Chapter 10

“You look like you could use a smoke.” A deep, smooth voice Pike didn’t recognize brought his attention to the man who’d taken the stool next to him.

Close enough for their knees to touch if Pike slid a bit to the left, right on the edge of his personal space. Crisp air and a hint of a woodsy aftershave drifted between them as Pike inhaled slowly, catching the lure of something a little wild and dangerous.

The gaze holding his with cool interest was an intense cerulean shade, the gleam reminding Pike of fresh acrylic on canvas as his latest vision came to life. Close-cut hair a dark umber, features classically handsome in that monied way a lot of East Coast types had. Would’ve looked hot in a suit and tie, but rugged enough for the well-worn motorcycle leathers and day-and-a-half’s worth of dark brown stubble. Tall, even by The Asylum’s standards, with broad shoulders and a golden tan, he ticked so many of Pike’s boxes that the offer to blow him in the closest bathroom stall was on the tip of his tongue before his brain caught up.

Get home, then you can go back to being a slut. Being bent over the closest surface won’t get you out of here.

He’d already tried the temptation route. Then the one guy who’d been promising got a look from Rhodey and made himself scarce.

This dude don’t seem like he’d scare so easy.

But he already had a hot piece of ass with him.

Still, no reason not to be friendly to the man—even though, for all he knew, this one wanted him dead too. Pike flashed him a brilliant smile. “Hey, thanks, man. I was gonna go out for one, but half the fuckers here would lose their minds.”

“Name’s Seth. This is my boy, Quint.” The man took out a cigarette, lighting it and taking a long draw before handing it to Pike. “Finish it.”

Cocking his head at the command, Pike studied Seth for a moment before bringing the cigarette to his lips with a cheeky grin. “Yes, sir.”

Pike exhaled a cloud of smoke with a happy sigh, his nerves already getting the message that a nicotine hit was coming. “Oh, that’s good.”

Taking the Guinness, Seth poured the shot he’d ordered along with it into his pint. He brought the drink up in cheers, then downed it in long pulls that worked the column of his throat, then placed the glass on the bar with an appreciative sigh.

“Give me some of that.” Nudging up Pike’s chin, Seth leaned in, breathing in the smoke Pike exhaled.

“Whoa…” Pike blinked at him, then smiled, bringing the cigarette back to his lips. “Yeah, not hating this place after all.” Best to stay on track, though, no matter how interested his dick was in Mr. Tall-Tough-and-Fucking-Tempting. He glanced over his shoulder, his tone taking on a wicked edge. “Hey, Cuz. I met your boyfriend. He’s…” He chewed the gum, tilting his head. “Real sweet.”

Which had Curtis reaching over the bar to pluck the cigarette out of Pike’s hand. After flicking it into the bar sink, he leaned in, palms on the bar. “Stay away from Reed or I’ll do Rhodey’s job for him.”

Wetting his lips with his tongue, Pike slid back a bit on the bar. “Like you wouldn’t anyway? I’m a member. You can’t do shit. And if he’s where I wanna be? Well, that’s a you problem. Afraid he’s gonna see where he’s missing out?”

Curtis dragged Pike over the bar in a move that registered as a white blur. Pike’s back impacted the shelves, several tiers of bottles raining down. Glass sprayed, the scent of alcohol coating the air.

Vaulting after them, Seth cut between Curtis and Pike, prying the bruising grip from around Pike’s throat so cool air entered his lungs. When Curtis lunged again, Seth shouldered into him, sending Curtis flying into the remaining bottles.

“Smooth plan, Lawson. So happy you decided the boy being down here was a good idea.” Rhodey’s dry tone came over the shocked exclamations from the members as he stepped forward, watching Lawson round the bar with Reed to restrain Curtis. “Enough. The boy goes upstairs. I’ve made his room more...comfortable.”

“No!” Pike’s eyes burned as he shoved to his feet behind Seth, hands fisted at his sides. “I read everything. I signed the contract. I was joking around. It’s not fair that I have to pay for him losing his damn mind.”

Brushing glass off his shoulders, Seth shook his head as he slanted a look at Quint. “That might’ve been a record. Usually it takes at least a few more drinks in a place for things to get this fun.” Meeting Curtis’s furious stare, Seth gave him an unimpressed one of his own. “That was one hell of a disproportionate response. What is this? Fifth grade? You ‘bout to sport your first boner too, Testosterone Boy?”

Curtis growled, going for another lunge that Rhodey blocked.

Lawson spoke up. “He’s right. You don’t get to use any excuse to make this easier for yourself, Rhodey. You have your information, I have mine. He’s not a threat at this point, he’s just…” He gave Pike a cold look. “An inconvenience.”

Still shaking a bit, Pike curved his lips, putting up the only shield he had. “You think I’m cute. Just admit it. It’s getting to him that you noticed. It’s okay, we can chat about what you really wanna do with me after.”

Fingers snapped in Pike’s face, Seth interrupting whatever the other Dom had been about to say. “Quiet. Don’t speak again until I give you permission.”

Pike’s eyes widened, but he pressed his lips shut. No need to piss off the dude who’d saved his life. Maybe now was a good time to follow Wren’s advice about being obedient.

How long is ‘Until I give you permission, though?’

Shaking his head slowly, Lawson looked Pike over. “Your help is appreciated, but you’d be better off leaving this one to his own devices. He’s...on probation, to say the least.”

Yeah… So that’s what they’re calling unlawful imprisonment now?

Eyeing a box under the bar, filled with oddities like keyless cuffs and castoff collars, even a fragment of what looked like a cat o’ nine tails, Seth bent to retrieve a length of rawhide with a gothic silver clasp on either end. A silver-winged devil, complete with flicking tail, dangled from the middle.

Holding up the collar, he let it sway under Pike’s nose. “Do you want to be left to your own devices? Or do you want a little help? Say the word, I put this around your neck, and you become my problem.”

“What?” At the foot of the stairway, Garet threw his hands in the air. “You’re here for like twenty-four hours and someone already collars you? It’s not like I have the fucking clap.”

Flashing the other sub a hesitant smile, Pike shrugged. “Some people want me alive for some reason. Maybe you’ve gotta live dangerously.” He rolled his shoulders, pulse still racing, making it fucking impossible to come up with a good reason to reject his only lifeline. “Ah...like, I’m good with that and all, but can I have another cigarette? My cousin kinda stole mine. He’s a dick like that. If I was sniffing coke he’d probably be cool with it, but we’re not close.”

Lifting one brow, Seth stepped back to give Pike room to follow him around the other side of the bar, away from the broken glass. “Kneel and tell me your safeword.”

Pike stared at him, then looked at the floor, which was not a place he wanted to be willingly. Getting knocked on his ass was one thing, but...kneel? There was only one reason people in his world were ever forced onto their knees. “Uh...can we just shake on it? People have been walking outside. Like, dude, look at me. These jeans? They aren’t meant to be on the floor. Okay, sure, maybe I shoulda packed better. But I didn’t have much time and my ass looks awesome in them, don’t you think?”

Seth shrugged, tucking the collar into his pocket. “I tried.”

Fuck, that’s it? So much for not wanting me to die.

“Admirable.” Lawson’s lips quirked. “There are much easier subs to enjoy. Have a drink and take a walk around the club. This one will be…” Gaze shifting to Rhodey, he sighed. “Dealt with.”

“We need a bigger oven if we’re going to carve him up for Easter dinner.” Curtis’s grin was pure evil.

Repeating Curtis’s words in undertone, Pike dropped heavily to his knees, rolling his eyes. “Fine. What-fucking-ever. Please, nice sir man, don’t make shit too easy on the last of my family here. Also, help? I’m being kept here against my will. A smoke and you using those awesome fighting skills to get me the fuck out of here and you’ll be set for life.”

“What were your instructions?” Seth drew the collar from his pocket and palmed it.

“Dude, you asked me to kneel.” Pike gave him a dry look. “Safeword? I read the rules. Haven’t thought of one. Not sure of ‘anything I wouldn't say in a normal scenario’. Does ‘shoot me’ work for you?”

“Don’t tempt me.” Curtis muttered, leaning back against the bar, arms folded over his chest. “I forgot my gun.”

Pike gave him a mocking look. “My dad was your dad’s brother. Did you forget that? We won’t be doing porn together, so you don’t need to know my safeword. Tough luck, I know you must be disappointed.”

Making a disgusted sound, Curtis pushed away from the bar, his footsteps audible as he rounded the bar to cross behind Pike and slammed open the door to the upstairs. After a minute, another door slammed, shaking the rafters so dust rained down on everyone.

“Was it something I said?” Pike gave Seth the sweetest smile. “I think it’s an awesome safeword. Safe phrase? Does it matter?”

“Your safeword is ‘unicorn’.” Seth snapped the collar around Pike’s throat with a swift efficiency that said he was tired of playing games.

Shifting on his knees—because this shit was uncomfortable—Pike shrugged. “Because I’m precious and adorable? Can’t disagree. Unicorn it is.”

“Hm.” Seth’s lips curved. He tapped Pike’s cheek with two fingers. “Stand.”