Abby tried to move closer to Sally. The crowd around her seemed to slow and then she heard a roar.
“What do you mean, she’s here?” Jack’s question came out as an accusation.
“Abby?” Sam yelled. Abby saw the small sea of people parting as Sam fought his way to her. He’d taken a couple of rough hits, and Abby worried his left eye was going to swell.
“Abigail Barnes!” Jack barked.
“I’m here, Jack.” She wanted to fling herself against his broad chest and revel in safety. But part of her was terrified that whatever Jack had in mind was going to be so much worse than anything Leather Guy could dream up.
Sam took Sally’s place. Sally stepped away quickly, allowing Sam to take the lead. He faced down her would-be kidnapper. “Take your hands off her.”
“No collar,” Leather Guy insisted. “Face it, sub, you should never have brought her here.”
“Then perhaps you would like to explain to me why you’ve cuffed my wife?” Jack’s question came out between his clenched, bared teeth. The crowd moved around him, respecting his space.
He was on the edge. She pulled away, trying to get to him. She knew instinctively that she needed to calm him down. The brow above his right eye was twitching ever so slightly. It was a sure sign that his blood pressure was rising. He would want blood soon. She already had to deal with Sam getting in trouble. She didn’t want Jack getting hurt, too.
“I’m fine,” she tried to reassure him.
Jack ignored her, choosing to spend his intimidation on Leather Guy. The Dom suddenly didn’t look so sure anymore.
“She’s not collared,” he insisted.
“The wedding ring she’s wearing is collar enough,” Jack bit out. “I know. I put it on her finger. You can see that fucking diamond from space.”
Abby flushed when she realized her mistake. Unfortunately, it was her left hand that was currently shackled. Leather Guy held up her perfectly ringless finger.
Abby felt the room get very cold as Jack stalked up to her. Sam held her hand. Leather Guy quickly used his key and uncuffed her. He dropped his hold on her. Sam pulled her into his arms.
“Abigail, would you like to explain to me why you’re half-naked in a sex club without your wedding ring on your finger?” Jack’s voice was smooth, but there was no doubting the menace in it.
Sam pushed her slightly. She knew what he wanted her to do. She thought it was a good idea, too. She sank to her knees at Jack’s feet and put her head down. Her hands were trembling as she curved her body into a submissive position.
“I’m sorry,” Abby said quietly.
“That is not going to cut it, Abigail.” Jack loomed over her. She could practically feel his rage pounding at her. “Answer me now. Where is the ring I put on your finger? I swear to god if you lie to me, I’ll strip you down here and now, and you won’t be able to walk when I’m through.”
A perverse little tremor went through her. Jack was using that voice on her. It was the voice that got her wet and ready in seconds. She didn’t like to think about the fact that a small part of her wanted to keep pushing him to see what that would feel like. How far would he go? How much could she take? The majority of her, however, went into survival mode.
“It didn’t fit under the gloves I had to wear,” she explained softly.
She felt Jack lift her chin up. He forced her to look him in the eyes. “What gloves, Abigail?” She tried to turn to look at Sam. Jack held her in place. “Don’t you dare look at him. You look at me. You’re answering me. He’ll get his chance to answer for what he’s done. What gloves, Abigail? What gloves were so important that you would take off the ring I put on your finger?”
His deep green eyes were practically black in the dim light. It didn’t frighten her on a physical level. She trusted him implicitly. Any pain he’d given her before had only enhanced her pleasure. But her heart was a different matter.
“I had to wear gloves, or Sam wouldn’t let me on the motorcycle,” Abby admitted.
Jack’s eyes closed briefly, and when he opened them, Abby knew she was in for a bunch of that pleasure and no small amount of pain.
Jack let go of her chin. He nodded as though coming to a decision. He turned and faced Julian Lodge. He was a commanding presence in the center of the room. He stood with his hand on Sally’s bent head. He stroked her as though attempting to give her comfort. His eyes weren’t comforting as he looked at Jack.
“Your subs upset my business, Jackson,” Julian said evenly.
“I’m sorry.” Abby was starting to think she couldn’t say that enough. From the look on Julian Lodge’s face, this was more serious than she’d thought.
“Silence,” Jack ordered harshly. He stared at her until she closed her mouth. He stood beside her, and his hand went to the back of her neck. His fingers curled around the nape of her neck, and there was no mistaking the warning in them. “I understand, Julian. I apologize for both of them. Their behavior reflects poorly on me. You have the right to require any punishment you think fit. I ask you, as an old friend, please let me administer it.”
Julian appeared to think it through. “It will be public, Jackson. I cannot let this go unpunished, or everyone will think such behavior is acceptable. They interrupted scenes that many of my clients practiced weeks for and looked forward to. I wish I could let it pass, but I cannot. Tomorrow night in the dungeon, I want both she and Samuel to feel the lash.”
“Damn it, Julian.” Jack’s hand tightened slightly around her neck. It wasn’t at all painful, more a sign of his growing panic. Though Abby knew he was upset, his voice was steady as a rock. “I’ve never used anything on her before but my hand and a crop.”
“Then you should practice between now and then,” Julian replied. “I will allow a single tail, but nothing less. You used to be an artist with it. I have no doubt you can be again, for her sake. If you agree, then they can stay. If not, I have to ask them to leave, and I will revoke Samuel’s membership. But Jackson, put collars on your subs before they leave their rooms again. Do you understand?”
Jack nodded. The hand on her neck relaxed. “Yes. She won’t leave the suite without it. Sam might never leave the suite alive again, so we won’t have to worry about him.” He glanced over at Sam. Sam’s eyes were down. “I assume you took out the Platinum Suite.”
“Yes.”
“Yes?” Jack’s voice was sharp.
“Yes, Jack.”
“Get down there with her,” Jack barked.
Abby felt Sam kneel beside her. His eyes were down, but his hand found hers and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
“Are we done, Julian? I would like to take my subs upstairs. It’s time I had a little talk with them.”
Abby held her breath as Leo stepped forward. “I’m not done.” He stood in front of Jack, going toe to toe with him. “I’m the Dom in residence now, Master Jack. I know that used to be your job, but you’re a guest now. Had two subs caused the trouble yours did tonight, what would you have requested then?”
Abby watched Jack’s jaw tighten. “I would have immediately requested punishment. Julian would have wanted punishment for disrupting the scenes, but I would have requested punishment for the insult to me.”
Leo nodded. “They both will pay for abusing Master Julian’s trust. I want her to pay for the insult to me.”
The hand on the back of her neck tightened almost painfully, and Abby decided not to argue.
“What insult?”
Leo’s eyes skimmed over her. She watched from beneath her lashes. “She started everything. I was attempting to watch over Master Julian’s possession. She questioned my authority over Sally in public. She proceeded to ignore direct orders given to her for her own protection. Though the male is the one who fought, I understand and forgive his actions. He was protecting her. He’s your partner?”