His cold black eyes pierced into my soul like a thousand razor-edged knives. He was mesmerizing, but not because of his six-foot four-inch frame, although he stood almost a foot taller than me. No, he was dark and suffocating, making my tiny little world completely claustrophobic. I could swear there was a bubble surrounding us, one that was impenetrable. He’d yanked me inside his dark and dangerous world, determining when and if I was allowed to go free.