Enthrall Him (Enthrall Sessions Book 3) (32 page)

“The war?”

He laughed. “No, silly, smoking in pubs.”

I laughed too.

“Sometimes I forget just how young you are. We ask a lot of you.”

“Scarlet calls me an old soul.”

“You exude peacefulness.” He squeezed my hand. “People probably look at you and see privilege. Especially as Cameron has dressed you up like this. They won’t see the battles you’ve fought.”

“We all go through something, right?”

He looked thoughtful. “Although there’s jealousy you got to spend time with my best friend, I’m also happy you got to see Cam as I do.”

“I see why all of you are so fond of him,” I said. “You two are so similar. You’re both generous and funny—”

“I’m funnier though, right?”

“You are.”

“And better looking?”

“Most definitely.” I humored him.

“Unless of course you’re going for a tall, dashing, chiseled, billionaire type and then I’m screwed.”

“Richard.” I slapped his arm.

“That’s the second time you’ve slapped me tonight.” He chuckled. “I’m the dom, remember.”

“Yes, sir,” I said respectfully. “Actually, it was interesting to discover even Cameron has a chink in his armor.”

“How do you mean?”

“He opened up to me a little.”  

“In what way?”

“Afghanistan.”

Richard’s eyes widened. “That was a big step, Mia. That’s no go territory for the rest of us.”

“It’s sad he still frets over all that.”

“Henry will always be a hot button for him.”

Henry?

The realization hit me like a hurricane.

CHAPTER 25

NOW IT ALL made sense.

All the pieces of the puzzle fit into one nightmarish conclusion. My face flushed and I lifted my glass and sipped to hide my reaction.  

The officer Cameron had aggressively debriefed, the man he’d extracted intelligence from in the Middle East, the man he’d broken down, was Henry, his older brother.

My sweet, beautiful Cameron. He couldn’t even bring himself to tell me the whole story.

“Cameron refuses to forgive himself,” said Richard. “It’s best if you stay away from that subject.”

“Yes, of course.”

Cameron had only spoken of Henry once, telling me he still lived in a cabin. Once destined to take over as CEO of the empire that was Cole Tea, only now, Henry was too unstable to even come out of the woods.

“I hope Cameron finds a way to forgive himself,” I said.

“I doubt he ever will,” said Richard. “It’s a hard burden to carry.”

“He saved all those lives. Can’t he find comfort in that?”

“Actions have consequences, Mia.”

My eyebrows shot up.

“Yes, I suppose I deserved that,” he said. “I’m suffering the mother of all consequences having handed you over to the hottest stud in America so he can fuck your brains out and all on my behalf.”

“He trained me well.”

The couple on our left were staring.

Why yes,
by all means eavesdrop on our private conversation.

Richard followed my gaze.

His focus snapped back to me. “Let’s go.”

That sounded wonderful and I grabbed my handbag and followed him out.

The night air hit us.

Richard looked down the street and signaled to the Rolls Ghost. “Nothing like standing out like two assholes. Thanks, Cameron.”

“It’s a lovely car.”  

“Maybe we should christen it?”

I opened my handbag and poked inside, pretending to be looking for my phone.

“No, you didn’t?” he said.

“Um, well…”

“Have you ever considered the art of lying?”

“That feels wrong,” I said. “I mean, lying to you.”

He opened the back door and shuffled me in.

Richard climbed in beside me. “Home, please,” he told the driver.

The car pulled away from the curb.

Richard turned to face me. “I’m going to buy a map. And you’re going to stick pins in all the places that you and Cameron didn’t fuck in. I’ll probably only need one pin.”

“Please don’t.” I self-consciously glanced at the chauffer.

“If you ever fuck him again I better be watching,” he snapped.

I tugged on his coat. “Shush.”
 
 

“Would you like some music, sir?” asked the driver.

“Yes, please,” said Richard, as he looked up from his phone.

“Classical?” asked the driver.

“Sure.”

Rippling notes tumbled out from the surround sound speakers.

“
Der Ring des Nibelungen?” said Richard.
 

“Very good, sir,” he said. “Wagner.”

“How’s Trevor?” I asked the driver, raising my voice over the music.

I assumed Cameron had given Trevor the night off.

“Who, ma’am?” he said.

“Cameron’s other chauffeur,” I said. “Will you wish him a Merry Christmas from us.”

Maybe mentioning the other driver was considered rude in England?

“Mr. Booth,” he said. “I have a message for you from Dr. Cole.”

“Oh.” Richard glanced at his phone.

We stopped at a red light and I watched a group of teenagers run along the crosswalk. Cameron had told me they call them zebra crossings here.

The driver held Richard’s gaze in the rearview. “
Weaving spiders, come not here. Hence, you long-legged spinners, hence.”
 

Richard’s expression changed to wonder and he replied, “
Spiders with your webs, stay away. You long-legged things, begone.”
 

“Shall I change direction, sir?” asked the driver.

“Oberon Grove?” muttered Richard, and he gestured for me to remain silent.

“If it would please you, sir?”

“Any chance I can go home and change first?”

“He saved a man’s life today,” I told him.

Richard frowned. “He doesn’t need to hear that.”  

“A tux will be provided,” said the driver.

“Then let’s go straight there.”

“Yes, sir.” The driver gave a nod. “Dr. Cole says Merry Christmas, sir. This is his holiday gift to you.”

“And Ms. Lauren?” asked Richard.

“She may accompany you, sir.”

“She’s well primed. Dr. Cole trained her himself.”

“Then she will be well received, I’m sure.”

Richard collapsed back in his seat and stared at me, mouthing, “
Oh my God
.”

“What is it?” I whispered back.

Notes rose and fell dramatically. Pedestrians, other cars, flashes of buildings all became a blur.

“Cell phones off, please, sir.”

Richard looked up. “Just texting a thank you to Dr. Cole.”

“I’m afraid all contact with the outside world is restricted from here on in.” He raised his hand and gestured. “If I may, sir?”  

He turned off his phone. Richard motioned for me to hand mine over to him. He frowned when he caught the Hello Kitty iPhone cover, but didn’t mention it, merely gave them both to the driver.

I didn’t like it one bit but Richard seemed fine with it. Whatever was going on was making him happy, or so it seemed, and despite wanting to go home I couldn’t spoil his fun.

“May I ask your name?” said Richard.

“Chauffer,” he said.

Richard looked amused.  

The music became louder.

“
What is this
?” I mouthed back.   

Richard gave a shake of his head that we couldn’t talk.
Not yet, anyway.
 

“How long before we arrive?” asked Richard.

“Within the hour, sir.”

“Good,” said Richard. “That gives me plenty of time to prepare my submissive.”

CHAPTER 26

OTHER THAN WAGNER there’d been no sound.

No whispers, no further conversation with our driver, just me staring out the window and wondering what lay ahead.

Richard’s told you to trust him
, my muse comforted.
So trust him.
 

Trust this incredible adventure.

In way of preparation, Richard assisted me with the removal of my bra and panties, whispering close to my ear he’d explain more soon. He tucked them into his coat pocket.

With my hand in his, both of us rested back and enjoyed the spectacular view of city life falling away and becoming countryside. Here and there amongst the trees I glimpsed large homes in the distance. We drove off the main motorway and onto a small road and farther still, down a long pathway that led to a sprawling vista of land spreading out before us.

Richard and I swapped a wary glance when we saw the enormous country estate rising up majestically on the horizon.

It seemed to take forever to reach it.

My heart took off at a rapid rate when I caught sight of that flag flying on the far left turret with its emblem of a lion.

Beyond ornate iron gates stood a stately manor. Its four central pillars gave an intimidating Romanesque air. Its front door was vast, and beyond that loomed the promise of decadence and unending luxury.

We drove through towering gates that swung wide and pulled up outside.

The most stunning accent was that dramatic fountain out front. Three horses were frozen mid-leap with their front hooves in the air. The spouting blue tinged water arched high then fell into a round marble basin.  

Richard and I exited the Rolls.

A sound of rushing water came from the fountain.

Other than that, the air was still and quiet. The only other sound was that of our shoes crunching on the gravel driveway.

“Oberon Grove,” whispered Richard, “is
the
club for Britain’s ruling class. Reserved only for members of high society, for the wealthy with high profiles. The kind of men and women who set world policies. Royalty.”

“Cameron arranged this?” I asked.

“He’s been a member for years.” Richard glanced back at our driver and threw him a wave.

“What about our phones?” I said.

“He’s taking us home. So we’ll get them back later.” Richard stopped and crooked his head to take in the grand architecture. “Cam’s been trying to pull strings on a membership for me. There’s a ten to fifteen year waiting list, a twenty thousand dollar membership fee, and members are strictly screened. I can’t believe we’re here.”

I grabbed his hand. “What was that thing about spiders?”

“William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream,” he said. “The words mean that trouble makers can stay away.”

“Was that a code you gave to him?”

“Yes, it means I’m compliant.”

“Compliant?”

“Yes, an established member of
the
community.”

“Oh.” It came out as a tremble.

“I don’t think you realize what an honor this is. Heads of state are members.”

“What kind of things will we be doing?”

“I imagine taking part in the Yuletide ritual, which belonged to the pagans before Christianity hijacked it. We’ll get to witness an erotic ceremony.” His hand swept wide. “These are the ultimate hedonists. You’ll see the kind of debauchee you only read about.”

“More than Chrysalis?”

“We never do anything illegal at Chrysalis.”

My gaze shot to the house.

Richard frowned at me. “If you’re here it’s because Cameron deems you ready.”

But for what exactly?

I raised my chin high. “I am, sir.”

Richard gave a nod of approval.  

The front door opened and a young, dashing butler gestured for us to enter.

We made our way inside.

And were both promptly patted down. The butler asked to see inside my handbag. When he seemed satisfied, we were allowed to continue on in.

The foyer was just as breathtaking.

Black and gold furnishings, sweeping drapes, a low hung crystal chandelier throwing off a yellow light over all this opulence, but even more striking—