Caden's Dilemma (Indiscreet #6) (2 page)

“Thank you.” Caden said as Bear poured him a drink.

“The salary is more than we initially discussed because we’re growing fast. We’re paying one-hundred and fifty thousand a year plus performance bonuses. With the expansion of the club, our staff must also expand. You will have thirty direct reports plus Jamie who will report to you any evidence of theft from our vendors. Your bouncers patrol the club and it’s your job to see to it that our subs don’t get bullied into doing something they don’t want to do. Bull is the Dungeon Master and is responsible for the subs’ schedules and their discipline, if necessary, training, and oversight of the dungeons. Your job, along with your staff, is to protect them and our membership outside of the play rooms.” Bear sat down and sipped his scotch.

“I’m going to ask Masato to show you around. He is that rare bird, a paid member who is a sub. Most of our subs are service subs and obliged to play once a night with any member who asks, but a sub who is a paid member is not obligated to play with anyone. He can pick and choose. Masato was introduced to the club a year ago along with Greg, Jamie and Danny and is the only one of the four who hasn’t found a Master yet.

“This is not any easy job or it wouldn’t pay so much. The bouncers are not what you would call a stable workforce. Although they get paid well, the hours are not conducive to relationships, unless of course the relationship is with someone who is also in the life. I know, I’ve been doing it for years. It’s just too much now, especially since Jim and I no longer live on the premises.” Reed sat down behind his desk.

“Reed does a security check on anyone who walks in the door of this club for more than an evening as a guest. That generally isn’t the problem.” Bear tented his hands. “The bouncers are all gay but not all of them are into BDSM.”

“Some of them can’t handle it when assigned to Dungeon duty and they leave. We respect that and give them a generous severance package, so no one talks out of school. It’s important for you to spot a bouncer near his tipping point before he does damage to one of the members or to the club’s reputation.” Bear sipped his scotch before continuing.

“Masato knows all of the bouncers and has played at least once with most of the members. Just remember that he is helping out because he wants to, not because he has to, and everything will be fine. Go down to Jamie’s office and he’ll give you all of the appropriate forms to sign. Come in tomorrow night for dinner and get the feel of the place. You’ll start on Monday.” Bear stood with his drink in hand. “The subs have their tea and muffins, we have our scotch. Trust me, you’ll need it.”

Reed got up from his chair and lifted his glass in the air and made a toast. “Here’s to a long and profitable relationship.”

“Masato will be here tomorrow because it’s the first Friday of the month.” Bear told Caden. “That is when the new members, both Masters and subs, are introduced to the membership. I don’t know if that boy will ever find what he’s looking for, but he’s a nice kid.”

“What’s his story?” Caden asked his curiosity getting the better of him.
I wonder why he hasn’t paired up. It isn’t as if there is a poor selection.

“Like all of our members and for that matter our staff, information on their life outside this club is strictly confidential. The unholy quintet discuss their friends but only with permission. My Brian kept a secret of Greg’s for over two years until Greg finally showed his hand. If you want to know Masato’s secrets, you’ll have to learn them yourself.” Caden said nothing. “But in three months when I give you all the files, those secrets will be yours to protect.”

“Just so you know, some of the members here are enrolled under assumed names. Only Reed, and now you, have their real information. If you recognize someone from life outside the club, do not call attention to them unless they speak to you. We have some members who are not out of the closet, some who are married and some who just wish to remain anonymous. It’s best not to ask too many questions.” Bear sat back down.

“Since I intend to have you to take over the security checks, I will introduce you to the investigative services we have on retainer. If something smells fishy on an application, and Rice Security or one of the other two security outfits doesn’t pick it up, it’s going to fall on you to gather further information from other sources. I’ll tell you how.” Reed and Bear put down their glasses.

Caden finished his scotch and stood. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow night and to work on Monday.”

“Welcome aboard,” Bear said. “Now go down and get that paperwork filled out before Bull starts to grouse that we’re keeping Jamie from his supper. Most of the Masters here are very protective of their subs and Brian and Jim make sure that their little group is well looked after. We’ll see you tomorrow. Your new membership card will be waiting at the front desk along with a full refund for your paid membership.”

“I have one, but have never used it for anything other than to get in the door, and since I knew I wouldn’t be charging anything until after I was working, I didn’t pay attention to the explanation. How does it work?”

“Dues, dinners and bar tabs are deducted from a credit card number associated with the account number which is locked in a file in Jamie’s office. The bills are paid to an account named Davis, Ltd,” Reed told him. “Paychecks come from Drummond Real Estate.”

“I better get going, if I’m not going to incur Bull’s wrath.”

CHAPTER TWO

Friday

Johnny Nguyen, aka Masato to those who knew him at Indiscreet, worked in his home office in Jackson. At sixteen, Johnny invented a computer application that brought advertising and news personalized to the reader. He took it to a venture capitalist. By the time he was eighteen, he owned his company free and clear. When he turned twenty-two the company went public and he stepped down as the Chief Operating Officer and at twenty-three he sold forty-nine percent of his stock and became a billionaire, walking away while retaining a controlling interest. Thus, at twenty-four, Johnny was officially retired. He wanted to explore a facet of his personality he never shared with anyone. Johnny Nguyen was a submissive. Then, just a week ago, he’d received a call from his former office.

“We need you to come back and take care of business,” his new Chief Operating Officer begged. “You’ve spent just over a year on this secret endeavor of yours, it’s time for you to come back. We’re working on several projects that could use your input.”

Johnny sighed. They spoke via Skype and Harvey Thomas looked pissed. “You can handle anything that comes up and I am available via Skype for emergencies—and this, Harvey, is no emergency.”

Johnny could see the steam coming out of his COO’s ears. “You said you’d be back.”

“You sound like you’re two. Save the hissy fit for Marion, she’s more amenable to them then I am. I’m not coming back right now, and I may never come back. You have a competent software division. I know, I hired most of them myself. They can do the job if you let them.”

The call ended on a rather sour note but Johnny was determined to take the time he needed for himself. He’d missed out on most of his childhood because he was writing code. He didn’t want to be a bystander in his own life. Last year when he retired he was determined to find the real Johnny Nguyen and he thought he was well on his way to doing so.

He’d spent the last year as a submissive at Indiscreet and found he really liked the lifestyle. If he could find a Dom who wouldn’t run away from his money, Johnny would be a happy man.

Johnny, who was one-quarter Vietnamese, one-quarter Japanese, one-quarter Irish and one quarter German, had joined Indiscreet one year ago this month. He took the first name of his Japanese grandfather and used it at the club. Johnny did his research. Indiscreet was the best D/s club in the state and had strict admission and confidentiality systems in place. They also ran the best training facility, and members didn’t talk about what went down at the club, except among themselves and never outside of the club walls.

Johnny didn’t want a Master who was interested in his money, whether they lusted after it or were repulsed by it. So he was very careful to keep his identity a secret as he searched for a Master with the kind of integrity that could handle the fact that his sub was among the super rich. It had been a difficult journey this past year; he played at least three times a week, although he had few sexual encounters. Yet he hadn’t found someone special, someone with the kind of strength Johnny needed to support him in his private life. Johnny could take pain—he was Bull Raleigh’s go to guy for his intense demonstrations until Bull finally got together with Jamie. He craved the discipline even if it was delivered via a cane or cat. But he wanted the deeper connection the other subs had found with their Masters; that soul-to-soul joining that he observed in the five pairs of D/s he sat with on Friday nights. Masato held himself aloof from the sub club because he was afraid that someone would look too closely and find out what he was trying to keep hidden, but he liked his fellow subs and was envious of the love they’d found, that seemed to elude Johnny.

He kept a low profile while looking for a Master. Lucky for Johnny he looked nothing like the pimply faced kid with braces who was plastered on the covers of Forbes and Newsweek. His skin was a tawny golden color and now pimple free due to the ministrations of an excellent dermatologist. He no longer sported braces and his teeth were bleached. He wore his thick chestnut brown hair in a short pony tail as opposed to his former crew cut. In other words, no one would recognize Masato as Johnny Nguyen. He agreed to give Caden the tour of the club because he was curious about Danny’s brother. He’d watched the man since Danny and Gary’s wedding and liked what he saw; he thought that there could be something there.

As far as Johnny was concerned, there wasn’t a sub in all of Indiscreet who had Danny Donovan’s innate sense of fair play and integrity. In his few interactions with Caden he saw the same character traits. Caden certainly wasn’t hard on the eyes either. Johnny was five foot nine, not tall but a respectable height. Caden was well over six and a half feet. Caden was tan instead of golden like his brother and had mesmerizing green eyes. Now that Caden was going to be around more often, maybe he could entice him to play and get to know him better.

§ § §

Friday night

Caden arrived separately from Gary and Danny on Friday because he was about to be introduced as Indiscreet’s new Director of Security. Unlike Bull who wore his leathers to work, Caden decided to wear a suit, specifically the one he bought to wear to Danny and Gary’s wedding. He thought that the Director of Security should appear professional to the membership. He brought his leathers with him, in case he wanted to play, but for an introduction to the members he preferred to wear the suit.

The sub club and their Masters were having dinner at their usual table along with Caden when Masato approached him, presenting himself for inspection. “I take it that you’re here to give me the fifty cent tour,” Caden said to the man on his knees before him.

“You know everyone here. Come and have dinner with us and then you can take me around.” Caden signaled for a waiter to bring a pillow for Masato.

Johnny bowed to Caden and put two fingers on his arm. “You have my permission to speak freely.”

“Master Caden, Masters Bear and Reed asked me to be your guide this evening. If Sir permits, I’ll also act as your sub.” Johnny gave Caden another slight bow of the head.

“As I said, you’re welcome to join us. Please order whatever you wish and put it on my tab. You have my permission to speak freely to anyone at the table.” Caden looked down into Masato’s eyes which, although showing a slight slant, were a chestnut brown, a lighter hue than he’d noticed at Danny’s wedding. The waiter brought the pillow and Masato sat on it and waited as the group placed their orders.

§ § §

The other subs were chattering on about their Masters. Masato was content to lean up against Caden’s long legs and listen to what they had to say.

“I’m so glad that Caden came to his senses and took the job Masters Bear and Reed offered.” Danny said.

Jim and Brian whispered their agreement.

“Is Master Caden going to Greg for a consult?” Brian asked Danny in a semi-whisper.

“Don’t know.” Danny shrugged.

“Anyone who did three tours in a war zone should get some counseling when they get home, even if they think they have no issues,” Jim told the assembled group. “Everyone has issues. We’re not special in that respect because we’re gay, although being gay does tend to bring more issues because of the attitudes of the bigots out there.”

Johnny was inclined to agree with Jim although he said nothing. In his head he could see Caden charging ahead and protecting those around him. Caden’s natural inclination to protect enticed Johnny. He’d been protecting himself since he was sixteen and wrote his first software program. The idea of someone being there for him to defend him against all comers turned him on. He snuggled closer to Caden’s leg. His interest had definitely been piqued.
How do I get this man to notice me as both a potential sub and a desirable partner?

Johnny felt Caden’s hand fall to his head and Caden began to run his fingers through Johnny’s hair. Johnny practically purred with pleasure. On the outside, Caden was everything Johnny looked for in a Dom. What was on the inside remained to be seen.

Dinner arrived. The subs all decided to go with finger food that they could eat by themselves or have their Masters feed to them. Johnny wondered what Caden would do in this situation. Johnny was Caden’s sub for the night. Would Caden treat him like a real sub or a throwaway? To Johnny that would provide an insight into this man’s character and tell him whether Caden was indeed the first man Johnny had found that he might want for a Dom,
and
a deeper connection.

As the meals were served, each Master was asked if he wanted to feed his sub or whether the staff should set up the small benches next to the sub pillows that allowed them to eat from a plate without difficulty. All of the Masters elected to feed their subs save Caden. He asked Johnny.