Page 44 of Hawk's Sapphire

“So, you and our cousin, huh?”Mauro asks.“I don’t see it.”

I know he’s trying to goad me.Again, living with a bunch of nosy, opinionated assholes my entire life has prepared me for so many things in life.

“Did anyone ask your opinion?I don’t recall that I have.”

Nazario chuckles beside me.“You’re got some fire to you.That’s good.You’ll need it in our world.”

“Not sure what your world is or if I want to be a part of it.I’m here with Matteo to explore some new options in our relationship.You know what they say, variety is the spice of life.”I turn my attention to the contract in front of me and feel my cheeks heat as I read through the questions.

“Jesus.”

The two assholes next to me chuckle.Nazario leans in close to my ear and whispers, “We know this isn’t real for you.You don’t have to actually fill anything out.This is all for show, sweetheart.”

I glance at him and can’t help the irritation that bubbles up inside me.“And if it isn’t pretend for me and I am genuinely interested in a kinky relationship and having a Dom of my own to meet my every waking need so I can be the super submissive, sometimes bratty, sexually invigorating sub of his dreams.Then would I need to fill one of these out?Id it like placing your order online and then you wait for someone else to deliver exactly what you’re looking for?Is that how you two found your special submissive someone?”I know I’m being sarcastic but these two are acting like smug little assholes and I’m not finding myself amused.

Mauro cackles at that.“Oh, you’re good.But if we wanted a sub, we don’t have to order anything.”He gestures with his arms wide.“Look around.As a Venatti we have our pick of the litter, but a specialone?Fuck that.I’m not ready to settle down and my brother over there is next in line and will have his wife selected for him soon enough.”

“So, wait.”I point to Nazario.“Your wife or partner, whatever, will be handpicked for you while your brother here gets to fuck the whole female population of Texas?How is that fair?”It reminds me of the world me and Avery witnessed in Baron’s Edge.It’s fucking asinine.

Nazario shrugs.“It’s how things work in our world.Marriages breed alliances and all that other bullshit.But your time will come soon enough, brother.”Nazario directs his comment to Mauro who shakes his head.

“Not if you become Don and change the laws, it won’t.”Mauro rebuts.

“I’m not going to be Don for a while, Mo.Pop’s not going to just give up his seat any time soon.You know that.They’ll be expecting you to marry not long after me asshole.So, you better live it up while you can.Your days are numbered, same as mine.”Nazario teases.

“Nah, Naz.They expectyouto marry and have kids right away.You’re the first-born heir to the throne.The rest of us can fuck around for a little while longer.It’s our consolation prize for being born after you.”

I listen to them banter, but don’t pay them too much mind as I read through the limits and specifics of the relationship dynamics listed on the contract.I know this isn’t real between me and Matteo, but damn if this doesn’t intrigue me even more after reading some of these options.

“Dolcezza.”Matteo calls, reaching his hand out for me to take.I do without hesitation.He pulls me close to his chest and kisses the top my forehead.“Did these two idiots frighten you while I was away?”

I stifle a grin.“No, sir.They were the perfect hosts.”I know by the way his brow is raised.Matteo sees right through my bullshit answer.He must more about them than they let on.

Of course he does.They’re family.

“Shall we go on that tour now?”Matteo threads my hand through his arm and after a short goodbye and dismissal of his cousins, guides me through the main entrance which leads into a bar and a dance floor.It looks like any other nightclub I’ve been to.It’s not as opulent as the Velvet Pearl, but then again, this isn’t the same kind of crowd as the Pearl either.Here they actually take it all off and then some and you don’t have to pay for the extra services in the back rooms because the people are already doing said services for free with their partners out front.

Matteo offers me a drink, but I forgo the option.I want to see what all of the fuss is about so we can go home and I can get on my computer to figure a way to help Hawk and the guys out of there predicament.

“Through this door is the Dungeon, the party room where multiple couples may plan specific themed gatherings, and upstairs are the private members only rooms.”He leans in close and says, “Hold onto my arm at all times.Do not pull away or attempt to go off on your own., Once we are beyond that door, if you are found wandering people will assume you are a beginner looking for a partner for the night.Remember, I can only keep you safe so long as you obey my commands.Understood?”

“Yes, sir.I understand.”I’m gifted another kiss to the temple.To others it looks like praise and intimacy, and though I know it’s all for show, I have to admit it soothes my nerves a bit to know Matteo is pleased with me.

As soon as we pass through the doors, the sound of something smacking against what I can only assume is flesh catches my attention and fills me with alarm.It sounds the same as when the guys spar at Ethan’s gym, only instead of grunts and curses, I hear soft mewls and moans.

A large man in all black- a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black jeans, and black boots- is standing beside a woman who’s leaning over a leather covered bench with her hands and ankles strapped to the base and her bare ass on display.The man holds what looks to be a leather covered paddle with several holes, like a wiffle ball, through the middle.He leans down to say something into the woman’s ear and she nods earning herself another slap to the ass with a paddle.My own ass clenches at the sight and sounds.I don’t know how to feel about it all.To some respect I feel like we’re all intruding on an intimate conversation but then again, I find myself wanting to be nosy as hell and watch as it all plays out.

Holy fucking shit.What’s wrong with me?

He’s not a small man so I can’t imagine those are light taps on her ass.When she doesn’t respond again, he swings the paddle again.Then the room fills with her now sobbing voice as she replies, “Yes, Sir.I’m sorry, Sir.I’ll do better, Sir.”His response is to rub her ass with his hand, kneading and squeezing as he whispers in her ear again.We watch as her body falls limp over the bench, and he moves aside to place the paddle in a black duffle bag on the floor near her head.

My heart is racing, my breath caught in my throat.I’m not sure how to feel about what I’m seeing.I have so many questions.What did she do to earn such a spanking and why was it done in public?Id that going to blister her ass or will she only be slightly sore in the morning?

What surprises me the most is when the man unlocks her restraints, sits her up then lifts her into his arms cradled against his chest.He holds her close whispering where only she can hear him.Her eyes are red and puffy, her cheeks covered in tears, but she doesn’t seem upset, she seems…calm, relaxed even.I watch on as he lifts his duffle bag then moves to a wide chair in the corner placing the woman on his lap.He reaches into his bag and pulls out what looks like a soft, fluffy blanket and wraps it over her shoulders tucking it in behind his back cocooning her to him.

Another man sidles up to Matteo and begins speaking with him in Italian.With him busy and not paying me any mind, I continue to stare over at the couple.

The woman is squirming in the man’s lap, her head thrown back, mouth open as her voice becomes a little louder.Holy shit I think he’s finger fucking her right here in the middle of the room where everyone just watches him bust her ass, literally.The same people are now watching him pleasure her while she sits in his lap, and for some reason I find it hot as hell.

---