Page 16 of Shrouded Desires
A strong but muffled voice bid him to enter. He frowned but slowly opened the door. He hadn’t expected Storm to be there yet, but maybe he’d never left. Surprise washed over him when he saw Master sitting behind his desk with his feet resting on the corner of it.
“Master?” Surprise made way for concern. “What are you doing here? I thought the doctor said no business for -”
“Present.” Max dropped his legs down as he straightened in the chair, his expression all business. His skin was still pale under his tan and he moved slowly, carefully as if he was expecting each motion to cause pain. But with that one word, and his serious demeanor he made it obvious that he wasn’t here about club business.
The command washed over Raine. He immediately assumed the position Master wanted. Hands behind his back, feet shoulder width apart, and his gaze averted to the left, he stood still as a statue and waited for the next command.
“It’s good to see you haven’t completely lost the ability to obey, Raine.” Max commented, then continued, not waiting for Raine to reply. “Which is why I find it very frustrating that you broke one of your rules already.”
Shame washed over him. So much for hoping that Storm hadn’t run back to Master to rat him out. Evidently, Storm had been pissed enough to do just that. He was such a fuck up! “Sorry, Master. I know now I should’ve asked Storm to set up a scene for me. Or waited for him to return.”
“You scened without supervision, Raine.” Max gritted out. “With your history, that’s not cool.”
Tears stung the back of his eyes. “I know, Master. I fucked up.”
“You did.” Max finally sighed. “Which Storm will be addressing when he arrives in a little bit.”
“Of course, Master.” Raine held his position with effort. “I already agreed to a punishment today.”
Max pushed out of his chair to come in front of his desk, his movements a bit stiff. When he was within arms distance, he stopped. “Which will make this next step easier, I hope.”
Raine gave into the urge to look at Master. “Next step?”
Max nodded. “Since you’ve seemed to revert to prior bad behaviors, we’re going to go back to basics with you. I was hoping that it wouldn’t come to this, but your actions last night were foolish. Particularly when I found out what an unobservant fool my best friend has been when it comes to you.”
Raine opened his mouth to protest, but found the words stuck in his throat. What Master said was true. He’d fallen back into old bad habits after Master’s heart attack. He’d definitely lost himself in a scene that could’ve gone horribly wrong if it had been with a dominant with less scruples than Nadine had. He drew in a deep breath. He’d brought this on himself. “Basics, Master?”
“Yes.” He lifted Raine’s chin. “I gave Storm the Gold room on the third floor. You are going to take up your prior residence.”
His heart faltered, then sped up in his chest at the thought of returning to the walk-in closet attached to the suite where he’d stayed when he’d first came to the club. He loved his room under the stairs, it was his sanctuary. Now, Master was going to strip him of it? “For how long, Master?” He was proud of himself for keeping the quiver out of his voice.
“For as long as Storm thinks you need.” A fleeting look of concern crossed Max’s face. “I refuse to lose you after all the work thatwe’veput in to pulling you back from the brink. You’re a good person, Raine. You’re Lizzie’s best friend, and I’ll be damned if you self-implode because I stopped taking care of myself.”
“And you think giving me to Storm will keep that from happening?” The words came out with an edge, but he found himself uncaring if they came out wrong.
“Only if you work with him.” Max refused to rise to the bait. “Storm is a fair dominant, Raine. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, just because you’re unsure how to proceed without me.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I did you no favors by sheltering you here at the club. I’ve made you dependent on my presence, and I never should’ve done that, considering that our relationship is one of friendship and nothing more.”
Anguish flowed through Raine. He’d taken advantage of Lizzie’s relationship with Max to find a safe harbor but had hoped that what he’d given back in return had been enough to balance the scales.Evidently not, if we’re having this discussion. “Would you rather I leave, Mas- Max?”
Pain flared up his side as Max pinched him - hard. “Don’t go putting words in my mouth, Raine. I never said you weren’t welcome here. This is your home and has been for the past five years. I’d never strip that from you - no matter how much you fuck up.”
* * *
Storm watched the interplay between Raine and Max. He’d entered shortly after their conversation had begun but had held back. He wanted to witness them together. It was interesting to see them interact. Now that he’d actually experienced it, he noticed the definite lack of spark on Raine’s end. While Max had that protective dominant vibe going on, Storm couldn’t see anything other than submission in Raine’s body language. They were friends. Not ones with benefits, however, but friends with the deep connection that came with TPE. How did Max expect him to replace a bond like that with a temporary one with Storm?
He knew himself. He was an asshole, but under all that boorish behavior, he found himself caring about what happened to the young man standing in front of his best friend. He didn’t want to see Raine fall down a dark rabbit hole that depression could become for those who didn’t have a strong confidence in themselves.
Which is why when the boy had asked if Max wanted him to leave, fear crept inside Storm’s heart and moved him to join the conversation. After working with the boy over the past few weeks, he knew exactly how integral the boy was to the running of the club. Raine was irreplaceable.
“I agree with Max. You’re not going anywhere, boy.”
Raine jumped in surprise. Max rolled his eyes at Storm’s sudden proclamation but did nothing to counter his words. They’d worked out all the particulars last night between the two of them, after he’d returned to find Raine’s note. He’d first demanded to know where the boy’s room was, but Max had refused to answer him, claiming that the space was Raine’s safe place and as such he didn’t need a pissed off dom banging on his door and dragging him out. Which was why, he’d agreed to move into one of the private suites at the top of the club. Not only would it provide the anonymity he needed, but it would also allow him to keep a much closer eye on Raine.At least until I’m sure the boy isn’t backsliding.
“Subtle as always, bud.” Max shook his head. “Sometimes this guy forgets completely about asking. A personal flaw, or so I’m told.” Max gave him a whatever look. “But he’s got a good heart behind that neanderthal exterior.”
“Yes, Master.” Raine squeaked, his body language stiff now that he realized they were no longer alone in the room. He didn’t even look in Storm’s direction, which Storm found to be irritating. He got why Max was here and had even agreed that it would be a good idea to have the other man reinforce his will on Raine, but now Storm just wanted to kick the man out of his own office. So, he could soothe the boy. Which was a first for him. He shouldn’t feel like this toward another man’s sub.
“Just remember what I told you earlier.” Max reminded Raine. “When we spoke on the phone.”
