Healing Hark (Doms of Chicago) (25 page)

Pain ripped through Bryan’s chest at the thought of his assistant’s betrayal. “Why would you deliberately hurt yourself?”

“Because she needs money and lots of it,” Jude answered for her. “I’m sorry to be the one to break to this to you, Bryan, but your sweet dear assistant is swimming in debt. Not only are her credit cards maxed out, she also likes to play the ponies. She’s lost tens of thousands at the Empress. That doesn’t include the five casinos she’s been banned from due to card counting.”

“So you faked your attack?” Bryan struggled to breathe. “What good would that do?”

A sad smile crossed Sharonda’s face. “You were talking about bringing in Larson Securities. Unlike darling Kieffer, who was all too easy to seduce, the fact is Larson Security has a sterling reputation. There was no chance I’d be able to corrupt any of their investigators.” She rolled her shoulders, and set her pen and tablet on the conference desk. “I couldn’t risk it. They would’ve found out about the payout Health Market was offering me to postpone the Wheaton-Free line. All they needed was an extra six months to get their version through testing and trials and beat Sterling Foods to market.” She sighed. “I’m sorry it had to come down to this, Bryan. You’ve always been a great friend.”

Holding onto his control was hard, but Bryan managed. “You mean sucker. You’re fired.” He stood as two uniformed officers appeared in the door. “Officers, please take Ms. Williams into custody. I wish to press charges against her. By taking a bribe, she’s not only in breach of contract, but she’s also responsible for nearly half a million dollars’ worth of damage when she shut off the research freezers.”

“Of course, Mr. Sterling. You’ll have to come down to the police station to file the charges.”

Bryan shoved his hands in his pockets. “Absolutely.”

* * * *

Hark shut the door behind him as he followed Bryan into his office. The slumped line of his little one’s shoulders had him wanting to gather his submissive close, but the ‘don’t touch me’ vibes were even stronger. He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m sorry, Bryan.”

A bittersweet laugh escaped Bryan as he stopped by his desk. “It’s not your fault I’m a lousy fucking judge of character.” He started shoving folders into his briefcase.

“I didn’t say that.” Hark watched him warily. He didn’t like this at all.

“You don’t have to.” He slammed his brief case down on the desk. “I should’ve known better than to hire her. I knew she’d been charged with embezzlement. But I thought when they were dropped, she was innocent.”

“No, it means you see the good in everyone. There’s not a damned thing wrong with that.” Hark folded his arms.

Bryan gave a half-hearted chuckle. “It means I’m a gullible fool.” He snapped the case shut. “I need to get out of here.”

Hark nodded. “Fine, let me take you home. After the day you’ve had, you shouldn’t be driving.”

Bryan shook his head. “No. I’m going to a hotel for the night. I need to decompress.”

Keeping his tone even, Hark prayed for patience. “When will you be coming home? I can understand if you need to get away with everything that’s happened today, but I think it’ll be easier if Master and I were there for you.”

Bryan shrugged. “I can’t handle ‘us’ right now. I need to decide if I want to be around you and Diachi.”

Hark froze as what Bryan was implying, sank in.
Diachi, not Master.
“Want to be around us?” He raked his hand through his hair. “We’re your lovers. We’re supposed to support you in times of need.”

Bryan pivoted, as he shut off his cell phone. “No, I was a buffer between you two. Now that you’ve found each other again–”

“Don’t you even go there.” Hark had had enough, and caught Bryan’s arm, swinging him around. “Diachi loves you. I care deeply about you.”

“Stop!” The sudden anger in Bryan’s tone sent relief through Hark. A fighting Bryan he could handle. “I fucking heard you this morning. You need Master. I understand that. It’s great you’ve finally let someone in. But it’s too fucking bad you couldn’t be happy with sharing him.”

A growl built in his throat. “Boy, you’re coming precariously close to being bent over my knee. I don’t know what you thought you heard, but…”

“You said you’d die without
him.
Not without us. Diachi considers you his because of your damned tattoo.” Bryan’s cheeks flushed. “But all I have is a measly collar.”

Instead of justifying Bryan’s accusation, he hauled the man up against him. Slamming his mouth down over Bryan’s, he claimed his sub the only way he knew how. At first, Bryan struggled against his hold, but Hark was both determined and stronger. Bryan was his. He wouldn’t let his little one run. Finally Bryan went limp in his embrace, and a low sound of anguish escaped him. Keeping their mouths sealed together as he kissed his lover within an inch of his life, Hark spun around and sank into Bryan’s chair.

When he finally lifted his head, they were both panting, his cock was hard and tears spiked Bryan’s lashes. “I’m only going to tell you this once: if you ever dare threaten to leave me again, I’ll more than tan your ass. You’re just as much a part of me as Master is. You’re his gift to me.” He threaded his hands through Bryan’s curls. “There was a reason Diachi and I didn’t make it the first time around.” He pressed their noses together. “We didn’t have you. You with your quirky sense of humor and bratty behavior. You’ve never been the buffer. You’ve been the glue holding us together.”

Hope shone in Bryan’s eyes. “I have?”

“Yes.” He rubbed their noses together. “You were the brave soul who stepped into the shadows, you were also the same guy who negotiated my stay. Hell, you even put up with my temper when I struggled with my need to submit. Then you did something I’ll never be able to thank you enough for. You sent our Master after me. You didn’t get jealous or throw a tantrum. You wanted what was best for me.” He sighed. “Now I want what’s best for you.”

“And what’s that?” A bit of the imp had returned to Bryan’s voice.

“Me. Master.” He slipped his hand down to cup Bryan’s ass, then began to knead the taut muscle. “Also a tattoo on this ass proclaiming we’re yours. You say it bothers you that you don’t have one? Then get one. Just be prepared for Master’s reaction.”

Bryan licked his lips. “You think he’ll go all ‘caveman’ on me like he did with you this morning?”

Hark nodded. “Oh, yes. He’ll consider you his, lock, stock, and barrel. So think about it hard, and if you still want it, I’ll sneak you out of the house and we’ll have it done.”

Bryan laid his head down on Hark’s chest. “God, I love you, Sir.”

Hark’s hand froze before resuming his caresses. “Thank God. Just give me time. I’ll get there.”

Bryan plucked at his shirt. “Only if you promise to paint our playroom.”

A weary chuckle escaped Hark. “Ever the negotiator.”

“You bet your ass. My heart comes with a high price.” The words were whispered against his shirt.

“One which I’ll gladly pay.” And he would, because he was fast losing his heart to the man on his lap.

Four Months Later – Early May

The sight of his two submissives bent over the chest in the corner of the room they shared with him was a welcome one.
Diachi leaned against the wall as Bryan rooted around inside the cedar box, his well-defined ass on display in his slacks. Lord only knew what the man was after. Next to him Hark knelt, the dark lettering of his tattoo standing out against his bronzed skin. The ever- familiar braid ran down between his shoulder blades and was beyond tempting. Diachi had to remind himself they had a play date in less than an hour, and he still needed to clean up from his trip. What
had
he been thinking to have not only Micah, Jude, and Olivia over tonight, but Caelan and Nisey as well?

“
Ah, ha! I found it. I thought I'd seen another one in here. Do you think Master will let you wear it tonight?”

Seeing
the worn piece of leather that had been his companion over the years cradled in Bryan’s hand, Diachi had a flashback of how it had once looked when wrapped around Hark’s
throat.

“
I have no idea.” The stiffness in his stance belied Hark’s casual reply. “Diachi has never spoken of a need to see me collared.”

Had he missed something as important as Hark’s wish for a collar? That his
koibito
might actually want to wear something symbolizing his submission? Suddenly, he was happy he’d taken the time to stop by the Navajo Reservation during his trip to Arizona. The beautiful leather necklace with hand-tooled Warrior metalwork, tucked safely away in his overnight bag, would be the perfect item to double as an everyday collar for Hark. Diachi had even requested the oddly shaped piece of turquoise that hung from Hark’s original collar be added to it.

“
Well, shit.” Bryan turned the beat up collar in his hands. “The clasp is broken and there's no tag on it, so this won't work. I wonder if Master knows how it got broken.”

Hark gave
him a grim smile. “I’d imagine so. He was there when I broke it.”

Bryan ha
d an aghast look on his face. “
You
broke it? You actually
tore
leather with your bare hands?”

Hark shrugged.
“What can I say? I was mad at the time. It was during our last huge fight.”

“
Wow. I’ve heard of subs taking collars off when they ended a relationship, but I never heard of one who physically destroyed one.” He turned the collar over in his hand. “I'm surprised Master has kept it around for that long. He usually either mends an item like this, or gets rid of it.”

Deciding
he'd spent enough time observing, Diachi stepped inside the master suite. It was time to let his submissives know he was home. Two weeks had never been so long. He covered the distance between him and his men quickly. Then he crouched down between them. “I couldn't throw it away.”

“Master!” A smile lit up Bryan’s face as he twisted on his knees.

“Hello,
hana.
I’ve missed you.” He pressed a kiss to Bryan’s temple before taking the collar from his fingers. “This collar’s all I have left from my time in the dessert with Hark – of course, I couldn’t get rid of it. Especially after a fire destroyed everything else.” He rubbed fingers over the smooth leather, then pressed a kiss against Hark’s lips. “It was just pure luck I’d taken to carrying the collar with me.”

“You did?” The disbelief in Hark’s tone had Diachi sighing as he released him.

“Yes.” He searched Hark’s face. “Even though I choose to un-collar you, don’t think for a single moment it was easy for me. Being able to touch the leather you’d worn around your throat was like having a piece of you with me. “

Hark looked a bit sheepish. “I guess I just assumed you’d moved on with the slender blond at Remington’s.” A hint of pain filled Hark’s gaze. “I saw you with him the night before I shipped off to basic. I guess I needed to see you one last time.”

A vague memory stirred of meeting some fellow students at the western grill for a study group. They’d only gone once because of the loud music. “Remington’s? I met my American Lit. study group there. I think there may’ve been a blond in it.” Diachi shook his head. “It’s been years, so I honestly don’t remember.” He rubbed a finger over Hark’s lower lip. “But you know what I do remember?”

“What?” Hark’s tongue brushed the end of his finger.

“I remember I’ve asked for my subs to have our playroom ready for tonight’s guests.”

“It is, Master,” Bryan was quick to reassure. “In fact, I went upstairs to check it out when I got home from work. I still can’t believe you’ve actually invited Mistress Olivia, Master Caelan and their subs over. I don’t think we’ve ever had anyone here, other than the painters who covered up the horrible art deco thing. But Hark did a wonderful job of airing out and sprucing up the playroom. The fresh spring air is wonderful, and we can smell the budding lilacs and dogwood. Not to mention everything is sparkling.” A sheepish look crossed his face. “Which is why I’m still in my street clothing.”

“Which I’ll conveniently overlook if you’re ready by the time I get out of the shower. Both of you.” He eyed them. “I do believe I requested you both wear the shorts I sent?”

Hark groaned softly. “You do realize, Master, they leave very little to the imagination?”

A smile crossed Diachi’s face. “Of course. Why else do you think I want you to wear them?”

* * * *

Hark gave a huge sigh of relief as Diachi entered the bathroom. It had been close. He’d thought for a second their master was going to command Bryan to strip. Which wouldn’t be a bad thing except for the fact Bryan’s barely healed tat would’ve been revealed.
Bryan and I want to reveal our surprises together.
A few minutes later, the shower kicked on.

Figuring the water would at least muffle their conversation, he crossed to the dresser. “We don’t have much time.” He yanked both pairs of leather shorts out. After tossing the smaller of the two to Bryan, he shed the boxers he’d been wearing. When he managed to pull the skin-tight material up and over his thighs, he realized Bryan was still standing there – fully dressed. And leering at him. Probably one of the reasons he loved his little one. Bryan made no bones about his lust for both his masters. But now just wasn’t the time.

“Bryan….come on. Unless you want him to catch sight of your new tat, you best get your ass in gear.”

“I know, I know.” Bryan gripped the edge of his polo and jerked it over his head. A moment later, the dark blue material fluttered to the ground.

The display of muscles was distracting, but Hark managed to close the button fly over his stiffening cock. There was something decidedly erotic about the feeling of leather directly against his balls.

“So do you think he’s going to go ape shit on me?” Bryan didn’t seem too put off by the idea.

“Only in the best possible way, little one,” Hark was quick to reassure him. It had taken several tries before Bryan had finally gotten into the chair. For a part-time masochist, Bryan was a wimp when it came to needles. “Just hurry up and get them on. He catches wind of it before our guests show up, he may just cancel, and Caelan really wants to check out the new mural.”

A soft smile graced Bryan’s lips as he tugged the leather up his thighs. “You did a beautiful job. I can’t believe you managed to do it start to finish in less than ten days.”

“Me either.” Hark turned to grab their robes off the back of the door. When he spun back around, Bryan was struggling to button his shorts. “Here let me help.”

After handing him the robes, Hark dropped to his knees in front of Bryan. The tantalizing strip of golden hair from his lover’s navel to groin begged for his tongue. He wanted to follow it down with his lips. To lap at the downy surface – to tug at those soft curls with his teeth. But that wouldn’t get the shorts closed. He stifled a moan as Bryan began to fill, his sex thickening right before his eyes. “Fuck.”

“Enjoying the view, Sir?” Bryan rasped, his fingers brushing the top of Hark’s hair.

“More than you can know.” Clutching his raveling control around him, Hark eased the buttons closed, then stood. “Shall we?”

Bryan nodded and handed him one of the robes. After slipping into his, Bryan disappeared into the bathroom for a moment. A few short minutes later he reappeared – with flushed cheeks and several hand shaped wet spots on his robe. “Master says to go on up to the playroom. He’ll let our visitors in.”

“Looks like Master did more than talk.”

Bryan actually flushed even more. “Yeah, and he says you’re to keep your damned hands to yourself until he’s there to watch.”

Hark chuckled. “And what about you…are you afforded the same luxury?”

“Actually no. He ordered me to keep you ready. He wants both of us rock hard for him.”

This time Hark did groan. “And he’s a sadistic bastard.”

Bryan chuckled softly. “Just be thankful I talked him out of the matching butt plugs.”

* * * *

Bryan sighed with pleasure as he gazed at the mural on the wall. The open French doors and the rays from the slowly setting sun bathed Hark’s creation in soft light. They really couldn’t have planned this better. Their master would be pleased, because his Sir had really outdone himself. It looked like a scene pulled straight from Diachi’s youth. The soft grays of the mountains, the wispy whites of the mist, the lush greens of the trees, and the vibrant reds and yellows had the mountainside monastery jumping off the wall. It was absolutely breathtaking. How Hark had managed to capture such beauty in so little time astounded him.

“You know it’s not going anywhere, right?” Hark hopped up and sat down on the thickly padded bench in the center of the room.

“I know it’s not.” He moved closer to the mural. “I just expect to see people pop out of it. Little old Japanese men carrying their buckets of water. Robed monks kneeling in prayer. Master’s going to be floored when he sees it.”

Hark flushed. “I just hope he likes it.”

The sound of voices on the stairs had both men falling silent. Moments later the door opened, and in walked his Master in a pair of dark leather pants and a loose red silk shirt. The deep crimson color highlighted his exotic skin and eyes. Behind him, Master Caelan, dressed similarly, but in a blue shirt, escorted his submissive into the room. Wearing dark leggings and a crème colored poet’s shirt, Nisey looked radiant, despite the emergency Caesarian Section she’d been required to have a few weeks ago. Obviously her marriage to her master and their new baby girl, Éponine, were sitting well with her.

Bryan held his breath, expecting Diachi to immediately notice the mural. Instead he had his back to it as he led Nisey over to the bondage bed.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a playroom quite like this, Master Rai.” Olivia entered the room, her gaze scanning every surface before settling on the wall behind him. “Dear Lord. It’s magnificent.”

Diachi shrugged as he held out his hand to help Nisey onto the bed. “While it suits our needs, I wouldn’t call it magnificent.”

Caelan whistled long and low, while Jude chuckled from his position by the door.

“Something tells me Mistress isn’t talking about your bondage bed or even your gear. Who the hell did your mural, Master Rai?” Micah moved closer to it, like a dark shadow in his black leather pants and shirt.

Bryan bit his lip as Diachi stilled.

“Mural?” The confusion in his master’s tone was evident.

When Diachi turned to face the wall, Bryan joined Hark, and took his Sir’s hand in his – offering his support.

A series of emotions flitted across Diachi’s face while he studied the large mural. The longer he stared at it the quieter Hark became, until finally Bryan cleared his throat. “Don’t be mad, Master. I talked Sir into doing it…”

Diachi spun around and disappeared down the stairs. A low sound of anguish from Hark had Bryan wanting to pull his Sir into his embrace, then after comforting him, he’d go find his master and kick his ass up between his shoulder blades for being so incredibly stupid. Several minutes passed before Hark finally straightened and released Bryan’s hand.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have…” Hark blinked, his gray eyes suspiciously wet. “But it’s easy enough to fix. I’ll go out Monday and get some white paint.

“No, you won’t!” Bryan glared at him. “Your art is a beautiful gift, and I, for one, love it.”

“As do I.” Diachi had returned. “I don’t know how you did it, but you captured the essence of Tiger’s Nest. For once you were listening. Thank you for returning a piece of my youth.”

Hark flushed. “It was nothing. I just remembered you talking about visiting the monastery as a child when you visited your grandparents in the Paro valley.”

“That I did.” Diachi moved closer, his arms behind his back. “You’ve a very long memory. Not surprising, considering your gifts. Not unlike me. If I remember correctly the Navajo way is all about balance. Balance in your home, your work, and even your relationships. Your people believe the true path to peace is achieved by keeping everything even. But with your gift to me, you’ve decidedly slanted the scales in your favor, Harkahome.”

Bryan stifled the unease growing in his mind. He wasn’t sure what their master was eluding to, but he could only hope it did not end up with the removal of their beautiful painting. He’d take any punishment before letting it be covered.